The 2023 MLB season is slowly drawing near. February and early March are prime targets for fantasy baseball best ball sleepers. Right now the potential league winners could be all the way down in ADP. That being said, those are the players that go for more than 50% of your FAAB during the season. Identifying these players early could pay off big time. For ADP, I used NFBC.
Pitchers
Grayson Rodriguez, Baltimore Orioles
NFBC ADP: 193
Baltimore’s star prospect Grayson Rodriguez is set to be on the opening-day rotation for the Orioles. Rodriguez has top-of-the-rotation-type stuff and could really make an impact on day one. He was set back with a grade 2 late strain last season and was pitching lights out before that. Furthermore, he was set to make his debut in June prior to this injury. I expect his ADP to rise as the spring comes closer, making this a great time to draft him late.
Reid Detmers, Los Angeles Angels
NFBC ADP: 207
Reid Detmers is a story of two halves last season. He threw a no-hitter out of nowhere last season, and then struggled his next several starts and was sent down to the minors. In his one start in Triple-A, he struck out fourteen batters and came back up in July, and had a fantastic end to the season.
Detmers finished 2022 with 122 strikeouts, with a 3.77 ERA/1.21 WHIP, and threw 129 innings. The Angels may be going with a six-man rotation this year, but if Detmers can stay up the entire season it’s not entirely out of the question he can push between 150 to 200 strikeouts.
Edward Cabrera, Miami Marlins
NFBC ADP: 211
Pitching in his second season last year, Edward Cabrera pitched very well. He threw 71.2 innings and started 14 games. On top of that, he struck out 75 batters and had a 3.01 ERA/1.07 WHIP. Miami has a good reputation for developing good starting pitching (See Sandy Alcantara). This season Cabrera looks to take the next step forward. While he does struggle in the walks department, it’s something he could work on. Cabrera flashed upside last year (one hit scoreless ball at Coors). Not to mention, he has a fastball that approaches 100MPH and could be a steal at his current ADP.
Hitters
CJ Abrams, Washington Nationals
NFBC ADP: 222
CJ Abrams was highly touted as a prospect with his speed in mind. Abrams came up in the San Diego Padres farm and was dealt to the Nationals in the summer in the Juan Soto deal. Abrams should be expected to see the green light more on steals with Washington, and with the increased bags, and rule changes, he could see a big increase in stolen bases. In the minors, Abrams stole 42 career bags to 12 home runs. This year, he could hit double-digit home runs, and record upwards of 30-40 steals if everything goes right.
Jordan Walker, St. Louis Cardinals
NFBC ADP: 244
Jordan Walker is a top-tier MLB prospect who is competing for an opening-day spot in the Cardinals lineup. Walker has the tools to be a five-tool star. In Double-A last season, he hit .306 with 19 home runs and 22 stolen bases. He has 70-grade power and stands at 6’5.
In a year or two, Walker could be pushing early redraft status for fantasy baseball leagues. For this season, his current ADP screams must-draft. If Walker is not on the opening day roster, he is going to be the top waiver add whichever week he is up, and likely will cost you more than half your FAAB, if not more.
Ezequiel Tovar, Colorado Rockies
NFBC ADP: 253
Ezequiel Tovar is going way later than he should be in drafts. Tovar is right now projected to be the opening-day starter for the Rockies. He plays at Coors field so he gets the Coors boost. He is lost in a deep shortstop pool, but Tovar has some good upside. In his debut last season, he only hit one home run with two RBIs.
However, last season in double-A, Tovar hit .318 with 13 home runs and 17 stolen bases. There is a good possibility he could top 20 stolen bases for the season. Finally, with his current ADP, he’s a great value pick.
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