Masyn Winn of the St. Louis Cardinals has been placed on the injured list due to back spasms he sustained during a game against the Philadelphia Phillies. The 23-year-old shortstop's departure in the second inning necessitated a reshuffle in defensive positions, with Brendan Donovan temporarily shifting to designated hitter and Thomas Saggese taking over at shortstop. In an ironic twist given his injury, Winn had hoped to avoid an IL stint but ultimately was sidelined.

To replace him, the Cardinals activated 24-year-old Nolan Gorman from the IL, who had been recovering from a hamstring strain. Gorman previously showcased promise with a strong performance in a brief two-game stint before his injury, aiming to improve on a disappointing previous season. With Winn out, the Cardinals will rely on Donovan and Saggese at shortstop, while Gorman looks to reclaim his position in the lineup.

Draft strategy often pivots around positional needs, with power hitters typically going off the board early. However, waiting and targeting speed and pitching can leave a team low on home runs. Fortunately, several late-round power hitters can help salvage home run projections without compromising other categories too severely. Players with high power upside also carry intriguing RBI potential, making them valuable late-round targets.

Tyler Soderstrom, a former first-round pick, had an up-and-down 2023 but showed flashes of promise with a .480 xSLG and good barrel rates. Joc Pederson rebounded nicely with the Texas Rangers, hitting 23 home runs and creating RBI opportunities behind strong hitters. Nolan Gorman remains a risk due to his high strikeout rate but possesses elite power potential with 25+ home runs on the horizon. Ryan Jeffers and Heston Kjerstad are other late-round options who have shown promise in their respective minor league stints and could translate that power to the majors.

Rhys Hoskins returned from injury to hit 26 homers, displaying solid barrel rates. Each of these players could provide significant boosts to power numbers in a fantasy lineup, especially when carefully integrated into team strategies aimed at balancing categories.

Several notable prospects have emerged in recent years, making instant impacts in Major League Baseball. However, many top prospects take time to develop, often leading to reduced fantasy value as they transition into the league. This article highlights several 'post-hype' hitters, who, despite past accolades and potential, have yet to realize their promise in the majors, making them potential bargains in fantasy drafts.

Colt Keith of the Detroit Tigers, after a promising minor league season, struggled in his rookie year but may benefit from a position change to first base. Meanwhile, Jordan Walker of the St. Louis Cardinals faces challenges due to inconsistent performance, although he is still young and has shown glimpses of his potential. Jo Adell, from the Los Angeles Angels, remains a tantalizing ‘what if’ due to his power-speed capabilities, despite high strikeout rates. Andrew Vaughn of the Chicago White Sox, though not living up to expectations, offers a secure role that could yield solid stats.

Identifying sleeper players who can outperform their average draft position (ADP) is essential for success in fantasy baseball. Oneil Cruz of the Pittsburgh Pirates, with a Yahoo ADP of 59.4, possesses elite stats but has room for improvement, potentially becoming a 30-30-.270 player. Lawrence Butler of the Athletics, a late-round pick, showed impressive stats post-All-Star break, hinting at a 30-30 potential. Meanwhile, Bo Bichette's 109.3 ADP could be a steal as he rebounds from injury, while Thairo Estrada, projected at 233.4, thrives at Coors Field. Other notable mentions include Matt Wallner, Jake McCarthy, and Christopher Morel, who each have the tools to exceed expectations in the upcoming season.