Sleepers outside the top 300 in average draft position (ADP) is my favorite pre-draft topic in all of fantasy baseball. Most casuals can tell you who is a good pick in the 12th round or even the 15th, but it’s those diehards who play in 16-team leagues that draft over 400 players where my interest lies.

After the top 300 are off the board, I tend to search for potential breakouts or players who possess some illicit value under their current circumstances. Those are the guys I target rather than the depth pieces who could finish with decent marks but in no way move the needle. There are also a few value players who may stand out in one single category.

There likely won’t be any five-category studs left other than perhaps one, but there are still plenty of diamonds in the rough that could make a significant difference in your season. Who will be this year’s Seth Lugo or Jackson Merrill? Stay tuned to find out. Here are my top targets for players beyond the top 300 in fantasy baseball ADP.

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Late-Round Fantasy Baseball Sleeper Targets

Max Scherzer (SP – TOR) | 304 ADP

Let’s start with Max Scherzer. Scherzer is past his prime but in the right matchups, the old man can still be a quality asset. Entering camp with a clean bill of health and “feeling great,” Mad Max could produce helpful numbers across the board. His strikeout totals and annual low WHIP should be reason enough to start him against softer opponents. The future Hall of Famer is projected to produce an ERA under 4.00 with a WHIP that hovers around 1.15. Scherzer will also flirt with a strikeout per inning.

While some of my colleagues aren’t too high on the Blue Jays, I think with an improved bullpen and the few additions they did make, Toronto could finish well above .500. Scherzer will also have the luxury of playing with two of the top defenders in the league behind him. Andres Gimenez is a freak in the infield and Daulton Varsho is arguably the best defensive outfielder in the game. Scherzer will cost you an early 300s pick, but an above-average season could be in the cards for the aging veteran.

Tobias Myers (SP – MIL) | 314 ADP

Tobias Myers is my favorite player on this list. He is not only a strong candidate to blow past his projections, but could very well outperform players taken a full 10 rounds before him. Myers spent years honing his craft as he toiled through multiple organizations in the Minor Leagues. After finally being given his shot in Milwaukee, the 6-foot-2, 26-year-old did not disappoint. Myers finished with a clean 3.00 ERA and 1.17 WHIP over 27 games (25 starts). He earned nine wins and struck out 8.28 batters/nine innings.

The talented righty was consistent all year after struggling in his first few Major League outings. In 111.1 innings from the start of June until the end of the season, Myers registered a tidy 2.42 ERA with a 1.10 WHIP. He also produced eight wins and 100 strikeouts. Myers closed out the year with a stellar postseason appearance holding the Mets to zero runs on just two hits and no walks over five innings. The Brewers’ second-year starter is the diamond in the rough you are searching for.

Garrett Mitchell (OF – MIL) | 351 ADP

Garrett Mitchell is a no-brainer for this list as he is likely the only candidate to have a legit chance at a 20/20 season. Penciled in to bat fourth in the Brewers’ lineup (FanGraphs), Mitchell could have a banner year producing in all five categories.

Injuries have held him back to this point in his career, but over three partial seasons, the Milwaukee outfielder has registered 13 homers and 20 steals in just 322 at-bats. Steamer has him projected for a 15/19 season but their projections are usually of the modest variety. Mitchell’s worth a selection well before pick 300 in ADP but since he is going so late in drafts, you can probably wait on him a bit.

Chris Martin (RP – TEX) | 355 ADP

Is 38-year-old Chris Martin the closer for the Texas Rangers? As of right now, it seems that way. If he can stay healthy to begin the season, there’s no reason to think Martin can’t snag at least 10 saves over the first two months.

There’s always the chance the Rangers add someone before Opening Day or trade for someone else to close, but as of now, Martin should be the man in Arlington. He’s worth a late-round selection in most leagues.

Masataka Yoshida (OF – BOS) | 343 ADP

Masataka Yoshida is also someone worth targeting. The Red Sox designated hitter won’t get you many home runs and he’ll be lucky to steal five bags, but a .290 average with 80 RBI and 75 runs are well within range. The Japanese native is likely to bat fifth this season, penciled in behind some of the best on-base percentage (OBP) players in the game.

Between Triston Casas, Alex Bregman and Rafael Devers, Yoshida should have more than an ample amount of RBI chances. Injuries cut the 31-year-old’s season short last year, but over 378 at-bats, he drove in 56 and constructed a .280 average. His expert consensus ranking (ECR) is well above his ADP, so I’m not the only one who likes him. Search out Yoshida’s services before 330 overall.

The next two players are somewhat of a reach, but past pick 300, there is practically no risk and all reward.

Deyvison De Los Santos (1B, 3B – MIA) | 381 ADP

Any time a player hits 40 home runs in the upper Minors he is worth monitoring. The future Marlins first baseman not only hit 40 bombs last year, but he did it while playing for three different organizations.

The 21-year-old Dominican Deyvison De Los Santos is likely going to start the season in the Minors, but with Matt Mervis and Jonah Bride penciled in as Miami’s starting designed hitter and first baseman, it shouldn’t be long until the mashing De Los Santos gets his chance. He drove in 120 runs across 137 games last season and could be the Marlins’ most productive run producer before long. He’s worth stashing past pick 300.

Jhonkensy Noel (OF – CLE) | 345 ADP

Jhonkensy Noel possesses a similar skillset to De Los Santos, albeit he’s already reached the Major Leagues. Able to go yard with the best of them, Noel mashed 13 homers in just 179 at-bats last year.

Noel will likely have to platoon with Will Brennan to start the year, but for those of you who play in leagues that allow for daily lineup changes, Noel could be the perfect complement to a high batting average/speed-heavy fantasy squad. Scouts expect Noel to further improve in his sophomore season, so a home run per every four starts is within reason.

Honorable Mentions

• Jeimer Candelario (1B, 3B, DH – CIN): A bounce-back candidate after suffering a hand injury last season.
• Nolan Schanuel (1B – LAA): Should be in store for a big second year in RBI and batting average.
• Dustin May (SP – LAD): Innings might be limited but could dominate.
• Joc Pederson (OF, DH – TEX): Should be a masher in Texas in daily leagues.
• Shane Bieber (SP – CLE): Should start 15-20, making him worth stashing, even with innings limitations.
• Wilyer Abreu (OF – BOS): A decent five-category target.
• Justin Verlander (SP – SF): Could be good in Oracle Park.
• Otto Lopez (2B, SS – MIA): Target him for steals and batting average.
• Luisangel Acuna (SS – NYM): Had an impressive Winter League; has upside like his brother Ronald Acuna.
• Jonah Bride (1B, 3B – MIA): Not a great option but should hit cleanup and capped his season with a 480-foot homer last year. Put up nice Minor League numbers.

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Austin Lowell is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Austin, check out his archive.