Thirty teams in major league baseball; thirty sources for sleeper potential in fantasy baseball. That’s Dalton Del Don’s mission here — to identify one fantasy draft sleeper from every squad.
Arizona Diamondbacks: A.J. Puk, SP/RP
Justin Martínez enters the favorite to close in Arizona, but Puk is Arizona’s best reliever who’s available later in fantasy drafts. Puk recorded a microscopic 1.72 ERA with a 0.75 WHIP over 57.2 innings after moving to relief last season. His SIERA (2.16) and CSW (33.9%) both ranked top five among relievers. Puk’s K-BB% (30.0) was behind only Mason Miller.
Puk has an extensive injury history, but he’s a former top-pitching prospect who looks perfectly suited to a full-time move to the bullpen. Meanwhile, Martínez owns a career 5.12 BB/9 rate.
Puk is going undrafted in 30% of Yahoo leagues and is going after Pick 200, but his range of outcomes includes finishing as a top-five fantasy closer in 2025.
Athletics: Zack Gelof, 2B
Gelof’s ADP has sunk compared to last year thanks to a down 2024, but he’s one season removed from posting a 132 wRC+ as a 23-year-old. Gelof has averaged 16 homers and 20 steals over just 104 games during his two years in the majors. He’s a clear batting average risk, but last season’s .201 BABIP against left-handers is sure to regress. Gelof has clubbed 20 of his career 31 homers on the road, so he’ll benefit from Oakland’s move to Sacramento.
The Oakland Coliseum ranked as the fifth-worst for RHB over the past three years, according to Park Factors. The Athletics will be moving to Sutter Health Park, which has played mostly neutral in Triple-A, but A’s hitters should benefit from their new climate and significantly smaller foul territory. The park also had a new batter’s eye installed to improve visibility. OOPSY projects Gelof to be one of only two second basemen to go 20/20 this year. He’s a sleeper available late in fantasy drafts.
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Atlanta Braves: Grant Holmes, SP
Holmes made his MLB debut last season after being a first-round pick 10 years ago, and he’ll enter 2025 part of Atlanta’s starting rotation. Holmes’ K-BB% (21.8) while starting last season would’ve ranked eighth among qualified SPs, just behind Zack Wheeler. Here’s the list of pitchers who recorded a better CSW than Holmes last year: Blake Snell, Tarik Skubal and Chris Sale.
That’s it.
Holmes’ Chase% is in the 97th percentile, while his BB% is in the 90th. He owns the third-highest SwStr% on sliders over the last two seasons. Holmes will benefit from pitching for a Braves team primed to produce more run support in 2025, so he’s a steal while going undrafted in 55% of Yahoo leagues.
Baltimore Orioles: Ryan Mountcastle, 1B
Mountcastle has lost 11 homers to Baltimore’s left-field wall over 2022-24, so he gets a boost in fantasy drafts thanks to dimension changes at Camden Yards. The Orioles are moving in their left-field wall to fix an overcorrection after moving it back before the 2022 season. The dimension changes could have a real impact, as the moved-back wall prevented 196 home runs over the last three years. Oriole Park has decreased HR for RHB by 21% (the third-most in MLB) over that span, and it’s produced the second-lowest HR/FB rate for righties since 2023. Mountcastle should return to 20+ homers in 2025.
Boston Red Sox: Trevor Story, SS
Story’s draft standing has become a discount after three straight injury-filled seasons. He remains a batting average risk, but Story could return plenty of value while hitting in Boston’s lineup. Fenway isn’t Coors Field, but it’s been MLB’s second-best hitter’s park for right-handed batters over the last three seasons. Story has been aggressive on the base paths since joining the Red Sox, and OOPSY projects 19 home runs and 27 steals while missing 20+ games. Story is a cheap way to fill middle infield late in drafts.
Chicago Cubs: Matt Shaw, 2B/SS/OF
Shaw has been slowed by an oblique injury to open spring, but he made his Cactus League debut on Sunday. Shaw enters 2025 as the favorite to start at third base in Chicago. Shaw was a top-15 pick in the 2023 draft, and he posted a 146 wRC+ across the minors last year. He also added 21 homers and 31 stolen bases over just 443 at-bats. Shaw is eligible at three positions in Yahoo, and he’s capable of going 20/20 as a rookie if playing time cooperates.
Cincinnati Reds: Nick Lodolo, SP
Lodolo was 8-2 with a 2.76 ERA, a 1.01 WHIP and a 20.5 K-BB% that ranked top 20 among starters before suffering a finger injury during his 12th start of the season last year. He posted a 7.38 ERA and a 1.44 WHIP over his final 50.0 innings after returning, when the injury still affected his ability to grip his curveball (even after the blister healed). Lodolo’s curveball suffered a dramatic decrease in vertical break as a result.
Lodolo hasn’t proven he can stay healthy, but none of his injuries have involved his arm and his finger should be back to 100%.
The Great American Ballpark may pose a challenge, but Lodolo’s LOB% is expected to decline. As a former top-10 pick with elite stuff, Lodolo has the potential to be a top-20 starter. Despite his career 4.52 ERA, his 3.53 SIERA and ability to properly grip the baseball show promise. Additionally, Lodolo matched Paul Skenes’ CSW while pitching injured last year. He is currently ranked as SP69 in Yahoo ADP, but his upside suggests he could outperform that ranking. It’s worth considering adding him to your roster.
In a similar vein, Kyle Manzardo of the Cleveland Guardians is a player to watch. With impressive numbers in the minors, Manzardo is poised to take on the role of Cleveland’s full-time DH in 2025. He has shown his potential by recording a 147 wRC+ with five home runs in just 63 ABs in September. With the opportunity to hit second against right-handed pitchers, he could be a valuable asset in fantasy leagues.
Nolan Jones of the Colorado Rockies had a disappointing season last year due to a lingering back injury. However, he has shown in the past that he is capable of producing solid numbers, such as a 132 wRC+ and 20/20 performance in limited at-bats. Playing in Coors Field, which is known for boosting offensive production, Jones has the potential for a breakout season. His combination of power and speed makes him an intriguing option at his current ADP.
Andrew Vaughn of the Chicago White Sox may not be the flashiest pick, but he offers a reliable source of power and RBI production. Slated to hit cleanup in the White Sox lineup, Vaughn has the opportunity to put up solid numbers. Steamer projections suggest he can deliver similar stats to players drafted much higher, making him a value pick in fantasy drafts.
In conclusion, these players from various teams offer fantasy managers the chance to find hidden gems who could provide significant value during the upcoming season. Be sure to keep an eye on them as you prepare for your drafts. Although he may lose some at-bats due to defensive replacements later in games, Conforto’s ability to hit left-handed pitchers should prevent him from being in a platoon situation. Despite this, Conforto is going undrafted in 80% of Yahoo leagues.
In Miami, Jesús Tinoco is a strong candidate to close games, outperforming the favorite, Calvin Faucher, in various pitching metrics. Tinoco is overlooked in more than 80% of Yahoo leagues.
Garrett Mitchell in Milwaukee has the potential to achieve a 20/25 season if he stays healthy. With a lineup position in the cleanup spot and the boost in left-handed homers at American Family Field, Mitchell is poised for a breakout year.
Despite concerns about his plantar fasciitis, Carlos Correa remains a top hitter at shortstop, boasting an impressive 155 wRC+ last season. Correa is projected to have one of the highest wRC+ among shortstops in 2025.
Clay Holmes in New York Mets is transitioning from a reliever to a starter and has shown promise with his new pitch mix. He is a valuable option in fantasy drafts.
Clarke Schmidt of the New York Yankees is being underrated in drafts despite his strong performance as a starter last season. He has the potential to be a steal pick well past 200th overall.
Orion Kerkering in Philadelphia is a standout reliever with the potential to step into the closer’s role. His impressive K-BB% and SIERA make him a valuable asset in fantasy leagues.
Joey Bart in Pittsburgh had a resurgence last season and has the potential to be a top-five fantasy catcher. Bart is currently going undrafted in 98% of Yahoo leagues.
Nick Pivetta in San Diego has excelled in terms of K-BB% and looks like a top-40 fantasy starting pitcher. Despite Petco Park’s slight boost in homers, Pivetta is a strong fantasy option. Pivetta’s tendency to give up home runs may still be a concern despite his move from Fenway Park (-2%); he allowed 20 of his 28 homers on the road last season. However, Pivetta is now moving from the second-best hitter’s park to the third-best pitcher’s park according to Park Factors, making him a starting pitcher to target.
Kyle Harrison of the San Francisco Giants had a disappointing rookie season in fantasy, but there were positive signs, such as his K-BB% (18.5) after the All-Star break. Harrison admitted to fatigue in his first full year in the majors, and his ERA rose in his final two starts. With higher strikeout rates in the minors and improved velocity this spring after addressing last year’s delivery issues, Harrison is set to benefit from playing with one of baseball’s best framing catchers and in a pitcher-friendly park.
J.P. Crawford of the Seattle Mariners struggled last season due to injuries but had a strong performance in 2023. With a potential lower spot in the lineup and Safeco Field’s pitcher-friendly environment, Crawford is a sleeper pick for those in need of shortstop help.
Jordan Walker of the St. Louis Cardinals, a former top prospect, had a disappointing 2024 season but showed promise with five homers in September. Working with a new hitting coach to rediscover his swing, Walker is expected to have a breakout season with the Cardinals.
Brandon Lowe of the Tampa Bay Rays has dealt with injuries but continues to perform well at the plate. With OOPSY projecting him to lead in home runs and wRC+ among second basemen this season, Lowe is a steal at his current ADP.
Kumar Rocker of the Texas Rangers is a sleeper pick in fantasy drafts, despite uncertainties about his rotation spot and innings limit. A dominant pitcher in college and in the minors last season, Rocker is projected to have a strong season with a healthier arm in 2025.
Andrés Giménez of the Toronto Blue Jays is a speedy player who reached 30 steals last year. With a solid defense and improving hitting, Giménez is a valuable player to draft for steals and overall production.
Nathaniel Lowe, now with the Washington Nationals, is expected to bat cleanup in a hitter-friendly park for lefties. With a history of strong performances and a favorable hitting environment, Lowe is poised for a successful season with his new team.
Lowe’s Batting Average and RBI Potential
Lowe has shown great potential in his batting average, and his ability to drive in runs hitting behind James Wood is impressive. With his consistent performance, Lowe is definitely a solid sleeper pick for fantasy baseball.
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