The MLB lockout is dominating the offseason headlines, but most believe there will still be a 2022 Major League Baseball season. That means it’s time to start 2022 Fantasy baseball draft prep, and there are familiar names near the top of the 2022 Fantasy baseball rankings like Shohei Ohtani, Juan Soto and Mookie Betts. But with big names like Freddie Freeman, Carlos Correa and Kris Bryant still unsigned, there will be many tough calls to make when making your 2022 Fantasy baseball picks.
There’s still plenty of dust to settle this offseason, but you can still get an edge in your Fantasy baseball draft prep. Who are the 2022 Fantasy baseball busts, breakouts, and sleepers you need to know? Before going on the clock, be sure to see the 2022 Fantasy baseball cheat sheets and rankings from the proven computer model at SportsLine.
Last season, SportsLine’s Projection Model identified several top Fantasy baseball sleepers, breakouts and busts, including reliever Brad Hand.
The team at SportsLine was all over Hand as a Fantasy bust from the start, and he went on to lose his job as a closer as he bounced around between three teams. He had a disastrous 7.57 ERA in a stint with the Blue Jays later in the season. Their model had him listed much lower than expert consensus rankings, and anyone who listened to their advice avoided a major speed bump that could have derailed their season.
Their model is powered by the same people who powered projections for all three major Fantasy sites. And that same group is sharing its 2022 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 the updated 2022 MLB schedule or Fantasy baseball injuries, the team at SportsLine updates its projections. Go to SportsLine now to see these proven Fantasy baseball cheat sheets.
Top 2022 Fantasy baseball sleepers
One of the 2022 Fantasy baseball sleepers the model is all over: Brewers second baseman Kolten Wong. The 31-year old came up with the St. Louis Cardinals before joining the Brewers prior to the 2021 season. After his numbers were declining late in his St. Louis tenure, he saw increases as he joined a powerful Milwaukee lineup last year. His .272/.447/.783 slash line was one of the best of his career.
His power numbers jumped too as he hit a career-high 14 home runs and drove in 50, marking just his third career 50-plus RBI season. He’s still a threat to steal double-digit bases as well after he swiped 12 last year. Even though the latest 2022 Fantasy baseball ADP shows his going off the board around pick No. 136 overall, he’s actually a better value than second basemen such as Brandon Lowe (ADP of 75), Marcus Semien (97) and Jean Segura (104), according to SportsLine’s model.
Top 2022 Fantasy baseball breakouts
One of the 2022 Fantasy baseball breakouts the model is all over: Cleveland Guardians pitcher Aaron Civale. The 26-year old started 22 games combined in 2019-20 before taking on a more full-time load in 2021 with 21 starts. He went 12-5 with a 3.84 ERA last year, so while he’s certainly already proven himself on some level, SportsLine’s model still believes he’s ready to break out into a high Fantasy tier this season.
Even with an ADP well outside the top 100, he’s providing similar value to top-70 picks like Shane Bieber, Logan Webb and Sandy Alcantara. And he’s a clear-cut better-value than Aaron Nola (ADP of 70), Brandon Woodruff (67) and Corbin Burnes (69), so Civale is an up-and-comer you can wait on and get high-level production from later in drafts.
Top 2022 Fantasy baseball busts
As for players to avoid, the model has pinpointed Texas Rangers 2B/SS Marcus Semien as one of its top 2022 Fantasy baseball busts. After putting up massive numbers on a one-year deal for Toronto last season, Semien cashed in with a massive seven-year, $175 million deal with the Rangers. And while the Rangers have clearly upgraded their lineup, Semien won’t have as much protection as he had in Toronto. A repeat of his .265/46/102 explosion seems unlikely.
He’s going off the board around pick No. 97 and is still a very viable Fantasy option. But SportsLine’s model is projecting more points for Wong, Segura and Jake Cronenworth — all players being picked outside the top 100. Tommy Edman and DJ LeMahieu, who are going off the board several rounds later, can also bring similar production, so Semien is a player to avoid early in 2022 Fantasy baseball drafts.
How to find proven 2022 Fantasy baseball rankings
SportsLine is also high on a surprising starting pitcher who lands in the top five of its positional rankings. This player is barely going off the board in the top 100 picks, but is projected to outperform starters such as Julio Urias, Max Scherzer and Lucas Giolito. This pick could be the difference in winning your league or going home with nothing. You can only see who it is here.
So which 2022 Fantasy baseball busts, breakouts, and sleepers should you target or fade in your drafts? Visit SportsLine now to get 2022 Fantasy baseball rankings for every single position, all from the model that called Brad Hand’s disappointing season, and find out.