Fantasy baseball analyst Dalton Deldon offers A series of draft sleeper candidates by position — He closed out the game with the pitchers!
Puffert struggled after being called up to Arizona last season, but after the All-Star break he posted a 19.1 K-BB%, which was in the top 15 among starters. He then posted a 3.27 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and 24.1 K-BB% (second only to Spencer Strider in 2023) in five playoff starts.
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Despite having a strong minor league history and dominant postseason performance, Puffert has remained oddly affordable at the draft table.
Imanaga made his MLB debut at age 30, and the left-hander reportedly flashes strong Stuff+. Most prediction systems are bullish, calling for a 1.21 WHIP and K-BB% that would have placed him in the top 20 among starters last season. Imanaga received over 180 picks in the Yahoo Draft.
Kerkeling enters the season fighting for a spot in Philadelphia's bullpen, but could easily finish it as the team's closer. The Phillies don't have a clear closing candidate (left-hander Jose Alvarado). Kerkeling posted a 1.51 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, and 79 strikeouts in 53.2 innings in the minors last year.He also pitched high-leverage innings in the NLCS and has already Some of the dirtiest things in baseball. Kerkeling has the upside that he could be a top-five fantasy closer if he gets a chance in Philadelphia, but his ADP remains in the top 225 of Yahoo drafts.
Chapman's elite fastball returned last season, posting a 2.95 SIERA (top 10) and the third-best K-BB% (26.9) among relief pitchers. He also had the second-best K% (41.4), striking out 103 batters in 58.1 innings. Meanwhile, David Bednar's K-BB% dropped to 17.6 in the second half and he's currently suffering from a right lat strain, so there are danger signs for the incumbent.
Bednar enters the season as Pittsburgh's closer (if healthy), but Chapman is undergoing a role change from one of the most valuable fantasy relievers.
Since King officially entered the rotation in late August last season, he has become one of the most powerful pitchers in baseball, posting a 2.02 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and 45 strikeouts in 35.2 innings (six starts). It was a person. His overall numbers need context considering he spent most of the season pitching out of the bullpen, but if he was eligible, King's CSW would have been similar to Spencer Strider and Tyler. He would have been ranked second, sandwiched between Glasnow. His K-BB% for King should have ranked him 6th ahead of Gerrit Cole. the king is lawfulAfter being traded to the Padres for Juan Soto during the offseason, he can now pitch in the National League West and at Petco Park.
King has an injury history and is currently being asked to start, but his turnaround is worth 131.0 ADP.
Hiroki Matsui is also a fantasy sleeper who could emerge as San Diego's closer.
Harrison, like many young hurlers, needs to improve his control, but he may be the best left-handed pitching prospect in baseball. He had a 35.6 K% in Triple-A and would benefit from pitching in the park, which would dramatically reduce his home runs.Harrison is strangely He struggled hard against left-handed batters. (.333 BAA) once reached the majors by not allowing a single home run all season against a Triple-A (.171 BAA) left-handed pitcher.
[2024 Fantasy Baseball Draft Rankings: C | 1B | 2B | SS | 3B | OF | SP | RP]
During his short stint in San Francisco, he posted a 25.7 K-BB% and a 0.87 WHIP against right-handed hitters, which are very encouraging numbers even though both splits will pick up in 2024. You can also see it.harrison Looked dominant during spring debut He enters his rookie season locked into San Francisco's starting rotation.
Mr. Gore is a former leading candidate. Looks like I finally figured it out. His 25.9 K% would have ranked in the top 15 among starters had he been eligible last season, but his 18.2 HR/FB% ranked second-highest and is a step backwards. is certain. If Gore can take a step forward with that control, he could be a fantasy steal (246.9 ADP) while pitching in Washington.
Crawford settled into Boston's rotation last year, posting a 3.96 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and 94 strikeouts in his last 88.1 innings. He was locked into that role entering 2024, and his K-BB% (19.6) after the All-Star break should have ranked in the top 15 among all starters for the season. Crawford is a key sleeper.
Brown had a 5.09 ERA and a 3.74 SIERA last season, so he should bounce back in 2024. His 26.8 K% would have ranked 12th among starting pitchers had he been eligible (he needed 6.1 more innings) behind Gerrit Cole and Zach Wheeler. Brown should improve in his second year and benefit from pitching on an Astros team expected to have the third-most wins this season. Brown isn't drafted as a top 40 starter in the Yahoo League, but he's a top 35 SP on my board.
Canning won't be winning as a pitcher for the Angels, but he returned to the fantasy scene last season after returning from multiple injuries thanks to increased velocity. Canning posted an 11.55 K/9 (30.1 K%) and 3.26 FIP after the All-Star break, but at that point his 23.9 K-BB% would have finished the season second only to Spencer Strider. Canning has 4 valid pitches Despite putting up strong numbers in the minor leagues, he is coming off 65 SPs with an ADP of 251.7.
Mason Miller definitely Oakland's Bullpen's Most Fantastic Upside, but he is a major injury risk, has a much higher ADP, and will “gradually work his way up the ladder” rather than open the season as a closer. Meanwhile, when asked about the team's exit status, Oakland's GM immediately mentioned Jimenez's name. Jimenez is likely to be a source of early saves for the undrafted, as he posted a 1.72 ERA and 0.83 WHIP in his final 17 games after returning from a shoulder injury last season.
Tiedemann was plagued by injuries throughout last season, but remains one of the most promising pitchers in baseball. his bulging physique and Dirty things are attracting attention throughout toronto camping. Tiedemann will be one of the hottest waiver wire players in fantasy if he gets his chance this season.
