Fantasy Baseball 2019: 5 Sources for Late-Draft Speed

Here are five players you can draft late for your fantasy baseball team and still get steals if you don’t want to spend a premium.

Unlike power, speed is not as widely available to fantasy baseball owners. If you can get a few speed guys on your roster, you have a good chance at winning this category in either head-to-head or roto leagues. But, because it is at a premium, you’ll have to use an early-draft pick on steals.

Players like Trea Turner, Adalberto Mondesi, Billy Hamilton, Mallex Smith and Dee Gordon are projected to finish top five in steals, according to FantasyPros. Turner has a first-round ADP. While he will provide you with stats for other categories, you can get someone similar later on.

Hamilton is just a runner. He doesn’t have any power and will hit no higher than .240. A one-stat player doesn’t have much value. Smith and Gordon, teammates, could reach 90 combined steals but with 10 home runs and 90 RBIs combined, they’re not as valuable.

So, if you don’t want to spend a 10th round pick on a 12 HR/30 SB/.260 hitter, here are five options that can get you 20 steals in Round 20 or later.

Greg Allen, 307 ADP

The other Indians outfielders, Leonys Martin and Bradley Zimmer, could be included. But, Allen had a better season than both of them. He stole 21 bases with a .257 average in 91 games. FantasyPros projects him for 19. I think he’ll get at least 20 with a full season under his belt.

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With 20-steal speed and a .250 average, Allen could give you a late-draft boost you need in order to win this category. He is projected to start in Triple-A while Martin, Jake Bauers and Tyler Naquin man the outfield, but I don’t see that lasting long.

Garrett Hampson, 214 ADP

When you think of the Rockies, you don’t think of speed. Because of Coors Field, your mind automatically goes to the power from Nolan Arenado and Trevor Story. But, Hampson could break that stigma.

Yes, Story stole 27 bases but he didn’t show that speed in his first two seasons. Hampson has been running in every level of the minors. He had 36 steals in Low-A, 51 in High-A and 36 between Double and Triple-A. He may not have a starting job on Opening Day, he will force his way into the Rockies lineup with a possible .275 average.

Austin Meadows

The Rays have an interesting lineup that many not lead to a lot of runs but Kevin Cash always seems to be one step ahead. Moving to the AL East should help Meadows’ fantasy baseball value.

He is projected to hit seventh in the Rays lineup. That does mean fewer at-bats compared to the speed guys hitting at the top of their respective batting orders. However, Meadows could finish with a 15 HR/15 SB/.265 line and with a 205 ADP, I’ll take that for my team.

Cedric Mullins, 318 ADP

Speaking of potential leadoff hitters, here’s Orioles center fielder. Mullins stole just two bases in five attempts in 45 games last season. With the Orioles in a rebuild phase, Mullins and the rest of the hitters should be able to run without handcuffs.

Mullins should be drafted in AL-only or deep mixed leagues. He is another potential 15/15 hitter and could score 70 runs with Trey Mancini, Mark Trumbo and Chris Davis hitting behind him.

Roman Quinn, 541 ADP

The Phillies have a stacked lineup due to the signing of Bryce Harper. But, that doesn’t mean Quin won’t get playing time. Harper has had his fair share of injuries and Odubel Herrera has sold out contact for power.

Quinn stole 10 bases in 50 MLB games last season. He combined for 220 steals in 280 attempts throughout his time in the minors. He may not have the double-digit power like these other hitters but that’s not why they’re on the list. Quinn is a big bargain for those in NL-only or the deepest of mixed leagues.

Next. Fantasy Baseball 2019 Player Comparison: Harper or Davis. dark

While having a 40-steal hitter in Turner or Hamilton is nice, they are going to cost you a valuable draft pick that you can use on someone else. Waiting for speed will allow you focus on other categories. Speed, like saves, can be found late and shouldn’t cost you.

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