Frank Ammirante | Wed, Mar 19th 2025, 7:05am EDT

5 Fantasy Baseball Rookie Sleepers to Draft: Hitters (2025)

Fantasy baseball drafts are in the stretch run. With spring training winding down, we now have more information on late-round rookie hitters to target, since rosters are getting finalized.

Below are five rookie hitters to help your fantasy baseball teams. The focus will be on the later rounds, using National Fantasy Baseball Championship (NFBC) average draft position (ADP), since this has been the most active platform for drafts throughout the offseason. Each hitter discussed is available outside of the top 350 picks.

Without further ado, let’s dive in to unearth some late-round rookie hitter gems to put your roster over the top. While some of these hitters will start the year in the Minors, expect them to make an impact at some point this season.

Late-Round Rookie Sleepers to Draft

Cam Smith (3B – HOU) | ADP: 395.33

Cam Smith is currently eligible at third base, but he’s expected to play right field for the Astros. After coming over from the Cubs in the Kyle Tucker trade, Smith has exceeded expectations during spring training, slashing .423/.516/.846 with three homers along with an impressive 16.1% walk rate and a 19.4% strikeout rate.

This is a 22-year-old hitter who put up a combined 179 wRC+ at Single-A and Double-A last season. The Astros are in desperate need of help in the outfield, with Jose Altuve moving to left field, joining Jake Meyers in center and Chas McCormick in right. Not a great outfield, especially for a playoff contender.

According to Will Kunkel of FOX 26 Houston, Smith has a good chance of making the Opening Day roster. If that’s the case, it’s expected he’ll be an everyday player, supplanting McCormick as the starter. As a young outfielder with third-base eligibility, Smith looks like an intriguing target in the late rounds.

Jacob Wilson (SS – ATH) | ADP: 508.94

Jacob Wilson is penciled in as the everyday shortstop for the Athletics. The 23-year-old infielder was terrific in the Minors last year, combining for a .433/.473/.668 triple slash line with seven homers and two steals in 226 plate appearances in Double-A and Triple-A. Wilson followed that up with .250/.314/.315 in 103 plate appearances in the big leagues.

What’s unique about Wilson is his hit tool, as he put up a 6.6% strikeout rate in the Minors and a 9.7% strikeout rate with the A’s last season. That kind of elite ability to make contact can make Wilson an asset for your batting average. The issue here is that you’re not getting much power or speed with this profile. Wilson had zero barrels with the A’s last year, along with 44th percentile sprint speed, per Baseball Savant.

The appeal with Wilson is getting an entrenched starter who will play every day. If you’re in a deeper league, that kind of volume can be valuable to round out your roster, especially as a reserve. However, keep in mind there’s not a lot of upside here.

Jordan Lawlar (SS – ARI) | ADP: 551.71

Jordan Lawlar put up 20 home runs and 36 stolen bases as a 20-year-old in the Minors back in 2023. The Diamondbacks infielder dealt with injuries last season, but he was still able to put up a 156 wRC+ in 58 plate appearances in Triple-A. Lawlar followed that up with a .318/.417/.482 slash in 104 plate appearances with Arizona.

The problem here is that Lawlar is blocked at shortstop by Geraldo Perdomo, who just recently signed a long-term extension. However, general manager Mike Hazen publicly stated “nothing has changed” when it comes to Lawlar and Perdomo. In other words, when Lawlar is ready, he’ll be able to force his way into the lineup.

The good news is Lawlar has performed well this spring, slashing .323/.400/.581 in 35 plate appearances. We’ll likely see this dynamic infielder up with the Diamondbacks sooner rather than later. When that happens, there’s a lot of upside here, especially with power and speed.

Jac Caglianone (1B – KC) | ADP: 675.99

Jac Caglianone has burst onto the scene during spring training, slashing .529/.636/1.235 with three home runs in 22 plate appearances. The problem is that the 22-year-old only has 126 career plate appearances at Single-A. However, the sixth-overall pick in 2024 is showing off his 70-grade power against tough competition.

With Caglianone looking like a polished hitter, there’s a good chance he’ll be able to tear up Minor League pitching and quickly rise in the Royals’ system. You will have to be patient, but it’s a good bet that Caglianone will be up with the big club at some point this season.

When that happens, you would be getting a nice power boost for your team, as it’s clear he has 30+ home run upside. The Royals can easily have Caglianone work as the designated hitter with Jonathan India moving to second base, taking over for Michael Massey.

Nick Kurtz (1B – ATH) | ADP: 689.94

Nick Kurtz was the fourth overall pick in the 2024 Draft. This is another polished hitter who performed well in the Minors last year, including a 129 wRC+ in 15 plate appearances at Double-A. Kurtz has done a good job in spring training, putting up a 25% walk rate and 14.3% strikeout rate.

The rookie first baseman got hit on his hand by a pitch, but x-rays were negative, which is good news, as we didn’t want an injury to slow down his ascension to the big leagues. Kurtz can walk at a high rate, making him especially valuable if you play in on-base percentage (OBP) formats.

The A’s are in a youth movement right now, allowing rookies like Jacob Wilson to secure everyday roles. There’s a good chance we’ll eventually see Kurtz up with the big club. Like Caglianone in Kansas City, Kurtz would provide an immediate boost to your lineup once he gets the call.

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