Overlooked Fantasy Baseball Players Worth a Roster Spot

With some players already being placed on the DL, such as BJ Upton, Ichiro Suzuki, Scott Baker, Alex Rodriguez, Joe Mauer, and Troy Glaus, there are some fantasy owners in need of a decent replacement.

I have constructed a list of a few guys that I feel are worthy of a roster spot, either as a fill in, or a guy you can rely on the majority of the year.

Billy Butler, 1B, Royals

I'm pretty high on this guy, he is first base and DH eligible, so he has added value in DH leagues. He's only 23 years old and has a lot of upside, so if he's available in a deep keeper league I'd scoop him up. Otherwise I say he is a decent start. Last year he hit 11 home runs in 443 at bats while driving in 55 runs. Look for him to improve this year. Butler is owned in 10.9 percent of leagues.

Denard Span, OF, Twins

Last year he hit .294, scored 70 runs, hit six home runs, drove in 47 runs, and stole 18 bases in only 347 at bats. He will be batting lead-off while shifting throughout all the out field spots. Span is one of my top sleepers this year, he is owned in 8.5 percent of leagues.

Rick Porcello, SP, Tigers

Porcello is set to make his major league debut April 9 against the Blue Jays. He is one of the top pitching prospects in baseball, but he is only owned in 5.5 percent of leagues. Either pick him up and stash him away or keep your eyes on him.

Ryan Spilborghs, OF, Rockies

Spilborghs is a cheap source of power and speed, in limited action last year he hit six home runs and stole seven bases, while hitting .313. He has potential for a 10/10 season, he goes undrafted in most drafts, and is owned in 19 percent of leagues, scoop him up if you can.

Chris Getz, 2B, White Sox

Getz will be batting second to start the season but may move to lead-off pending the success of the current leadoff guy, Dewayne Wise. Getz is another guy with 10/10 potential. He has decent power and speed. Getz is owned in 6.9 percent of leagues.

Ian Stewart, 3B, Rockies

Right now Stewart is only 3B-eligible in most leagues, but he will be playing 2B and he will also be getting time in OF. Last year he hit 10 home runs and drove in 41 runs; he's another cheap source of power. He needs to improve on his strikeouts. Stewart is a swinger (baseball talk, people) so he's going to strike out, but had shown improvement last year. He is owned in eight percent of leagues, and is worth a look.



Jordan Schafer, OF, Braves

Last year Schafer tested positive for HGH and served a 50 game suspension. Despite that I really like him this year. He has the speed and the power, he is playing tonight I'd pick him up and give him a shot. Schafer is owned in 6.9 percent of leagues.

These are a few guys I have high hopes for this year. There are probably safer options out there, but these guys have tremendous upside. Take a look at them for your team, as I did.

*percentage owned was found using ESPN's fantasy baseball system*