Later-Round Fantasy Baseball Prospects for 2025 - Drafts Targets, Sleepers, and Stashes

Jamie looks at six fantasy baseball prospects sleepers, stashes and value picks to target in 2025 drafts. His favorite later-round MLB rookies with upside.

Sleeper is an oft-used phrase in fantasy circles but the value of having one hasn't diminished. When you look back at the end of the season, you'll find the later-round players are more likely to have a larger positive impact than those drafted in the early rounds.

In addition to helping you to achieve fantasy glory, one of the most enjoyable parts of fantasy baseball is finding hidden gems. Here in this article, we're going to look at six fantasy baseball prospects that are draft targets, sleepers and stashes. These rookies are being drafted in the late rounds and are set to provide excellent value at their ADP (Average Draft Position).

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Housekeeping

Before we begin, a couple of pieces of housekeeping. The players can't have debuted in the Majors to qualify for this list. So guys like Luisangel Acuna, while certainly under consideration for rostering and rookie eligible, do not feature.

The six are listed in order of how big of an impact I expect them to have in 2025 only. This would be different for dynasty drafts; more information on dynasty rankings can be found on RotoBaller.com. They can also be grouped into three pairs.

As the offseason progresses, their situations may change. So even if you're not drafting just yet, all six are names you should keep an eye on this spring. It wouldn't take much to go right for any of them to be providing fantasy value from Opening Day.

Shallower Prospects for Drafts

The first two are worth drafting in standard 10-team or 12-team leagues.

Matt Shaw, 3B, Chicago Cubs

Shaw is set to begin the season as the Cubs starting third baseman. At a position with little depth in fantasy, an everyday third baseman with significant upside warrants rostering in any format.

Cubs top prospect Matt Shaw will get "long look" at 3B, Hoyer said: "He has to earn that job, I'm not going to gift him that on a conference call in the middle of Dec."

Michael Busch does not sound like 3B option. Hoyer said they see him as a Gold Glove 1B & that's their focus.

— Meghan Montemurro (@M_Montemurro) December 17, 2024

Shaw has certainly earned his chance of becoming the Cubs third baseman in 2025. Last year, he hit .284/.379/.488 with 21 home runs, 71 RBI, 78 runs, and 31 stolen bases in 121 games across Triple-A and Double-A. Shaw's impressive 18.2% K% and 11.9% BB% also stand out.

For comparison, an 18.2% K% ranked in the 72nd percentile and 11.9% BB% ranked in the 93rd percentile in the Majors last year. Shaw should not be overmatched when he faces Major League pitching.

ATC projections have Shaw hitting .252/.323/.416 with 16 homers, 54 RBI, 57 runs, and 18 steals in 120 games. Given that he won the starting job, he'll have no problem staying in the Majors and topping 120 games. He's also a strong candidate for a 20/20 season.

Shaw currently has an ADP (average draft position) of ~250 in NFBC drafts.  Shaw could end up being a five-category contributor and a bargain in drafts.

Kristian Campbell, 2B, Boston Red Sox

Campbell is regarded as one of the best prospects in baseball. Many publications anointed him as the number one second base prospect this Winter. Campbell is in a great position for success in 2025. He may even be the favorite to start at second base.

Based on 2024, Kristian Campbell looks like a potential star.

Because of his defensive versatility and righthanded bat in a lefty-heavy Red Sox lineup, he has a number of pathways to the big leagues.https://t.co/ckJwSdsb9C pic.twitter.com/qPvkpGtJvo

— Baseball America (@BaseballAmerica) January 14, 2025

The Red Sox lack much by way of alternatives for the second base job. Vaughn Grissom is the main competitor to Campbell. But he has yet to really shine in the Majors, with a career .255/.309/.346 slash line (95 games). Grissom only hit .190/.246/.219 in 31 games with the Red Sox last year.

Meanwhile, Campbell was making a name for himself in the Minor Leagues. He progressed from High-A to Triple-A throughout 2024 and impressed at every stop. On the year, Campbell hit .330/.439/.558 with 20 homers, 77 RBI, 94 runs, and 24 steals (115 games).

An impressive Spring should see the prospect make his MLB debut in April. And like Shaw, he has the plate discipline to succeed immediately. Campbell had a 19.9% K% and 14.3% BB% in the Minor Leagues last year. Campbell also offers defensive versatility given his experience in the outfield in the Minors. Campbell is worthy of a late-round pick in any format, which is where his ~300 ADP in NFBC drafts has him being taken.

Deeper Prospects for Drafts

The second duo is only worthwhile drafting in deeper leagues and will start the season in the Minors.

Bubba Chandler, SP, Pittsburgh Pirates

The first of two Pirates pitchers to feature. And while we likely won't see a Paul Skenes level of hype (and production) with Chandler, there's still the potential for fantasy value. He's currently got a ~315 ADP in NFBC drafts, so can be taken in the late stages of deeper leagues.

We will not see Chandler in Pittsburgh to start the season, and he was assigned to minor league camp on Match 7th. He's only made seven starts at Triple-A, so he is still raw. But Chandler's 2024 season has put him on the radar of a potential Major League debut in 2025. A good spring could speed up that process.

Chandler had a 3.08 ERA across 119.2 IP in 2024 (Double-A and Triple-A), striking out 148 batters. For the third straight year, Chandler also cut down on his walks. His 8.6% BB% last year is still a little on the high side and would have ranked in the 40th percentile in MLB last year.

Providing Chandler can continue to improve his control, a call-up to the Pirates could come in early 2025. His fastball sits in the upper 90s. With a slider and changeup in his arsenal, Chandler should be fine striking out left-handed (LHH) and right-handed hitters (RHH).

Chandler's 30.9% K% last year would have ranked second among qualified starters in the Majors last year. Given how well Skenes and  Jared Jones have performed for the Pirates, we should have faith that rookie pitchers can flourish in Pittsburgh.

With his current ADP, Chandler is being taken in more than just deep leagues. Providing you can stash him, there's still value to be had if you use a late-round pick on Chandler in standard leagues.

Colson Montgomery, SS, Chicago White Sox

Montgomery won't be starting the season in the Majors, as he was option to Triple-A on March 11th. However, the expectation is that Montgomery will be the White Sox's starting shortstop at some point in 2025. That is reflected in his current ADP (~615 in NFBC drafts).

Getz on Colson Montgomery making the team out of Spring Training: "He's going to get a lot of opportunity come Spring Training. We expect to see Colson Montgomery playing shortstop for the White Sox at some point this year."

— Scott Merkin (@scottmerkin) January 23, 2025

It's not like the White Sox have much blocking Montgomery from winning the job. Brooks Baldwin is currently projected to the the shortstop to start the season. He hit .211/.250/.316 in 33 games for the White Sox last year.

Montgomery spent the entire 2024 year at the Triple-A level. In 130 games, he hit .214/.329/.381 with 18 homers, 63 RBI, 66 runs, and eight steals. While his batting average will cause some concern, Montgomery had a 12.0% BB%. His 88 wRC+ in 2024 also isn't encouraging.

Assuming the White Sox want to delay Montgomery's service timer starting, we could see him in Chicago sometime in May. If we look at his .253/.376/.414 career slash line as a professional, there's enough reason to believe Montgomery can improve on last year's numbers.

If he can have a productive spring and a solid start to the 2025 season, Montgomery should get his MLB debut sooner rather than later. While playing for the White Sox won't help his fantasy value, Montgomery has enough power to be a productive middle infielder in deeper leagues.

Montgomery carries upside but also has a lower floor than the previously mentioned infielders. Providing you don't reach for Montgomery in drafts and you can stash him, using your last pick on the prospect could pay off handsomely.

Prospect Stashes for Fantasy Baseball

 The final two are more for deep leagues as stashes or those with Minor League roster spots.

Chandler Simpson, OF, Tampa Bay Rays

Simpson likely won't get much attention in any 2025 drafts. He's not a name many will be aware of. But what if I told you the Rays outfielder has 206 steals in 233 Minor League games? That speed is more than enough to garner interest.

While there will be comparisons with Billy Hamilton, it's worth noting Simpson can hit. The speedster had a .355/.410/.397 slash line in 2024 in 110 games (High-A and Double-A) to go with his 104 stolen bases. His career Minor League slash line is .326/.394/.375.

There is little to no power with Simpson. His home run at Double-A last year remains his only one as a professional. But Simpson has no problem legging out infield singles, is tough to strike out, and gets on base more than enough to utilize his best asset.

Chandler Simpson is definetly the fastest player I have seen in the minors. I was sitting on this game and got a 3.5 second home to first time. This is what you call north of 80 grade speed. https://t.co/4WOOXFAumr pic.twitter.com/KrtHk42Cdp

— Chris Clegg (@ChrisCleggMiLB) January 9, 2025

Simpson had an 8.5% K% in 2024 and 8.7% BB%. As long as he doesn't try to change his approach, Simpson can provide fantasy value. The Rays showed how much they value defense in center field with Jose Siri being their main option there last year. Simpson has the speed needed at the position.

Without any experience above Double-A, it's difficult to see Simpson breaking camp with the Rays. But if they need some outfield help early in the season, he could be near the top of their list for a call-up. Simpson's speed alone warrants a last-round gamble in deeper leagues.

Thomas Harrington, SP, Pittsburgh Pirates

Although his teammate has been garnering more attention, Harrington shouldn't be overlooked in 2025 drafts. With an ADP of ~664 in NFBC drafts, he's barely been an afterthought. Harrington had an equally impressive campaign as Chandler in 2024 and is likely to make his MLB debut in 2025. He may even make the Opening Day roster.

Harrington posted a 2.61 ERA (117.1 IP) between Double-A and Triple-A last year. While he doesn't have the strikeout stuff that Chandler has, Harrington's control stands out. Harrington had a 4.1% BB% in 2024 while still putting up a 25.1% K%.

With five pitches at his disposal, Harrington can fill up the strike zone and keep batters off balance. His low walk rate suggests that Harrington has a good feel for his secondary offerings. That should help him have success despite a fastball that sits in the low-to-mid 90s.

Harrington only has two seasons as a professional. Having already reached Triple-A, a call-up to the Majors might not be far off. In fact, as of now, the Campbell University product is still on the major-league roster and is competing for a spot on the Opening Day roster.

While he won't have the high strikeout upside of his teammate Chandler, Harrington has a more well-rounded arsenal. A good spring has put Harrington ahead of Chandler for an MLB debut, and he's more than capable of having success in the Majors this year and beyond.

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