The final drafts of the season are upon us and it is time to make some last-minute decisions. As we enter our final drafts, it is important to have a target list that covers each round. Here are my favorite targets for each round based on the NFBC Online Championship average draft position (ADP) since the beginning of the month.
Round-by-Round Last-Minute Targets (2024 Fantasy Baseball)
Round 1: Fernando Tatis Jr. (RF – SD)
Fernando Tatis had a massive season despite missing time early due to suspension. He has finally passed his past shoulder issues. He is a stud you get in the middle-to-back of the first that should be going in the top half of the first round.
Round 2: Francisco Lindor (SS – NYM)
Francisco Lindor is being overlooked after having a 30/30 season, which is insane. He should be going towards the top half of the round, not at the end.
Round 3: Luis Castillo (SP – SEA)
I am not a huge fan of taking early pitching but Luis Castillo is about as safe as they come. With so many pitchers getting hurt, having a stud like Castillo to front your rotation is always a good idea.
Round 4: Josh Hader (RP – HOU)
I know a lot of people are screaming “don’t pay for saves” with the recent injuries to Jordan Romano, Devin Williams and Johan Duran, but this is the time to be more aggressive on the elite guys than to fade them.
Round 5: Emmanuel Clase (RP – CLE)
See above.
Round 6: Logan Gilbert (SP – SEA)
Logan Gilbert does a lot of what teammate George Kirby does but the strikeout upside people have talked about with Kirby is much more apparent in Gilbert’s profile, and you get him three rounds later.
Round 7: Zach Eflin (SP – TB)
I have been a huge advocate of Zach Eflin all draft season. I think he is a top 10-15 pitcher who is going outside of the top five rounds. As long as he is healthy, he is a monster value.
Round 8: Bryan Reynold (LF, CF – PIT)
Bryce Reynolds is the kind of player no one celebrates when they draft but you can pencil in a pretty great stat line from. I love reliable glue guys, and that is what Reynolds is.
Round 9: Nolan Arenado (3B – STL)
Nolan Arenado has been a top-five-round pick for years. It is criminal that he is going this late.
Round 10: Xander Bogaerts (SS – SD)
I faded Xander Bogaerts last season and regretted it tremendously. He is a reliable five-category player you get way too late.
Round 11: Bailey Ober (SP – MIN)
Bailey Ober has fantastic skills and is overshadowed by his teammates. I think this is a breakout year for him and he could be a massive bargain this late.
Round 12: Cedric Mullins (CF – BAL)
Cedric Mullins’ price is being held down by an early spring injury that he is over. his projections are pretty tantalizing. Maybe it is my long-time affection for Mullins but this seems too good to be true.
Round 13: Jake Burger (3B, DH – MIA)
I love a good burger and this one is about as juicy as it comes with his level of power potential.
Round 14: Vinnie Pasquantino (1B – KC)
Vinnie Pasquantino was the talk of the last draft season and was on his way to a breakout season before getting hurt. I think we have a little bit of a post-hype sleeper here.
Round 15: Jonah Heim (C – TEX)
Before getting hurt, Jonah Heim was the No. 1 catcher in fantasy. He is now healthy and going off the board as the 12th catcher selected. Heim is him.
Round 16: Brandon Nimmo (LF, CF – NYM)
Brandon Nimmo is coming off his best season in the majors and still gets no respect. He isn’t a sexy bat but he leads off for a good team and has power and average stability.
Round 17: Brandon Pfaadt (SP – ARI)
Brandon Pfaadt struggled in his first MLB season but he made improvements at the end of the season and in the playoffs. He threw enough innings to push for up to 180 innings this year. the control improvements seem to have stuck through spring.
Round 18: Maikel Garcia (3B, SS – KC)
Maikel Garcia has been rising on the ADP charts during draft season because astute drafters are seeing what I am seeing: A potential leadoff hitter on an improved offense with power and speed.
Round 19: Henry Davis (RF – PIT)
Henry Davis has been hot this spring but this is more about the fact he will pick up catcher eligibility in-season and could lead all catchers in plate appearances.
Round 20: Kutter Crawford (SP, RP – BOS)
With Lucas Giolito out for the season, Kutter Crawford has a rotation spot locked down. He doesn’t have overwhelming stuff but it is a full arsenal with good stuff. I think he could be a nice little sleeper.
Round 21: Nathaniel Lowe (1B – TEX)
Nathaniel Lowe is dropping in ADP due to a spring injury that might have him start the year on the IL. He hits in the middle of a great lineup and should be pretty healthy early in the season, though.
Round 22: Anthony Rizzo (1B – NYY)
Anthony Rizzo struggled after getting a concussion last season and was never the same. However, he has looked great this spring and is back to full health. He is a massive rebound candidate.
Round 23: Alejandro Kirk (C – TOR)
Alejandro Kirk is a nice backup option at catcher. While I had been fading him, with Danny Jansen hurt again, Kirk should get the bulk of the playing time moving forward.
Round 24: Will Benson (LF, RF – CIN)
Another guy who has benefited from all the injuries this spring. With TJ Friedl on the shelf for a while, Will Benson should play a lot. He has a ton of power and speed upside.
Round 25: Willi Castro (2B, 3B, LF, CF – MIN)
Willi Castro was a fantastic guy off the wire last season but the Twins brought in a bunch of players that blocked him. However, Byron Buxton is already banged up and Castro should find plenty of time in the outfield and infield.
Round 26: Dean Kremer (SP – BAL)
Dean Kremer has all the skills to repeat teammate Kyle Bradish‘s breakout from last season. The park protects his homer-prone ways. I think this could he could have a nice little breakout season.
Round 27: Tim Anderson (SS – MIA)
Tim Anderson was a top-75 pick for years. I know last season was disappointing but a fresh start in Miami should get provide a nice rebound.
Round 28: Joel Payamps (RP – MIL)
Joel Payamps should be the closer with Devin Williams out for three months. The price will continue to rise.
Round 29: Gavin Stone (SP – LAD)
Gavin Stone has made the Dodgers rotation, which means he will have a ton of run support for wins.
Round 30: Michael Busch (3B – CHC)
Michael Busch is a former top prospect finally getting a chance to live up to his prospect pedigree in Chicago. He’s a post-hype sleeper.
Expert Fantasy Baseball Draft Advice
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