Fantasy Baseball: 2016 Bounce Back Sleepers Position Players

First Base: Victor Martinez

ADP: 29th First Baseman, 224th overall (23rd round)

Victor Martinez had been one of the most consistent hitters in the American League until last season. He did miss the entire 2012 season with an ACL injury but batted over .300 in both 2013 and 2014 following the injury.

In 2014, Martinez was second in the American League MVP race and won a silver slugger award for his best offensive season ever.

2015 saw Martinez fall apart after a Spring Training knee injury really put a damper on his season. He posted a batting average under .300 for the first time since 2009, and his .245 average was the worst of his career.

A lot of that could have to do with his injury, but he was also 36 years old last season. It’s not surprising that a player of his age wasn’t able to replicate his 2014 season, and you shouldn’t expect him to.

The good news for fantasy baseball fans is that he is fully healthy this year. You also don’t have to burn your pick on his in the second-round, where he was taken in 2015.

There are excellent signs for Martinez in Spring Training so far this season also. While Spring Training stats are about as reliable as a home mortgage offer that appears in your junk folder, it’s still encouraging to see him hitting the ball hard. He’s only got five hits, but two of those are home runs and he’s batting over .300.

It should also be reassuring that he bats in a very hitter friendly lineup. The Tigers have good hitters from top to bottom and that means pitchers are going to have to challenge Martinez with pitches he can put good wood on. Don’t be afraid to take a run at him in the later rounds. He could be the best value pick on this list.

Next: Dust Off The Boots