Fantasy Baseball Sleepers 2015

The following list is a group of players that could be impact fantasy baseball players despite their average draft slot. Many of these players are here for reasons such as their health, division, strength of position in draft, and other factors. Every fantasy drafter can tell you that the draft isn’t won by your first pick, but the mid-round picks and beyond. So without further ado, here are some fantasy baseball sleepers for the 2015 season at each position.

( each player’s average draft position [ADP] is based off the combined rankings of Fantrax, NFBC, CBS, Yahoo, ESPN, and RTS from Fantasypros.com)

Starting Pitcher: Jordan Zimmermann– WSH
Jordan Zimmermann may not seem like a “deep sleeper” but he is ranked 15th at his position according to the average rankings. While he is still an elite pitcher, Zimmermann pitches for a team that is the clear front runner in their division, and he lost value due to his lack of strikeouts, and he isn’t the ace of the Nationals rotation anymore. He will dominate within the division and will more than likely get near 17 wins as a number two starter behind Max Scherzer.

Relief Pitcher: Steve Cishek– MIA
The 14th ranked relief pitcher and 123rd overall drafted player, Cishek is a 30+ save pitcher that won’t wow you with his numbers. However, in a weak NL East and with Miami being a stronger team this year, he will be in that next-tier group of closers that will still get you saves, most likely in the mid 30s. While most people will chase and stretch on Greg Holland, Aroldis Chapman, or Craig Kimbrel, you can sit back and wait a bit before grabbing a closer that will still deliver quality results.

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First Base/Third base/Catcher/DH: Carlos Santana– CLE
While Carlos Santana may be moving permanently out of the catcher spot, that doesn’t mean he isn’t the most versatile player in this draft. He is slotted to be drafted right around the 76th pick, and for the value of him at catcher and third base with some power, if he falls past this point in your draft he should be looked at based on flexibility alone. With the potential for 20-plus home runs and 80-plus RBIs if healthy and protection by other hitters around him, Santana is an intriguing option.

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Second Base: Kolten Wong- STL
I know which fan base reads Arch Authority, so I doubt that people in St. Louis think Kolten Wong should be in the draft range of 98th (CBS) and 190th (Fantrax). Regardless of his status as the 123rd average pick in drafts, and 10th ranking among second baseman, Wong showed his power and potential late in the season. With a stronger lineup around him, he should benefit from those hitting ahead of him, unless he moves to the second hitter spot, then he benefits from those behind him.

Shortstop: JJ Hardy- BAL
I’d love to go back-to-back Cardinals here (Jhonny Peralta is ranked 201st overall), but I will leave behind my biased hometown love for someone who battled injuries last season. Hardy had been an elite offensive talent going into 2014, but he couldn’t get going due to health issues. His 267th average pick means he is a backup shortstop for you at this point…I hope…but if he gets healthy, the 19th-ranked shortstop could return to being a top-10 SS. IF you were wondering, Hardy being the 10th-best would knock Danny Santana out of the top 10, and send Javier Baez to the 12th-best. Shortstop isn’t a strong fantasy spot this season.

Third Base: Aramis Ramirez– MIL
It’s the last year for Ramirez, a 36-year-old player who is still getting it done. Sure he won’t have a breakout season, but at 216th on average and ranked 21st at his position, you are getting someone who is consistent and will be trying to go out with a bang. Backup or starter, he isn’t a bad option.

Outfield Marcell Ozuna (MIA)/ Shin-Soo Choo (TEX)/ Chris Carter (HOU)
Ozuna- ADP:127 Ranked 36th
Carter- ADP:117 Ranked 33rd
Choo- ADP:171 Ranked 49th

Ozuna was a silent stud last year and will continue to benefit from a strong lineup of young players around him. He may be your fourth outfielder to start, but he undoubtedly has 20-plus homer power. Carter made a name for himself by being the solo-shot king, he hits in a very hitter-friendly park and the Astros are making an effort to surround him and Jose Altuve with better batters so that they can be better-utilized. Carter will most likely hit over 25 home runs and will have near 80 RBIs this season. Choo was just not himself last year for the Rangers. The Rangers had more injuries than any other team last season by a long shot. If they get a healthy Choo and Prince Fielder, this is a good pick late-late in the draft.

Obviously I didn’t list every single sleeper. Who have you seen fall in your drafts? Who is due for a breakout/comeback season for you? Tell us!

Next: Does Carlos Villanueva's Bad Outing Hurt His Chances of Making the Roster?

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