X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

Deeper NL Outfield Sleepers - Undervalued ADPs

Nick Mariano identifies some deep ADP sleepers for 2018 fantasy baseball drafts at outfield in the NL. These NL OF should be draft targets in mixed leagues.

We are gathered here today to discuss everyone’s favorite fantasy buzzword, the “sleepers.” Not only that, but we’re tabbing these guys as deeper sleepers with a focus on the outfield position for National League teams.

The outfield is always complicated by having so many options that you feel like there's always another guy waiting for you later in the draft. While we're here to help those of you identify those late targets, don't let the upper class pass you by either! Now, let's discuss some folks beyond the top 325 picks per NFBC ADP data for drafts completed between 3/1/18 and 3/15/18. In other words, who are going to take late after Victor Robles goes? I kid, sort of. With the draft season approaching its crescendo, it's time to make sure you have some later targets at the ready.

Be sure to also check out our famous Draft Value and Sleepers List, and download the free app for iPhone and Android. Without further ado, we dive in...

Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball lineup tools and resources:

 

Deeper Sleepers at Outfield (NL)

Cameron Maybin (MIA, OF)

Still rocking a poor ADP of 315, Maybin and his speed potential are not being respected enough. Yes, he plays for the Marlins. Get over it! If anything, they shouldn't limit his chances to run because that kind of aggression is how you compensate for lesser power. What I do understand is not wanting to pay up for Maybin only to have his durability woes come and bite you.

The 30-year-old speedster (he'll be 31 shortly!) looked to be done contributing at a mixed-league level heading into 2017, but then he stole 33 bases in just 450 PAs. Oh sure, he only hit .228 thanks to an awful 14.4 percent line-drive rate, but at least the additional fly balls (up six percentage points) brought a return of double-digit homers.

I'm not saying you're going to get the .315 batting average from 2016, but I do believe he'll find middle ground and could wind up with 8-10 homers while challenging for 40 steals alongside a .250-.260 average. The counting stats will suffer from likely opening the year in the lower-third of Miami's lineup, but a hot start could easily unseat Derek Dietrich up top.

Andrew Toles (LAD, OF)

It can't be a hot take at this point to think that Joc Pederson really just isn't that good, right? While folks are waiting for Alex Verdugo to come up and fawning over new toys Chris Taylor and Cody Bellinger, many are forgetting about Toles. You know, the guy who hit .314 with an .870 OPS in 115 PAs way back in 2016 before tearing his ACL early in 2017. While he's still projected to be on the outside looking in, Toles is 12-for-36 with two dingers (and a bag) this spring while Pederson is currently 5-for-35 with zero homers (as of 3/16).

He sure looks ready for Opening Day, but even if conventional wisdom doesn't end up getting the superior talent his playing time, we also know the Dodgers are no stranger to utilizing the 10-day DL to give a guy a break. Of course, Trayce Thompson is also hitting .310 this spring (but no homers, gosh) and Dave Roberts could go multiple directions with his bench.

Lest we forget that Toles stole a ridiculous 62 bases in 121 Single-A games for the Rays back in 2012, so that spring stolen base makes me feel like he's still got 10-SB upside in him. Did you think I was going to say he could steal 60? C'mon now. These are sleepers, not dreamers.

Brandon Nimmo (NYM, OF)

Nimmo is currently penciled in at the leadoff spot for the Mets, though he is admittedly in a platoon situation with the righty-swinging Juan Lagares. Lagares' defense will keep him in the lineup, but Nimmo should have a chance to open the year strong and build momentum with Michael Conforto hurt. Yoenis Cespedes is no bastion of health either. The point we're establishing early here is that Nimmo is going to be in a prime spot to shine early in the season, which is all some of you might need whilst navigating those early waiver waters.

While he had a disappointing 2017, hitting .227 in the Minors before posting a .260 average in the Majors with roughly 200 PAs at both levels, his bat does show potential. Alongside each sad batting average came stellar on-base percentages of .367 and .379, respectively, which points to why the Mets are leaning into him as a leadoff hitter. He also posted a 24.2 percent line-drive rate in the bigs last year, which helped float a .360 BABIP and offset his ludicrous 27.9 percent strikeout rate.

That's a lot to digest, I know. In summary, he's got a good eye and can make healthy contact, but the Ks are still a big factor and his pop has yet to translate into homers. Taking a late flier in very deep formats just in case the homers trickle in might be wise.

Franchy Cordero (SD, OF)

Fine, you need to go deeper? Let's have some fun with upside here and talk about a 23-year-old who boasts both power and speed alongside some of worst plate discipline you ever did see in a cup of coffee. Cordero turned in a .228/.276/.424 slash line in 99 MLB PAs last year with a ridiculous 44.4 percent strikeout rate and 38 percent chase rate. But he'd earned a crack at the bigs by turning in a 68-17-64-15-.326 5x5 roto line with "just" a 28.2 percent strikeout rate.

So, yeah. You're not getting away from the Ks here, but he's got the kind of speed that turns an aggressive approach into a high-ceiling play. His BABIP was a hilarious .431 in those 419 Minor League PAs last year, and it was .400 in the Majors! He's slowly grown into his frame, boosting his line-drive rates up into the 20 percent range and 2017 saw him start clearing the fence. I know Triple-A El Paso is a hitter-friendly environment, but the trajectory is still positive and we know Petco isn't pitcher-friendly anymore.

If you want a safe late guy who will see the field then go get Nick Markakis, but Cordero could be a 15/15 player with an opportunity. Don't forget, Wil Myers only "found" durability once he moved to first base, so the opportunity could come knocking rather soon in '18.

 

More Draft Values and Sleepers




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Aaron Rodgers

Dealing With Back Tightness
Dallas Goedert

Questionable for Week 2 at Chiefs
Anthony Rizzo

Retires
Cameron Champ

the Ultimate Wild Card at Procore
Cameron Young

Looks to Extend Momentum in Napa
Davis Thompson

Searching for a Spark at Procore
Sahith Theegala

Looking to Reignite Form at Procore
Mackenzie Hughes

Aims for Another Strong Showing at Procore
Luke Clanton

Brings Ball-Striking Upside to Napa
Seamus Power

Looking to Overcome Poor Course History at Procore
Joe Highsmith

Hoping to Find Form in Napa
Jadeveon Clowney

Visiting With the Cowboys on Wednesday
Masyn Winn

Will Require Offseason Knee Surgery
Kristaps Porzingis

Reportedly Still Not Completely Healthy
Kelly Oubre Jr.

Reportedly on the Trade Block
Andre Drummond

Future in Philadelphia in Doubt
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Helps Greece Reach Semis at EuroBasket
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Posts Historic Triple-Double
Joel Dahmen

Finishes Tied For 15 at Wyndham Championship
Bud Cauley

Finishes Tied for 33rd at BMW Championship
Justin Thomas

Finishes Tied for Seventh at Tour Championship
J.J. Spaun

Finishes Tied for 25th at Tour Championship
Collin Morikawa

Finishes Tied for 19th at Tour Championship
Keith Mitchell

Misses Cut at Wyndham Championship
Ben Griffin

Finishes Tied for 10th at Tour Championship
Patrick Cantlay

Finishes Tied for Second at Tour Championship
Gary Woodland

Could Hang Around at Procore Championship
Ranger Suárez

Ranger Suarez Strikes Out 12, Earns 12th Win on Tuesday
Karl Vilips

Ready for Napa Valley This Weekend
Taylor Montgomery

Heating Up at the Right Time
Jackson Koivun

May Be a Little Rusty at Procore Championship
Doug Ghim

Looking to Rise Up at Napa Valley
Christian Watson

Agrees to One-Year Contract Extension
Josh Giddey

Re-Signs With Bulls for Four Years
Shakir Mukhamadullin

Joins Informal Skate
William Eklund

Skates With Sharks
Owen Power

Back at 100 Percent
Tyler Seguin

Cleared for Action
Mathew Barzal

Good to Go for Season Opener
Will Smith

Returns to Dodgers Lineup on Tuesday
Dustin Wolf

Signs Seven-Year Extension
Kyle Stowers

Dealing With Strained Side
Kyle Tucker

Placed on Injured List With Calf Strain
Jauan Jennings

Considered Day-to-Day, has a Chance to Play in Week 2
Jalen Carter

Receives One-Game Suspension, Will be Eligible for Week 2
Bo Bichette

Goes on Injured List With Knee Sprain
George Kittle

Placed on Injured Reserve
Tyreek Hill

Accused of Domestic Violence
Jauan Jennings

Avoids Serious Shoulder Injury
Garrett Crochet

Shuts Out the Athletics
Royce Lewis

Launches Two Homers Monday Night
NBA

Mason Jones Takes His Talents to Australia
NBA

Talen Horton-Tucker Joins Reigning EuroLeague Champions
New York Knicks

Malcolm Brogdon on Knicks' Radar
Andrew Wiggins

Attracting Interest From Lakers
Miami Heat

Heat Interested in Reunion With Precious Achiuwa
Tyler Glasnow

Fans 11 in Seven No-Hit Innings Monday
Slade Cecconi

Takes No-Hitter Into Eighth Inning Monday
Max Muncy

Batting Cleanup in Return to Dodgers
New York Knicks

Ben Simmons Reportedly Declined Knicks' Contract Offer
Younghoe Koo

Falcons Auditioning Kickers, Could Replace Younghoe Koo
Denver Broncos

Sean Payton Says Broncos Need to be Better With Run-Pass Balance
Tank Bigsby

Eagles Acquiring Tank Bigsby From Jaguars on Monday
George Kittle

Likely Out 3-5 Weeks, Could Land on Injured Reserve
Chase Burns

to be Activated on Friday
Brock Purdy

Dealing With Multiple Injuries, Could Miss Week 2
Tyler Glasnow

Cleared to Start on Monday
Logan O'Hoppe

Placed on Concussion Injured List
Christian Yelich

Returning on Monday
Elias Pettersson

Feeling "Good" Ahead of Season
NHL

Alex Formenton Rejoins Swiss Team
NHL

Grigori Denisenko Heads Back Home
CAR

Kevin Labanc Joins Hurricanes for Tryout
Ross Colton

Healthy for Start of Season
Daniel Palencia

Cubs Place Daniel Palencia on Injured List With Shoulder Strain
Pete Crow-Armstrong

Returning on Monday
Sean Murphy

Done for the Year With Hip Labral Tear
Alec Bohm

Lands on Injured List With Cyst in his Shoulder
Trea Turner

Going on Injured List, Phillies Hope to Have him Back for Playoffs
Brock Bowers

Considered Day-to-Day With Knee Injury
Jonathan Taylor

is "Good" After Taking a Hit to his Neck in Week 1
Caio Borralho

Suffers His First UFC Loss
Nassourdine Imavov

Extends Win Streak
Mauricio Ruffy

Gets Submitted
Benoît Saint Denis

Benoit Saint Denis Taps Out Mauricio Ruffy
Russell Wilson

Remains the Giants Starter
Paul Craig

Retires After UFC Paris Loss
Denny Hamlin

Earns his First Cup Victory at Gateway
Kyle Larson

Damage Ruins Kyle Larson's Chance At a Top Finish at Gateway
Christopher Bell

Scores his Third Top-10 Finish at Gateway
Joey Logano

Maintains his Perfect Top-Five Streak at Gateway
Ryan Blaney

Struggles and Recovers for a Top-Five Finish at Gateway
Modestas Bukauskas

Scores First-Round Knockout
Bolaji Oki

Suffers Second-Round TKO Loss
Xavier Worthy

Week-to-Week with Dislocated Shoulder
Mason Jones

Scores Comeback Win
Rhys McKee

Suffers Third-Round TKO Loss
Axel Sola

Successful In His UFC Debut
Robert Ruchała

Robert Ruchala Unsuccessful In His UFC Debut
William Gomis

Bounces Back In The Win Column
Derrick Henry

Scores Twice but has Costly Fumble on Sunday
Lamar Jackson

Shines With Three Total Touchdowns in Loss to Bills
Keon Coleman

Leads the Team With 11 Targets on Sunday
Chase Elliott

Gets Lucky but Still Has Best Run at Gateway
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Wins Stage 2, but Was Let Down by Strategy
Tyler Reddick

Despite Bad Luck, Tyler Reddick Does What he Needed to Do
Chase Briscoe

Recovers from Incident with Daniel Suarez to Finish Second
William Byron

Late Caution Foils William Byron's Shot at Gateway Victory
Jayson Tatum

"Moving Around Way Better"
Ryan Blaney

Should Contend at Gateway
Denny Hamlin

Fastest in Qualifying, the Favorite to Win at Gateway
Christopher Bell

Looking for Redemption at Gateway
Joey Logano

Has Been Elite at Gateway
Austin Cindric

Should Be On Your Radar at Gateway
AJ Allmendinger

Could Be a Sleeper Again at Gateway
Tyler Reddick

Southern 500 Near-Miss Makes Tyler Reddick a Stronger Option for Gateway
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace a Likely Gateway Contender
Alex Bowman

a Long Shot to Advance in Playoffs
Austin Dillon

Richard Childress Racing Looks Slower at Gateway, Which Will Hurt Austin Dillon
Shane Van Gisbergen

Starts 18th in Gateway Debut
Jeremy Swayman

Ready to Get Back on Track
Connor McDavid

Aiming for More Goals
NJ

Luke Glendening Signs Tryout Deal With Devils
Dylan Harper

Hoping to be Ready for the Opener Versus Dallas
EDM

Derek Ryan Retires From Hockey
Connor Zary

Agrees to Three-Year Deal With Flames
Carey Price

Canadiens Trade Carey Price to Sharks
Caio Borralho

Set For A Title Eliminator Bout
Nassourdine Imavov

Looks To Earn A Title Shot
Mauricio Ruffy

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Benoît Saint Denis

Benoit Saint Denis Set For UFC Paris Co-Main Event
Modestas Bukauskas

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Paul Craig

In Dire Need Of Victory
Mason Jones

Set for Main-Card Bout
Bolaji Oki

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Rhys McKee

Set To Open Up UFC Paris Main Card

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP