X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

Late-Round Fantasy Baseball Second Base Targets - NFBC Draft and Hold Leagues

tony kemp fantasy baseball rankings MLB player news draft sleepers

Brian Entrekin's late-round fantasy baseball draft targets at second base. His NFBC Draft and Hold draft sleepers for the 2022 fantasy baseball season.

Welcome back RotoBallers to my ongoing series about NFBC late-round targets - today we take a look at second base. We have entered January, and that means Fantasy Baseball draft season is ramping up. Sure, we do not know if or when the MLB season will start, but that will not stop us, die-hard fantasy players. Some players have been researching for a few months, while some players are just now getting their first looks at what the 2022 landscape may look like. 

In previous years, many players would participate in mock drafts to get their feel for the player pool; in recent years, that has changed with Best Ball and Draft and Hold drafts (DnH). Things have also changed quite a bit with the growth of the NFBC platform. The NFBC runs some of the best contests for fantasy baseball players and has different price points for your average fans and higher stake players.

The beauty of the best ball and DnH drafts is no weekly FAAB/waiver wire process. The main difference between the two formats is that the best ball is just drafting and walking away while DnH is still drafting but still setting your weekly lineups. They are similar to mock drafts; there is not much left to do after the draft, but a little skin in the game keeps the players drafting focused and on the up and up.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball lineup tools and resources:

 

NFBC Draft and Hold Strategy

For the next few weeks leading up to the season, I will be writing a series of articles looking for draft values. For this time of the year, I will be focusing on DnH leagues, and I will go over some later-round targets at each position. In the NFBC, there are NFBC 50’s, which are 12-team leagues, and Draft Champions (DC) which are 15-team leagues. The ADP used in these articles will be for the DC’s. You can find the ADP for all formats on the NFBC website.

The second base position is deep, but still a position you are better off not waiting on too long in drafts. A lot of the late-round DC targets are batting average assets, stolen base assets, or a little bit of both. One thing they usually are not is a power source. As usual, we will look for players with regular playing time, but the later we go in drafts, the longer shots we shall take. 

Some of these later-round values are boring veterans that will play nearly every day. At-bats are kind and are harder and harder to find later in drafts. Some of these targets are players looking to bounce back or strong side platoon players that should get you the stats you need as a deep value. Some values will also be young players who do not have a role with the team yet but could be an excellent late-season addition to your team by the season’s end. Let’s look at some of the late-round first base values I am targeting in DnH drafts. 

 

Tony Kemp, Oakland Athletics

NFBC ADP: 388

Roster Resource is not the be-all-end-all, but they have Kemp projected to lead-off for the A's, and it makes a lot of sense. The A's are rebuilding, and Kemp fits in perfectly to everyday at-bats at 2B while leading off. In addition, Kemp is coming off a solid 2021 season where he played in a career-high 131 games racking up 397 plate appearances. He hit .279 with eight home runs and eight stolen bases over those 397 plate appearances.

The stats check out for Kemp as he showcased excellent plate discipline with a 13.1% walk rate and 12.8% strikeout rate. He is backing it up with similar skills he showcased in 2020. Kemp also showcases impressive contact skills with such discipline as he swings less than league averages while making much better contact than the league average.

Kemp will get on base often and steal a fair share of bases. The power is still questioned as a 1% barrel rate, and a 21% hard-hit rate do not promote a ton of power. If Kemp leads off all season, the power will not be a massive deal as his average, runs scored, and stolen bases will be outstanding for his draft price. It also does not hurt that Kemp is also outfield eligible. I have been drafting Kemp often this early draft season, and you definitely should too.

 

Ramon Urias, Baltimore Orioles

NFBC ADP: 416

Urias played 85 games in 2021 and is expected to start the 2022 season as the Orioles starting SS. In his 85 games, Urias hit .279 with seven home runs and one stolen base. We saw some power (around 10-12 home runs) and some speed off and on throughout the minors as well. The power and speed were inconsistent, but Urias has always hit for average, which could play big with the Orioles.

The Orioles may be a lousy team in wins and losses, but they will score runs in Camden Yards, even with the fence moved back in left field. If Urias leads off, he should get on and score runs thanks to all the Orioles' young boppers. If he hits farther down the order, he will have a chance to rack up a decent amount of RBI.

The ATC projections have Urias hitting 13 home runs with 51 runs and RBI. That is a strong stat line for a post-400 pick. That stat line is also only in 125 games, and if he somehow plays 140+, we could be looking at 15/60/60 and a solid batting average. Do not sleep on Urias as your drafts get into the deeper rounds.

 

Robinson Cano, New York Mets

NFBC ADP: 505

Yeah, this is not a typo. Cano is being drafted post-pick 500. When you think about it, it makes sense. Cano missed all of the 2021 season due to another PED suspension. He was coming off three straight seasons where he hit no more than 13 home runs but still hit for an excellent average. As he gets older, the power is deteriorating, but the average stays solid.

Cano spent the winter playing in the Dominican Winter League, hitting .300 over 43 at-bats. No home runs, but the bat is coming back. He also missed some time due to a back injury which is always a concern. Injuries aside, Cano becomes a much better gamble with the NL adding the DH. The Mets do have many moving pieces that could affect playing time for Cano, but for now, we should expect him to play DH and get a fair share of at-bats. He makes for an exciting gamble after pick 500.

 

Michael Chavis, Pittsburgh Pirates

NFBC ADP: 564

Chavis was traded to the Pirates last year, and the change of scenery may have done some good for Chavis. Over 42 plate appearances with the Pirates, he hit .357 with four extra-base hits, including a home run. The .452 BABIP is not sustainable, but the massive improvements from his time in Boston are welcome. Chavis also had a 9% barrel rate with a 50% hard-hit rate, and hard-hit skills have never been a question about Chavis.

He heads into the 2022 season with a chance to see somewhat regular at-bats between second base, first base, and the DH. The ATC projections have Chavis playing in 111 games with 404 plate appearances, a .241 average with 15 home runs. That is outstanding after pick 550. If he somehow locks in an everyday role, we are talking a 20+ home runs this late in the draft. There is a tremendous amount of upside with taking a chance on Chavis.

 

Richie Palacios, Cleveland Guardians

NFBC ADP: 724

It's time to gamble on a second-base prospect, and this prospect may not even see the Major League roster in 2022. However, the Guardians are selling, so a spot is likely to open up, as well as the chance Andres Gimenez still can't figure it out in the bigs. If either happens, then Palacios could get a chance. Palacios has been raking in the minors. He hit seven home runs between Double-A and Triple-A last year while stealing 20 bases and hitting over .290.

The 24-year-old Palacios has a nice power and speed combination, which could be a game-changer for your fantasy team after pick 700. But he could also never see the light of day making your 50-man roster now a 49-man roster. He is super risky, but the risk may be worth the reward if you are confident in the rest of your roster.



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy baseball app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, sleepers, prospects & more. All free!



More Fantasy Baseball Advice




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Jake Burger

to Miss an Additional 2-3 Weeks
TreVeyon Henderson

Signs Rookie Contract
Christian Watson

Goes on PUP List
Austin Riley

Hopes to be Activated Next Week
Ketel Marte

Lands on Restricted List After Burglary
Ricky Pearsall

Heads to PUP List
Brandon Aiyuk

Placed on PUP List
Luther Burden III

Signs Rookie Deal
Washington Nationals

Eli Willits Expected to Sign Contract on Saturday
Grayson Rodriguez

Being Shut Down Again - Will We See Him Again This Year?
Ezequiel Tovar

Activated and Back in Lineup on Friday
Max Fried

"Hopeful" to Pitch Next Week - Looks Like He'll Avoid IL Stint
Steven Kwan

Receives Injection in Wrist, Considered Day-to-Day
CJ Abrams

Back to Start Second Half
Alec Bohm

Back From Rib Injury on Friday
Trey Hendrickson

Holdout to Spill into Regular Season?
Jalen McMillan

Bucs Offensive Coordinator Not Forgetting About Jalen McMillan
Levi Onwuzurike

to Miss at Least Four Games
Nick Emmanwori

Seahawks, Nick Emmanwori Reach Agreement on Rookie Deal
Max Holloway

Set For Main Event
Brandon Lowe

Back From 10-Day Injured List
Dustin Poirier

Set For His Final UFC Fight
Roman Kopylov

Set For Co-Main Event
Paulo Costa

Returns At UFC 318
Luis L. Ortiz

to Remain on Leave for Another Month - Will he Pitch Again?
Daniel Rodriguez

Looks For Third Win In A Row
Kevin Holland

Set For His Fourth Fight This Year
Dan Ige

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
MMA

Patricio Freire Set For His Second UFC Fight
Daniel Zellhuber

Set To Open Up UFC 318 Main Card
Michael Johnson

Looks For Third Consecutive Win
Elijah Arroyo

Signs Rookie Deal
Jaydon Blue

Described as "Borderline Lazy"
T.J. Sanders

Bills Sign T.J. Sanders to Rookie Deal
Christian Wilkins

Raiders Put Christian Wilkins on PUP List
Jabari Small

Lions Add Jabari Small to Backfield
Quinshon Judkins

Remains Unsigned, Won't Report With Rest of Rookies
Mason Taylor

Agrees to Rookie Contract with Jets
Hendon Hooker

Leading Lions QB2 Battle Entering Training Camp
Ozzy Trapilo

Agrees to Rookie Contract with Bears
Tate Ratledge

Agrees to Rookie Contract with Lions
Jack Bech

Signs Rookie Contract with Raiders
Yegor Chinakhov

Requests Trade
Dakota Joshua

Maple Leafs Acquire Dakota Joshua
Lukas Dostal

Signs Five-Year Extension with Ducks
Shemar Stewart

Not Practicing With College Team
Eugenio Suárez

Eugenio Suarez Expected Back Friday
Damian Lillard

Returning to Portland
Paul Skenes

Pirates Could Preserve Paul Skenes in Second Half
Brooks Barnhizer

Grabs 19 Points, Nine Boards in Summer League Win
Jeremiah Fears

Scores 22 Points in Summer League Loss to Thunder
Isaiah Collier

Collects 17 Points In Summer League Win
Caleb Houstan

Joins Hawks
AJ Johnson

Erupts for 25 Points in Summer League Loss
Washington Wizards

Leaky Black Logs Double-Double in Loss to Jazz
Connor Norby

Undergoes Surgery, Expected to Miss 6-8 Weeks
Trey Alexander

Tallies 25 Points in Losing Effort
Johni Broome

Records Second Consecutive Double-Double
Jahmir Young

Has Historic Summer League Outing
Rob Dillingham

Plays Big Role in Wednesday's Win
Tyrese Proctor

Erupts for 35 Points Against Kings
Cody Williams

Leads Jazz to Victory Against Wizards
LeBron James

Mavs Not Interested in "Gutting its Roster" For LeBron James
Josh Hart

Undergoes a Procedure on Right Finger
Jake Burger

Goes on 10-Day Injured List With Quad Strain
Sal Frelick

Dealing With Grade 1 Hamstring Strain, TBD for Start of Second Half
Chris Sale

Plays Catch
Los Angeles Clippers

Bradley Beal Heading to Los Angeles to Join Clippers After Contract Buyout
Rayan Rupert

Scores 24 Points in Summer League Win
Derik Queen

Collects Third Consecutive Double-Double in Summer League Loss
GG Jackson II

Records 13 Points in Summer League Action on Tuesday
Johni Broome

Logs Double-Double Against Wizards
DaRon Holmes II

Records Double-Double in Summer League Loss to Raptors
Kyle Schwarber

Named All-Star Game MVP
Harris English

Takes Stellar 2025 Performance to The Open Championship
Aldrich Potgieter

Seeks Better Result in Northern Ireland
Cameron Young

Likely to Hang Around at The Open Championship
Cameron Smith

Just Trying to Make the Cut at Royal Portrush
Jordan Spieth

Is Jordan Spieth Still a Natural for Links Style Golf?
Patrick Reed

a Viable Option at The Open Championship
PGA

Sungjae Im Wants to Rebound from Last Experience at Royal Portrush
Xander Schauffele

Looks to Defend His Claret Jug at Royal Portrush
Tony Finau

Trying to Turn Tide at Royal Portrush
Daniel Brown

Seeks a Rebound at The Open Championship
Rory McIlroy

Will be the Most Watched Player This Week at Royal Portrush
Daniel Berger

Trending Poorly as The Open Championship Looms
Clayton Kershaw

Retires Both Batters In ASG Appearance
Eugenio Suárez

Eugenio Suarez Hit In Pinky In All-Star Game, X-Rays Negative
Robert MacIntyre

Hoping to Bounce Back at Open Championship
Shane Lowry

Hopes to Repeat at Royal Portrush
Brian Harman

Hopes to Rekindle Some Magic at the 153rd Open
UTA

Michael Carcone Returns to Utah on One-Year Contract
Bowen Byram

Signs Two-Year Deal with Sabres
Morgan Barron

Jets Re-Sign Morgan Barron for Two Years
PGA

Chris Gotterup Punches Ticket to Royal Portrush With Win at Scottish Open
Bryson DeChambeau

Hopes to Reverse Links Golf Struggle at the 153rd Open
Keegan Bradley

Needs to Find The Weekend at Royal Portrush for Ryder Cup Hopes
Justin Thomas

Finishes Tied For 22nd at Genesis Scottish Open
Scottie Scheffler

Finishes Tied For Eighth at Genesis Scottish Open
Jon Rahm

Finishes in Second at LIV Andalucia
Tallison Teixeira

Suffers First-Round TKO
Derrick Lewis

Scores First-Round TKO
Stephen Thompson

Loses Controversial Split Decision
Gabriel Bonfim

Wins Controversial Split Decision
Calvin Kattar

Gets Outclassed At UFC Nashville
Steve Garcia

Extends His Win Streak
Nate Landwehr

Gets Knocked Out
Morgan Charrière

Morgan Charriere Scores Third-Round Knockout
Austen Lane

Suffers Submission Loss
Vitor Petrino

Scores First-Round Submission In Heavyweight Debut
Tuco Tokkos

Earns His First UFC Win
Chase Elliott

Charges to A Finish of Third At Sonoma
Chase Briscoe

Finishes Second With his First Career Road-Course Top-Five at Sonoma
Christopher Bell

Rollercoaster Day Ends With Top-5 Finish at Sonoma
William Byron

Maintains the Regular-Season Points Lead
Kyle Busch

Earns A Hard-Fought Top-10 Finish At Sonoma
Alex Ovechkin

Not Thinking About Retirement
PIT

Penguins Acquire Arturs Silovs
NHL

Nikolai Kovalenko Returns to Russia
Tyler Reddick

Evades Near Upset to Remain Alive in In-Season Challenge
Ty Gibbs

One of Three Tylers to Make In-Season Challenge Semifinals
Kyle Larson

Curiously Mediocre at Sonoma Before Late-Race Crash
NASCAR

John H. Nemechek Edges Out Teammate to Make In-Season Challenge Semifinal
Alex Bowman

Ty Dillon Bumps Alex Bowman to Advance to In-Season Challenge Semifinal
Shane Van Gisbergen

Can Anyone Beat Shane van Gisbergen at Sonoma?
Tyler Reddick

Better at Sonoma Than Record Shows
Chase Elliott

a Prime DFS Option at Sonoma
Michael McDowell

Struggling a Bit at Sonoma
NASCAR

Christopher Bell Has Never Finished Better Than Ninth at Sonoma
Ryan Blaney

Has Top-10 Upside at Sonoma
NASCAR

Sunday at Sonoma Will Likely Be a Long Race for Bubba Wallace
Kyle Larson

Is A Likely Top-Five Contender for Sonoma
Ryan Preece

Points Position Could Affect Race at Sonoma
Todd Gilliland

Struggling to Find Speed at Sonoma
Ty Gibbs

May be an Underrated Favorite to Compete for the Win at Sonoma
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF