It is crunch time for fantasy baseball drafts as Spring Training is now in full swing and the regular season is mere weeks away from opening day. If you are doing your research, which you should be, then the top-rated fantasy players should be second nature to you. The names like Stephen Strasburg, Matt Kemp, Ryan Braun, Justin Verlander, Mike Trout and Miguel Cabrera are atop every perspective fantasy general manager's draft day wish list.
Fantasy baseball is an easy draft to partake in, at least for the first five rounds; by then the top fifty or so players are off the board and each team in the league has one or two representatives. If you are playing in a deeper league of say 12 teams and 20 rounds then you had better have an idea of who you are going to be looking at with that 240th pick because it just might be that Zack Cozart or Dylan Bundy that puts your fantasy team over the top.
If you just asked yourself who the heck is Dylan Bundy and why would I consider drafting him? Then read on because this is eDraft’s fantasy sleeper guide. We start our analysis in the NL East as we focus on the less-known and under-valued players whom you can look at grabbing in those later rounds while your opponents are floundering to pick minimal-value late inning relievers.
Denard Span – OF Washington Nationals
Span makes the switch to the National League this season after playing the last three with the Minnesota Twins. Now with the Nationals, Span will be the everyday centerfielder and will be the leadoff hitter on the very talented Nationals roster. Granted that manager Davey Johnson hasn't been the biggest proponent of the stolen base over his managerial career; Span still figures to get his opportunities on the base baths to run.
Span lacks any real pop to his bat and isn't likely going to go off for double digit homeruns; however, he can maintain a decent batting average and OBP for the season. I like Span's fantasy value as he could go for 20 doubles, 25-plus stolen bases, 75 runs and an OBP around .350. If Span can stay healthy he provides a better leadoff option than Jayson Werth as his speed and aggressiveness is a definite upside. As long as Span can avoid the ire of Johnson by running in unfavourable situations then he will be a productive outfield option and can taken as a late-round pickup.
Andrelton Simmons – SS Atlanta Braves
At the young age of 23, Andrelton Simmons will be playing his first full season in the major leagues. His defense has long been his calling card as he has parlayed a solid glove into becoming the Atlanta Braves starting shortstop. Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez recently shared some lineup insight when he announced that Simmons would be batting leadoff ahead of Jason Heyward and Justin Upton. Major upside for this young man as his OBP has been solid throughout his minor league stops and if maintained at the big league level he should score quiet alot of runs given the big bats in the lineup behind him. Not unlike Denard Span in Washington, Simmons has some solid baserunning skills and could put up a 20-steal season while clubbing out 8-10 homers with 60-plus runs scored. Simmons offers real value in the later rounds considering he figures to be an everyday player for the Braves this season.
Julio Teheran – SP Atlanta Braves
Teheran is looking to make an impact this spring as he is competing for the fifth spot in the braves starting rotation. Reviews so far this spring have been positive as Teheran has had two very solid outings. While I put exactly zero stock in spring training baseball, the impressive outings seem to have caught manager Fredi Gonzalez’s attention as Teheran is being viewed as having the inside track on the final roster spot. If things go well for Teheran then a ten win 100 strikeout season would be an astounding success. Definitely worth a late round flyer pick in deep drafts; the Braves will have a very good team and offensively they can compensate for mediocre pitching.
Jordan Walden – RP Atlanta Braves
Jordan Walden might be a bit of a reach even as a late round sleeper pick. He is currently injured with a sore back and was injured to end last season with a bicep problem. The Atlanta Braves already have themselves an elite closer in Craig Kimbrel so that means that despite posting 32 saves for the Los Angeles Angles in 2011, Walden isn’t likely going to factor in any saves this season. Barring injury to Kimbrel, Walden’s only fantasy value lies in his high strikeout totals and his low ERA and WHIP.
Domonic Brown – OF Philadelphia Phillies
Once a top-rated prospect in the Phillies organization; Domonic Brown has to produce at the big league level. This season could mark the resurgence that many of the Philly faithful have been hoping for. With the off-season trades that sent Shane Victorino and Hunter Pence out, the Phillies are counting on Brown to fill some of the voids. I really think that Brown is going to have a solid season and next year people will be scrambling to call him a sleeper pick. Great bargain come the mid to late rounds; a five tool player who could potentially go off for 15-18 homeruns, 15 steals and a .280 average.
Ben Revere – OF Philadelphia Phillies
The newly acquired Ben Revere comes from the Minnesota Twins over to the Philadelphia Phillies as a hopeful replacement for Shane Victorino. If Revere can keep his success going in the National League then the Phillies have a superbly speedy new centerfielder. Last season Revere showed his ability to be a contact hitter and get on base as evidenced by his .333 OBP. Ideally the OBP would be closer to .360; however 40 steals and 70 runs scored is definitely attainable and surely worthy of a late-round pick.
Logan Morrison – 1B Miami Marlins
Logan Morrison represents a bit of a gamble even in the deepest of drafts. He is coming off a knee injury from last season that will likely prevent him from being in the Miami Marlins opening day roster. Despite the injury setback, Morrison will be looking to regain the strength in his knee and with it revert back to his 2011 form. The potential is here for Morrison to have a solid year of 20-plus homeruns. Given the injury status and the uncertainty of the rehab; Morrison presents a draft day risk. If he can be had in the very late rounds then I’d suggest taking the risk as the fantasy upside could be large.