Everyone is searching for the "sleeper" pick that can win their league, and it's true-sleepers and free agent pickups often do make enough of a difference to win fantasy titles. Many folks who picked up Yasiel Puig, Josh Donaldson, etc. were happy to do so and want to draft those fellas this time around.
That's what I'm here for. Here is a player at every position, currently being drafted outside the Top 200, that can really provide a spark to your team with your last pick. As for the hurlers, I'll give you three starting pitchers and two relievers to boot. Don't miss out on these infield gems.
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*All ADPs taken from FantasyPros.com
Catcher: Yan Gomes (ADP-217.5), Cleveland Indians (Other positions: None)
Yan Gomes is going to get full-time at-bats in Cleveland this year with Carlos Santana moving to the corner infield spots. Last year Gomes batted .294 with 11 home runs and 38 RBI in 322 at-bats. In his extended minor league stays Gomes was a high on-base guy, and his 2012 batting average (.204) can be overlooked because of a hideous BABIP that corrected last year.
Most of the time Gomes can be had with your last pick, and he possesses 15-18 home run potential, with a likely high OBP despite a poor walk rate. If he can train his eye with more regular at-bats, Gomes will absolutely be a steal.
Bonus Call--Miguel Montero, Arizona Diamondbacks (Other positions: None)
First Base: Adam Lind (ADP-269.4), Toronto Blue Jays (Other positions: None)
How does a guy who hits cleanup in a stacked batting order, had 23 home runs, and plays in a home run haven sound? What if I told you that he could definitely be had with your last pick? If you like that, then take Adam Lind. He has a reputation as a streaky player, but if you're in a roto league why does that matter?
Since 2009 here are Lind's home run totals: 35, 23, 26, 11, 23. In 2012 when he had 11 he only had 353 at-bats. He's had consistent home run to fly ball totals, absolutely crushes right-handers, and historically excels in September when you'll be gunning for your title.
Bonus Call--Ryan Howard, Philadelphia Phillies (Other positions: None)
Second Base: Brad Miller (ADP-206), Seattle Mariners (Other positions: SS)
Miller is going to open the season as Seattle's shortstop, although his competition with Nick Franklin's not yet closed. There's decent depth at this position, but Miller could provide Top 7 upside at either 2B or SS, and can be had with one of your last four picks.
Through every level of the minors Miller was a rock solid batting average guy, and hit .265 with 335 MLB plate appearances with an uncharacteristically low BABIP.
Bonus Call-Kolten Wong, St. Louis Cardinals (Other positions: None)
Shortstop: Jimmy Rollins (ADP-207.8), Philadelphia Phillies (Other positions: None)
Boy oh boy how the mighty have fallen. Once a first-round pick on a perennial World Series contender, J-Roll has fallen out of favor with his manager AND with fantasy owners. The hate has gone too far.
Rollins is aging (35 years old), but not ancient, and showed last year he stall has some wheels (22 SB). What really destroyed Rollins' value to teams last year was a ridiculous drop in home runs from 23 in 2012 to six in 2013. Even for a guy getting older power doesn't just disappear like that. So what happened?
Basically, he was unlucky in terms of homers. His fly ball rate dropped a little, but they didn't become dreaded grounders--Rollins actually had a near career-high line drive percentage last year. Rollins' OBP was in line with his career, his walk rate was similar, and he's making too much dough to get benched. Draft him late and you'll probably be pleased.
Bonus Call--Dee Gordon, Los Angeles Dodgers (Other Positions: 2B soon).
Third Base: David Freese (ADP-296.8), Los Angeles Angels (Other Positions: None)
Third base isn't particularly good this year, and even if you draft your stud early chances are he's got some kind of injury risk attached to him. Freese can definitely be had with your final pick, and is getting totally overlooked because of a fluky power outage last year.
In 2012 he swatted 20 bombs, with a 20.7 percent home run to fly ball ratio. That came after hitting 10 in just over 300 plate appearances with a 16.7 percent ratio. I could easily see him coming close to 20 again in the Angels stacked lineup. Plus, he's a high-OBP guy (career .356 OBP) which can lead to a spike in runs. Let's say you lose Adrian Beltre or David Wright for a lengthy period of time-wouldn't hurt to have a Freese pop to plop in.
Bonus Call--Kelly Johnson, New York Yankees (Other positions: 2B, OF)
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