The MLB season is set to kick off on March 18 with an exciting two-game series between the Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers in Tokyo. This early start means fantasy baseball drafts will need to be scheduled earlier than usual. To prepare, we've identified key sleepers who are poised to outperform their average draft positions (ADP) in the upcoming season.

Ozzie Albies of the Atlanta Braves, currently carrying an ADP of 49.3, presents a risky yet enticing option. Despite injury concerns and a below-par performance last season, his impressive numbers from his last healthy season suggest considerable upside. James Wood of the Washington Nationals (ADP 55.7) is another player to watch; his rookie campaign showed potential for a breakout based on his strong metrics. San Diego Padres pitcher Michael King (ADP 59.1) is an underrated starter with a stellar season, while Framber Valdez (ADP 60.7) continues to be a reliable pick for fantasy managers. Lastly, Minnesota Twins' Pablo López (ADP 65) rounds out this list as a consistent starter with solid strikeout capabilities. This season is ripe with potential, offering savvy fantasy players the chance to secure valuable talent earlier than expected.

The starting pitcher landscape for dynasty fantasy baseball is evolving, with new talents emerging to reshape rankings. In the latest assessment of pitchers ranked 11 to 20, Yoshinobu Yamamoto leads the pack following a stellar rookie season with the Los Angeles Dodgers, showcasing a strong command and whiff rate. Shane McClanahan remains a risky yet valuable asset despite needing a second Tommy John surgery, while George Kirby proves to be a safe, high-volume option.

Hunter Greene made a significant leap in performance, demonstrating ace potential with improved stats, while Dylan Cease and Blake Snell present intriguing choices despite inconsistency. Bryce Miller is steadily rising, and Grayson Rodriguez is seen as a long-term ace if injuries don’t hinder his development. Michael King’s successful transition to a full-time rotation role positions him as a reliable SP2, whereas Spencer Schwellenbach’s impressive debut makes him a player to watch closely.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have significantly bolstered their chances for the upcoming MLB season by infusing their roster with key players like Blake Snell and Michael Conforto, while also retaining talent like Blake Treinen and Teoscar Hernández. On the contrary, the San Diego Padres have struggled to make impactful moves, losing out on Roki Sasaki, which could have solidified their pitching rotation for a fraction of the cost.

Despite this, Padres' pitcher Michael King remains optimistic, believing that had they defeated the Dodgers in last year’s postseason, they could have claimed the World Series title. With the loss of key players like Kyle Higashioka and Ha-Seong Kim, the Padres are still seeking trades to manage payroll, leaving their season prospects uncertain.

The Baltimore Orioles are entering the season with a revamped pitching staff, following the departure of ace Corbin Burnes to the Arizona Diamondbacks in a hefty six-year deal. Instead of investing in another frontline starter, the Orioles opted for depth, signing veterans Charlie Morton and Tomoyuki Sugano, while banking on young arms like Grayson Rodriguez and Zach Eflin to step up. This strategy has sparked debate over whether their rotation can compete against strong divisional foes like the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox.

While the Orioles have assembled a deep rotation, consisting of right-handed pitchers and lacking a true ace, questions loom over their ability to face elite lineups in the American League. Insiders suggest that pursuing a trade for an established pitcher, such as Michael King from the San Diego Padres, could bolster their chances significantly. King has shown tremendous growth with a sub-3.00 ERA and 201 strikeouts in 2024, making him an intriguing option for a team looking to solidify its pitching ranks.

As the season approaches, the New York Mets find themselves with a rotation and some uncertainty, particularly after the San Diego Padres opted to retain Dylan Cease and Michael King. The Padres reportedly did not receive any satisfactory offers for either pitcher, with Jim Bowden indicating that the team is moving forward with their current roster. The Mets had shown interest in Cease, who is under a one-year contract valued at $13.75 million but may still be trade bait later in the season.

The Mets have made significant investments in star players like Juan Soto and Pete Alonso, and they cannot afford to have pitching woes hinder their success. With Sean Manaea re-signed and Kodai Senga returning to health, the Mets are hopeful that back-end starters like Frankie Montas and David Peterson can step up. The Padres, meanwhile, aim to leverage Cease's talent while weighing potential future trades. The Mets' strategy appears to favor long-term growth, possibly retaining prospects while waiting for the right opportunity to strengthen their rotation.