Finding sleepers in the late rounds of fantasy baseball drafts can be one of the most rewarding parts about being a fantasy baseball owner.
It's always nice to snag a guy in the 20th round and watch him blossom into a legit everyday player. Now that the 2014 spring training season is about to get started with games this week, it's a good time to get studied up on some sleepers for the upcoming year.
Here's a position-by-position list of some of the top sleepers for 2014, followed by a closer look at three players on the rise who are poised to become legit fantasy contributors throughout the regular season.
*Average draft info via RotoWire.
2B Jurickson Profar, Rangers
Average draft position: 214
ADP 8-team league: 27th round
ADP 10-team league: 22nd round
ADP 12-team league: 18th round
The Texas Rangers have assembled a deadly lineup in Arlington, and Jurickson Profar figures to benefit big time from the new look.
When the Rangers acquired slugging first baseman Prince Fielder from the Detroit Tigers this offseason, they also opened up a spot for Profar at second base by dealing away Ian Kinsler. Profar showed good power during his minor league career, but he could never find a rhythm as a bench player for Texas in 2013.
With an everyday playing opportunity in this robust batting order, I expect Profar to put up some big numbers in 2014. He'll likely be a nice hitter near the bottom of the lineup and should have plenty of opportunities to contribute while hitting in front of table-setters Shin-Soo Choo and Elvis Andrus.
There's certainly risk involved whenever you're drafting a prospect, but Profar has all the tools and a great lineup to produce in 2014.
OF Oscar Taveras, Cardinals
Average draft position: 225
ADP 8-team league: 29th round
ADP 10-team league: 23rd round
ADP 12-team league: 19th round
As it stands now, the St. Louis Cardinals are expected to have a starting outfield of Matt Holliday in left, Peter Bourjos in center and Allen Craig in right. But with a big spring training, Oscar Taveras could earn a spot on the Opening Day roster.
According to a recent report from Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com, Taveras is ramping up his physical activity in spring training:
Taveras, who had right ankle surgery in August, estimated that he pushed himself at an "80 percent" effort level during Monday's conditioning work. He likely won't be included in the Cardinals' lineup for their Grapefruit League opener on Friday, but his spring debut should not come that much later.
The organization is merely taking its time building Taveras up to full speed. Running the bases and changing directions while sprinting are some of the last hurdles Taveras still has to clear.
Hopefully Taveras can stay healthy, because he has "future star" written all over him. While Carlos Beltran will certainly be missed by the Cardinals, I suspect Taveras will be able to impress during spring training and be an instant contributor to this team from Day 1.
His 2013 was derailed by the balky ankle, but his stellar minor league career and St Louis' reputation of cultivating homegrown talent bodes well for his future. I expect Taveras to win the National League Rookie of the Year race in 2014 while putting up solid numbers for fantasy owners in the process.
RHP Danny Salazar, Indians
Average draft position: 205
ADP 8-team league: 26th round
ADP 10-team league: 21st round
ADP 12-team league: 18th round
Danny Salazar made quite the impression during his 2013 major league debut with the Cleveland Indians.
Still, fantasy owners seem to be overlooking the 24-year-old righty, who posted an 11.3 K/9 ratio in 52 innings pitched last year. Over the course of those 10 starts, Salazar went 2-3 with a 3.12 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and had 65 strikeouts against 15 walks.
As Jordan Bastian of MLB.com detailed, Salazar is expected to play a big role for the franchise in 2014:
Salazar's right arm provides hope that losing key starters such as Ubaldo Jimenez and Scott Kazmir will not be as devastating to the Tribe's quest to build on last season as it appears on the surface. The kid's poise on the mound provides promise and has the Indians daydreaming about an ace in the making.
When Cleveland clinched a spot in the American League Wild Card Game last fall, Salazar was announced as the starting pitcher while the champagne was still flowing. The fact that he was young on years and experience did not matter. The Indians believed in Salazar then, and the organization is pinning a great deal of hope on him now.
"It's going to be exciting to see what he can do," Indians pitching coach Mickey Callaway said. "He can probably be one of the better pitchers in baseball."
Salazar was dominant from 2011 to 2013 as a minor leaguer, and he showed he could hang with the big leaguers down the stretch last year. While he often drives his pitch count up too fast, his high strikeout totals make him a savvy sleeper draft option.
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