Welcome back to the 2015 Last Word on Fantasy Baseball Guide. Over the next several months we will be releasing player profiles, projections, position rankings, and a number of other articles that will help you dominate your fantasy league this season. Whether you play rotisserie or head-to-head; whether you have a standard draft, a snake or an auction league, and whether its keeper league or a one-year deal; we have all the fantasy information you need.
For the rest of our fantasy baseball profiles and articles, please check out our Fantasy Baseball Guide Page.
This series will take a look at Late Round Category Helpers that can help your fantasy team win a specific category. Whether it’s stolen bases, home runs or wins, these undervalued players excel in one or more categories and can provide you with great late round value.
Today we are reviewing the steals category. There are many players deeper in drafts that can get you stolen bases, so drafting Billy Hamilton in the 5th round or Dee Gordon in the 7th is not the way to go. Instead, get some stolen bases here and there and then draft your speedsters in the final rounds of your draft. Here are some players to target:
Ben Revere, OF, Philadelphia Phillies, Avg. Draft Position 139.0
2014: .306 AVG, 2 HR, 71 R, 49 SB
Ben Revere is the closest thing to Billy Hamilton there is. The only difference is that he gets on base more often and can be drafted 6 rounds later. Yes, Hamilton will steal more bases, but those extra 15 steals aren’t worth the high draft pick, especially when Revere will hit for a much higher average. Ben Revere was 7th in the majors last season with 184 H and 4th with 49 SB. He will give you great production in your steals and batting average categories, and is very much worth your 10th/11th round pick.
2015 Projection: .290 AVG, 2 HR, 68 R, 44 SB
Rajai Davis, OF, Detroit Tigers, Avg. Draft Position 245.3
2014: .282 AVG, 8 HR, 64 R, 36 SB
Rajai Davis has seven straight seasons of 25+ steals and it is safe to say he will reach that mark again this year. Davis was very productive in his first season in Detroit, stealing 36 bags in 134 games. This year, Davis will platoon with another speedy outfielder, Anthony Gose. Gose may get a little more playing time because he hits righties better, but Rajai Davis is still a treat on the base paths. Davis will get enough playing time to steal 30-40 bases and will help your team in the SB department.
2015 Projection: .268 AVG, 6 HR, 56 R, 39 SB
Emilio Bonifacio, 2B/OF, Chicago White Sox, Avg. Draft Position 302.3
2014: .259 AVG, 3 HR, 47 R, 26 SB
Emilio Bonifacio has stolen 26 or more bases four straight years and has averaged 31 steals a year in that span. Bonifacio hit .337 with 10 stolen bases in April before an oblique injury derailed a once promising season. He finished with a respectable 26, but that total would have been much more if he hadn’t been hurt. Bonifacio is a great late round add because of position eligibility and versatility. Combine that with 35-40 steals and you got yourself a late round category helper.
2015 Projection: .241 AVG, 3 HR, 52 Runs, 31 SB
Jarrod Dyson, OF, Kansas City Royals, Avg. Draft Position 311.3
2014: .269 AVG, 1 HR, 33 Runs, 36 SB
Jarrod Dyson leads the league in awesomeness, if that counts for anything in your league. Other than that and his stolen base potential, Dyson is useless on your fantasy team. Dyson has stolen at least 30 bases in three straight seasons. His value on the base paths will be very similar to 2014, as the Royals had the most stolen base attempts as a team last year. Dyson is worth your 24th round pick and can quietly help you win the SB category.
2015 Projection: .245 AVG, 1 HR, 30 Runs, 28 SB
Honorable Mentions:
Dalton Pompey, OF, Toronto Blue Jays, Avg. Draft Position 277.3
Jordan Schafer, OF, Minnesota Twins, Avg. Draft Position 388.5
Anthony Gose, OF, Detroit Tigers, Avg. Draft Position, 388.5
** Average Draft Position data found on fantasypros.com.
For the rest of our fantasy baseball profiles and articles, please check out our Fantasy Baseball Guide Page.
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