11 Sleeper Hitters and Pitchers for Fantasy Baseball

February 26, 2025

Frank's top sleeper hitters and pitchers for fantasy baseball drafts in 2025. His 11 favorite fantasy baseball sleepers that are undervalued based on ADPs.

The term "sleeper" has become a bit overused in fantasy baseball. Too often I see players who go earlier in drafts categorized as a sleeper, but you won't find that in this article. I'm digging deeper to bring you my fantasy baseball sleepers.

In this article, you will find a mix of hitters and pitchers, each with an average ADP past pick 300 on NFBC drafts since February 14. I've unearthed some legitimate gems to help bolster your fantasy baseball rosters -- they can be drafted very late and at a low cost with little risk.

The data will come from NFBC because this is the most active platform for fantasy baseball right now. There have been hundreds of drafts in these high-stakes leagues, so we're getting a more informed look at the market by using this ADP. With that in mind, let's dive into my 12 fantasy baseball sleepers for the 2025 MLB season.

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Grant Holmes, SP, Atlanta Braves

NFBC ADP: 305.34

Grant Holmes put up an impressive 30.4 K% in 41 innings at Triple-A last year, which earned him a cup of coffee in the big leagues. The 28-year-old righty ended up posting a 3.37 SIERA and 19.5 K-BB% in 68.1 innings with the Braves.

Now firmly entrenched in the Braves' rotation -- especially with Spencer Strider being eased back -- Holmes is an intriguing late-round target. We just saw Spencer Schwellenbach tear it up for this team -- Holmes could be next.

Joey Ortiz, 3B/SS, Milwaukee Brewers

NFBC ADP: 307.98 

I'm starting to really like Joey Ortiz as a sleeper MI in deeper leagues.

Moving to SS this year, which means more playing time, since teams are less likely to mix and match there.

.239-58-11-60-11 in 511 PA last year.

Good walk rate (11.0 BB%), strikeouts in check (20.2 K%).… pic.twitter.com/2BoN72SqnP

— Frank Ammirante (@FAmmiranteTFJ) February 11, 2025

Aside from good plate discipline and more projected volume, what makes Joey Ortiz appealing is the positional flexibility at third base and shortstop. This provides you with a player who can be deployed at both corner and middle-infield spots.

It's also worth noting that Ortiz was held back by a neck injury in early July. Prior to the injury, Ortiz had a 130 wRC+ -- this fell to 78 wRC+ once he returned.

Aroldis Chapman, RP, Boston Red Sox

NFBC ADP: 322.49

Aroldis Chapman is currently competing with Liam Hendriks for the closer role for the Red Sox. The lefty flame-thrower tore it up in the second half last season, putting up a 1.85 SIERA, 39.3 K%, and 6.5 BB% in 27 innings. This helped Chapman earn a one-year deal worth $10.75 million with Boston.

Aroldis Chapman clocking in at 101 MPH 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Vcso0J0UAz

— NESN (@NESN) February 26, 2025

Despite the fact that Hendriks has only five innings since 2022, the veteran is currently going ahead of Chapman, making the latter a value.

Jose Soriano, SP, Los Angeles Angels

NFBC ADP: 352.04

Jose Soriano is an innings-eater who induced a 59.4% groundball rate last season, which ranked third among starters with at least 100 innings. This is a pitcher who can sit at 99 MPH with his four-seamer. Keep in mind that last year was Soriano's first full season as a starter in the big leagues.

Despite playing for a non-contender in the Angels, Soriano is an appealing late-round option because you'll likely see 150+ innings of solid ratios as he racks up the volume.

Heston Kjerstad, OF, Baltimore Orioles

NFBC ADP: 564.06

Heston Kjerstad slashed .300/.397/.601 with 16 home runs in 258 plate appearances at Triple-A last season. The 26-year-old slugger has nothing left to prove in the minors. The only reason why Kjerstad is going this late is due to the logjam in the Orioles' outfield.

However, with a strong spring, Kjerstad could earn a role in this lineup. It's also worth noting that this outfield is not without flaws, as Tyler O'Neill is injury-prone, and Cedric Mullins can't hit lefties.

Trevor Larnach, OF, Twins

NFBC ADP: 367.43 

Trevor Larnach made some notable strides in 2024. He's going to be in a strong-side platoon in 2025, but can still provide value at his ADP.

K: 34%22.3%
Z-Con: 75.5%84.7%
Contact: 63.5%72.1%

NFBC DC ADP since 1/1: 330.7 (OF80)#FantasyBaseball pic.twitter.com/26zVY2uv6c

— Eric Cross (@EricCrossMLB) February 3, 2025

Trevor Larnach is an ideal bench bat or fifth outfielder in deeper formats because you can just plug him in against righties, where he posted a 124 wRC+ last season. We've seen hitters like Joc Pederson and Kerry Carpenter provide strong fantasy value despite being in a platoon, so don't let this deter you from drafting Larnach.

The Twins' lineup is good when healthy, boasting power bats like Byron Buxton and Royce Lewis, so Larnach should have RBI opportunities.

Tony Gonsolin, SP, Los Angeles Dodgers

NFBC ADP: 433.38

The last time we saw Tony Gonsolin was in 2023, when he struggled with a 5.05 SIERA. But let's remember that this is a veteran who put up a sub-3.25 ERA in each of his previous four seasons. With Shohei Ohtani not ready to pitch until about May, Gonsolin has a cemented role in the Dodgers' rotation.

That means plenty of opportunities to rack up wins playing for this stacked team. Even when Ohtani returns, Gonsolin could maintain a role in this six-man rotation.

UPDATE: Gonsolin will be placed on the injured list with a back issue to open the season, per Dave Roberts. Dustin May will open the season as the fifth starter. Leave Gonsolin on the waiver wire unless you have IL spots in your league. May becomes the more intriguing option now.

Jordan Lawlar, SS, Arizona Diamondbacks

NFBC ADP: 471.62

Jordan Lawlar has the prospect pedigree as a former sixth-overall pick who put up 20 homers and 36 steals across Double-A and Triple-A back in 2023. The problem has been injuries, plus he's blocked by Geraldo Perdomo, who just signed a four-year, $45 million extension.

The good news is that Lawlar can force his way into a spot on the team with a hot spring, pushing Perdomo to a super-utility role. This type of power-speed combo can't be ignored this late in drafts.

Seth Halvorsen, RP, Colorado Rockies

NFBC ADP: 484.72

Seth Halvorsen, 102mph pic.twitter.com/ssEAMTePCL

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) September 29, 2024

You may be asking yourself, why should I target a Rockies' closer? Well, need I remind you that as recently as 2022, Daniel Bard racked up 34 saves for Colorado? Don't let this putrid team push you away from Seth Halvorsen, who put up a 28.6 K% in the minors last season.

Halvorsen sits at 100 MPH on his four-seamer and induced a 38.5% whiff rate on his splitter, per Baseball Savant. The 24-year-old is clearly better than the other ninth-inning candidates on the Rockies.

Sean Burke, SP, Chicago White Sox

NFBC ADP: 503.74

You may be rolling your eyes at a White Sox pitching recommendation. But let's not forget where Garrett Crochet was being taken at this time last year -- how did that turn out? The point is that the White Sox's pitching development has improved.

This team needs someone to provide quality innings, and Sean Burke looks like the best option. The 25-year-old righty put up a 28.9 K% and 3.56 SIERA in 19 innings for Chicago last season.

Jace Jung, 3B, Detroit Tigers

NFBC ADP: 564.06

After the Tigers struck out on Alex Bregman, Jace Jung is set to be the strong-side platoon for third base, splitting time with Matt Vierling. Jung put up a 122 wRC+ and 16.0 BB% in 430 plate appearances in the minors last season. If this 24-year-old plays well enough, he can become a full-time player as opposed to a platoon.

If you're in a deeper league, this is an ideal backup third baseman with upside for more. Those in shallow leagues can keep Jung on their watch list, as the hot corner is a thin position.

Nick Kurtz, 1B, Athletics

NFBC ADP: 648.21

Nick Kurtz was the fourth overall pick in the 2024 MLB draft. The 21-year-old first baseman put up an impressive 24.0 BB% with a 230 wRC+ in 50 plate appearances in the minors last season. Even with Tyler Soderstrom -- another one of my favorite targets -- manning first base, there's room for Kurtz to join the A's this year.

This type of polished hitter could immediately provide a power binge once called up to the big leagues. Keep an eye on Kurtz -- draft him in deeper formats.

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