Fantasy Baseball is coming quicker than a Aroldis Chapman 100 miles-per-hour fastball. In preparation of another competitive fantasy season, check out my Top 10 “Veteran Sleepers” for the 2014 season.
#10: 1B Albert Pujols
Pujols, 34, is coming off a couple of hard seasons. The three-time MVP hit a mediocre .258 with 17 home runs in 2013. While not a “top five” fantasy pick anymore, Pujols will still provide power and drive in runs. I would wait until the mid-late rounds before drafting Pujols. First base is a deep position and you'll want to “cover the other bases” in the earlier. If you can hold your excitement and draft Pujols in the later rounds, then do so. He'll have a bounce back year in 2014, hitting his usual .300, with 30 home runs and 100 runs batted in.
#9: OF Alex Gordon
Gordon, who turned 30 earlier in the month, is coming off a down season. He hit .265 and struck out 141 times at the plate. However he is a great mid-late round pick for outfielders. Despite his high strike out rate, Gordon hit 20 home runs and stole 11 bases last season. He drove in 81 runs and scored 90 runs for Kansas City. Gordon is a great fit for fantasy teams that need a well-rounded player to spot start, or even stay on the bench for trade bait. If you can get Gordon in the later rounds, please do so.
#8: 1B/DH/OF Adam Dunn
First let's look at the obvious when it comes to Adam Dunn. He has a low batting average and strikes out too many times for his own good. That's true about Dunn, who hit .219 and was third the American League in strikeouts with 187. However his game provides two key aspects for fantasy baseball, walks and home runs. Dunn was fourth in the AL with 34 home runs and seventh in walks with 77 during the 2013 season. Since 2008, Dunn has averaged 34 home runs and 95 walks per season. His up side well evens out his strike out rate. I'd definitely pick up Dunn for my first base or DH option in the middle rounds.
#7: OF Alfonso Soriano
Soriano played like a young man after being traded to the Yankees last season. In 58 games with the Bronx Bombers, Soriano smacked 17 home runs and drove in 50 RBI. Overall between the Cubs and Yankees, Soriano had 34 home runs and 101 RBI. His legs were rejuvenated as well, stealing 18 bases in 2013, his most in five seasons. With the short porches at Yankee Stadium, Soriano is likely to hit 25-35 home runs this season. He may even steal you 15-20 bases. He's a great fantasy sleep for those who need power and speed.
#6: 1B Adrian Gonzalez
Gonzalez is the perfect example of consistent production at the plate. Over the last seven seasons, Gonzalez has driven in 100 runs, six times. 2009 was the only season he didn't drive in 100 runs, knocking in 99 while hitting 40 home runs. He's not going to walk a lot compared to years past (only 99 walks combined over the last two season), but will get you a consistent amount of hits, home runs and RBI. If you have to choose between Gonzalez and Pujols, Gonzalez is the safe bet. Pujols has more potential, but Gonzalez will give you a full season of work. He's played in at least 156 games for eight straight seasons. He's a safe bet for fantasy players who want consistent production from their first basemen.
#5: RHP Huston Street
Street, 30, is another safe bet for fantasy players. He's averaged 28 saves and a 3.08 ERA over the last five seasons. He's averaged exactly a strikeout per inning over that span, compiling 263 strikeouts in 263 innings since 2008. While not as luxurious or jaw dropping as other closers, Street is a consistent performer who's going to put up the stats need for a fantasy champion. He pitches in a spacious PETCO Park and has more breathing room than other closers. If Street is available in the late rounds, pick him up.
#4: RHP A.J. Burnett
Being closer to family and pitching along side all-stars like Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels will up Burnett's fantasy value in 2014. Burnett is coming off a solid 2013 season where he struck out 208 batters in 191.0 innings. His ERA has lowered each of the last two seasons since leaving the Yankees (3.51 in 2012 and 3.30 in 2013). Pitching in the National League is a benefit to Burnett, as well as fantasy owners. He has a lifetime 3.63 ERA in the National League, compared to a 4.39 ERA in the American League. Yankee fans should even be willing to draft Burnett if need be this season. He's going to produce great numbers for the Phillies (think 185.0 innings, 195 strikeouts and around a 3.40 ERA). Wouldn't you produce great numbers if you faced the Mets 4-5 times a season?
#3: OF Shin-Soo Choo
Fantasy baseball players shouldn't “chew out” Choo (bad pun intended.) He brings a great balance to any team by providing consistent offensive numbers. In 2013, Choo was second in the National League in on base percentage (.423) and runs scored (107). He smacked 21 home runs, stole 20 bases and walked 112 times. Choo even had 34 doubles among his 162 hits. Choo will play for the Rangers in 2014, batting in front of great hitters like Prince Fielder and Adrian Beltre. He'll get more pitches to hit and likely score more runs. Fantasy players should expect Choo to have a .440 OBP in 2014 and score 120 runs.
#2: RHP Hiroki Kuroda
Kuroda is coming off a great 2013 season and fantasy players need to take notice. At age 39, Kuroda is producing solid numbers. Ignore his win-loss record in 2013 (11-13). He pitched to the tune of a 3.30 ERA. 2013 also marked Kuroda's third straight 200.0+ inning season. The Yankees' offense failed to score runs for Kuroda last season and thus his win-loss record suffered. If he gets an average amount of runs scored this season, Kuroda will win 15-16 games. Kuroda will likely still be on the draft board in middle-late rounds, so keep an eye open. He's not a bad starter to have on your team.
#1: RHP Bartolo Colon
Colon was caught using performance enhancing drugs in 2012. That's the only risk fantasy owners will take in drafting Colon. He signed with the Mets in the off-season and thus will transfer from one big ballpark (in Oakland) to another in New York. Colon's 18 wins and 2.65 ERA were second in the American League during the 2013 season. His ERA will decrease while pitching in the NL East at Citi Field. He's also an innings eater (190.1) and a strike thrower. Drafting Colon is a smart move for anyone building their fantasy rotations.
Would any of these players crack your “Veteran Sleeper” top 10? Let me know your thoughts in the comments section below.
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