Fantasy Baseball Friday: Top Five Sleepers in 2015 AL Central

Feb 23, 2015; Lakeland, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers pitcher

(35) pitches during Monday mornings workout at Joker Merchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports

SP Justin Verlander, Tigers

Verlander is the biggest name on this list, having won the Cy Young and MVP awards just four years ago.

There has been a steady decline, however, in his numbers since then particularly due to the decrease in his velocity.

In his 2011 MVP season, Verlander averaged 95.0 MPH on his fastball according to Fan Graphs. His average fastball dropped to 94.3 MPH in 2012, 93.3 MPH in 2013, and 92.3 MPH last season. At 32 years old, it is conceivable to believe Verlander will never regain his plus-95 MPH fastball again.

The good news, though, is Verlander has looked good in spring training, coming into camp 12 pounds heavier than a season ago. Last year, Verlander came to camp underweight because of his offseason core muscle surgery.

Clayton Kershaw has taken over as the game’s top fantasy pitcher and by no means should owners expect Verlander to reclaim that title, but at his current ADP of 136.7 according to Fantasy Pros, owners could take him in the 13^th or 14^th round with little risk.

Then if he does have a bounce-back season, those owners will look awfully smart.

Feb 28, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Chicago White Sox infielder

poses for a portrait during photo day at Camelback Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

1B Adam LaRoche, White Sox

LaRoche was barely drafted last season after posting poor 2013 numbers, .237/.332/.403, 20 home runs, 62 RBI, 70 runs.

He responded hitting .259/.362/.455 with 26 round-trippers, 92 RBI and 73 runs in 2014. LaRoche was obviously seeing the ball very well as he set a career-high with 82 walks.

Even at 35 years old, LaRoche has a great chance to approach 30 homers again, hitting in U.S. Cellular Field. According to Park Factors, the White Sox home is the second-best park for home-run hitters behind only Coors Field in Colorado.

That’s worth the risk in the 14th or 15th round where LaRoche will likely go in 10-team leagues.

Sep 30, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Oakland Athletics designated hitter

(37) hits a three-run home run against the Kansas City Royals during the sixth inning of the 2014 American League Wild Card playoff baseball game at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

1B Brandon Moss, Indians

Fantasy owners can wait even longer than the 14th or 15th round to select Brandon Moss. He is the 25th ranked first baseman in fantasy realms.

Coincidentally, he also hit 25 home runs in 500 at-bats last season. Just to compare, Miguel Cabrera hit 25 home runs last season, and he went in the first couple picks versus Moss, who may have gone undrafted in some cases.

Now, Moss isn’t going to post an average anywhere near Cabrera’s, but he can contribute in the RBI and runs categories. Moss scored 70 runs and had 81 RBI with his 25 home runs, which ranked him in the top 14 among first basemen in each category. He should also be able to produce more, hitting outside the spacious Oakland Coliseum this season.

If owners decide to wait on first base, missed LaRoche, and need help in the home run, runs and RBI categories, Moss is the guy to take.

Mar 3, 2015; Lakeland, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers third baseman

(9) fields a ground ball during the first inning of a spring training baseball game at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

3B Nick Castellanos, Tigers

The Tigers third baseman is getting virtually no attention from fantasy owners. According to Fantasy Pros, Castellanos is the 27th ranked third baseman with an ADP of 307.8

Incredibly, that means Castellanos is going in the 31st round of 10-team leagues. Obviously, most leagues don’t have that many rounds.

We at Motor City Bengals predict Castellanos will outplay that very high ADP and perhaps finish in the top half at his position.

Why not? He hit .259/.306/.394 with 11 home runs, 66 RBI and 50 runs last season, and he is just 23 years old. In deep leagues Castellanos could be a real steal.

Sep 22, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians pitcher

(59) pitches during the third inning against the Kansas City Royals at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

SP/RP Carlos Carrasco, Indians

Motor City Bengals doesn’t want to give away all the secrets, but there is a very interesting strategy we are considering trying this season.

There are a couple projected starting pitchers that still have their eligibility in the relief pitchers’ spots with Carrasco being one of them. ESPN projects him to go 12-8 and throw 185 innings with 188 strikeouts.

If owners put him in a relief pitcher position, that would give them a real edge in those categories. Of course, it would hurt them in the saves category and perhaps also hinder the ERA and WHIP categories, but paired with the right relief pitchers to compensate for those losses, Carrasco could help owners win all the starting pitching categories.

Even if owners just use him in the fantasy starting rotation, he would be worth the selection at 109.0, which is his ADP.