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 Breakout Candidates for 2025 - National League Edition

Joey Ortiz - Fantasy Baseball Rankings, MLB Draft Sleepers, Waiver Wire Pickups

Nicho's fantasy baseball breakout candidates and sleepers to target in 2025. His top National League picks for the 2025 fantasy baseball season.

Believe it or not, fantasy baseball drafts are not over and will continue through Opening Day and into next week. The term "sleeper" is a big buzzword in the fantasy sports world because, in addition to nailing your first few picks, one must take risks on late-round players who have shown signs of upside or "flashes" of success but perhaps haven't been consistent throughout a full season to garner a top-20 pick.

In this piece, I will focus on National League sleepers and late-round fliers to help you bolster your roster for the upcoming fantasy baseball season. I'll discuss one hitter and a few pitchers, each with an average ADP of 240.0 or higher, according to  NFBC.

RotoBaller uses NFBC because it's the most active platform for fantasy baseball. This ADP gives us a more informed look at the market because there have been hundreds of drafts in these high-stakes leagues. We also have RotoBaller MLB Rankings available for you to cross-reference to help make informed decisions. Be sure to keep following @RotoBallerMLB and me @NichoRoessler on X for more league-winning offseason content. Best of luck in your upcoming drafts, RotoBallers. Enjoy the rush we all get from drafts!

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

 

Joey Ortiz, 3B, Milwaukee Brewers

Milwaukee Brewers third baseman Joey Ortiz, who will be moving to shortstop this season, had a solid rookie year in 2024. He slashed .239/.329/.398 with 11 home runs, 60 RBI, 58 runs, and 11 stolen bases in 142 games.

Ortiz provides a lot of value because he has a reasonable walk rate of 11 percent and plays solid defense (96th percentile in Range OAA), which should keep him in the lineup every day and provide consistent opportunities. For the 2025 season, ATC is projecting Ortiz to slash .248/.316/.392 with 12 home runs and a 2.0 WAR.

In addition, he keeps his strikeout rate respectable (20.2 percent) and ranks in the 76th percentile for bat speed and the 89th percentile for whiff percentage.

Although Ortiz does not provide anything flashy, he provides fantasy managers with a solid floor if they are looking for some late-round value at the infield position. With an entire season of plate appearances, he can hit 20 home runs and steal 20 bases.

According to NFBC, his current ADP of 286.0 makes him a solid draft pick. Fantasy managers should consider taking a late flier on him in 2025 drafts.

 

Justin Verlander, SP, San Francisco Giants 

San Francisco Giants right-hander Justin Verlander is no secret to the fantasy baseball world. He is highly regarded as one of the greatest pitchers in MLB history, but according to NFBC, he currently has an ADP of 346.0 in 2025, and I am ready to buy the dip. 

During the 2024 season, Verlander struggled greatly, going 5-6 and only logging 90 ⅓ innings with a 5.48 ERA, a 4.78 FIP, and a 7.37 K/9. Those are poor numbers for a three-time Cy Young Award winner. However, the change of scenery with the Giants may bring him back to form. Certainly not at his prime, but he is good enough to provide tons of value for fantasy managers looking for a steal at the end of their drafts.

If we rewind to his 2022-2023 seasons with the New York Mets and the Houston Astros, he had a 2.40 ERA in 337 ⅓ innings. Not too bad for a 40-year-old pitcher, wouldn’t you say? 

Sure, his strikeout numbers have been down over the past few seasons from his prime years with the Astros and the Detroit Tigers, but even last year, during his poor season, he ranked in the 92nd percentile in hard-hit percentage. In addition, he only walked batters at a 6.8 percent clip. Not allowing loud contact and handing out free passes are generally a recipe for success. 

The bottom line is that he is a proven veteran on a new team in one of the most pitcher-friendly ballparks in the MLB. I don’t expect him to be your team's top-three or four pitcher, but by season's end, he should give you a ton of value at his current ADP.

 

Grant Holmes, RP, Atlanta Braves

Atlanta Braves right-hander Grant Holmes had an impressive 24.8 percent strikeout rate in 2024. Last year at the MLB level, Holmes made 26 appearances, seven of them starts, and pitched 68 1/3 innings to the tune of a 3.56 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP.

Reports throughout Spring Training have been that Holmes and Ian Anderson were the favorites to start in place of Spencer Strider (elbow). On Sunday, Anderson was traded to the Los Angeles Angels, leaving Holmes the opportunity to be the No. 5 starter in the rotation.

However, Holmes may get moved to the bullpen once Strider comes back. Regardless, the Braves are unlikely to rush Strider back into action, and even if Holmes gets moved to the bullpen, he can help your team rack up holds in leagues that have scoring in that category. In the meantime, he provides plenty of value as a potential starter early in the year.

In addition, if any Braves starting pitchers get injured, Holmes looks to be a safe bet as the fill-in spot in the rotation. Although his 3.56 ERA was solid, his 3.37 SIERA suggests room for improvement should things go his way. His 2024 MLB percentile rankings are rock solid, as you can see below. 

According to NFBC, his current ADP of 304.0 makes him a solid late-round target, given his strikeout upside and the Braves' potent offense backing him up. Fantasy managers should add Holmes to their target list and not hesitate to draft him around his current ADP. 

 

Bubba Chandler, SP, Pittsburgh Pirates

Pittsburgh Pirates right-handed pitcher Bubba Chandler has the potential to be part of the Pirates' starting rotation following a rock-solid 2024 minor league season. Last year, he had a 3.08 ERA, a 1.02 WHIP, and 148 strikeouts in 26 appearances (23 starts) across Double-A and Triple-A.

The Pirates drafted Chandler in the third round of the 2021 MLB Draft. He quickly moved through the minors and has succeeded at every level. Chandler has an elite fastball that averaged 96.7 mph and touched 99 mph in 2024, according to Synergy. Chandler also offers an 86-87 mph slider, a changeup in the upper 80s, and occasionally throws a curveball in the low 80s to go along with the electric fastball.

Perhaps all of the hype is because of the success we have seen with other young Pirates pitchers, like Paul Skenes and Jared Jones, both of whom Chandler has worked out with over the past year. But when you combine Chandler's performance in the minors with the Pirates rotation being fairly open after Skenes, Jones, and Mitch Keller, it seems like a matter of when, not if, Chandler joins the rotation in 2025.

According to NFBC, Chandler's ADP is 299.0, so most high-stakes drafts feel the same way. I am willing to take the late-round pick and find out, and you should, too.



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy baseball app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, sleepers, prospects & more. All free!



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

Tyler Soderstrom

Returns to A's Lineup
Tyler Warren

Sidelined on Wednesday with Toe Injury
Jaylen Waddle

Questionable for Week 3 Against Buffalo
Joe Burrow

Bengals Not Closing the Door on Joe Burrow Returning This Year
CFB

LaNorris Sellers to Play Against Missouri?
Kyle Tucker

Progress has "Plateaued"
Isaac Paredes

has "Outside Chance" to Return This Weekend
CFB

Kaidon Salter Expected To Start for Colorado on Saturday
Willson Contreras

Goes on 10-Day Injured List, Done for Season
Justin Fields

Ruled Out for Week 3 Due to Concussion
Jayden Reed

Out Indefinitely After Foot and Shoulder Surgery
Washington Commanders

Preston Smith Signs With Commanders
Trey Jemison III

Joins Knicks on Two-Way Contract
Kevin McCullar Jr.

Signs New Two-Way Deal With Knicks
Matt Ryan

Returns to Knicks on Exhibit 10 Contract
New York Knicks

Alex Len Signs Exhibit 9 Deal With Knicks
Nickeil Alexander-Walker

Expected to Take on Larger Offensive Role With Hawks
Thomas Sorber

Undergoes Surgery
Dominic Canzone

Has Five-Hit, Three-Homer Game Tuesday
Cal Raleigh

Sets Single-Season Home Run Record for a Switch-Hitter
Jayden Reed

Undergoes Clavicle and Foot Surgeries, Out for Foreseeable Future
Bo Bichette

to Miss Rest of Regular Season
Zach Neto

Placed on 10-Day Injured List With Hand Injury
Yordan Alvarez

Out on Tuesday, Dealing With "Significant" Ankle Sprain
Aaron Jones Sr.

Vikings Place Aaron Jones Sr. on Injured Reserve With Hamstring Injury
CFB

Diego Pavia Refutes Report of Seeking Seventh Collegiate Season
Christian Kirk

Expected to Return in Week 3
CFB

Diego Pavia Seeking Another Year of Eligibility
Tarik Skubal

on Track to Start Thursday
CFB

Kevorian Barnes Questionable Against SMU
Bo Bichette

has Short-Term Knee Injury, Could Return for Postseason
Tosan Evbuomwan

Joins Knicks
NBA

Kai Jones Links Up With EuroLeague Team
Bismack Biyombo

Returns to Spurs
Bones Hyland

Rejoins Timberwolves
Kobe Bufkin

Moves to Brooklyn
Trey Yesavage

Sets Franchise Strikeout Record On Monday
Yordan Alvarez

To Receive MRI For Sprained Left Ankle On Tuesday
Willson Contreras

Exits Early Monday With Right-Biceps Tightness
Yordan Alvarez

Exits With Ankle Sprain
Brock Bowers

Officially Active on Monday Night
Jauan Jennings

Day-to-Day With Ankle Injury
Logan O'Hoppe

Activated Off Seven-Day Injured List
CBJ

Denton Mateychuk Dealing With Groin Issue
Bo Horvat

Fine for Training Camp
Kirby Dach

on Track to Be Ready for Opening Night
Jose Altuve

Returns Against Rangers
J.J. McCarthy

Expected to Miss 2-4 Weeks With High-Ankle Sprain
J.J. McCarthy

Likely Out for Week 3 With High-Ankle Sprain
Jean Silva

Gets Finished For The First Time In His Career
Aaron Jones Sr.

Unlikely to Play in Week 3 Due to Hamstring Injury
Diego Lopes

Returns To The Win Column
Jayden Daniels

' Week 3 Status in Doubt
Rob Font

Outclassed In The Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
David Martinez

Wins His Second UFC Fight
Jared Gordon

Suffers Brutal TKO Loss At Noche UFC 3
Rafa Garcia

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Brian Thomas Jr.

Dealing with Wrist Injury
Dustin Stoltzfus

Drops A Decision At Noche UFC 3
Kelvin Gastelum

Gets Back In The Win Column
Diego Ferreira

Suffers Second-Round TKO
Alexander Hernandez

Extends His Win Streak With A Brutal TKO
Quang Le

Suffers First-Round Knockout
Santiago Luna

Shines In His UFC Debut
Christopher Bell

Earns his First Bristol Cup Series Victory
Alex Bowman

Falls Short of Advancing Through Cup Series Playoffs
Chase Briscoe

Collects his Third Top-10 Finish at Bristol
Ryan Blaney

Strong Top-Five Bristol Performance Advances him to the Playoffs
Corey Heim

Earns his First Career Cup Series Top-10 Finish at Bristol
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Leads Greece to Bronze Medal
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Drops 28 Points in EuroBasket Finals
CFB

Indiana's Lee Beebe Jr. Out for Season with Knee Injury
Dennis Schröder

Dennis Schroder Named EuroBasket MVP
Bryce Eldridge

Giants to Promote Bryce Eldridge
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Progressing in Recovery
Jonathan Kuminga

Receives New Offer From Warriors
Kenneth Walker III

Bounces Back with Big Week 2 Performance
Bijan Robinson

Rushes for 143 Yards in Week 2
Justin Fields

Currently in Concussion Protocol
Cincinnati Bengals

Bengals Calling Around to Available Free-Agent Quarterbacks
Joe Burrow

to Undergo Surgery, Out at Least Three Months
Emil Heineman

Aiming to Take the "Next Step" This Season
Braeden Cootes

Good to Go for Camp
Ivan Fedotov

Blue Jackets Acquire Ivan Fedotov From Flyers
Garrett Crochet

Punches Out 12 in Win
Cole Ragans

to Return on Wednesday
George Kirby

Strikes Out 14 in Win
Quentin Grimes

Still Not Close to a New Contract Agreement
Joel Embiid

"Looking Slender, Spry and in Positive Spirits"
Ty Gibbs

Has Arguably his Best Career Drive, but Only Finishes 10th
Chase Elliott

Despite Crashing Out at Bristol, Chase Elliott Advances to Round of 12
Austin Dillon

Misses Round of 12 After Extremely Mediocre Bristol Run
Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen Fails to Advance to Round of 12
Josh Berry

Finishes Last in All Three Round of 16 Races to Fail to Advance
CFB

Ryan Williams Explodes In Return To Field
CFB

Drew Allar Plays Mediocre Game In Blowout Win
CFB

LaNorris Sellers Exits Game In Blowout Loss
CFB

DJ Lagway Tosses Five Interceptions In Loss
CFB

Garrett Nussmeier Plays Game Manager in Saturday's Win
CFB

CJ Carr Remains Poised In Narrow Loss
CFB

John Mateer Leads Oklahoma In Rout
CFB

Arch Manning Struggles Against UTEP
CFB

Jeremiah Smith Impresses In Win
CFB

Sam Leavitt Shines As Arizona State Rebounds From Week 2 Loss
Ivan Demidov

Turning Heads in Rookie Camp
NHL

Calvin de Haan Signs With Swedish Team
Samuel Girard

Skates With Non-Contact Jersey
Mackenzie Blackwood

Dealing With Injury Ahead of Training Camp
Spencer Knight

Signs Three-Year Extension With Blackhawks
Chris Buescher

May have Another Solid Run at Bristol
Corey Perry

Out 6-8 Weeks Following Surgery
Kyle Busch

Should DFS Managers Roster Kyle Busch at Bristol?
Ricky Stenhouse Jr

Is Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Too Risky to Consider Rostering at Bristol?
Michael McDowell

Could be A Solid Value Option For Bristol DFS Lineups
Chase Elliott

Probably Won't Factor in for Bristol Win
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Not as Strong at Bristol as Other Short Tracks
Alex Bowman

Needs to Win to Make Round of 12
Ross Chastain

has Never Led at Bristol but Has Been Pretty Consistent
Austin Dillon

Richmond Speed Unlikely to Carry Over to Bristol
Josh Berry

Might Run Well at Bristol, but Almost Certainly Won't Win to Advance
Justin Haley

Bristol One of Justin Haley's Few Recent Bright Spots
CFB

Austin Simmons Listed As Game-Time Decision Against Arkansas
CFB

Nico Iamaleava Struggles In Fourth Straight Loss
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Dealing With a "Tweak"
BUF

Alexandar Georgiev Joins Sabres on One-Year Deal
Corey Perry

Injured During Pre-Camp Skate
CFB

Antonio Williams Out Against Georgia Tech
CFB

CJ Bailey Flashes Again in Win Over Wake Forest
CFB

Jaxson Moi a Game-Time Decision for Tennessee on Saturday
Jean Silva

A Favorite At Noche UFC 3
Diego Lopes

Set For Noche UFC 3 Main Event
Rob Font

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
David Martinez

Set For Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
Rafa Garcia

An Underdog At Noche UFC 3
Jared Gordon

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Dustin Stoltzfus

Looks To Return To The Win Column
Kelvin Gastelum

In Dire Need Of Victory
Diego Ferreira

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Malcolm Brogdon

Heading to Knicks on One-Year Deal
Landry Shamet

Staying with the Knicks

RANKINGS

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