Who doesn’t like talking fantasy baseball in January? Waiting patiently for projections to come out and mock drafts to be opened is tough, so here are some early fantasy baseball sleepers.
Oswaldo Arcia | Twins OF
2014 Stats: .231 AVG, 20 HR, 57 RBI, 46 runs, 105 Games
Oswaldo Arcia, 23, is one of the most underrated power hitters in the league. Arcia suffered through injuries and a horrendous slump early in the season, but still finished with 20 homers in only 105 games. His potential is unlimited and playing at Target Field shouldn’t hurt his power numbers. He hit 12 home runs at home to only eight on the road. Arcia’s upside outweighs his bad average and he would be a great pick in the 17th or 18th round. If Arcia can cut down his strikeout rate and hit lefties better, he could be a top 30 fantasy outfielder
2015 Projection: .237 AVG, 29 HR, 85 RBI, 74 Runs,
Javier Baez | Cubs 2B/SS
2014 Stats: .169 AVG, 9 HR, 20 RBI, 25 Runs, 6 SB, 52 Games
Yes, I know, his average was dreadful, but hear me out. Second base is one of the worst positions in fantasy baseball, so getting a player that can put up 26 HR and 16 SB would be fantastic. Drafting this player in the 11th round in a 12 team league would be even better. His bad batting average will scare people away, but don’t forget he is only 22 years old and will only improve. Give him a few years and he will be a 30/30 guy. This kind of production late in drafts is unheard of. To put this into perspective, only 10 players last season had over 20 home runs and 15 stolen bases. If Baez and his power/speed combo is available late in the draft, that’s a win-win.
2015 Projection: .216 AVG, 26 HR, 76 RBI, 69 Runs, 16 SB
Jake Odorizzi | Rays SP
2014 Stats: 11-13, 4.12 ERA, 168 IP, 174 K, 59 BB
Jake Odorizzi struggled out of the gates for the Rays but was very good in the second half. His ERA in May, June, and July was 3.06 and he had 107 strikeouts in 90 innings pitched. That is the potential he has. Odorizzi is a strikeout pitcher and has a phenomenal slider and curveball. Tropicana Field is a pitchers’ park and the Tampa Bay Rays always get the most out of their staff. He will be available as late as the 14th or 15th rounds in 12 team leagues. Odorizzi has the potential to be a great draft day bargain.
2015 Projection: 13-12, 3.79 ERA, 185 IP, 187 K, 64 BB
Adam LaRoche | White Sox 1B
2014 Stats: .259 AVG, 26 HR, 92 RBI, 73 Runs
Adam LaRoche just keeps producing, simple as that. He falls into 11th or 12th round every year and consistently hits 25 bombs and drives in 90. He doesn’t have the upside other first basemen have, but he is a nice late round option to have. He signed with the White Sox this offseason after being with the Nationals for four years. This move will help his production, as U.S. Cellular is a great hitters’ park, as will hitting behind Jose Abreu. LaRoche is in for a big season.
2015 Projection: .256 AVG, 28 HR, 95 RBI, 76 Runs, 140 Games
For the rest of our fantasy baseball profiles and articles, please check out our Fantasy Baseball Guide Page.
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN- SEPTEMBER 23: Oswaldo Arcia #31 of the Minnesota Twins bats against the Arizona Diamondbacks on September 23, 2014 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Twins defeated the Diamondbacks 6-3. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images)
