1 fantasy baseball sleeper pick for every team

Hitting on your top draft picks is certainly important in fantasy baseball, but there is something particularly satisfying about landing a “sleeper” who goes on to become a star.

Your definition of fantasy baseball sleeper might vary, but the following list contains players who are undervalued when compared to their average draft position (ADP).

Here is one 2024 fantasy baseball sleeper for each MLB team, via Yahoo.com’s Dalton Del Don.

• Check out the Yahoo Sports 2024 fantasy baseball draft kit

Angels: Griffin Canning, SP

Canning likely won’t rack up wins pitching for the Angels, but he’s back on the fantasy scene thanks to increased velocity last season after returning from multiple injuries. Canning posted an 11.55 K/9 (30.1 K%) with a 3.26 FIP after the All-Star break, when his 23.9 K-BB% would’ve finished behind only Spencer Strider for the season. Canning has four effective pitches and strong minor-league numbers, yet he’s going after 70 SPs are off the board.

Astros: Hunter Brown, SP

Brown’s 5.09 ERA came with a 3.74 SIERA last season, so he’s due for regression in 2024. His 26.8 K% would’ve ranked 12th among starters if he qualified (he needed just 6.1 more innings), next to Gerrit Cole and Zack Wheeler. Brown should improve during year two and will benefit from pitching for an Astros team projected to win the third-most games this season. Brown isn’t being drafted as a top-50 starter in Yahoo leagues, but he’s a top-35 SP on my board.

Athletics: Dany Jiménez, RP

Mason Miller undoubtedly has the most fantasy upside in Oakland’s bullpen, but he’s a big injury risk, has a much higher ADP and “will gradually move up the ladder” rather than open the season as closer. Meanwhile, Oakland’s GM mentioned Jiménez’s name first when asked about the team’s closing situation. Jiménez posted a 1.72 ERA and a 0.83 WHIP over his final 17 appearances after returning from a shoulder injury last season, so he looks like a source for early saves who’s going undrafted.

Blue Jays: Ricky Tiedemann, SP

Tiedemann dealt with injuries throughout last season but remains one of baseball’s best pitching prospects. His bulked-up physique and filthy stuff have created buzz throughout Toronto’s camp. Tiedemann will be among fantasy’s most sought-after waiver wire adds once he gets his chance this season.

Braves: Jarred Kelenic, OF

Kelenic is still just 24 years old, and the former top prospect gets a fresh start in Atlanta. He’ll hit toward the bottom of the Braves lineup but should get a chance to play every day. Kelenic posted a 181 wRC+ in Single-A as a 19-year-old and possesses a power/speed combo made for fantasy. He could easily go 25/25.

Brewers: Aaron Ashby, SP

Ashby owns a career major league K% (27.1) that would’ve ranked top-10 among starters last season. He’s dealt with injuries and has worked out of the bullpen some, but Ashby enters 2024 fully healthy and hoping to be part of Milwaukee’s starting rotation. The Brewers have multiple rotation openings after trading Corbin Burnes, so Ashby’s opportunity will come down to health. There’s real upside here for a player going undrafted.

Cardinals: Victor Scott II, OF

Scott is a deeper fantasy sleeper who could get a chance in St. Louis sooner than expected. He has some power (he’s shown good pull rates in the minors) and “80” grade speed, swiping a mere 94 bases in 132 games across Single- and Double-A last season. A potential Gold Glove center fielder, Scott could also be a fantasy force soon.

Cubs: Shota Imanaga, SP

Imanaga will be making his MLB debut at 30 years old, and the lefty reportedly flashes strong Stuff+. Most projection systems are bullish, calling for a 1.21 WHIP and a K-BB% that would’ve been top-20 among starters last season. Imanaga is available more than 200 picks into Yahoo drafts.

D-backs: Brandon Pfaadt, SP

Pfaadt struggled after initially getting called up to Arizona last season, but he recorded a 19.1 K-BB% after the All-Star break that would’ve ranked top-15 among starters. He then posted a 3.27 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP with a 24.1 K-BB% (that would’ve ranked behind only Spencer Strider in 2023) over five starts in the playoffs.

Pfaadt curiously remains affordable at draft tables despite owning a strong Minor League resume and dominating in the postseason.

Dodgers: Emmet Sheehan, SP

Sheehan has been dealing with general soreness this spring and won’t be available to start the season. But as long as that doesn’t turn into an extended absence, he figures to be a big part of a loaded Dodgers rotation this season after recording a 2.78 SIERA and a staggering 39.1 K% in September (including a start in Coors Field). Sheehan may not pitch deep into games, but he’ll rack up wins anyway thanks to a ton of run support.

Giants: Kyle Harrison, SP

Harrison is like many young hurlers who need to improve their control, but he might be the best lefty pitching prospect in baseball. He posted a 35.6 K% in Triple-A and will benefit from pitching in a park that dramatically decreases home runs. Harrison oddly struggled mightily against left-handed batters (.333 BAA) once reaching the majors after not surrendering a single home run to a lefty in Triple-A (.171 BAA) all season. He had a 0.87 WHIP with a 25.7 K-BB% against right-handed batters during his brief work in San Francisco, so while both splits figure to regress in 2024, one could view them as quite encouraging. Harrison looked dominant during his spring debut and enters his rookie campaign locked into San Francisco’s starting rotation.

Guardians: Gavin Williams, SP

Williams was a first-round pick in 2021 and owns a dominant Minor League track record (2.10 ERA, 11.8 K/9). He still needs to work on control, but Williams’ 25.1 K% after the All-Star break as a rookie would’ve ranked top 20 among starters for the season. He showed his potential when he struck out 22 batters over two starts (12 innings) in August and shouldn’t have an innings limit after topping 140 last year. Williams could easily emerge as Cleveland’s ace in 2024.

Mariners: Mitch Haniger, OF

Haniger ranked top 50 in wRC+ from 2017-2022 before injuries made him a bust in San Francisco last year. He returns to Seattle this season, where he hit 39 homers with 100 RBI and 110 runs scored in 2021. Durability is a concern, but a healthy Haniger can hit. He could quickly find himself batting in the middle of the Mariners’ order, and Haniger is available nearly 250 picks into drafts.

Marlins: Edward Cabrera, SP

Cabrera’s status for the beginning of the season is currently up in the air due to a right shoulder impingement, so this pick is dependent on his return to health. Cabrera’s 27.2 K% last season would’ve ranked 10th among starters if he qualified, just ahead of Gerrit Cole and Zack Wheeler. Control remains the central issue for Cabrera — his 15.2 BB% would’ve been the highest in MLB — but he could develop into something like an ace should he improve it. There are positive signs, including last season’s CSW (28.4%), which would’ve ranked top-20 (just behind Zac Gallen). Moreover, Cabrera attacked the strike zone during his first two spring starts before experiencing discomfort, a possibly encouraging development for his 2024 outlook.

Mets: Starling Marte, OF

Marte’s season was ruined by migraines and a groin injury last year, but he played winter ball and enters 2024 healthy. He’s a durability risk and likely in decline at age 35, but he also recorded a 133 wRC+ over 2021-2022 that ranked No. 22 among hitters — directly behind Matt Olson. Even during last season’s injury-ruined campaign, Marte went 24-for-28 on SB attempts (over just 315 ABs) and sported among the highest average exit velocities and hard-hit rates of his career. Marte has averaged 39 stolen bases per 600 plate appearances over the last three seasons and owns a career .287 batting average yet is available nearly 225 picks into Yahoo drafts.

Nationals: MacKenzie Gore, SP

Gore is a former top prospect who finally appears to be figuring it out. His 25.9 K% would’ve ranked top-15 among starters had he qualified last season, while his 18.2 HR/FB% would’ve ranked second-highest and is sure to regress. If Gore can take a step forward with his control, he’ll be a fantasy steal (250.6 ADP) even while pitching for Washington.

Orioles: Jackson Holliday, SS

Holliday was the No. 1 pick in the 2022 Draft and is coming off a strong season across the Minors. He posted a .396 OBP with impressive plate discipline as a 19-year-old in Triple-A, and projection systems call for the rookie to be an above-average hitter right away. Holliday has 15/15 potential yet is available 200+ picks into Yahoo drafts.

Padres: Michael King, SP/RP

King was one of baseball’s most dominant pitchers last season, including posting a 2.02 ERA with a 1.09 WHIP and 45 strikeouts over 35.2 innings (six starts) after officially joining the rotation in late August. His overall numbers need context considering he spent most of the season pitching from the bullpen, but King’s CSW would’ve ranked second had he qualified — sandwiched between Spencer Strider and Tyler Glasnow. King’s K-BB% would’ve ranked sixth — ahead of Gerrit Cole. King is legit, and he now gets to pitch in the NL West and in Petco Park after being traded to the Padres in the Juan Soto deal during the offseason.

King does have an injury history and is now being asked to start, but his upside is well worth his 142.7 ADP.

Phillies: Orion Kerkering, RP

Kerkering enters the season fighting to win a spot in Philadelphia’s bullpen, but he could easily finish it as the team’s closer. The Phillies have no obvious candidate to close (lefty José Alvarado likely opens with the role), while Kerkering recorded a 1.51 ERA with a 0.89 WHIP and 79 strikeouts over 53.2 innings across the minors last year. He also pitched high-leverage innings in the NLCS and already possesses some of the filthiest stuff in baseball. Kerkering has the upside to be a top-five fantasy closer should he get the opportunity in Philadelphia, yet his ADP sits outside 225 picks in Yahoo drafts.

Pirates: Aroldis Chapman, RP

Chapman’s elite fastball returned last season when he posted a 2.95 SIERA (top 10) and the third-best K-BB% (26.9) among relievers. He also recorded the second-best K% (41.4) while punching out 103 batters over 58.1 innings. Meanwhile, David Bednar’s K-BB% fell to 17.6 in the second half, and he's currently dealing with right lat tightness, so there are warning signs for the incumbent.

Bednar enters the season as Pittsburgh’s closer (if healthy), but Chapman is a role change away from being one of the most valuable fantasy relievers.

Rangers: Wyatt Langford, OF

Langford is quickly losing "sleeper" status thanks to a hot start at the plate, but he still remains undervalued. He put up ludicrous, eye-popping stats last year, including his debut across the Minors. The No. 4 pick in the 2023 Draft, Langford possesses “70” grades in both speed and power, so he’s fantasy’s top prospect.

There’s no guarantee he starts the season in Texas (although recent news certainly sounds encouraging), and projecting rookies is typically a crapshoot (note Steamer projections have Langford immediately posting a 122 wRC+). But Langford looks like a special talent with huge upside. Texas has boosted homers for righties by 12% over the last three seasons, which is the fourth most in baseball. I’m predicting Langford wins Rookie of the Year and has a better fantasy campaign than teammate Evan Carter, who goes multiple rounds earlier.

Rays: Junior Caminero, 3B

Caminero isn’t slated to crack Tampa Bay’s Opening Day roster, but his bat is worth stashing in fantasy leagues. He hit 20 homers as a 19-year-old over 81 games in Double-A (31 across the minors) last season, as Caminero possesses “80” grade power. Fantasy managers may need to exercise patience, but he’s a legit prospect capable of hitting major league pitching right away.

Red Sox: Kutter Crawford, SP/RP

Crawford posted a 3.96 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP with 94 strikeouts over his final 88.1 innings after settling into Boston’s rotation last year. He’s locked into the role entering 2024, and his K-BB% (19.6) after the All-Star break would’ve ranked top 15 among all starters for the season. Crawford is a key sleeper.

Reds: Will Benson, OF

Benson is a former first-round pick who quietly posted a 147 wRC+ against righties last season and plans on improving versus left-handers so he can play every day this year. He totaled 30 steals/homers over just 287 ABs last season and could go 20/30 in 2024. Great American Ballpark has increased homers for LHB an MLB-high 39% over the last three seasons.

Rockies: Brenton Doyle, OF

Doyle strikes out a lot, but his terrific defense should help keep him in Colorado's lineup. Doyle produced 10 homers and 22 steals in fewer than 400 ABs last season despite not taking advantage of Coors Field; he somehow hit just .168 (with a .222 BABIP in the park that boosts hit rate the most) with a 19 wRC+ at home. Doyle ranked in the 99th percentile in Sprint Speed last year and reportedly put on 20 pounds of muscle during the offseason.

Royals: Nelson Velázquez, OF

Velázquez had the second-best barrel rate last season (minimum 100 batted balls), sandwiched between Aaron Judge and Ronald Acuña Jr. Velázquez averaged one homer per 9.5 at-bats — Shohei Ohtani led all qualified hitters at 11.3. He’s due to regress, of course, but that’s an impressive power profile for an outfielder available 250 picks into drafts. Velázquez’s expected batting average (.255) was 20 points higher than his actual BA, and Kauffman Stadium is one of the best hitter’s parks in baseball for RHB.

Tigers: Colt Keith, 2B/3B

Keith is one of Detroit’s top prospects and should get a chance to start on Opening Day after signing a long-term contract before Spring Training. He hit .306 with 27 homers and 101 RBIs over 126 games across the Minors last season, posting a 163 wRC+ in Double-A before holding his own in Triple-A (.890 OPS). “Kool” Keith could quickly move up in Detroit’s lineup, so he looks like a top-25 fantasy second baseman who’s available 225+ picks into drafts.

Twins: Edouard Julien, 2B

Julien sports Juan Soto-like swing decisions, finishing with one of the lowest chase rates last season. There remains concern the Twins still sit him against some lefties, but Minnesota’s second base job opened after the Jorge Polanco trade. Julien recorded a 136 wRC+ as a rookie, is slated to hit leadoff versus righties and is a bargain with an ADP outside the top 200.

White Sox: Prelander Berroa, RP

Berroa still needs to improve his control, but he’s the favorite to emerge as Chicago’s closer. The 23-year-old posted a 36.6 K% in the minors last season, which would’ve ranked sixth among MLB relievers. Berroa also recorded a 2.88 FIP despite a 5.37 BB/9 rate, and the White Sox have no one who matches his arm talent in their bullpen.

Yankees: DJ LeMahieu, 1B/2B/3B

LeMahieu is going outside pick No. 225 in Yahoo drafts despite posting a 129 wRC+ after the All-Star break last season and being slated to hit leadoff (and play third base) for the Yankees. He’s eligible at three positions and could easily approach 100 runs scored batting in front of Juan Soto and Aaron Judge.

A version of this story first appeared on Yahoo.com.