Anyone that has been around the fantasy-baseball world for even a minute is well acquainted with the term “sleeper.” At this time of year, everyone entering drafts is in search of those players with cheap draft stock that can pay off big time.
My picks have, so far, regularly been available for those final couple of rounds in early drafts based on consensus ADP around the industry. Each of them has the potential to deliver serious value for fantasy managers and could become an absolute steal this season.
- Fitz’s Positional Primers
- Hitters to Avoid | Target
- Pitchers to Avoid | Target
- Latest Fantasy Baseball Mock Draft
Sleepers Outside the Top 300: Matt Carpenter
The following player is a sleeper to consider in the late stages of 2023 fantasy-baseball drafts.
Carpenter arguably had the most surprising bounceback in baseball last year. The three-time All-Star was basically a complete afterthought in fantasy circles after abysmal seasons with the bat in 2020 and 2021. Following his release from the Rangers minor-league system in mid-May of last year, Carpenter signed with the injury-plagued Yankees.
Carpenter debuted with the Yanks on May 26. He instantly began to show that his work to regain his ability with the bat during the previous offseason had paid off. By July, Carpenter had earned his way into the everyday lineup and proceeded to absolutely crush over the next several weeks. Over 29 games between July 2 and Aug. 8, he turned in an outstanding .326/.417/.707 with nine homers, eight doubles and 24 RBI.
Unfortunately, Carpenter suffered a bone fracture after fouling a ball off his foot on Aug. 8 and missed the rest of the season. The Padres were impressed enough with his reemergence to bring him in on a free-agent deal back in December. Carpenter is expected to see plenty of at-bats this year. As long as he can remain healthy, there should be ample opportunity to produce for a strong lineup.
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | SoundCloud | iHeartRadio
