Fantasy Baseball: Top Sleepers For 2016 At Each Position

Danny Valencia

20th among second basemen 234th overall

It’s not hard to believe that Danny Valencia hit 18 home runs in 2015 considering he played for the Blue Jays for part of the year.

That’s a little deceiving however, because 11 of his 18 home runs came after he went the the Oakland Athletics. He did so in 11 fewer games, but did have about 20 more at bats.

He averaged a home run in about every 20 at-bats during the entire season, and that rate jumped to one every 15 at-bats after going to Oakland.

His slugging percentage was second only to Josh Donaldson and Nolan Arrenado last season and with Brett Lawrie gone, he should be the A’s everyday third baseman.

Valencia isn’t likely to be anyone’s target as a first third baseman, but if he’s still available in the later rounds he’s an excellent second option or corner infield option.

If he could continue that production over 575 at-bats in 2016, his numbers could be quite impressive. That projects into 38 doubles, 30 home runs, and 110 runs batted in.

Those numbers would certainly be worth an early round pick and anything close to that would be incredible in the later rounds.

Next: Shortstop