There should be two goals you have when heading into a draft. One, being prepared and having a trusty cheat sheet that you can depend on, and two, not having any regrets after your draft is complete. With these two things in mind, it’s helpful to mark-up your rankings with players that you’ll want to target so you don’t forget.

If you’re not sure who those players should be, have a look below as we asked our featured pundits who fantasy owners would regret not drafting this year.

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Featured Experts:
Dan Harris – FantasyPros
Jake Ciely – RotoExperts
Tim McCullough – RotoExperts
Bobby Sylvester – FantasyPros

1. Please name one hitter ranked outside the top 50 in the expert consensus that owners will regret the most not drafting.

Travis Shaw (3B – MIL)
“Shaw had a breakout season in 2017 and, in light of his move to Miller Park and the changes in his approach, fantasy owners should be buying in. Shaw clearly focused on being more patient and making more contact last year, and unlike many of his fellow players, actually reduced his fly ball rate, which led to his increase in batting average. But what really stands out and makes Shaw someone to target are his home-road splits: .255/.327/.452 at home and .291/.370/.571 on the road. Shaw’s infant daughter had health problems last year, and he talked about how much that distracted him when he was in Milwaukee, and which likely caused his poor numbers despite playing in the hitter-friendly Miller Park. With improvement at home this year probable, Shaw could be a monster for fantasy purposes.”
– Dan Harris (FantasyPros)

Jason Kipnis (2B – CLE)
“Kipnis had an injury-filled season in 2017 and was only able to play 90 games as a result. While his spring training statistics (6 HRs, 12 RBIs in 42 PA with a .429 BA) don’t guarantee anything once the season starts, they clearly indicate that he is healthy and swinging the bat with authority. Like so many others, Kipnis has altered his swing to goose up his flyball rate, which ended up at a career-high 44.1 percent last season. A healthy Kipnis can produce 25-30 HRs and provide solid production across the board; a 20/20 season is not out of the question provided he can improve his BABIP closer to his career .314 mark. It wouldn’t be surprising to see him end up among the top 10 second basemen if he stays healthy.”
– Tim McCullough (RotoExperts)

Miguel Cabrera (1B – DET)
“Cabrera dealt with a trio of injuries all season in 2017 yet somehow still posted his highest line drive percentage of his career by quite a bit. He also maintained an elite average exit velocity while posting one of his top hard-hit percentages of his career. His amazingly high xwOBA – wOBA demonstrates that he was the single most unlucky hitter in all of baseball last season. With a full bill of health and a more normal season of luck, we can expect the batting average to climb back north of .300 with 25+ home run power returning as well.”
– Bobby Sylvester (FantasyPros)

Nomar Mazara (OF – TEX)
“Mazara took a big step forward last year, reaching 101 RBIs to go with the 20 home runs, around 60 Runs and middling average. Mazara was actually the same player from the year before, but his lineup position changed. After spending most of 2016 at the top or bottom of the order, Mazara spend most of his time hitting 3rd or 5th. That’s where the big jump in RBIs came from, and that’s why owners should buy into another top 35 outfielder finish, potential even higher as Mazara turns just 23 this year.”
– Jake Ciely (RotoExperts)

2. Please name one starting pitcher ranked outside the top 25 in the expert consensus that owners will regret the most not drafting.

Johnny Cueto (SP – SF)
“I really don’t understand why the fantasy community leapt off the Johnny Cueto bandwagon so quickly after one injury-plagued year. Cueto, like several pitchers last year, battled blisters, which led to decreased movement in his pitches and a lack of command. Rather than attribute his decline to the blisters, everyone seems to be viewing him as someone who hit a wall and suddenly completely lost the strike zone (8.2% walk rate vs. 6.9% career). I’m just not buying that as the case, as his strikeout rate remained relatively consistent and there was little before last year to suggest a decline was imminent. With an improved team behind him, I’m willing to give Cueto a pass (for the most part) last year, and I am trying to scoop him up everywhere I can.”
– Dan Harris (FantasyPros)

Mike Clevinger (SP – CLE)
“There are many standout options here ranging from Lance McCullers and Blake Snell to Dinelson Lamet and Danny Salazar. By far my favorite option in this range, however, is Mike Clevinger who is going for practically free. When he pitches like a top 15 pitcher in baseball, fantasy owners will pull out there hair wondering how they missed on a guy who was better inning for inning than Robbie Ray and Carlos Carrasco last season. Here is the list of pitchers last year with at least 10 K/9 and an OPS against lower than .650: Kluber, Scherzer, Kershaw, Sale, Strasburg, Severino, Ray and Clevinger. That’s it. With 70 more innings this season, he will establish himself as one of the best in the game.”
– Bobby Sylvester (FantasyPros)

Michael Wacha (SP – STL)
“Wacha put together a respectable, though unspectacular season in 2017 as far as his surface statistics are concerned. However, his skill metrics indicate that he is clearly capable of ace-like production. For example, his Hard Hit% (28% last year) and his 48 percent Groundball Rate illustrate his ability to limit hard contact and keep batted balls inside the park. If he continues to control the HR ball and raise his strikeout rate above a strikeout per inning, there is no reason he can’t join the top 25 pitchers in the game. At age 27, he’s right smack in the middle of his prime production years. His floor is very stable and there are no limits to his upside. Draft him with confidence.”
– Tim McCullough (RotoExperts)

Luis Castillo (SP – CIN)
“Castillo should be near the top 25 and has a chance to reach the top 15-20 starters this year. The kid has everything you want in a high ground ball percentage, high strikeout percentage, and quality fastball speed. In fact, batters hit just .198 off Castillo last year. The only concerns are the innings jump and ballpark, but based on pure talent, Castillo has the makings to be a star pitcher.”
– Jake Ciely (RotoExperts)

Thank you to the experts for telling us who we’d regret not drafting. Be sure to give them a follow on Twitter and listen/subscribe to our podcast below for all the latest discussions this season including more sleepers with Eno Sarris!

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