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2015 Fantasy Baseball: Top Sleeper At Each Position

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By @bradberreman24

Fantasy Baseball 2015: Top Sleepers At Each Position

Kole Calhoun Fantasy Baseball 2015
Jason Miller-Getty Images

With around a month to go before Opening Day, fantasy baseball owners are getting ready for draft day and trying to unearth undervalued players.

With that in mind, here are my top fantasy sleepers at each position right now.

Catcher

Wilson Ramos fantasy baseball
Kevin Liles Getty Images

Wilson Ramos, Washington Nationals

Wilson Ramos fantasy baseball
Kevin Liles Getty Images

Ramos has played just 166 games over the last two seasons, but he has hit 27 home runs with 106 RBI over that span and he has averaged 23 home runs and 86 RBI per 162 games in his career. Better health is all that stands in they way of a 20-homer season for Ramos, and only six catchers hit that mark last season.

First Base

Mark Trumbo Fantasy Baseball
Christian Petersen-Getty Images

Mark Trumbo, Arizona Diamondbacks

Mark Trumbo Fantasy Baseball
Christian Petersen-Getty Images

Trumbo may stretch the definition of a sleeper, but coming off an injury-shortened 2014 season he is probably below the radar of fantasy owners. Power is an increasingly rare commodity, with just 11 players hitting 30 or more home runs in 2014, so the fact Trumbo hit at last 29 round trippers each season from 2011-2013 (32 in 2012, 34 in 2013) automatically gives him value. He played 43 games at first base last year, and 41 games in the outfield.

Second Base

Rougned Odor fantasy baseball 2015
Kevin Jairaj USA TODAY Sports

Rougned Odor, Texas Rangers

Rougned Odor fantasy baseball 2015
Kevin Jairaj USA TODAY Sports

Odor's overall numbers with the Rangers last year don’t jump off the page (.259, nine home runs, 48 RBI), but he did finish strongly (.296 in September, six home runs from August 1 on) and his minor league track record shows speed potential (32 stolen bases in 2013). Keep in mind he is just 21 years old, but continued progress would make Odor a solid three or four-category producer for fantasy owners this year.

Shortstop

Marcus Semien fantasy baseball
Rob Tringali Getty Images

Marcus Semien, Oakland Athletics

Marcus Semien fantasy baseball
Rob Tringali Getty Images

Semien had 21 home runs and 80 RBI between Triple-A and the big leagues last season, over 534 at-bats, and for what it’s worth he's off to a good start this spring. He is a virtual lock to be Oakland's starting shortstop, and fantasy owners should not hesitate to bet on his potential late in a draft.

Third Base

Aramis Ramirez fantasy baseball
Mike McGinnis-Getty Images

Aramis Ramirez, Milwaukee Brewers

Aramis Ramirez fantasy baseball
Mike McGinnis Getty Images

Ramirez has said he is likely to retire after the 2015 season, and he is showing signs of decline entering his age-37 campaign. Even with durability concerns, there's value in reliability at a shallow position and Ramirez can offer that to fantasy owners at a discount one more time this year.

Outfield

Kole Calhoun Fantasy Baseball
Steven Bisig USA TODAY Sports

Kole Calhoun, Los Angeles Angels

Kole Calhoun Fantasy Baseball
Steven Bisig USA TODAY Sports

Calhoun had a breakout season last year, hitting 17 home runs with 58 RBI and 90 runs scored over 493 at-bats. 20 home runs and 100 runs scored could be fairly conservative projections for Calhoun in 2015, and he won't be dead weight in other fantasy categories. Only a significant injury would keep him from a full-time role with the Angels all season in 2015.

Starting Pitcher

Kevin Gausman Fantasy Baseball
Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports

Kevin Gausman, Baltimore Orioles

Kevin Gausman Fantasy Baseball
Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports

Gausman had a solid 2014 season overall (3.57 ERA, 7.0 K/9 over 20 starts), with a good finish (2.25 ERA over his final four starts). He is a bit of a post-hype prospect at this point, and a potential steal in fantasy drafts as a result.

Relief Pitcher

Brad Boxberger Fantasy Baseball
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Brad Boxberger, Tampa Bay Rays

Brad Boxberger Fantasy Baseball
Kim Klement USA TODAY Sports

Jake McGee will miss some time to start the season after elbow surgery in December, so the Rays need a closer during that time. Boxberger showed the peripheral skills last year (14.5 K/9 over 64.2 innings) to take over the role and never give it back.

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