Garrett Crochet had struggled with injuries and performed unremarkably as a reliever for several years until he emerged as a standout starting pitcher in the previous season. Joey Bart faced multiple setbacks in his attempt to follow in Buster Posey’s footsteps before finding success with the Pirates after the Giants moved on from him. Luis García Jr. had minimal impact over four seasons before finally having a breakout year in 2024 with 18 home runs and 22 stolen bases. Jurickson Profar, a former top prospect who had been in the majors for over a decade, had his best season yet.
Post-hype sleepers, such as Crochet, can surprise fantasy baseball managers with their performances. Fantasy baseball enthusiasts are often quick to give up on players, leading to prospects becoming undervalued or overlooked. Each year, some post-hype sleepers emerge as valuable assets either through the draft or free-agent pickups.
Here are some players who have the potential to make significant strides:
1. Nolan Schanuel, First Baseman, Los Angeles Angels (Yahoo ADP: 257.2)
Schanuel, a former first-round pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, has shown promise despite concerns about his power. At 23 years old, he possesses strong on-base skills and above-average speed, indicating potential for increased home run production.
2. Brandon Pfaadt, Starting Pitcher, Arizona Diamondbacks (Yahoo ADP: 184.3)
Pfaadt’s skills have been improving, despite a high ERA in the previous season. The right-hander has shown better strikeout and walk rates, as well as improved contact quality metrics. With continued growth and better luck, he could become a reliable starter in mixed leagues.
3. Gavin Williams, Starting Pitcher, Cleveland Guardians (Yahoo ADP: 218.4)
A former first-round pick in the 2021 MLB Draft, Williams has yet to showcase his full potential in the Majors. Despite dealing with injuries, he demonstrated improved fastball velocity and remains a promising option, especially with positive reports from Spring Training.
4. MacKenzie Gore, Starting Pitcher, Washington Nationals (Yahoo ADP: 222.6)
Gore, a highly touted prospect, has faced challenges in transitioning to the majors. However, he has shown the ability to generate strikeouts and improve his fastball velocity. With continued progress in his command, Gore could be a valuable asset for fantasy baseball managers.
Jonathan Aranda, a versatile player for the Tampa Bay Rays, is currently being overlooked in fantasy drafts despite his impressive performance in the minor leagues. In 2023, he excelled with a .339 batting average, .449 on-base percentage, and 25 home runs in Triple-A. Unfortunately, his progress was hindered last season due to injuries and lackluster results in both the majors and minors. Despite these setbacks, Aranda has a clear opportunity to secure the designated hitter role for a team that will be playing in a hitter-friendly park in 2025.
Another player flying under the radar is Bo Naylor of the Cleveland Guardians, who is not being drafted in most leagues. Naylor, a young catcher, showed promise in 2023 with a high walk rate and moderate strikeout rate. However, his plate discipline took a hit last season, resulting in a significant drop in on-base percentage. At just 25 years old, Naylor has the potential to bounce back this year, offering a rare combination of power and speed for a catcher. With the ability to contribute steals in addition to 15-20 home runs and a solid batting average, Naylor presents a valuable option for fantasy managers.
