We continue our tour around the diamond when it comes to fantasy baseball sleepers with a stop at second base. We’ve already highlighted our favorite catchers and first base options when it comes to 2023 sleepers in previous editions of this series.
Now we enter another position, like catcher, that should be waited on in drafts. I’ve talked about it several times already in this series when it comes to the importance of fantasy baseball positions. There are positions more important than others in finding a top end guy. Second base is not one of them and that’s where this article comes into play.
Use your earlier selections of positions such as first base, third base, the outfield and pitching. There is a ton of value to be found in the later rounds when it comes to positions such as second base.
Each year I do this sleepers series, offering my favorite sleepers per position leading up to draft season. Typically per position I will offer my three favorites, while offering five sleepers for the outfield, starting and relief pitchers.
You can find the other editions of this series below:
Jonathan India (Cincinnati Reds)
ADP: 197th
2022 Stats: 431 PA, .249 BA, 10 HR, 41 RBI, 48 R, 3 SB & 94 SO
2023 Projection: 479 PA, .258 BA, 13 HR, 50 RBI, 62 R, 7 SB & 103 SO
India didn’t have the sophomore season he was hoping for after winning the National League Rookie of the Year in 2021. He was plagued with injuries last year, namely the terrifying calf injury he suffered at the Field of Dreams game that saw him airlifted. There was fear that he may have had to lose his calf muscle.
After returning from the injury, he seemed to have returned to his rookie form. The notoriety is still there with the name, but due to a down year in 2022, his average draft position is placing him in the 16th round of 12 man leagues. That’s an excellent place to find the value India offers, especially if the later part of the 2022 season is to keep going.
He’s not the fastest guy on the field, but he does have the ability to steal double-digit bags, especially with the new base sizes. He stole 12 bases his rookie year and I don’t see why he couldn’t get to that number again. Second base is one of those positions you’d like to find some stolen bases.
India also brings good power for the position. He hit 21 homers in his rookie year. A guy who can be your top second baseman in the 16th round of drafts, hitting for a near .260 average with high teens homers, 50 runs-batted-in with a dozen stolen bases is my definition of a sleeper.
Gavin Lux (Los Angeles Dodgers)
ADP: 248th
2022 Stats: 471 PA, .276 BA, 6 HR, 42 RBI, 66 R, 7 SB & 95 SO
2023 Projection: 474 PA, .260 BA, 9 HR 49 RBI, 62 R, 7 SB & 98 SO
With Trea Turner and Justin Turner out of town, that frees up everyday playing time for Lux. Anytime you can get an everyday player for the Dodgers’ in the 20th round of 12-man leagues, you can’t go wrong.
He played in 129 games a season ago and put together a fantastic season, hitting for .276 BA, .346 OBP and .399 SLG, all of which were career highs. You’re not getting anything extraordinary out of Lux, but you’re getting a well rounded game that comes as part of one of the best lineups in the league.
There’s more to love about Lux’s game as well. Dodgers’ stadium realignment increased the homerun rate for left handed hitters by 14-percent. He also has the ability to steal 15-or-so bases, especially with the new base sizes and pick-off rules being implemented this season.
Hitting towards the middle of this Dodgers’ lineup is also a plus, especially as they are projected to score the third most runs in the National League in 2023. Go get Lux.
Kolten Wong (Seattle Mariners)
ADP: 260th
2022 Stats: 497 PA, .251 BA, 15 HR, 47 RBI, 65 R, 17 SB & 88 SO
2023 Projections: 498 BA, .254 BA, 13 HR, 48 RBI, 63 R, 13 SB & 90 SO
For as long as I’ve been doing this series, I feel like Wong is always included. I just can’t get enough of his draft value each and every year. This year is no different as he’s currently being drafted in the 21st round of 12 man-leagues.
Wong had his best two years, at least fantasy wise, the last two seasons in Milwaukee and moving to Seattle will see him take a little bit of a hit due to the ballpark differences. That doesn’t mean that Wong won’t have another good season with his first one in Seattle. I’d argue that he has a better lineup around him in Seattle than he did in Milwaukee, so that will help with the numbers as well.
Wong is more of a “high-floor” guy and you know what you’re getting. If you’re looking for consistency, Wong is your guy. What we’ve seen out of Wong in the past is what we’re going to get this year.
A very consistent player who will hit in the mid-teens for homers, nearly 50 RBIs with the ability to swipe upwards of 20 bags, you can’t go wrong.