Adam Eaton (OF, WSH) - 2018 Fantasy Baseball Sleepers & Draft Values

BALLER MOVE: Target ~115

CURRENT ADP:  155

ANALYSIS: Eaton was on pace for career-highs in a handful of categories in 2018 prior to sustaining a season-ending knee injury that resulted in a torn ACL and meniscus. The left-fielder was triple-slashing .297/.393/.462 (career-highs in OBP and SLG), with a 13.1% walk rate and 16.8% strikeout rate, and had three SB and two HR. This was all in the month of April. Prior to getting injured, Eaton sported the 17th-highest wRC+ among OFs. Basically, Eaton was a monster before getting hurt.

According to all reports, Eaton should be ready to go from day one of spring training, which means we should expect more of the same from the outfielder. He’s still in the middle of his prime and is now playing in the best lineup he has ever played in. Due to the prospect capital the Nats surrendered to acquire Eaton last offseason, playing time should not be an issue even with prospect Victor Robles looming. The only concern with Eaton is that he hits over 50% of his balls in play on the ground, but it shouldn’t be a problem because he is speedy and has a .335 BABIP for his career, which demonstrates that he is capable of legging out base hits.

Eaton is currently going as the 37th outfielder off the board in NFBC leagues which is a travesty. Picking this guy up at 155 may end up being the steal of the draft, and unless his ADP rises into double digits, Eaton is a must-draft.