Last year, if you paid close enough attention, put your ear to the wind, read the runes correctly, and consulted the correct psychic, then you saw the future — you saw Matt Harvey, Matt Carpenter, and Yasiel Puig breakthrough.
We’re back this year with our picks for breakthrough candidates. The guys who will boom. To use a cliché, the guys you want to take while the other owners are sleeping.
Brian Reddoch is a CraveOnline reporter and rabid fan of all teams Seattle. You can follow him on Twitter @ReddReddoch or “like” CraveOnline Sports on Facebook.
Photo Credit: Getty
Fantasy Baseball Sleepers
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Oswaldo Arcia OF - Twins
During the winter, the Twins outfielder was ranked in the mid-400’s in Yahoo and CBS. Once the projections came in from the computer nerds, his ranking skyrocketed into the mid to high 200’s. What changed? People realized that Arcia ranked 14th in average home run distance. His grisly 31 percent K rate is alarming so he could hurt in the average department, but a projected 18-22 home run range is too good to go undrafted.
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Brandon Belt 1B- Giants
His batted ball distance has risen each year. His ISO (indication of power) jumped in 2013 by 50 points. Manager Bruce Bochy finally stopped trying to tweak and change Belt’s swing and the results were salivating in the second half. His batting average was .260 in the first half and .326 in the second. Oh, he is also entering his prime; he turns 26 in April.
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Brian Dozier SS – Twins
Dozier will represent the Twins in the All-Star Game along with Mauer in Minneapolis. Which is sad that he’s going undrafted in most Yahoo leagues (ADP 345). He is less of a sleeper in CBS (ADP 149) but they’ve been singing his praises for awhile. I am expecting Dozier the Destructor to get close to 20 homers and hit .265, which is golden from my second baseman.
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Leonys Martin OF – Rangers
In his second full season, Martin brings one proven skill – speed. I expect him to repeat his swipes of 36 last year. Those stolen bases alone makes him worthy of his 161 Yahoo ADP. With some minor adjustments, he could very well hit .275 and have 14 homers. If he gets moved back up in the line-up (damn you Choo!), then his runs and RBIs will jump too. In other words, there is all upside with Martin.
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Starling Marte OF – Pirates
Marte is especially a sleeper in ESPN where his ADP (72nd) is 21 slots higher than Yahoo leagues. Even in Yahoo leagues, I expect him to outperform his 51st overall draft slot as he continues to bust out.
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Brad Miller SS/2B - Mariners
Right now, Miller has an ADP of 253 in Yahoo. That is behind Jhonny Peralta, Asdrubal Cabrera and Alexei Ramirez. That is downright stupid. The only thing holding him back is the idea of a Nick Franklin winning the starting spot and Miller starts in Tacoma. That’s not going to happen. The Mariners have all but said the job is Miller’s. With a full season, I’m expecting 16 HR, 79 RBI, 70 Runs, and a .268 avg. All of which are top 10 SS rankings. Oh… oh… oh, in most leagues he also qualifies as a 2B.
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Pablo Sandoval 3B - Giants
There are two cardinal rules at conflict with Panda. On one hand, you should never trust spring numbers. On the other hand, the big man showed up 40-plus pounds lighter and has been tearing up the ball on the verge of his contract walk year. Always bet on a guy wanting to make a splash for a big contract; Panda definitely has something to prove with the Giants not looking to lock him up. His average draft position (ADP) is: Yahoo 98, ESPN 123, and CBS 169. All of which are outside the top 10. A slimmer Sandoval means more runs and less injuries.
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Ben Revere OF – Phillies
I had him on my list last year and he was doing just fine in proving me right. Then he ended his season early with a foul ball to his foot. 50 stolen bases isn’t out of the realm of possibilities. Okay, that is more of a bold prediction. If you need speed in the later rounds (Yahoo 204 ADP), then reach a bit for Revere and expect an easy 40 steals.
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Anthony Rizzo 1B – Cubs
Rizzo has an ADP of 109th overall and 15th amongst first basemen. He will provide top 10 in runs, RBIs and homers. Yes, his batting average will hurt with a projected .258 (.233 last year) but he could easily move that up. His BABIP last year was a very unlucky .258. I can bust out the chart graphs showing how his power gains were stable and he could return to 2012 batting average (.285). Instead, just take a look at where you would draft a .275 guy who hit 25 homers.
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Wilson Ramos C – Nationals
Ramos is being taken 11th in most leagues around the 20th round. I have him as my No. 4 pure catcher (taking out Mauer and Santana). The difference this year is playing time. He had some injuries last year and had at-bats stolen by his backup. I’ll let everyone else take their catchers and I’ll sit back and wait for Ramos to fall to me with a nice plump 21 HR, 69 Runs, 70 RBI, .270 avg.
