There are plenty of players going late in drafts who can provide value. They might be going late due to playing time or because they are coming off an injury-plagued or disappointing season. Here are a few Fantasy Baseball offensive targets with a NFBC ADP of 300 or later to keep in mind.
Late-Round Offensive Targets
Matt Kemp, Los Angeles Dodgers (ADP: 305.23)
Kemp is likely the starting leftfielder and most assumed the Dodgers acquired him to flip him. All Kemp has done is hit in the spring. In 16 games, he he is batting .302 with a .968 OPS and he lost 40 pounds. Kemp still has the potential to hit 30 home runs and if the hot spring doesn’t continue into the season, he doesn’t cost much.
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Jorge Soler, Kansas City Royals (ADP: 356.45)
Soler has lost weight, changed his diet and is crushing the ball in the spring. The power has always been there and if the plate discipline can improve, he could hit 30 home runs.
Jeimer Candelario, Detroit Tigers (ADP: 341.59)
He’s going to play every day and might hit second in the Tigers’ lineup in front of Miguel Cabrera and Nick Castellanos. Candelario made good contact and drew walks in the minor leagues.
Dustin Fowler, Oakland Athletics (ADP: 354.31)
Fowler tore his ACL last season in the first inning of his major league debut. He has some power and speed and should get a chance to play consistently at some point. He had 13 home runs and 13 stolen bases in 70 games at Triple-A last season.
Derek Fisher, Houston Astros (ADP: 368.03)
Fisher is slated to get a chance to play to leftfield to open the season with Yuli Guerriel injured and suspended. Fisher has some power and speed and if he hits early, he could keep the job. He’s in one of the best lineups in baseball and will get plenty of chances to drive in runs.
Wilmer Flores, New York Mets (ADP: 372.25)
All Flores needs is at-bats. He doesn’t have a starting spot at the moment, but manager Mickey Callaway said Flores will play some first base, even against right-handers. Flores has good power and if Adrian Gonzalez shows he’s near the end, Flores could get more at-bats than anticipated.
Leonys Martin, Detroit Tigers (ADP: 386.29)
Two years ago, Martin stole 24 bases. He had at least 24 steals in three of four seasons before last year when he had only 138 major league at-bats. Martin will lead off for the Tigers and could hit double-digit homers with 20-30 steals.
Teoscar Hernandez, Toronto Blue Jays (ADP: 401.49)
Hernandez was a prime target for me in January drafts before the Blue Jays signed Curtis Granderson and acquired Randal Grichuk in a trade. Hernandez will be a reserve or start the season in the minors. He had eight home runs in 27 games with the Blue Jays and can steal bases. Keep him on the radar.
