Fantasy Baseball 2015: Minor League Players to Target in Late Rounds

Pitchers and catchers have yet to report for spring training, but it's never too early to start thinking about fantasy baseball. Getting the draft right from the start can lead to success down the stretch in any league.

Part of winning the draft is taking rising stars who might be sitting on the bench for half the season before getting to the major leagues. Oh, but when they do, they can be lightning rods that propel decent teams to a championship.

Take Wil Myers or Yasiel Puig, for example. Two years ago, both sluggers came in like a wrecking ball—sorry for the Miley reference—and carried their teams. As a result, both hit over 13 home runs and 40 RBI to give valuable production to owners in need.

As players across the country begin filling out draft boards, it's time to figure out who those valuable minor league prospects will be this year. Here's a look at some of the players to consider along with the top position player and pitcher to target.

Player	Team	Position	ADP
Kris Bryant	Chicago Cubs	3B	120.3
Joc Pederson	L.A. Dodgers	OF	228.3
Dalton Pompey	Toronto Blue Jays	OF	278
Steven Souza	Tampa Bay Rays	OF	290.8
Byron Buxton	Minnesota Twins	OF	384
Aaron Sanchez	Toronto Blue Jays	RP	257.8
Carlos Rodon	Chicago White Sox	SP	324
Andrew Heaney	L.A. Angels	SP	348.5

Full list of average draft positions can be found at FantasyPros.com.

Top Offensive Player: Kris Bryant, Chicago Cubs

USA TODAY Sports

Last season, there wasn't a true breakout star after the All-Star break for fantasy players. Sure, Billy Hamilton was solid and Jose Abreu was a beast, but both started the season with their clubs. This year, it's likely that third baseman Kris Bryant might offer that Puig or Myers effect from 2013.

He might still get the opportunity to start the season with the Chicago Cubs, but he will be brought along slowly. Even if he hits the Opening Day roster, don't expect him to have a ton of success immediately. With just one full minor league season under his belt, getting adjusted to MLB won't be easy.

However, his talent was great enough for Keith Law of ESPN.com to list him as his top prospect for 2015: 

"

Everyone is aware of Bryant by now, after his pro baseball-leading 43 home runs and a .325/.438/.661 line across two levels in his first full year in the minors. Bryant is the best prospect in baseball for 2015, a true middle-of-the-order bat who should be in the Cubs' Opening Day lineup for the next six-plus seasons.

"

A former Golden Spikes Award winner at the college level, Bryant will flourish this season for the Cubs. Much like Myers in 2013, though, a lot is contingent on when he actually arrives at the MLB level. Ray Flowers of BaseballGuys.com pointed that out:

Whenever Bryant does officially get his chance to prove himself, he shouldn't have any difficulty getting into the lineup. Mike Olt mans third for now, but Bryant has a strong enough bat to overtake him.

Meanwhile, the two corner outfield spots are filled with Chris Coghlan and Jorge Soler, so he might get his first shot in the outfield. Taking all of this into account, drafting Bryant in the later rounds might not have a big payoff now, but it might lead to the playoffs later. 

Top Pitching Prospect: Carlos Rodon, Chicago White Sox

Andrew Nelles/Associated Press

If you haven't heard, the Windy City is rocking after this offseason; however, the talent coming in before the winter was enough to get MLB's attention. Along with Bryant, Carlos Rodon has the potential to be the next star in Chicago.

In fact, the two top prospects already have a bit of history. Rodon and Bryant were teammates on the USA Baseball collegiate national team in 2012. Now, they are counterparts in a huge rivalry between the crosstown clubs.

Fantasy players are already paying attention to both, but it's Rodon that might be coming into a more comfortable situation. The White Sox already have talented starters, but they simply need a fifth pitcher to anchor the rotation.

Rodon has already started preparing for his opportunity by improving his repertoire, per MLB:

Chris Sale is at the top of the rotation with Jeff Samardzija and Jose Quintana slotting in afterward. With the talent that Rodon brings to the big leagues, he might squeeze in right after Quintana and give fantasy owners depth in case of an injury.

Jim Callis of MLB.com believes he'll eventually be just as solid as Chicago's current ace, per Dan Hayes of CSN:

Much like Bryant, the track for Rodon is somewhat unknown at this point, but with the talent he provides and the potential for star power this season, missing out on him in the late rounds will be a regrettable decision.

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