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2016 Fantasy Baseball: 15 Sleepers No One Is Talking About

With football season nearly done, and spring training on the horizon, the fantasy sports focus is now shifting to baseball.

As you prepare for drafts and auctions, here are 15 fantasy baseball sleepers no one is talking about for 2016.

15. Detroit Tigers SP Daniel Norris

Detroit Tigers SP Daniel Norris Tom Pennington - Getty Images
Norris was part of Detroit's return in the David Price trade last year, and he had a 3.68 ERA over eight starts with the Tigers. An offseason cancer diagnosis does not seem to be a lingering issue, so Norris should have every chance to earn a rotation spot. If he reaches his goal of 200 innings pitched this year, his fantasy value should be solid.

Norris was part of Detroit's return in the David Price trade last year, and he had a 3.68 ERA over eight starts with the Tigers. An offseason cancer diagnosis does not seem to be a lingering issue, so Norris should have every chance to earn a rotation spot. If he reaches his goal of 200 innings pitched this year, his fantasy value should be solid.

14. Miami Marlins 1B Justin Bour

Miami Marlins 1B Justin Bour Getty Images
Bour's struggles against left-handers (.221, zero home runs) should be noted, but he hit 23 home runs in 409 at-bats without the dramatic home-road split that could be expected from pitcher-friendly Marlins Park. There are signs that a regression may come, but I'm still betting on Bour as a cheap source of power numbers for fantasy owners in 2016.

Bour's struggles against left-handers (.221, zero home runs) should be noted, but he hit 23 home runs in 409 at-bats without the dramatic home-road split that could be expected from pitcher-friendly Marlins Park. There are signs that a regression may come, but I'm still betting on Bour as a cheap source of power numbers for fantasy owners in 2016.

13. Washington Nationals OF Ben Revere

Washington Nationals OF Ben Revere Vaughn Ridley - Getty Images
Revere had a productive season in 2015, hitting .306 with 84 runs scored and 31 stolen bases with the Philadelphia Phillies and Toronto Blue Jays. Toronto traded him to the Washington Nationals in January, and as long as Revere hits toward the top of a talented lineup he can contribute well in three categories.

Revere had a productive season in 2015, hitting .306 with 84 runs scored and 31 stolen bases with the Philadelphia Phillies and Toronto Blue Jays. Toronto traded him to the Washington Nationals in January, and as long as Revere hits toward the top of a talented lineup he can contribute well in three categories.

12. Atlanta Braves OF Ender Inciarte

Atlanta Braves OF Ender Inciarte Doug Pensinger - Getty Images
Inciarte was traded to the Braves this offseason, and it's possible he gets dealt again before Opening Day. Regardless of whose lineup he ultimately winds up in, Inciarte can help fantasy owners in three categories (batting average, runs scored and stolen bases), and he's sure to come at a discount on draft day.

Inciarte was traded to the Braves this offseason, and it's possible he gets dealt again before Opening Day. Regardless of whose lineup he ultimately winds up in, Inciarte can help fantasy owners in three categories (batting average, runs scored and stolen bases), and he's sure to come at a discount on draft day.

11. Minnesota Twins OF Eddie Rosario

Minnesota Twins OF Eddie Rosario Leon Halip - Getty Images
Rosario stepped into a prominent role for the Twins last season, and he put up good across-the-board production (.267, 13 home runs, 50 RBI, 60 runs scored, 15 triples and 11 stolen bases). A lack of walks (15 over 474 plate appearances) is a concern. Otherwise, Rosario has plenty of fantasy value as a contributor in four categories.

Rosario stepped into a prominent role for the Twins last season, and he put up good across-the-board production (.267, 13 home runs, 50 RBI, 60 runs scored, 15 triples and 11 stolen bases). A lack of walks (15 over 474 plate appearances) is a concern. Otherwise, Rosario has plenty of fantasy value as a contributor in four categories.

10. Miami Marlins C J.T. Realmuto

Miami Marlins C J.T. Realmuto Christian Petersen - Getty Images
From June 5 on last season, Realmuto hit .283 with eight home runs, 36 RBI and six stolen bases over 293 at-bats. Another step forward in 2016 makes double-digit home runs and steals possible, if not likely, and Realmuto's batting average will not be an eyesore that drags down his fantasy value.

From June 5 on last season, Realmuto hit .283 with eight home runs, 36 RBI and six stolen bases over 293 at-bats. Another step forward in 2016 makes double-digit home runs and steals possible, if not likely, and Realmuto's batting average will not be an eyesore that drags down his fantasy value.

9. Colorado Rockies 1B Ben Paulsen

Colorado Rockies 1B Ben Paulsen Getty Images
Paulsen may fall into a platoon with free agent signee Mark Reynolds, which is not good news for his fantasy value. But with the upside of home games at Coors Field, and possible eligibility as an outfielder (20 games in 2015), Paulsen is a solid fantasy sleeper for this year.

Paulsen may fall into a platoon with free agent signee Mark Reynolds, which is not good news for his fantasy value. But with the upside of home games at Coors Field, and possible eligibility as an outfielder (20 games in 2015), Paulsen is a solid fantasy sleeper for this year.

8. Baltimore Orioles 1B/OF Mark Trumbo

Baltimore Orioles 1B/OF Mark Trumbo Christian Petersen - Getty Images
I'm again driving the Trumbo as a fantasy sleeper bus this year, and a return to the American League with the ability to DH is good news. With 30 home run potential and multi-position eligibility (88 games in the outfield and 23 games at first base in 2015), Trumbo is worth targeting in mixed leagues.

I'm again driving the Trumbo as a fantasy sleeper bus this year, and a return to the American League with the ability to DH is good news. With 30 home run potential and multi-position eligibility (88 games in the outfield and 23 games at first base in 2015), Trumbo is worth targeting in mixed leagues.

7. Tampa Bay Rays SP Matt Moore

Tampa Bay Rays SP Matt Moore Steven Ryan - Getty Images
Moore returned from Tommy John surgery in 2015, and struggled enough (8.78 ERA over six starts) to get sent down before returning and finishing strongly (2.97 ERA over six starts). His previous form may never come back, but Moore is still just 26 years old (27 in June) and carries plenty of fantasy appeal this year.

Moore returned from Tommy John surgery in 2015, and struggled enough (8.78 ERA over six starts) to get sent down before returning and finishing strongly (2.97 ERA over six starts). His previous form may never come back, but Moore is still just 26 years old (27 in June) and carries plenty of fantasy appeal this year.

6. San Diego Padres OF/1B Wil Myers

San Diego Padres OF/1B Wil Myers Getty Images
Myers defines the term "post-hype sleeper," as wrist issues have derailed his last two seasons. He is slated to move to first base more regularly this year, which dampens his positional value going forward. However, at 25 years old it's too early to write Myers off and fantasy owners who are willing to take a bit of a risk could have it pay off well this year.

Myers defines the term "post-hype sleeper," as wrist issues have derailed his last two seasons. He is slated to move to first base more regularly this year, which dampens his positional value going forward. However, at 25 years old it's too early to write Myers off and fantasy owners who are willing to take a bit of a risk could have it pay off well this year.

5. Cincinnati Reds C Devin Mesoraco

Cincinnati Reds C Devin Mesoraco Getty Images
A left hip injury, and ultimately surgery, ended Mesoraco's 2015 season early after he hit just .178 with zero home runs in 23 games. Assuming full health, something close to his 2014 breakout (.273, 25 home runs and 80 RBI) is a solid expectation for Mesoraco in 2016.

A left hip injury, and ultimately surgery, ended Mesoraco's 2015 season early after he hit just .178 with zero home runs in 23 games. Assuming full health, something close to his 2014 breakout (.273, 25 home runs and 80 RBI) is a solid expectation for Mesoraco in 2016.

4. Milwaukee Brewers OF Khris Davis

Milwaukee Brewers OF Khris Davis Getty Images
Davis hit 20 home runs from Aug. 6 on last year (over 184 at-bats), and he also hit .284 over his final 32 games. Health is a factor, with a right knee issue and other ailments that limited him early in 2015, but the power upside is here for Davis as he enters his age-28 season.

Davis hit 20 home runs from Aug. 6 on last year (over 184 at-bats), and he also hit .284 over his final 32 games. Health is a factor, with a right knee issue and other ailments that limited him early in 2015, but the power upside is here for Davis as he enters his age-28 season.

3. Arizona Diamondbacks C Welington Castillo

Arizona Diamondbacks C Welington Castillo Jamie Sabau - Getty Images
Castillo spent time with three teams last season, but he appears to have found a home in Arizona with 17 home runs and 50 RBI over 80 games with the Diamondbacks. A clear path to playing time and a full season of home games at hitter-friendly Chase Field puts 20-25 home runs in play for Castillo, which gives him rare fantasy upside for catchers.

Castillo spent time with three teams last season, but he appears to have found a home in Arizona with 17 home runs and 50 RBI over 80 games with the Diamondbacks. A clear path to playing time and a full season of home games at hitter-friendly Chase Field puts 20-25 home runs in play for Castillo, which gives him rare fantasy upside for catchers.

2. Toronto Blue Jays RP Drew Storen

Toronto Blue Jays RP Drew Storen Patrick Smith - Getty Images
Washington's acquisition of Jonathan Papelbon pushed Storen out of the closer role last season, which was no fault of his own (29 saves), and he now gets a much-needed change of scenery with an offseason trade to Toronto. Roberto Osuna had 20 saves for the Blue Jays in 2015, but I think Storen will be closing games soon enough.

Washington's acquisition of Jonathan Papelbon pushed Storen out of the closer role last season, which was no fault of his own (29 saves), and he now gets a much-needed change of scenery with an offseason trade to Toronto. Roberto Osuna had 20 saves for the Blue Jays in 2015, but I think Storen will be closing games soon enough.

1. St. Louis Cardinals IF Jedd Gyorko

St. Louis Cardinals IF Jedd Gyorko Denis Poroy - Getty Images
The luster has surely fallen off Gyorko over the last couple years, but he's getting a change of scenery with an offseason trade to the St. Louis Cardinals. A solid finish to last season in the power department (13 home runs and 44 RBI from July 11 on) brings promise for 2016, and eligibility at second base (93 games in 2015) and shortstop (29 games) adds to Gyorko's fantasy value.

The luster has surely fallen off Gyorko over the last couple years, but he's getting a change of scenery with an offseason trade to the St. Louis Cardinals. A solid finish to last season in the power department (13 home runs and 44 RBI from July 11 on) brings promise for 2016, and eligibility at second base (93 games in 2015) and shortstop (29 games) adds to Gyorko's fantasy value.

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