We’ve made the trip around the infield as we finish it off here with the shortstop position of Nate’s Fantasy Baseball Sleepers. We’ve gone over the catcher, first, second and third base. That leaves just one position before we head to the outfield; shortstop. You can find the previous editions of this series below.
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.)
In every edition of this series, I talk about the importance of each position in reference to their fantasy relevance. Like catchers and second base, shortstop is a position we suggest waiting on in your draft and drafting later on. The middle infield spots are always ones we don’t suggest investing early picks in and that isn’t to change in 2021. The top of the position is not that far off from the middle and the bottom as it is with the likes of first and third base.
Below you will find Nate’s top three shortstop sleepers. These are players he’s confident can be starters in the position in a successful fantasy baseball lineup. If you don’t feel comfortable with either of the options being your starters, they can definitely serve as a suitable backup for any fantasy squad. Each player we offer below is currently being drafted 232nd or later.
Also please note, the 2021 predictions found below are generated by Nate himself. Let’s get into this!
Paul DeJong (St. Louis Cardinals)
ADP: 251st
Position Rank: 29th
2020 Stats: .250 BA, 152 AB, 38 H, 17 R, 3 HR, 25 RBI, 6 2B, 0 3B, 17 BB & 1 SB
2021 Predictions: .246 BA, 489 AB, 103 H, 56 R, 16 HR, 68 RBI, 17 2B, 1 3B, 46 BB & 3 SB
The fact that Paul DeJong is being drafted as the 29th shortstop eligible player is criminal. When it comes to DeJong, you’ll be suspect to streakiness as an owner, but his season long numbers are always solid. He offers a great source of power out of the shortstop position too as he flirts with 20 homeruns each season. I know I don’t have him quiet there in my predictions, he can easily exceed that 16 homers I have him tagged out. He’s got an every day spot on a very solid Cardinals’ team. He could very well end up hitting fourth or fifth in this lineup with players such as Tommy Edman, Paul Goldschmidt, Nolan Arenado and Dylan Carlson hitting before and around him. DeJong can very easily be a starting shortstop in a championship caliber fantasy baseball squad. Don’t take a big name early when you can get the likes of DeJong late. He can be had in the 20th round of 12- man leagues. That’s insane value.
Amed Rosario (Cleveland Indians)
ADP: 357th
Position Rank: 38th
2020 Stats: .252 BA, 143 AB, 36 H, 20 R, 4 HR, 15 RBI, 3 2B, 1 3B, 4 BB & 0 B
2021 Predictions .272 BA, 454 AB, 107 H, 54 R, 11 HR, 41 RBI, 15 2B, 3 3B, 30 BB & 10 SB
DeJong is an insane value, but Rosario is an even better value. He’s currently going in the 30th round of 12-man leagues and depending on your league’s scoring, could be more valuable than DeJong is, even though he’s being drafted 100 picks later. Rosario flew under the radar during his years in New York and now he moves on to Cleveland where he’s still flying under the radar. He’s going to hit for a great average as I have him tagged at a .272 batting average for the 2021 season. He’s not a power guy but will flirt with double-digit homers. He’s going to get hits, there’s no doubt about that. He’ll also get double-digit steals, which is one of the hardest stats to come by in category leagues. With the two names we’ve given thus far, it should be obvious that you don’t need to spend an early pick on the shortstop position.
Freddy Galvis (Baltimore Orioles)
ADP: 489th
Position Rank: 58th
2020 Stats: .220 BA, 141 AB, 31 H, 18 R, 7 HR, 16 RBI, 5 2B, 0 3B, 13 BB & 1 SB
2021 Predictions: .246 BA, 435 AB, 95 H, 48 R, 19 HR, 54 RBI, 14 2B, 2 3B, 36 BB & 3 SB
I’m probably higher than most when it comes to Freddy Galvis but I think that’s for a good reason. This man is essentially going undrafted and is still going to offer a great season long stat line. He’s one of the hardest hitting shortstops in the league, even though he’s currently being drafted as the 58th shortstop eligible player. Part of that has to do with him being on the Orioles, but with as well as he plays, that shouldn’t be an issue. He’s not the best when it comes to hitting for average but I think he’ll have a near career high season in that aspect. He’s got pop in his bat and will get his hits. For a guy who won’t see his name come off many draft boards, there’s some insane value here.