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JB’s Fantasy Baseball Sleepers: Top 15 list

By Justin Buckhanan

TORONTO, ON - APRIL 23: Rowdy Tellez #44 of the Toronto Blue Jays hits a grand slam home run in the eighth inning during MLB game action against the San Francisco Giants Rogers Centre on April 23, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - APRIL 23: Rowdy Tellez #44 of the Toronto Blue Jays hits a grand slam home run in the eighth inning during MLB game action against the San Francisco Giants Rogers Centre on April 23, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /
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SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 28: Domingo German #55 of the New York Yankees pitches during the third inning against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on April 28, 2019 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 28: Domingo German #55 of the New York Yankees pitches during the third inning against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on April 28, 2019 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images) /

1. Domingo German New York Yankees

German was signed by the Florida Marlins in 2009 and dealt to the Yankees in 2014. He has put up some solid minor league numbers. His debut last year produced mixed results. Getting off to a strong start this year (5 Wins, 2.56 ERA, .853 WHIP, 32 K in 31.1 IP) he seems like a mainstay in the Yankees starting rotation. He has cut his walk rate and the home run rate against him.

2. Frankie Montas Oakland

After bouncing around in the Boston Red Sox, Chicago White Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers minor league systems as a one-time top prospect, Montas (4 Wins, 3.10 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 26 K in 29 IP) got traded to the Oakland A’s. Montas has always possessed a upper 90s fastball, but was lacking command. So far this season he has seemed to harness his control. Still 26 years old, Montas has possibly turned the corner and could be a starting pitcher for the A’s for years to come.

3. Caleb Smith Miami

Smith (2 Wins, 2.17 ERA, .830 WHIP, 37 K in 29 IP)  was originally drafted by the Yankees in 2013. In 2016, he was a Rule 5 purchase by Milwaukee, then shipped off to the Cubs on the same day, then returned to the Yankees a few months later. That offseason, he was traded to Miami for Mike King. Smith has to be wondering, “Does anyone want me?” Well, the rebuilding Marlins do and he’s doing his best to stay in the starting rotation and be a big part of their future.

4. Max Fried Atlanta

Fried was the 7th overall pick in the 2012 draft by the San Diego Padres. After never really panning out in San Diego due to injury, he was a major piece in the trade that sent Justin Upton to  San Diego. Fried (3 Wins, 2.30 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 26 K in 31.1 IP) had been in many roles since being shipped to Atlanta. He has succeeded in every role, although his strikeout rate is not what you’d expect of a lefty with mid-90s heat). While still only 25, Fried looks to be a mainstay on the Atlanta pitching staff. His role however doesn’t seem to be determined yet because of all the high upside arms in their minor league system.

5. Jordan Lyles Pittsburgh

Lyles (2 Wins, 2.05 ERA, 1.05 WHIP) seems like he has been around forever, but is still only 28. He has seen time with Houston, Colorado, San Diego, Milwaukee and now Pittsburgh. Lyles has always had good stuff, but has never put everything together. Take a long look at Lyles’ transaction wire. It’s too much to type in this column. He is now under the tutelage of master pitching coach Ray Searage. While I don’t know how the Lyles experiment will turn out in Pittsburgh, there’s a solid chance that Searage will be able to get a lot of mileage out of him.

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