The 2017 MLB season is right around the corner and that means the time is now for the final preparations for fantasy baseball league drafts. There is no doubt that Mike Trout and Bryce Harper will be selected in the first round of your draft but what about at the other end of the spectrum? Who will be the top sleeper pick selections that help put your team over the top in 2017? Here is a look at four potential MLB fantasy sleepers to consider drafting this season.
OF: Keon Broxton, Milwaukee Brewers
Broxton struggled with consistency at times last season but he is expected to start in center field for the Brewers and he finished last season on fire when he hit .294 with eight home runs and 16 steals over his final 46 games. Milwaukee is hoping that the 26-year-old can build on that strong finish to last season with better results out of the gate this season. Broxton might never be an elite hitter but he could be a sneaky fantasy pick with excellent home run and steals potential at or near the top of the Brewers’ batting order.
SP: James Paxton, Seattle Mariners
The Mariners’ lefty is ranked in the top-25 among starting pitchers according to Rotoworld heading in to this season and that has a lot to do with his increased velocity and the assumption he will get a little more help from his defense. Paxton went 6-7 with a 3.79 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP in 20 starts a year ago and at 28-years-old he is only starting to tap in to his immense potential. Paxton recorded nearly a strikeout an inning last season and his 2.80 FIP was the best in the American League. Paxton is poised to take another step forward in 2017 so don’t sleep on him in fantasy baseball league drafts.
3B: Mika Moustakas, Kansas City Royals
Moustakas was limited to 26 games a year ago thanks to a knee injury that robbed him of nearly the entire season but he is healthy again heading in to the 2017 season and could be primed for a big year. Moustakas is entering a contract year with the Royals and he will need a productive season in order to cash in with a lucrative contract. Moustakas hit 22 home runs with an .817 OPS in 2015 and if he can stay healthy he could easily repeat those numbers with decent run and RBI production.
C: Tom Murphy, Colorado Rockies
Murphy is currently slotted behind Tony Wolters on the Rockies depth chart but there is a good chance he wins the starting job out of camp. Murphy was an absolute beast when he hit .327 in Triple-A a year ago and he impressed in a short stint with Colorado when he hit .273 with five home runs and 13 RBI in 21 games. Murphy will need to improve on his strikeout numbers but his power ability is immense and the fact that he will play half of his games at Coors Field only helps his home run potential. Keep a close eye on Murphy to see if he wins the starting catcher job ahead of Wolters out of spring training because if he does then he could be in for a monster 2017 MLB fantasy season.
SP: Matt Moore, San Francisco Giants
Moore was previously the ace of the Tampa Bay Rays but his star has faded since then. However, he was traded to the San Francisco Giants and figures to be a good bounce back candidate. The ballpark is the key here: in Tampa Bay, his weaknesses were highlighted. In San Francisco, he’s playing in one of the friendliest pitcher parks out there. The results are there as he performed well in San Francisco since coming over at the traded deadline. He did have the same ERA (4.08) with the Giants as he did with the Rays, but that’s because his walk rate went up. He can bring that down as we’ve seen in the past. This guy is an unfulfilled talent in a much better situation now. Don’t sleep on him.
The 2017 MLB season is rapidly approaching, so if you’re looking at some early lines and World Series futures, click here to bet on MLB (or any other sports) at BetDSI!
