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.
Infield sleepers outside Top 200
Outfield sleepers outside Top 200
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 pitching gems.
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*All ADPs taken from FantasyPros.com
Tim Lincecum (ADP-217.6), San Francisco Giants (Other positions: None)
Oh, how the mighty have fallen. Once nicknamed “The Freak” for his diminuitive stature and giant velocity, he’s now a forgotten man toiling away as San Francisco’s clear No. 3 starter.
If you want to rack up strikeouts on the cheap though, go ahead and use one of your final three bucks on Mr. Lincecum. He’s not done by any means, and his bloated ERAs the past two seasons came despite much better advanced metrics.
Last year in particular, Lincecum had a 4.37 ERA with 193 strikeouts in 197 innings. He still walks too many batters, but his free passes were down in 2013, and he registered a 3.74 FIP, and a 3.56 xFIP. Now those aren’t stellar numbers by any means, but a 200-strikeout arm with a sub-4.00 ERA should be drafted in any league with any kind of settings.
Want a little more? His home run per nine dropped below 1.00, and he’s never had an xFIP above 3.82 hs whole career.
Yovani Gallardo (ADP-221.2), Milwaukee Brewers (Other positions: None)
Did Yovani Gallardo burn your fantasy staff last year? He torched mine, but that’s okay. I’m rolling with the Brewers ace again this year, especially since he can be had for an extremely late pick.
Like Lincecum, Gallardo’s FIP was lower than his ERA, he gave up less than one home run per nine innings, and his ground ball rate actually went up. His strikeout per nine numbers were tough to stomach last year—I will admit that—but his velocity didn’t drop too much so that could be a fluke. I’d understand if the K/9 numbers scare you, but what’s the harm if he’s your last pick?
Ubaldo Jimenez (ADP-236.6), Baltimore Orioles (Other positions: None)
Remember when Ubaldo profiled as a real life and fantasy ace even though he was pitching in Coors Field? These days nobody wants poor Ubaldo—but that doesn’t have to be your problem.
Sure he was inconsistent at times even when things were good, and 2011-2012 were brutal seasons, but they don’t count for 2014! Last season he was a major part of the Indians making the postseason, and for all the worry about his lost velocity he set down more than a batter per inning over 182.2 frames. I’ll do the math for you—that’s 194 strikeouts.
He heads to Camden Yards, which isn’t awesome for pitchers, but he also will be backed up by what might shape up to be MLB’s best offense. He could easily win upward of 15 games, whiff 200 batters, and post a sub-4.00 ERA. You’re telling me that’s not a pitcher you’re interested in?
John Axford (ADP-200.8), Cleveland Indians (Other positions: None)
No ifs, ands or buts about it, Axford’s been crappy the last two years. However, in 2013 his xFIP was a 3.56, and his high strikeout rates will keep teams giving him chances. He also benefits from following a disastrous Chris Perez year.
I’d take a shot on Axford because there aren’t many immediate threats to his role, and his past suggests a sleeping giant; in 2011 he saved 46 games with a 1.95 ERA for Milwaukee.
Danny Farquhar (ADP-243.6), Seattle Mariners (Other positions: None)
Farquhar can still help your team, even if your league doesn’t count holds. His crazy strikeout rate (12.77 K/9 in 2013) and 1.86 FIP are enough to convince me that his bloated ERA is not telling the story.
In related news, Fernando Rodney is currently Seattle’s closer. Rodney can be maddeningly inconsistent, and only transformed into a viable closer in 2009. Even then his ERA’s and overall performance left much to be desired. With the Mariners stuck in one of MLB’s toughest divisions, if they sink early expect them to turn to Farquhar and explore the trade market for Rodney.
What are your deep sleepers? Tell us @SportsWN
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