Fantasy Baseball 2021 Sleepers - Second Base
We’ve made it to the third edition of Nate’s Fantasy Baseball sleepers. We’ve gone over catchers and we’ve gone over first basemen, now, we’ll enter the world of second base. I also suggest you check out the previous two editions of this series below.
Catchers: https://www.weknowfantasy.com/post/fantasy-baseball-2021-sleepers-catchers
First Base: https://www.weknowfantasy.com/post/fantasy-baseball-2021-sleepers-first-base
Sleepers are players with low average-draft-positions who can be drafted late but will have productive seasons to help their respective fantasy managers. In this series, we will be giving you three sleepers for every position (C, 1B, 2B, SS, 3B, OF, SP & RP.)
Like catchers, I believe the middle infield positions are positions worth waiting on in drafts and targeting late. May it be your last starters to fill, or even getting backups at some of the more pressing positions, before tackling the likes of second base. This is where this series comes into play, as your league mates are reaching for second basemen, you’ll find value deeper in your draft as you stack up on the likes of first basemen or outfielders.
Below, you’ll find three second basemen that I believe will be able to be starters on successful fantasy baseball teams. Each of the three players listed will have an ADP of 290 to 348. They’re all ranked 31st or higher in second base eligible players.
Also please note, the 2021 predictions found below are generated by Nate himself. Let’s get into this!
Kolten Wong (Milwaukee Brewers)
ADP: 290th
Position Rank: 31st
2020 Stats: .265 BA, 181 AB, 48 H, 26 R, 1 HR, 16 RBI, 4 2B, 2 3B, 20 BB & 5 SB
2021 Predictions: .262 BA, 478 AB, 130 H, 70 R, 9 HR, 47 RBI, 18 2B, 2 3B, 54 BB & 13 SB
Chances are, Wong may be atop the Brewers’ lineup this season and I’m riding that all the way to the bank. As the lead-off guy with the likes of Yelich, Cain and Hiura hitting behind him, this is a very valuable spot for the currently ranked 31st second base eligible player. Wong is only eligible at second base, which takes a bit of value away from him. I don’t see it that way anyhow as I can see myself using Wong as my starting second baseman in my fantasy squads. He hits for average and will put a bunch of hits on the board this season. He’s going to get plenty of runs with the three previously mentioned bats hitting behind him. I’m in love with Wong’s value.
Tommy La Stella (San Francisco Giants)
ADP: 300th
Position Rank: 32nd
2020 Stats: .281 BA, 196 AB, 55 H, 31 R, 5 HR, 25 RBI, 14 2B, 2 3B, 27 BB & 1 SB
2021 Predictions: .271 BA, 531 AB, 129 H, 74 R, 14 HR, 68 RBI, 28 2B, 2 3B, 59 BB & 3 SB
Tommy La Stella is a player I gravitate to year-in-and-year-out. I love the value he brings. I know he’s no longer with a team such as the Angels and Cubs, but I believe his fantasy value remains. He hits for average and that is a huge boost for either a starting second baseman or a bench piece, especially for those who are playing in category leagues. La Stella will undoubtedly hit lead off with the Giants, which is something you want to look for in value picks, he’s going to get his at-bats. Along with at-bats comes fantasy points and categories, especially with his high batting average.
Scott Kingery (Philadelphia Phillies)
ADP: 348th
Position Rank: 43rd
2020 Stats: .159 BA, 113 AB, 18 H, 12 R, 3 HR, 6 RBI, 5 2B, 0 3B, 9 BB & 0 SB
2021 Predictions: .244 BA, 377 AB, 60 H, 40 R, 10 HR, 40 RBI, 17 2B, 2 3B, 30 BB & 13 SB
Kingery’s ADP and position rank won’t be this low come your fantasy draft. There’s no doubt about that. He’s one of the hottest names when it comes to fantasy baseball sleepers. On top of his second base eligibility, he’s eligible at shortstop, third base and the outfield. He may not find a permanent spot in the Phillies’ lineup, but there’s no doubt that he will be involved. He’s currently in a spring training battle for centerfield, which I expect Adam Hasley to secure, but Kingery is showing out. He’s showed up slimmer than a year ago and is ready to revive his “Scotty Jetpacks'' nickname from his first seasons in the league. The statline I produced for him also is very light. I think he outperforms that. Remember, last season he had Covid heading into the season and he never fully rebounded during the shortened season.