20 Sleepers Experts Draft (2025 Fantasy Baseball)

When preparing for your fantasy baseball drafts, knowing which players to target and others to avoid is important. The amount of information available can be overwhelming, so a great way to condense the data and determine players to draft and others to leave for your leaguemates is to use our expert consensus fantasy baseball rankings compared to average draft position (ADP). In this way, you can identify players the experts are willing to reach for at ADP and others they are not drafting until much later than average. Let’s dive into a few notable players below.

Fantasy Baseball Sleepers

RK	PLAYER NAME	TEAM	POS	BEST	WORST	AVG.	STD.DEV	ECR VS. ADP
140	Masyn Winn	STL	SS14	134	164.0	145.3	8.0	32.0
152	Jeremy Pena	HOU	SS16	111	190.0	157.3	18.6	36.0
182	Lourdes Gurriel Jr.	ARI	OF46	132	218.0	186.2	25.0	35.0
189	George Springer	TOR	OF49	139	244.0	193.3	25.6	34.0
198	Jake McCarthy	ARI	OF50	174	270.0	203.8	22.5	47.0
208	Matt Shaw	CHC	SS21	172	286.0	212.7	19.7	32.0
223	Jung Hoo Lee	SF	OF55	170	282.0	228.3	25.0	35.0
244	Connor Norby	MIA	2B20	218	286.0	249.3	23.6	32.0
247	Andrew Vaughn	CWS	1B17	162	282.0	250.3	30.4	79.0
248	Joc Pederson	TEX	OF59	153	306.0	250.8	32.9	91.0
250	Jordan Walker	STL	OF60	206	275.0	254.5	18.5	44.0
261	Tyler Soderstrom	ATH	1B19	196	296.0	262.2	31.8	50.0
271	Daulton Varsho	TOR	OF66	221	352.0	276.8	35.0	121.0
272	Luis Severino	ATH	SP74	245	457.0	279.2	12.2	34.0
276	Jacob Young	WSH	OF67	248	318.0	282.3	24.1	60.0
279	Wilyer Abreu	BOS	OF68	244	299.0	288.0	7.5	38.0
286	Jesus Sanchez	MIA	OF69	180	297.0	253.6	26.4	86.0
296	Nolan Schanuel	LAA	1B21	252	330.0	273.4	29.1	42.0
298	Jo Adell	LAA	OF73	249	314.0	275.2	23.9	82.0
299	Josh Bell	WSH	1B22	219	368.0	280.0	49.3	56.0

Masyn Winn (SS – STL)

Masyn Winn showcased his potential during the 2024 season. Over 150 games, he posted a .267 batting average, hitting 15 home runs, driving in 57 runs, scoring 85 times, and stealing 11 bases. His .267/.314/.416 slash line aligns closely with his minor league career averages. Winn’s power metrics, including an average exit velocity of 87 mph and a 3.7% barrel rate, indicate room for growth in his power-hitting capabilities. Notably, his 17.1% strikeout rate reflects strong contact skills for a player in his early 20s. Defensively, Winn excelled at shortstop, contributing 14 defensive runs saved, which underscores his value to the Cardinals. Given his age and athleticism, there’s potential for increased power and stolen bases in the upcoming seasons, making him a promising asset for fantasy rosters.

Jeremy Pena (SS – HOU)

Jeremy Peña delivered a solid fantasy season in 2024, compiling 15 home runs, 70 RBIs, 78 runs scored, and 20 stolen bases over 602 at-bats. His .266/.308/.394 slash line aligns closely with his career averages and his 17.1% strikeout rate marked a significant improvement from previous seasons. However, Pena’s 3.8% walk rate remains low, potentially limiting his on-base potential. With elite sprint speed in the 97th percentile, his stolen base contributions are likely to continue. As he enters his age-27 season, Peña’s consistent production and speed make him a good choice for your SS or MI slots.

Matt Shaw (3B – CHC)

Matt Shaw should be the starting third baseman for the Cubs as soon as Opening Day, though the acquisition of Justin Turner may delay his arrival. However, there is everything to love about Shaw in fantasy. The 23-year-old hit 21 home runs and stole 31 bases across both Double-A and Triple-A last season. He has also maintained a high OBP at every level of the minors and demonstrated a strong hard-hit percentage across. Shaw is the type of prospect where expectations for a high floor right away seem reasonable. He is an excellent late round pick (currently going in the 23rd round).

What is Fantasy Baseball?

Fantasy baseball is an online game where participants act as managers of virtual baseball teams based on real-life Major League Baseball (MLB) players. The performance of these players in actual games determines the results in the fantasy league. It’s a blend of skill, strategy, and a little bit of luck, akin to the real-world decisions team managers must make.

Basic Strategy for Fantasy Baseball Success

1. Understand Your League’s Format and Scoring

Before drafting your team, it’s essential to understand the scoring system and rules of your specific league, as this will influence your drafting and management strategy. Knowing whether you’re in a points-based, category-based, or head-to-head league will guide you in selecting players whose strengths align with the scoring system.

2. Drafting Your Team Wisely

A solid draft is the foundation of a successful season. Here are a few tips for the drafting phase:

Balanced Team: Ensure you have a balanced team with a mix of power hitters, average hitters, speedsters, starting pitchers, and relievers.
Position Scarcity: Be aware of the depth of talent at each position. Some positions, like shortstop, may have fewer high-quality players, making it beneficial to draft a top player at that position early.
High-Floor Players: Early in the draft, focus on players with a proven track record of consistency.
Upside Picks: In the later rounds, look for “upside” players. These are athletes who have the potential to outperform their draft position.

3. In-Season Management

Stay Active: Constantly look for ways to improve your team through waivers, trades, and free-agent pickups.
Mind the Matchups: Pay attention to player matchups, platoon splits, and ballparks. Starting a pitcher in a hitter-friendly park, for example, can be risky.
Injury Management: Stay on top of player injuries and have backups ready for your key players.