15 Late-Round Draft Picks the Experts Target (2024 Fantasy Baseball)

When preparing for your fantasy baseball drafts, knowing which players to target and others to avoid is important. The amount of information available can be overwhelming, so a great way to condense the data and determine players to draft and others to leave for your leaguemates is to use our expert consensus fantasy baseball rankings compared to average draft position (ADP). In this way, you can identify players the experts are willing to reach for at ADP and others they are not drafting until much later than average. Let’s dive into a few notable players below.

2024 Fantasy Baseball Draft Advice

Rank	Player	Team	Positions	Best	Worst	Avg	Std Dev	ADP	vs. ADP
101	Yandy Diaz	TB	1B,3B	69	143	104.1	14.6	126	25
112	Josh Naylor	CLE	1B,DH	89	138	115.1	9.6	142	30
127	Ian Happ	CHC	LF	88	192	129.6	16.6	150	23
129	TJ Friedl	CIN	LF,CF	95	180	131.9	19.8	165	36
135	Jorge Soler		RF,DH	109	174	137.2	14.4	164	29
136	Marcell Ozuna	ATL	LF,DH	111	198	139.3	12.9	171	35
142	Masataka Yoshida	BOS	LF,DH	78	194	147.6	24.6	168	26
149	James Outman	LAD	LF,CF	120	202	156.1	16.6	178	29
162	Isaac Paredes	TB	1B,2B,3B	77	195	166.6	12.3	189	27
175	Rhys Hoskins	MIL	1B	114	225	180.2	23.3	200	25
187	Edouard Julien	MIN	2B,DH	164	242	187	22.6	224	37
191	Kerry Carpenter	DET	LF,RF,DH	163	231	192.4	17.2	241	50
193	Trevor Story	BOS	SS	149	270	195.4	28.9	226	33
194	Ryan Mountcastle	BAL	1B,DH	174	218	198.7	14.1	235	41
197	Jarren Duran	BOS	LF,CF	159	287	200	23.4	225	28

Fantasy Baseball Player Notes

Josh Naylor (1B – CLE)

Josh Naylor suffers from BatsInTheGuardiansLineupitis, but he offers enough upside to nab as a second or third corner infielder in the middle rounds. Naylor dealt with injuries in 2023, limiting him to 121 games. However, he hit 17 home runs and drove in 97 while slashing .308/.354/.489. He also kicked in 10 stolen bases for good measure. As long as he continues to bat behind Jose Ramirez, he should be a boon to the RBI category, but it’s his 95th percentile xBA (.293) and K% (13.7) that makes him a valuable pick.

Ian Happ (OF – CHC)

Ian Happ offers a reliable fantasy outfield option with a projected 20-25 home runs and a solid on-base percentage despite an average batting average. In the previous season, he added value with 14 stolen bases, 86 runs, and 84 RBIs, fitting the profile of a dependable third or fourth outfielder. Happ has an impressive walk rate (14.3%) and a strong health record. Remaining with the Cubs under a new three-year deal, he’s poised to maintain his position high in the batting order.

Jorge Soler (OF – FA)

In 2023, Jorge Soler demonstrated formidable power, blasting 36 homers while racking up 77 runs and 75 RBIs. With a .376 xwOBA, placing him in the top tier of hitters, the 31-year-old showcased his strength despite a high 24.3% strikeout rate. His standout ISO of .262 highlights his offensive prowess. Now a free agent, Soler’s future lineup impact is uncertain, yet he’s expected to maintain his 30+ home run potential and possibly surpass 90 runs and RBIs. Additionally, he retains outfield eligibility, avoiding fantasy limitations.

What is Fantasy Baseball?

Fantasy baseball is an online game where participants act as managers of virtual baseball teams based on real-life Major League Baseball (MLB) players. The performance of these players in actual games determines the results in the fantasy league. It’s a blend of skill, strategy, and a little bit of luck, akin to the real-world decisions team managers must make.

Basic Strategy for Fantasy Baseball Success

1. Understand Your League’s Format and Scoring

Before drafting your team, it’s essential to understand the scoring system and rules of your specific league, as this will influence your drafting and management strategy. Knowing whether you’re in a points-based, category-based, or head-to-head league will guide you in selecting players whose strengths align with the scoring system.

2. Drafting Your Team Wisely

A solid draft is the foundation of a successful season. Here are a few tips for the drafting phase:

Balanced Team: Ensure you have a balanced team with a mix of power hitters, average hitters, speedsters, starting pitchers, and relievers.
Position Scarcity: Be aware of the depth of talent at each position. Some positions, like shortstop, may have fewer high-quality players, making it beneficial to draft a top player at that position early.
High-Floor Players: Early in the draft, focus on players with a proven track record of consistency.
Upside Picks: In the later rounds, look for “upside” players. These are athletes who have the potential to outperform their draft position.

3. In-Season Management

Stay Active: Constantly look for ways to improve your team through waivers, trades, and free-agent pickups.
Mind the Matchups: Pay attention to player matchups, platoon splits, and ballparks. Starting a pitcher in a hitter-friendly park, for example, can be risky.
Injury Management: Stay on top of player injuries and have backups ready for your key players.