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Fantasy Baseball 2016: Sleepers Starting Season On Disabled List

By Scott Dillon

Oct 7, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates manager Clint Hurdle (left) high fives his team during introductions prior to the National League Wild Card playoff baseball game against the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 7, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates manager Clint Hurdle (left) high fives his team during introductions prior to the National League Wild Card playoff baseball game against the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 14, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians left fielder Michael Brantley (23) scores during the seventh inning against the Kansas City Royals at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 14, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians left fielder Michael Brantley (23) scores during the seventh inning against the Kansas City Royals at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

Michael Brantley: ADP – 96th

Michael Brantley was initially expected to miss the first month of the season or possibly more. He’s recovering from his November shoulder surgery must faster than expected and could even be ready for opening day.

While he’s going in the tenth-round of most standard leagues, he’s worth well more than that. If he starts the season in the lineup, getting him in the tenth-round will be the steal of the draft.

From 2013-2015, two outfielders lead the way in batting average. Those outfielders are Andrew McCutchen, who’s currently going ninth in most drafts, and Michael Brantley.

Brantley also has 55 steals in the time frame compared to McCutchen’s 56. The big difference there is that Brantley has only been caught six times compared to McCutchen’s 18.

While they have nearly the same amount of at-bats as each other, Brantley has struck out half as many times as McCutchen.

While Bratnley only has 45 home runs during that stretch, he leads baseball in doubles and falls within the top-ten in RBIs. If the Indians can figure out how to get their offense going, he should only improve in that category.

Bottom line: Brantley is going to be an All-Star and an MVP candidate. Don’t hesitate to take him in the tenth round if not sooner.

Next: Home Is Where The Heart Is

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