As fantasy baseball drafts continue into the 2025 season, savvy players are looking for hidden gems in the later rounds. This year's National League sleepers include Joey Ortiz, a third baseman for the Milwaukee Brewers, who is transitioning to shortstop. After a solid rookie season, he offers reliable stats with a projected average of .248 and 12 home runs in the upcoming year. Additionally, veteran pitcher Justin Verlander, now with the San Francisco Giants, is poised for a bounce-back season after a disappointing 2024. With an ADP of 346.0, he represents an excellent late-round target for fantasy managers.

Other notable mentions include Grant Holmes of the Atlanta Braves, who boasts a commendable strikeout rate and could slide into the starting rotation while filling in for Spencer Strider. Lastly, the Pittsburgh Pirates' Bubba Chandler, an emerging talent with a powerful fastball, could soon become a key player in their rotation after an impressive minor league season.

Identifying pitching sleepers for the upcoming baseball season can offer a significant advantage in fantasy leagues. A.J. Puk is emerging as a hidden gem for Arizona, boasting an impressive statistical profile that includes a 1.72 ERA and a SIERA of 2.16. Grant Holmes of the Braves, with a strong strikeout-to-walk ratio, is set to benefit from a potent Atlanta lineup. Meanwhile, Nick Lodolo’s potential to rebound after an injury makes him an enticing option for Cincinnati. Spencer Arrighetti of the Astros is a notable sleeper, showing promise with a solid CSW rate, while Jesús Tinoco may unseat Calvin Faucher as Miami's closer. Lastly, keep an eye on Clay Holmes with the Mets and Clarke Schmidt with the Yankees; both have compelling cases to be fantasy mainstays this season.

As Spring Training approaches its halfway point, the Atlanta Braves are gearing up for the upcoming season, with Opening Day just weeks away. Predicting the team's 26-man roster, The Athletic's David O'Brien identifies Chris Sale, Reynaldo López, and Spencer Schwellenbach as the top three starters, with Grant Holmes and Ian Anderson expected to fill out the rotation. Despite Anderson's struggles with walks during the spring, his impressive ERA and batting average against suggest he remains a strong candidate for the starting five.

O'Brien emphasizes that both Holmes and Anderson lack minor-league options, making it likely the Braves will retain them unless significant injuries or poor performances occur. Such depth is valued by the Braves, so losing a starter to waivers seems improbable unless a drastic decline happens. Notably, while Anderson's control issues are concerning, his ability to restrict opposing hitters demonstrates potential that could pay off during the regular season.

Brian Snitker, the manager of the Atlanta Braves, remains optimistic about the team's pitching prospects as they head into the regular season. Key performers on Thursday included Grant Holmes and Hector Neris. Holmes, who threw four innings against minor league hitters, has shown promise, posting a solid 1.80 ERA over two appearances thus far in Spring Training. His control has been commendable, with 60% of his pitches landing for strikes. Notably, he ended his rookie season with a 3.56 ERA in 26 outings, and is in contention for a rotation spot while fellow pitcher Spencer Strider recovers from an elbow injury.

On the other hand, Hector Neris, a recent signing, is still looking for his chance to make an impact in Braves camp. With a career ERA of 3.33 and extensive experience, Neris aims to secure a position on the Opening Day roster. His last season was a mixed bag, with a 4.10 ERA playing for both the Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs. While he has yet to pitch in a Spring Training game, the Braves hope he can be an asset as the season progresses.

The term "sleeper" often gets misused in fantasy baseball, yet this article uncovers genuine prospects worth considering. Highlighted are 12 players with average draft positions (ADP) past pick 300 on NFBC, showcasing potential gems to enhance fantasy rosters at low costs. With insights drawn from active high-stakes drafts, these players could be invaluable late-round selections.

Among the notable mentions is Grant Holmes, a promising starter for the Atlanta Braves, who demonstrated impressive strikeout rates in the minors. Joey Ortiz offers versatility with positional flexibility in the infield, while Aroldis Chapman is in a competitive closer battle with Liam Hendriks, creating potential value. Jose Soriano, a groundball specialist for the Angels, and Heston Kjerstad, who excelled in Triple-A, provide additional late-round targets. Each player's statistics and context are explored to aid fantasy players in making informed decisions.