Fantasy Baseball Draft Sleepers: Robert Gasser, Yuki Matsui, Orion Kerkering (2024)

Dynasty and keeper formats are not the only ones in which to pay attention to rookies. It can be difficult to trust prospects getting their first extended look in the bigs in redraft leagues also. However, as far as the late rounds are concerned, why not go for the upside?

The list of rookie pitchers below sitting outside the top 200 in FantasyPros’ consensus ADP at the time of writing should get the opportunity to log significant innings this year. Each has the potential to pay off solid fantasy value in 2024, whether as a reliever, a starter or perhaps both.

2024 Late-Round Rookie Starting Pitchers to Target

Robert Gasser (SP – MIL)

The Brewers made headlines by dealing away ace Corbin Burnes at the beginning of February. That may not signal a total rebuild in Milwaukee, but it does open up the chance for some prospect pitchers to emerge onto the scene. Robert Gasser could, and should, get the first shot following a strong season at Triple-A Nashville.

In 2023, Gasser went 9-1 with a 3.79 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 28.0 K% across 135 1/3 innings. Another lefty who deploys a mix of pitches to keep hitters guessing and off balance, Gasser features two different fastballs as well as a “plus” slider, cutter and the occasional changeup. Gasser may not become a front-line starting pitcher but he could be on the cusp of becoming a back-end staple in Milwaukee’s rotation.

Yuki Matsui (RP – SD)

Josh Hader is gone and while the Padres currently have no one in their bullpen with notable MLB closing experience, they added a pair of relievers this offseason who have saved plenty of games in their native Asian countries. Woo Suk Go converted 139 saves in the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO) over the last five years but it’s Matsui who is the likely frontrunner for the closer gig.

Matsui is a 28-year-old lefty who has dominated in Japan over the past decade. He has been absolutely ridiculous over the last three years, saving 95 games while putting up a 1.42 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 36.4 K%. Despite standing just 5-foot-8, Matsui possesses low-to-mid 90s heat, which plays up as well as a nasty splitter and a slider. The Padres believe in Matsui’s stuff, inking him to a five-year deal worth $28 million.

Orion Kerkering (RP – PHI)

After tearing through three levels of the Phillies’ organization with a 1.51 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 79-to-12 K/BB ratio across 53 2/3 innings last year, Orion Kerkering made his MLB debut on September 24. The young righty ended up making three appearances out of the Philly pen during the final week of the regular season, giving up just one run on three hits while striking out six of the 14 batters he faced. That earned him a spot on the playoff roster.

Orion Kerkering, Disgusting Sliders. ? pic.twitter.com/QqX8W9Gpsm

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) October 18, 2023

Going into spring, Kerkering has to be viewed as a potential source of saves given the current construction of the Phillies’ bullpen. For formats that count holds, his fantasy value is even higher. Armed with high-90s heat and a wipeout slider, Kerkering should, at minimum, register a ton of punchouts and strong ratios.

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Nate Miller is a featured writer at FantasyPros and a 9-year veteran of the fantasy sports industry. For more from Nate, check out his archive and follow him on Twitter @Miller_RotoDad.

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