Everyone wants to draft sleepers. What defines a sleeper is a good question. There are many answers to that question. A sleeper could be a late-round pick. A sleeper could be a player ready to break out. A sleeper can be a bounce-back candidate. A sleeper could be multiple things. That’s the beauty; a sleeper can be defined in many different ways.
Finding a sleeper can help elevate your team to a winning level regardless of how you define a sleeper. If this player breaks out and returns more value than their average draft position (ADP), your team is usually ahead of the game. In this article, I’ll discuss nine hitters who could be considered sleepers and positively impact your fantasy teams.
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Fantasy Baseball Sleepers: Hitters
Keibert Ruiz (C – WSH)
Keibert Ruiz was once considered one of the top catcher prospects in the game. He was starting to show prowess before last season was derailed by a virus that saw him lose over 20 pounds and slowed down most of his success.
Ruiz brings one of the better batting averages at the catcher position, hitting .250 or better in his previous four seasons. He brings 15+ home runs and power upside as well. Ruiz is being drafted late, making him a late C1 in one-catcher leagues or an excellent C2 in two-catcher leagues.
Christian Encarnacion-Strand (1B – CIN)
The hype train was in full force around Christian Encarnacion-Strand last season before an injury ended his season. Before last season, Encarnacion-Strand had hit 30+ home runs between the Minors and Majors in the previous two seasons.
Encarnacion-Strand even hit .270 over 63 games with the Reds in 2023. The Reds have said Encarnacion-Strand will be their primary first baseman to start the season. If Encarnacion-Strand can return healthy — and he has looked great this spring — he could provide a significant return at a first base position that dries up later in drafts.
Garrett Mitchell (OF – MIL)
Similar to Christian Encarnacion-Strand, the hype was real surrounding Garrett Mitchell entering 2024, but a hit-by-pitch late in spring training shut him down. He returned later and played 69 games for the Brewers, hitting eight home runs and stealing 11 bases, while hitting .255.
Throughout the Minors and Majors, Mitchell has showcased 15/15 skills. He’s expected to be the primary center fielder for the Brewers and hit in the middle of the batting order. Mitchell is a sneaky 20/20 target late in drafts.
Jesus Sanchez (OF – MIA)
Jesus Sanchez broke out last season, hitting .252 with 18 home runs and 16 stolen bases. Even with the successful season, Sanchez is being drafted late. He will hit cleanup for the Marlins and brings 20+ home run upside. With the speed he showcased last season, Sanchez could sneak into 20 steals. Sanchez is a great power source at the outfield position late in drafts.
Christopher Morel (2B, 3B, OF – TB)
Christopher Morel hit .247 with 26 home runs and six steals in 2023 but scuffled a bit in 2024. He still hit 21 home runs and stole eight bases, but a .196 batting average was dreadful. He struggled tremendously once he was traded to the Rays in the middle of the season.
The struggles last season have dropped his fantasy baseball ADP tremendously, making him a sleeper this season. He won’t be hitting in the Trop this year, but he’ll play his home games in a Minor League stadium, which could give Morel a return to the form we loved in 2023.
Trevor Story (SS – BOS)
Trevor Story has battled injuries in recent seasons. He missed most of last season, returning late to play 26 games, where he hit two home runs, stole six bases and batted .255. He enters 2024 healthy and ready to return to his power and speed profile. A profile that can return a 20/20 season.
The batting average has been an issue of late, but Story’s power and speed late in the draft leave him quite appealing as a middle infield target. If he hits for average, he’ll be a major steal. He’s a cheaper Zack Gelof right now.
Nathaniel Lowe (1B – WSH)
Nathaniel Lowe has been a boring fantasy player for years. His ADP represents fantasy managers’ boredom with Lowe, but the price now could bring a nice return. Lowe brings a batting average floor of .255 with an upside of .280. He has excellent on-base percentage (OBP) skills as well.
Being on base so much could lead to a sneaky 10 stolen bases since the Nationals run wild. With a nice batting average and potential stolen bases, Lowe can also add 15-20 home runs. He makes for a nice center infield option later in drafts. If you punt first base, he can be a suitable target.
Jo Adell (OF – LAA)
Jo Adell enters 2025 as one of my top late-round outfielder targets. The former top prospect played 130 games last season, his first season with 100+ games at the big league level. He hit 20 home runs with 15 steals and a .207 batting average.
Adell changed his approach to the plate late last season, leading to better results. He will be the starting center fielder for the Angels, which could lead to 25+ home runs and 20 steals. Adell’s ceiling has not yet been reached, but 2025 could be that season.
Joey Ortiz (SS, 3B – MIL)
Joey Ortiz was one of the major pieces in the Corbin Burnes trade last season. He was yo-yo’d around by the Brewers and never reached his full potential, hitting .239 with 11 home runs and steals. He enters 2025 as a starter for the Brewers either at shortstop or third base. Ortiz has 15/15 upside with a nice batting average. He is a solid late-round target.
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