Top shortstop sleepers in 2020 fantasy baseball

Shortstop is a position with a huge amount of star power. There are four shortstops, Francisco Lindor, Trevor Story, Trea Turner, and Alex Bregman, who can lay claim to first round status. In addition, Javier Baez, Fernando Tatis Jr., and Gleyber Torres have the upside of top 20 picks. Chances are, you'll land one of these studs on draft day. That being said, you can still grab great value late to stash at middle infield or the utility position.

Here are several sleeper targets at shortstop going outside the top 150 in NFBC drafts.

Corey Seager

My Rank: 15
Expert Consensus Rank: 18
NFBC ADP: 153

I wrote this article specifically targeting Seager. I thought I was going to have to sneak him in ignoring the "outside the top 150" rule. I was stunned to see him going legitimately outside the top 150! Seager has long been debated among fantasy analysts. I've even been a detractor of his, but not this season. In 2019, Seager hit .272 with a .817 OPS in 134 games. Both were career lows. Keep in mind, Seager was returning from multiple injuries sustained in 2018. After a slow start, Seager was his normal self. From June 1st onward, he hit .288 with 12 home runs, 46 runs, and 58 RBIs. That paces out to 25 homers, 96 runs, and 121 RBIs. Little known secret, the Dodgers have a pretty good offense. Seager should rack up a ton of counting stats. He has top 30 hitter upside if he stays healthy.

Didi Gregorius

My Rank: 21
Expert Consensus Rank: 23
NFBC ADP: 200

The case for Sir Didi is similar to that of Seager's. Gregorius was great for three seasons prior, then got hurt and his injury lingered and dragged down his 2019 numbers. But from 2016-2018, Gregorius averaged 24 homers, 81 RBIs, and 77 runs. Solid numbers. I see similar production coming in 2020 with even more counting stats now that he'll be in a better lineup spot with Philadelphia.

Dansby Swanson

My Rank: 24
Expert Consensus Rank: 24
NFBC ADP: 256

Swanson was enjoying a breakout season until it was derailed by a heel injury. Through the first 100 games of 2019, Swanson hit .265 with 17 home runs, seven steals, 57 RBIs, and 64 runs. That's top 50 value. In addition, Swanson's expected stats were great. A .271 xBA, .480 xSLG, and .347 xwOBA. This leads me to believe Swanson could be even better in 2020. The former first overall pick is a steal going outside the top 250 in drafts.

Jon Berti

My Rank: 25
Expert Consensus Rank: 25
NFBC ADP: 259

Speaking of steals. Do you need some cheap speed? Look no further than Jon Berti of the Marlins. Berti finished 2019 with the big league club and swiped 16 bags over the final 50 games. That's a 50-steal pace! He was 98th percentile in sprint speed, y'all! Now entering his age-30 season, Berti will be overlooked by many, especially casual players. He broke out when most were focusing on that football game—plus, he plays for the Marlins. Use that to grab him towards the end of your drafts.

Carter Kieboom

My Rank: 26
Expert Consensus Rank: 27
NFBC ADP: 291

When a highly touted prospect debuts and fails he usually falls down fantasy owners' draft boards. This is what is happening to Carter Kieboom. Kieboom was up for 11 games in 2019, hitting a lowly .128 and striking out 16 times in just 43 plate appearances. However, in the minors, Kieboom slashed .303/.409/.493 over 109 games at Triple-A. He also posted a .68 BB/K ratio in the minors compared to his absurd .25 BB/K ratio at the major league level. The top Nationals prospect opens camp as the primary third base option. Kieboom will look to put up numbers more closely in line with his minor league output in 2020.

And that’s it for sleepers at shortstop!