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 in the American League Wast should be second nature to you. The names like Albert Pujols, Josh Hamilton, Mike Trout, Yoenis Cespedes and Adrian Beltre are atop every perspective fantasy GM’s draft day wish list.
Fantasy baseball is an easy draft to partake in, at least for the first five rounds; as 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 GM’s and 20 rounds, then you had better have an idea of who you are going to be looking at with that 240th pick.
This is eDraft’s fantasy sleeper guide and we are continuing our analysis of potential fantasy-sleepers and draft-day bargains as we move on to the American League East. From the East division we are focusing on the lesser-known and undervalued players whom you can look at grabbing in those later rounds while your co-general managers are struggling to find serviceable fantasy options.
Here are seven position players worthy of draft day consideration. Stay tuned to eDraft for fantasy pitchers from throughout the National League and American League and check back for more fantasy sleeper picks as we work our way through each division, next stop: the American League Central. To check out eDraft’s NL East, NL Central, NL West and AL East fantasy picks click on the links and draft away.
Chris Carter - Outfield, Houston Astros
Chris Carter joined the Houston Astros from the Oakland Athletics as a part of the Jed Lowrie deal. While he predominantly played first base last season in Oakland; in Houston he is being asked to make the switch to the outfield. As a nice fantasy bonus, Carter might stay position eligible at both spots till at least the all-star break. Last season with the A’s, Carter played in only 68 games and received 218 at-bats. Despite hitting for a low average during that time, he did show some nice pop by cranking out 16 homeruns and driving in 39 runs. Carter figures to be the number-four hitter in the Astros' lineup and he should see plenty of at-bats in RBI situations. A full season for Carter as an everyday player could project stats of 25-plus HR, 75-plus RBI, 70-plus runs scored along with a rip line of .245/.350/.484.
Tyler Greene – Shortstop, Houston Astros
It looks like Tyler Greene has the inside track on the starting shortstop job in the wake of the Jed Lowrie trade. Not only does Greene figure to be an everyday player, he should also be batting leadoff for the Astros. Last season Greene split time between St. Louis and Houston as he played in 116 games with 305 at-bats. This season he projects to get closer to 400 at-bats and could post some decent numbers so long as he can keep his strikeouts down. Greene doesn’t possess great speed or a great bat; however, someone is going to have to score some runs for the Astros and Greene is as likely a candidate as anyone. Fantasy value is only in very deep leagues.
Jose Altuve – Second Base, Houston Astros
Jose Altuve should be slotted into the number two hole in the lineup and he should be green-lighted to pretty much do whatever he can offensively to help the Astros win a couple games. He isn’t a new-age second baseman who can hit 30-plus homers; what Altuve will give is a solid 10 homer season to go along with 50-plus RBI, 80-plus runs scored and a rip line of .290/.340/.405. A lot of people are seeing the potential in Altuve to have a tremendous season, although some leagues still have him way undervalued. Bottom lines, if you see Altuve on the board anywhere after the 12th round then grab him because that is a bargain. He easily ranks among the top-five AL second baseman and he could end up producing like a top three selection at the position.
Justin Maxwell - Outfield, Houston Astros
After five seasons worth of small samplings in the major leagues Justin Maxwell finally got a legitimate shot last season. He made the most of the opportunity on the year, as he got into 124 games and had 315 at-bats. In this relatively limited time, he showed his lack of discipline at the plate; as he struck out a third of the time. Nonetheless, when he did make contact; it was impressive. He clubbed out 18 homeruns, knocked in 53 runs and scored another 46. This season Maxwell should be the Astros everyday centerfielder, and as such he will see an increase in his at-bats. If the plate discipline has improved so will the numbers. Maxwell is worth a late-round flier pick due to the power numbers.
Jed Lowrie - Oakland Athletics
Jed Lowrie might be playing out of position with the Oakland A’s, but don’t expect that to dampen his fantasy value. In fact, Lowrie is likely to be positional eligible at both shortstop and third base as he figures to shuffle around the infield as he is needed. Last season Lowrie only played in 97 games, yet still managed 16 homeruns and 42 RBI. This season Lowrie represents a nice sleeper pick as he will be seeing a lot more at-bats with the A’s. He still doesn’t have great pop for a third baseman, or even your run-of-the-mill shortstop; however, he does get on-base, doesn’t strike out a lot and is disciplined at the plate. Keep in mind that Lowrie would have played a full season in 2012 if not for a broken leg that cost him all but 19 games after the all-star break. If healthy for the year, Lowrie could represent a solid late round addition to your fantasy squad.
Jesus Montero – Catcher, Seattle Mariners
Jesus Montero is looking to build off of last season. He has shown up to camp in better physical shape, which should help him maintain his strength as the season wears on. Montero is without a doubt the Mariners' everyday catcher so expect 500-plus at-bats throughout the season. Already, this second-year player has to be considered a top-five fantasy option at the catcher position for the AL. Granted, there is a big drop off from Joe Mauer and Victor Martinez down to Montero, but unlike those other two; Montero is undervalued. Montero is capable of 20-plus HR, 70-plus RBI and 70-plus runs as well as a rip line of .285/.314/.446. Montero represents solid value at the catcher spot without having to pick one off the board too early in the draft.
Honorable Mentions
Mike Olt - Texas Rangers
It would appear that the Texas Rangers are preparing to send Olt to Triple-A to start the season. This isn’t to say that Olt won’t be back up with the big club soon; however, he needs some playing time at positions other than third base so he isn’t a defensive liability once he transitions full-time to first base or the outfield. Olt is still a highly-touted prospect with major upside. Olt is definitely in the future plans for the Rangers organization; he just needs a bit more seasoning in the minors before getting called up. A solid draft pick in keeper leagues and worth a late-round flier in hopes of seeing him in the majors by early June.