2023 Fantasy Baseball Sleepers: Hitters
There’s nothing like drafting a sleeper in fantasy sports. Regardless of whether you’re playing fantasy baseball or fantasy football, there’s nothing like drafting those late-round players and being the one in your league who nailed it.
Fantasy baseball drafts are so deep that the chance to find a sleeper is greater and can really change the outcome of your season. This article touches on hitting that can help you in your draft, especially in those late rounds. Some of these names could go undrafted but will absolutely appear on waivers and cost a lot of FAAB. Let’s get right into it with these 2023 Fantasy Baseball Sleepers: Hitters.
Oswald Peraza
Shortstop, New York Yankees
Oswald Peraza is the projected starting shortstop for the New York Yankees this season. Yes, they do have Anthony Volpe fighting for a spot this Spring, but it shouldn’t affect Peraza’s time. If anything, they’ll find a position for Volpe.
Peraza crushed AAA ball last season. He made his debut last season and played 18 games. During that time, he hit 14 home runs and batted .311 over his last 50+ games. Furthermore, he batted .306, stole two bases, and hit a home run. Peraza is a camp favorite to hit 20 home runs and steal 20 bases. Additionally, has elite stolen base potential. So with a full season it seems like 20 could be the floor. Plus, Peraza is batting in an elite Yankees lineup. His current ADP on NFC is 377, making him a sleeper candidate for fantasy baseball this year.
Miguel Vargas
Second Baseman, Los Angeles Dodgers
Miguel Vargas is a very popular breakout pick this season for the Dodgers. He is their projected starting second baseman (2B is a weak position this season). Vargas is an up-and-coming prospect and is batting in an elite Dodger lineup. His current ADP on NFC is 260 and could rapidly rise soon gaining 2B eligibility. While he did injure his finger this spring, now he is easing his way back into playing. No, he didn’t have a great debut last year which could bring his value down. That being said, in the Minors, he is a .300 hitter with speed with moderate power.
Vargas could be looked at as a 20-plus power hitter, maybe getting ten stolen bases, all while batting over .270. Grab Vargas now before his ADP goes up.
Gleyber Torres
Second Baseman, New York Yankees
Gleyber Torres shouldn’t be considered a sleeper, but he feels really underappreciated. Last season, he batted .257 with 24 home runs and 76 RBIs. Let’s not forget that in 2019 he also hit 38 home runs. While he was the topic of trade talk all offseason, it now seems like he is in line for the Yankees on Opening Day. He started off Spring Training with a day one home run and seems locked in.
In a shallow second base position, Torres is a really good pick at his current ADP of 115 (2B number 7 on NFC). Don’t get too caught up in exactly what a “sleeper” is, instead go draft Torres and take advantage of this value.
Riley Greene
Outfield, Detroit Tigers
Riley Greene debuted last season as a highly touted rookie. He was in line to make the opening-day roster but fouled a ball off his foot. Because of that, he did not debut until June. He played 93 games and batted .253 with five home runs and 42 RBIs. These numbers do not sound great, but Detroit did just move their outfield walls in and lowered some of the walls as well. This greatly affects Greene’s power, and I would expect to see his power numbers go up.
Detroit is going to give their star prospect every chance to succeed. He needs to reduce his strikeouts, and put more balls in the air, making him a risky pick. However, with an ADP of 198, he’s worth a flier in the double-digit rounds based on the prospect star alone.
CJ Abrams
Shortstop, Washington Nationals
CJ Abrams was the 6th selection in the 2019 MLB Draft by the San Diego Padres. He was moved last season to Washington in the Juan Soto trade. Abrams has elite speed upside, and with the rule changes could easily push 30-plus steals. However, he had a down year last season, only stealing 7 bases in 90 games. Additionally, he batted .246 with two home runs and 21 RBIs.
Abrams was forced to move cross country in a mid-season deal, and learn a whole new team. With a full offseason in Washington, and being the Nationals’ leadoff hitter, Abrams projects as a massive sleeper candidate in fantasy baseball drafts. In the Spring opener, he batted leadoff and went two for four with a double, a run, and a stolen base. His ADP sits at 234 and could rise if he has a big Spring.
Garrett Mitchell
Outfield, Milwaukee Brewers
Garrett Mitchell debuted last season and played in 28 games. In that time, he batted .311 with 2 home runs and 9 RBIs. Additionally, he stole 8 bases. In his Spring debut, Mitchell tapped into that power and hit 2 home runs. He went 2-3 with 2 home runs and 4 RBIs. Now, he is fighting this spring to make the team. That being said, I fully expect him to make the team, making him a real sleeper with elite steal upside and possible double-digit power potential. Right now, his ADP sits at 314, and if he makes the team, expect this to quickly go up.
Esteury Ruiz
Outfield, Oakland Athletics
Esteury Ruiz was traded multiple times last season. He was sent to San Diego in the Josh Hader trade, and then over to Oakland. He put up video game numbers in the Minor leagues. There, he stole 85 bases in 114 games. Oakland does not have much depth throughout, giving Ruiz the chance to play full-time, even potentially lead off. Ruiz makes for a last-round dart throw if you need steals. His ADP is 290 on NFC and climbing. Take advantage while you can.
Oscar Colas
Outfield, Chicago White Sox
Oscar Colas has the opportunity to win the right field job in Chicago. The rookie hit .314 with 23 home runs last season in the Minor league. Now, he has 30-home run potential in the Majors, and again, has a chance to crack the Opening Day roster. Even if he starts the season in AAA, he won’t be down there long. Colas is a nice sleeper at his current ADP of 391. In his opening weekend of Spring, he hit second and recorded 2 base hits.
Brett Baty
Third Baseman, New York Mets
Brett Baty’s roster spot is uncertain right now. However, he did start off the Spring with a home run. Baty is one of the Mets’ top prospects and should debut with the team if not on opening day, by May or June. Additionally, he is a late-round stash that could help you in a weak third-base position.
Currently, his ADP on NFC is 514. This would mean that the general public does not think he will make the Opening Day roster. That being said, if/when he does get called up, and I believe it should be quick, he will cost you a lot of FAAB. He is available at the end of every fantasy baseball draft right now, definitely making him a sleeper candidate.
Fantasy Baseball Best Ball Sleepers
Breakout Candidates
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