Fantasy Baseball Rankings 2024: Sleepers, breakouts, busts by simulation that called Rodon’s poor year
Finding value in the 2024 Fantasy baseball rankings sometimes means accepting risk. Shohei Ohtani is a two-way superstar for the Los Angeles Dodgers but he underwent elbow surgery in September. He’s fully expected to be ready to serve as the designated hitter for the Dodgers on Opening Day. However, Ohtani will not be ready to pitch again until 2025, limiting his production for Fantasy baseball lineups.
Targeting a player coming off injury in Fantasy baseball drafts can go sideways for various reasons, but the risk is also factored into the latest Fantasy baseball ADP. Which risky picks should be comfortable with, and who are the top 2024 Fantasy baseball sleepers, breakouts and busts you need to know about? Before going on the clock in any 2024 Fantasy baseball drafts, be sure to see the Fantasy baseball rankings 2024 and cheat sheets from the proven computer model at SportsLine.
Last season, SportsLine’s Projection Model identified several top Fantasy baseball sleepers, breakouts, and busts, including Yankees starting pitcher Carlos Rodon. The team at SportsLine was all over Rodon as a Fantasy bust from the start after he signed a six-year, $162 million contract in the offseason. Rodon posted a 27-13 record with a 2.67 ERA and 422 strikeouts over 310 2/3 innings in 2021 and 2022, but the model predicted he’d finish well below his ADP of 76.88. The result: Rodon made only 14 starts and went 3-8 with a 6.85 ERA and anybody who followed SportsLine’s advice avoided a major headache.
Their model is powered by the same people who powered projections for all three major Fantasy sites. And that same group is sharing its 2024 Fantasy baseball rankings and cheat sheets over at SportsLine, helping you find Fantasy baseball sleepers, breakouts and busts long before your competition. Their cheat sheets, available for leagues on many major sites, are updated multiple times every day.
Any time more MLB news comes out about trades, signings or Fantasy baseball injuries, the team at SportsLine updates its projections. Go to SportsLine now to see these proven Fantasy baseball cheat sheets.
Top 2024 Fantasy baseball sleepers
One of the 2024 Fantasy baseball sleepers the model is all over: Padres outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. Tatis Jr. exploded on the scene in 2021, finishing with 135 hits, 99 runs, 97 RBI and 42 home runs. However, he was forced to miss the entire 2022 season after violating the league’s PED policy. Tatis Jr. appeared in 141 games in 2023 and was extremely effective as a hitter. He racked up 148 hits, 91 runs, 78 RBI and 25 homers last season.
He was also the National League’s Platinum Glove winner in right field in 2023. He was aggressive on the base paths as well, stealing 29 bases in 2023. SportsLine’s model expects Tatis Jr. to have another strong statistical season in 2024, ranking him above fellow outfielders like Kyle Tucker and Adolis Garcia, both of whom are being drafted ahead of him. See more Fantasy baseball sleepers at SportsLine.
Top 2024 Fantasy baseball breakouts
One of the 2024 Fantasy baseball breakouts the model is jumping on: Rangers outfielder Evan Carter. Carter was impressive for the Rangers during his rookie campaign. He posted a .306/.413/.645 slash line across 75 regular season plate appearances and had similar success in the postseason. During Texas’ run to its first World Series championship, Carter hit .300 across 72 playoff plate appearances, with two multi-hit efforts across five World Series contests.
He’ll have plenty of opportunities to return value for Fantasy baseball owners who take a chance on him after the Rangers decided not to bring back outfielders Travis Jankowski and Robbie Grossman. Carter spent time in the three-hole in the stacked Rangers’ lineup last season and he’s projected as the starting left fielder heading into the 2024 season. SportsLine’s 2024 Fantasy baseball rankings have Carter ranked ahead of fellow left fielders like Nolan Jones and Steven Kwan, both of whom are being drafted ahead of him. See more Fantasy baseball breakouts at SportsLine.
Top 2024 Fantasy baseball busts
As for players to avoid, the model has pinpointed Phillies second baseman Bryson Stott as one of its biggest 2024 Fantasy baseball busts. Stott hit .234 with 10 home runs and 49 RBI across 127 games during a rookie campaign in 2022 that did not stand out compared to other players at his position. However, the 26-year-old started his sophomore season with a bang, setting a franchise record for the longest hitting streak to begin a season (17).
Stott improved in nearly every offensive category, batting .280 with 15 home runs, 62 RBI and 31 stolen bases in 151 games. It will be difficult for him to live up to that success in 2024, especially since his numbers in 2022 were not particularly impressive. SportsLine’s model thinks Stott is overrated, as there are a slew of second basemen ranked ahead of him who are available later in average Fantasy drafts. See more Fantasy baseball busts at SportsLine.
How to find proven 2024 Fantasy baseball rankings
SportsLine’s model is also high on a surprising starting pitcher who bounces back in the top 10 of its positional rankings. This player is going outside the top 100 picks but is projected to outperform starters going in the top 35 like Corbin Burnes, Logan Webb and Aaron Nola. This pick could be the difference between winning your league or going home with nothing. You can only see who it is here.
So which 2024 Fantasy baseball busts, breakouts and sleepers should you target or fade in your drafts? Visit SportsLine now to get 2024 Fantasy baseball rankings for every single position, all from the model that called Carlos Rodon’s disappointing season, and find out.
