Roundtable: Who is your biggest fantasy baseball sleeper?

It’s officially fantasy baseball season. If you haven’t drafted yet, that’s probably going to happen over the next few days. And if you’re not playing fantasy baseball on Yahoo, well, what are you doing? Sign up now!

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Anyone who has played fantasy before will tell you that identifying and selecting that key sleeper is one of the best parts of the draft. After hours of research, you found that one guy you think is ready to take that next step forward. No one else loves him like you do, and there’s no doubt in your mind he’s going to lead you to a fantasy title.

Let’s face it, though, not everyone has hours to sit down and research fantasy baseball players. Real life is a big deal, and you’re a grown person with many important responsibilities.

That’s OK. We’re not judging. In fact, we’re here to help. We here at The Stew have compiled a list of our favorite fantasy sleepers. We aren’t known as fantasy experts around here, though we like to think we know baseball well.

But just to make sure you actually get some expert advice, we called in the Yahoo fantasy baseball team for this edition of the Roundtable. It’s the best crossover since “Batman v. Superman” … except this will actually be good.

Which players have caught our attention as draft day nears? Let’s get to it!

PATRICK CORBIN, STARTING PITCHER, ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS
You guys remember Patrick Corbin? Sure, he’s not the big-name pitcher in Arizona these days, what with the Diamondbacks signing Zack Greinke and trading for Shelby Miller. But Corbin was a stud in 2013, a surprise breakout who started the year 9-0 with a 2.09 ERA. He cooled off a bit in the second half, but was still a good guy to have in your rotation. Tommy John surgery came next and Corbin missed all of 2014. He was back for half of 2015 and he pitched decent yet unspectacularly.

This spring, though, he’s been great, with a 0.63 ERA in 14 innings plus 17 strikeouts in that time. We know a full Tommy John return-to-form can take longer than a year, so I’m predicting Corbin will be back to his old self. In fantasy baseball terms, he’s not the sexiest pick around, but he could give you a ton of value as a fourth of fifth starter. (Mike Oz)

MICHAEL CONFORTO, OUTFIELDER, NEW YORK METS
Michael Conforto started the year in High-A last season and ended it by becoming the youngest player to homer in a World Series game since Miguel Cabrera in 2003. He posted a .297/.372/.482 line as a 22-year-old across the minors before hitting just as well (.841 OPS) after getting called up by the Mets. He may continue to struggle against southpaws for the time being, but Conforto is clearly going to rake right-handed pitching, and it’s odd to see the intriguing prospect sport such a low ADP in Yahoo leagues (226.8).

Conforto is slated to hit in the middle of the lineup in an underrated offense that scored the most runs on the road in the National League last year (and the second most the year before that). The emerging star is a steal at his current price and easily one of my favorite sleepers entering 2016. (Dalton Del Don)

NORI AOKI, OUTFIELDER, SEATTLE MARINERS
Nori Aoki signed a one-year contract with the Seattle Mariners in the offseason, where he figures to play a corner outfield spot and hit leadoff. In four major-league seasons, Aoki has been awfully consistent: a batting average just below .290, an on-base percentage hovering near .350, somewhere between 20-30 stolen bases when healthy and very little power. The Mariners have not been an offensive powerhouse in recent years, but with Aoki hitting in front of Robinson Cano, Nelson Cruz, Kyle Seager and (against right-handers) Adam Lind there’s the potential for some runs to be scored this season in Seattle.

[Elsewhere: President Obama seemed to enjoy rooting for the Rays in Cuba]

In a deeper league Aoki is a shrewd pick because of the batting average boost, run scoring from the leadoff spot and the potential for a few bonus steals. He’s only being picked in 5% of Yahoo’s league at the moment, which means you should have no problem getting him late in your draft. (Israel Fehr)

GERARDO PARRA, OUTFIELDER, COLORADO ROCKIES
Gerardo Parra shouldn’t qualify for this type of column, but since he’s outside the Top 200 in Yahoo ADP, I can squeeze him in. Jump all over that giveaway price, gamers.

There was nothing wrong with Parra’s 2015 (.291 average, 14 homers, 14 steals), albeit he didn’t finish strongly with Baltimore. Nonetheless, the Rockies came running with a three-year, $26 million contract, and they later traded Corey Dickerson — which ensures Parra will play regularly. Although Colorado’s batsmen have to deal with the brutal reality of road games (it messes with a hitter’s timing), that’s more than offset by the undertow of Coors Field. You’re not supposed to hold the thin air against a player, you’re supposed to chase the effect. Turn into the skid. Queue up some Rico Suave.

(If you prefer your sleepers a little deeper than that, I’m curious what Travis Shaw could do with a regular gig in Boston. Re-check his 2015 numbers, they’re better than you think. Pablo Sandoval has the big contract, but not much else is going for him these days — and he was downright brutal in 2015. It’s a fluid situation.) (Scott Pianowski)

YASMANY TOMAS, OUTFIELDER, ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS
Tomas never really got things clicking during his rookie campaign, and that’s something you can take advantage of on draft day. At 25, his talent is still pretty raw, but the power potential he possesses is impossible to overlook. He should get regular playing time in Arizona’s outfield, which is important. With more consistent at-bats and a better approach at the plate, he could flirt with 25 home runs and 60 extra-base hits overall. Not to mention a handful of stolen bases. It doesn’t hurt that he’s surrounded by an offense that led the NL in scoring last season.

When making a late round selection, it’s about opportunity, upside and versatility doesn’t hurt either. On all accounts there’s a lot to like about Tomas, and with third base being a thin position he could add even more value. (Mark Townsend)

MALLEX SMITH, OUTFIELDER, ATLANTA BRAVES
I won’t try to convince you that Atlanta Braves farmhand Mallex Smith ranks among the game’s elite prospects. He’s not necessarily a guy who belongs in the discussion with players like Buxton, Seager, Berrios, Glasnow, et al. But Smith won’t cost you a thing at the draft table, and, if you’re looking for an end-of-draft source for cheap steals, he might be the best option in the player pool. He swiped 57 bags in the minors last year, and a whopping 88 the season before. Smith’s career minor league slash is .295/.380/.387, so he shouldn’t have much trouble getting himself on base for Atlanta, whenever he gets the call. The Braves’ outfield isn’t exactly jammed with talent at the moment, so you can expect Smith to arrive this year. He can have a Billy Burns-style fantasy impact when he gets everyday at-bats. (Andy Behrens)

VINCENT VELASQUEZ, STARTING PITCHER, PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
Finding a diamond in the rough on one of the worst teams in the majors is the oldest trick in the book when it comes to sleepers. Few outside of Philadelphia will pay close attention to the Phillies this season, and that could benefit you on draft day.

[Elsewhere: Pizza or hamburgers? With the Braves, you no longer have to make that choice]

Velasquez isn’t getting a ton of buzz at the moment, but he has some interesting skills. The 23-year-old struck out over a batter per inning last season with the Astros, though some of that is inflated by his time in the bullpen. Still, the stuff is enticing. With Houston, Velasquez’s role was up in the air. There are questions about whether he has the control to make it as a starter. The upside of the Phillies being awful is that they can afford to find out. Velasquez should start this season, and should be given a fairly long leash. He may not win a lot of games, but picking up a guy who strikes out hitters at this rate late in the draft could help your fantasy team immensely. (Chris Cwik)

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