First, let me say as a result of the times are getting longer, everybody who loves baseball, each actual and fantasy should now rejoice! The opening of the Main League season is coming shortly. As a result of that is true, fantasy drafts are occurring throughout the globe. Managers are on the lookout for gamers to focus on come draft day. Fortuitously, that’s the place this Fantasy Baseball Draft Targets version comes into play.
Second, let me remind my readers that I admire and applaud feedback concerning my articles. In fact, that is no exception. Clearly, there are a number of gamers who may targets in any fantasy baseball draft. To make sure that it’s clear: the gamers listed below are meant for factors leagues. With all of that mentioned, let’s get to it!
Shea Langeliers, C, Athletics
Proper off the bat, the primary participant to be really useful as a goal is Shea Langeliers. As typical, the catching place is skinny for fantasy functions. The best rated catchers will come off the board comparatively shortly. As taking a catcher excessive in drafts isn’t certainly one of my really useful methods, ready a bit earlier than choosing one is a great play.
In the case of worth, ESPN is on the prime of the listing. On that platform, Langeliers is ranked 13/190. With out query, there’s a lot to love at that rating. In 2023, Langeliers hit .224-29-80. The homers had been second most by a catcher, the RBIs 4th. His runs (58), OPS (.739) and SLG (.450) had been all prime 10 on the place. His OPS+ (111) was a profession excessive.
In contrast to a whole lot of catchers, Langeliers doesn’t want a whole lot of day off, as indicated by his 137 video games performed. One season earlier, he appeared in 135 video games. Most significantly, in 2025, the A’s are enjoying in Sacramento this season. As a result of that could be a minor league PCL park, there might be loads extra offensive alternatives for A’s gamers that there have been in Oakland. Given how weak the place is, getting a participant like Langeliers somewhat later within the draft could be a sensible funding.
Jake Burger, 1B/3B/DH, Texas Rangers
Subsequent up for dialogue on this Fantasy Baseball Draft Targets version is among the Rangers latest additions: Jake Burger. ESPN rank: 17/198. FantasyPros: 14/118. Actually, it is a head scratcher: each websites has Burger ranked decrease than his predecessor: Nathaniel Lowe. In 2024, Lowe hit .265-16-69 and scored 62. In the meantime, Burger, hitting in a pitcher’s park in Miami, hit .250-29-76 and scored 68 runs.
Additional, Burger put collectively an OPS+ os 103, had a .292 BAbip and a .209 ISO in 137 video games. This season, Lowe is in Washington and Burger takes his place in Texas. Merely acknowledged, the Rangers may have a a lot better lineup than the Nationals. Burger may have loads of RBI probabilities.
Better of all, Burger qualifies at 1B, 3B and DH. Lowe doesn’t current that versatility. Of the 2 gamers, this Fantasy Baseball Draft Targets version has no hassle asserting that Burger has way more worth than Lowe.
Jazz Chisholm, 3B/OF, New York Yankees
Whereas he has but to get it collectively this spring, Jazz Chisholm is certainly a participant to focus on on this yr’s draft. Coming into the season, Chisholm may have 3B and OF eligibility. Clearly, that’s nice, however it will get higher. The Yankees intend on him to be their beginning second baseman. As soon as that place is added to his identify, Chisholm may have versatility like few others.
Pretty much as good as that sounds, his bat will finally determine his worth. Final season, break up between Miami and New York, Chisholm hit .256-24-73 with 74 runs, 40 steals, and a 107 OPS+ in 147 video games. Nevertheless, within the Bronx, he was a lot better. In 46 video games, Chisholm hit .273-11-23, with 18 stolen bases and a 130 OPs+. Better of all, he was caught stealing simply twice. His BAbip was about the identical, however his ISO elevated from .158 to .227.
Actually, with the flexibility that he may have, the ballpark he performs in and the offense he’ll part of, Chisholm is about to have a superb season. Ranked at 108th total, his worth might be skyhigh as properly. With all of that mentioned, focusing on him on your fantasy roster must be a precedence come draft day.
Isaac Paredes, 3B Houston Astros
In the case of the gamers that modified addresses this offseason, no participant ought to profit greater than Isaac Paredes. He began 2024 in Tampa, however was traded to the Cubs in July. The ballpark in Florida agreed way more with Paredes than the one in Chicago. In becoming a member of Houston this winter, their park is way more consistent with Tropicana Area than Wrigley.
Each Tropicana and Daikin Park have left subject fences which are 315 ft from residence plate. In contrast, Wrigley’s distance in left is 355 ft. Why is that this vital to consider? Considerably, Paredes is a real pull hitter. Having a brief left subject porch ups his recreation dramatically. As proof, take a look at these numbers. In Tampa, Paredes hit .245-16-55 with a 127 OPS+ in 101 video games. With Chicago, he hit simply .223-3-25 with a distressingly low 82 OPS+ in 52 video games.
This season, Houston’s offense must be superb. Paredes may have an enormous hand in that. On ESPN, he will be had within the eighth spherical (ranked 87th total). On FantasyPros, he has much more worth, listed all the way in which down at 184. Because the draft unfolds, it could be extraordinarily sensible to maintain on eye on Paredes and pounce as soon as the chance presents itself.
Luis Garcia, 2B, Washington Nationals
At first look, the second base place appears sketchy coming into the season. Greater than seemingly, the highest gamers might be scooped up early on draft day. If a fantasy supervisor missed out on certainly one of them, what will be performed? Easy: flip to Luis Garcia. The 24 yr previous has improved his play every season and is poised for a breakout yr. Moreover, the Nationwide place gamers must be poised for important will increase in offense in 2025. Finally, Garcia, and his fantasy managers, will all profit.
For the third straight season, Garcia has appeared in additional video games than he did the earlier yr, topping out at 140 video games in 2024. In these video games, Garcia hit .282-18-70, stole 22 bases, had a .318/.444 slash line and an OPS+ of 115. Additional, he had a BAbip of .310 and an ISO of .162. His Ok% was 17.0, which was properly beneath the league common of twenty-two.8. Most younger hitters don’t present that a lot self-discipline on the plate.
As for worth, FantasyPros has him ranked 9/130 and ESPN has him at 15/160. Actually, a beginning second baseman discovered within the center rounds has loads of worth. As such, Garcia is a participant that fantasy managers would do properly to regulate whereas on the clock.
Different Draft Day Targets
In my earlier article, I spotlighted Shane McClanahan and Zach Eflin, amongst others. What I mentioned in that article applies right here as properly. Each pitchers make wonderful draft day targets in 2025.
The Closing Phrase
Thanks for becoming a member of me for this Fantasy Baseball Draft Targets version! Comply with me on X (previously Twitter) @kevin62wilsea. Please be at liberty to share this text. Remember to flip to bellyupsports.com for all of the MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL happenings and the newest sports activities information!
Lastly, take a look at the Stomach Up Fantasy Baseball Present on Youtube as we focus on draft methods for the primary spherical, preview the N.L. East and gamers we’re focusing on on draft day. That episode will be discovered right here.