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

Fantasy Baseball Risers Post-Free Agency

Ben Rosener identifies players whose fantasy baseball value rose in the offseason due to free agent deals. These players could be undervalued draft sleepers in 2022.

With all the free-agent signings and trades that happened prior to the lockout, plenty has changed ahead of the 2022 season where the fantasy landscape is concerned. The impact of new acquisitions will certainly be felt in fantasy drafts next spring.

Corey Knebel, for instance, could see a significant number of save opportunities in Philadelphia next summer for the Phillies. Andrew Heaney is an intriguing breakout pick provided he can turn things around with the Dodgers. Mark Melancon will continue to see the bulk of his team’s save opportunities, although this time it’ll be in an Arizona Diamondbacks uniform and not a San Diego Padres uniform.

But the impact goes beyond the initial signings and trade acquisitions as well. It could be as simple as a starting pitcher potentially getting much more run support and wins thanks to a suddenly improved lineup, or a departure opening up consistent playing time for a promising young player or prospect. Whatever the case, you’ll want to keep these players in mind for drafts between now and the spring. Their respective fantasy values have risen considerably thanks to the work done by their respective front offices in adding players.

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

 

Robbie Grossman and Jeimer Candelario, Detroit Tigers

An improved lineup is a tide that raises all boats in fantasy, and that’s essentially the case here, especially for a pair of players who get on base at such a high rate. Detroit’s lineup should be markedly better next season, and it’ll only help two of the team’s most productive holdovers.

Grossman and Candelario are veritable on-base threats, as both have topped a .350 on-base percentage in each of the last two seasons.

Grossman, in part due to his 20 stolen-base campaign in 2021, was the more productive of the duo for fantasy purposes last season, but both didn’t quite reach the ceiling they could’ve in fantasy without significant lineup depth behind them. At times, Detroit’s lineup fell off a bit from a depth standpoint after Grossman, Candelario, and Jonathan Schoop when Miguel Cabrera, Akil Baddoo, and Eric Haase struggled.

Now, with Javier Baez in town, more potential free-agent additions on the position player side of things, and Spencer Torkelson and Riley Greene likely to debut at some point, Detroit’s lineup looks considerably deeper and more potent.

Even if you don’t play in a league with on-base percentage as part of the scoring, the fact that Grossman and Candelario get on base at an above-average rate should lead to plenty more run-scoring and RBI opportunities in an improved lineup. It’s particularly key for Grossman with his ability to steal bases. Javier Baez has a real shot at his first 100 RBI in a season since 2018, and there’s a fairly decent chance he’ll be driving in Grossman and Candelario on many of those occasions.

 

Tony Gonsolin, Los Angeles Dodgers

At times in the past, Gonsolin seemed to be on the outside looking in of the Dodgers rotation.

Gonsolin has never made more than 13 starts in a season at the Major League season, but he could be in line to shatter that number next season with Max Scherzer in New York and Clayton Kershaw currently a free agent.

Granted, the Dodgers could still make rotation additions, but their rotation options as of now include just Walker Buehler, Julio Urias, Gonsolin, and David Price. Dustin May could return later in the season as he makes his way back from Tommy John surgery, but as of right now, those four are Los Angeles’ most established starters.

Gonsolin has always shown promise, but he could be in line to make good on that promise in a season-long sample size in 2022. And when he does, you’ll probably want him on your fantasy team.

Since the start of 2019, when Gonsolin debuted, his career Major League numbers look like a starter’s workload in a single season. A quality starter’s numbers at that.

Tony Gonsolin since 2019: 142.1 innings pitched, 2.85 ERA, 3.61 FIP, 9.46 K/9, 3.54 BB/9.

Granted those are spread out over parts of three seasons, but if the 27-year-old’s lifetime numbers are anything to go by, he’ll be just fine next season.

He’s also pitching on a team that has won at least 91 games in every full season dating back to 2012. That should mean plenty of potential wins for Gonsolin, regardless of what the team does the rest of the offseason.

Despite losing Scherzer and Corey Seager in free agency, the Dodgers’ roster still features Buehler, Urias, Mookie Betts, Trea Turner, Will Smith, Justin Turner, Chris Taylor, and Blake Treinen.

They’re still going to be good and Gonsolin should benefit from that.

 

Vidal Brujan, Tampa Bay Rays

Long one of the game’s more promising infield prospects, Brujan finally made his Major League debut last season, appearing in 10 games and registering 26 plate appearances.

That he collected just two hits in those plate appearances doesn’t matter all that much.

What does matter is that Brujan has immense upside at the plate and that he’ll have considerably more opportunities on a Rays team that has shed some of its considerable depth.

Brujan started the season ranked as FanGraphs’ 24th-best prospect on the site’s ranking of the top 133 prospects league-wide, ahead of the likes of Casey Mize, Spencer Howard, Michael Kopech, Logan Gilbert, Nick Madrigal, and Jazz Chisholm.

FanGraphs’ in-season update to their The Board prospect list saw Brujan rank 12th among all MLB prospects. Per the same publication, the 23-year-old’s hit-tool currently has a 50 grade on it (on the 20-80 scale, with 80 being truly elite), and his speed draws a 70 grade.

He hasn’t been afraid to use that speed either. Brujan has reached double-digit steals at each minor league stop he’s made dating back to 2017, including 44 last season for Tampa Bay’s Triple-A affiliate. In fact, he’s stolen a combined 147 bases in his last three minor league seasons.

If the 23-year-old can contribute with quality batting averages and stolen base numbers, something that certainly isn’t out of the question early given his upside and ability, he’ll have plenty of fantasy value next season.

That’s also in part due to the fact that he could, you know, actually play regularly in Tampa Bay.

That he has experience playing second base, shortstop, third base, left field, center field, and right field doesn’t hurt either playing for a Rays organization that notoriously likes to move players around the diamond.

But, the Rays also moved on from some of their infield depth this winter, dealing Joey Wendle to Miami and Mike Brosseau to Milwaukee. They also dealt outfielder and first baseman Jordan Luplow to the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Even with Wander Franco and Brandon Lowe still around, Brujan has a chance to start regularly in Tampa Bay.

And that’s without mentioning the outfield.

Luplow was dealt and if any of Kevin Kiermaier, Manuel Margot, Brett Phillips, or Austin Meadows are also moved via trade once the lockout ends, Brujan could see time in the outfield as well.

More Fantasy Baseball Advice




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

Bradley Beal

Suns Discussing Potential Buyout
Los Angeles Lakers

Jaxson Hayes Staying with the Lakers
NBA

Damian Lillard "Open" to Signing With a Team This Offseason
Max Muncy

Out at Least Six Weeks
Clarke Schmidt

Leaves Start with Forearm Tightness
Colson Montgomery

Promoted to the Major Leagues
Pittsburgh Steelers

Omar Khan, Steelers Agree to Three-Year Contract
Max Muncy

Goes on Injured List With Knee Bruise
Max Muncy

Out of Thursday's Lineup
James Wood

Joining Home Run Derby
SJ

Sharks Claim Nick Leddy Off Waivers
Max Scherzer

Cleared to Start on Saturday
SJ

Sharks Sign Dmitry Orlov to Two-Year, $13 Million Contract
CAR

Nikolaj Ehlers Joins Hurricanes on Six-Year Contract
Kodai Senga

Could be "in Play" to Return Before All-Star Break
Ha-Seong Kim

Rays Reinstate Ha-Seong Kim From Injured List
Christian Moore

Placed on Injured List With Thumb Sprain
Luis L. Ortiz

the Subject of Gambling Investigation
Jordan Lawlar

to Miss Multiple Weeks With Hamstring Injury
Yordan Alvarez

Receives Encouraging News on his Hand
Chau Smith-Wade

Having Stellar Offseason
Ace Bailey

Inks Rookie Contract With Jazz
Divine Deablo

Could be the Quarterback of the Defense
Isaiah Rodgers

a Likely Starter for the Vikings
Jacob Monk

Sees Plenty of Work With Starters
Avonte Maddox

has Impressed Dan Campbell
Boston Celtics

Josh Minott Inks Deal With Celtics
Chicago Bears

Ruben Hyppolite Shows Notable Improvement
Toronto Raptors

Sandro Mamukelashvili Heading to Toronto
Daron Payne

Commanders Coaches Impressed With Daron Payne
Danny Gray

Makes Impression During Offseason Workouts
Jared McCain

Not on 76ers Summer League Roster
Dane Belton

Should Have a Role in 2025
Kaiir Elam

Flashes During Offseason Workouts
Dylan Harper

Unavailable for California Classic
COL

Brent Burns Inks One-Year Deal with Avalanche
STL

Blues Land Pius Suter on Two-Year Deal
Morgan Frost

Agrees to Two-Year Extension with Flames
WPG

Gustav Nyquist Moves to Winnipeg
Cody Glass

Devils Re-Sign Cody Glass to Two-Year Deal
PIT

Anthony Mantha Joins Penguins
Riley Greene

Homers Twice, Drives in Six on Wednesday
Max Muncy

Exits With Apparent Knee Injury
Christian Moore

Exits Early with Thumb Irritation
Cleveland Cavaliers

Larry Nance Jr. Headed Back to Cavaliers
Josh Naylor

Returning to Diamondbacks Lineup
Eric Gordon

Remaining with 76ers
Los Angeles Lakers

Deandre Ayton Joining Lakers
Oronde Gadsden

an Active Pass-Catcher This Offseason
Brashard Smith

Speed Could be Put to Use
Emil Heineman

Signs Two-Year Deal with Islanders
Pat Bryant

Off to a Good Start
Simon Holmstrom

Re-Signs with Islanders for Two Years
Cody Barton

Quickly Becoming a Leader With his New Team
UTA

Nate Schmidt Signs Three-Year Deal with Mammoth
Montaric Brown

has Worked With Starters
UTA

Brandon Tanev Moves to Utah on Three-Year Contract
NJ

Evgenii Dadonov Joins Devils on One-Year Deal
BUF

Sabres Snap Up Alex Lyon on Two-Year Contract
Dallas Mavericks

Dante Exum Returning to Dallas
Ryan McLeod

Inks Four-Year Extension with Sabres
NAS

Predators Bring in Nick Perbix on Two-Year Deal
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Has Surgery to Repair a Turf Toe Injury
LA

Cody Ceci Moves to Los Angeles
DET

James van Riemsdyk Joins Red Wings on One-Year Contract
Viktor Arvidsson

Traded to Boston
Charlotte Hornets

Spencer Dinwiddie Lands With Charlotte
Josh Jung

Sent to Triple-A
Jurickson Profar

Officially Reinstated and Hitting in Five-Hole on Wednesday
Spencer Schwellenbach

Going on Injured List With Fractured Elbow
Maxwell Hairston

Facing Sexual-Assault Lawsuit
Tai Felton

Rookie Season Likely to be Spent on Special Teams
LeQuint Allen Jr.

to Have Receiving Role for Jaguars?
Justin Walley

Turning Heads Going into Rookie Season
Bud Cauley

in Great Form Ahead of John Deere Classic
Christiaan Bezuidenhout

a Player to Avoid at John Deere Classic
Jake Knapp

Riding Momentum Ahead of John Deere Classic
Jamari Thrash

Establishing Himself as Reliable Option
PGA

Sungjae Im Looking for Consistency at John Deere Classic
Ryan Gerard

a Solid Option at John Deere Classic
Rickie Fowler

Looking to Rebound at John Deere Classic
Cameron Champ

a Volatile Option at John Deere Classic
Brandon Woodruff

Likely to Pitch on Sunday in Miami
Jackson Suber

Staying Below 70 is Key to Success for Jackson Suber
Kevin Roy

Playing Better Heading into John Deere Classic
Justin Lower

Hoping for Something Positive in Illinois
Ben Kohles

a Long Shot at John Deere Classic
Stephan Jaeger

Attempts to Stop Roller-Coaster Ride
Beau Hossler

Needs a Challenge in Illinois
Harry Higgs

Has Potential at John Deere Classic
Nick Dunlap

Keeps Plugging Through Tough 2025 Season
PHI

Dan Vladar Links Up With Flyers on Two-Year Deal
Milwaukee Bucks

Taurean Prince Staying in Milwaukee
Jeff Green

Signs One-Year Deal to Remain in Houston
Los Angeles Lakers

Jake LaRavia Lands with Lakers
Orlando Magic

Tyus Jones Signs One-Year Deal With Magic
Golden State Warriors

Kevon Looney Heads to New Orleans
Milwaukee Bucks

Jericho Sims Staying in Milwaukee
Denver Nuggets

Tim Hardaway Jr. Joins Nuggets
Kevin Yu

a Near Must-Play at TPC Deere Run
PGA

J.T. Poston Returns to John Deere Classic Looking for Another High Finish
Thriston Lawrence

a Decent Fit For John Deere Classic
Tom Kim

Not Finding Much to be Happy About Ahead of John Deere Classic
Si Woo Kim

is a Prohibitive Fade at John Deere Classic
Ben Griffin

is the Appropriate Favorite at TPC Deere Run
Daniel Suarez

and Trackhouse Racing Parting Ways After 2025 Season
Ilia Topuria

Becomes The New Lightweight Champion
Charles Oliveira

Knocked Out At UFC 317
Kai Kara-France

Alexandre Pantoja Submits Kai Kara-France
Kai Kara-France

Submitted At UFC 317
Joshua Van

Extends His Win Streak
Brandon Royval

Drops Decision
Renato Moicano

Loses Back-To-Back Fights
Beneil Dariush

Gets Back In The Win Column
Felipe Lima

Suffers His First UFC Loss
Payton Talbott

Bounces Back
Alex Bowman

Competitive Run Ends With Third-Place Finish at Atlanta
Erik Jones

Secures A Top-Five Finish After Adversity In Atlanta
Tyler Reddick

Collects A New Career-Best Finish At Atlanta
Chase Elliott

Ends Winless Skid With Atlanta Victory
Brad Keselowski

Falls Short of Atlanta Victory
Carson Hocevar

Recovers From Big One to Finish 10th at Atlanta
William Byron

Caught up in Atlanta Big One but Retains Points Lead
Denny Hamlin

Top In-Season Challenge Seed Denny Hamlin Eliminated in Lap 70 Crash
Ty Dillon

Bottom Seed Ty Dillon Upsets Denny Hamlin to Advance in In-Season Challenge
Kyle Larson

Don't Expect Kyle Larson to Win First Drafting Track Race on Saturday
Christopher Bell

Unlikely to Complete Atlanta Sweep
Brad Keselowski

Seeks Another Clutch Win for Hail-Mary Playoff Bid
Chris Buescher

Unlikely to Lead Enough to Have Much DFS Value
Alex Bowman

Qualifies Best Among Non-Fords but Unlikely to Contend at Atlanta
Ryan Preece

Will Probably Run Better Than Usual at Atlanta
Austin Dillon

Consistently Mediocre at Atlanta
Ty Gibbs

Slightly Faster Lately but Unlikely to be a Factor at Atlanta
Erik Jones

a Low-Key Strong DFS Option
Noah Gragson

Could Have DFS Value as One of the Lowest-Qualifying Fords
Riley Herbst

Unlikely to Replicate February Atlanta Finish
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF