Mid-season Sleeper Winners and Losers
Now that we're at the mid way point of the season, I'm going to take a look back on some of the sleeper/breakout/bounceback predictions I made pre-season, and see where they stand today. I know some of them have panned out and others have not. As much as I would like to highlight my awesomeness so far with my correct picks, I'm humble enough to show the ones I was completely wrong about so far as well. Here's my first batch starting with some outfielders I thought would be good sleeper candidates.
Winners:
Mark Trumbo, OF, Orioles - The Orioles got Trumbo in the off-season for next to nothing and it's proved to be one off the better moves made in all of baseball. Trumbo has emphatically put his name back on the map with and outstanding season thus far that see's him leading the majors in homers through 84 games. Trumbo went undrafted in most leagues this year but has been one of the most productive hitters at his position. The main reason I chose Trumbo as a sleeper this year was due to the ball park he would be hitting in, Camden Yards, one of the most hitter friendly parks in the league. I predicted him flirting with 30+ long balls and 85+ RBI, and he's a good bet to surpass my predictions as well as his career highs in every offensive category.
Mid-season numbers: 52 Runs, 96 Hits, 26 HR, 64 RBI, and a .285 AVG
Jackie Bradley Jr, OF, Red Sox - Highlighted by a 29-game hit streak, Bradley Jr has already passed his career highs in every offensive categories in only 77 games this year. He came alive late in the second half last year which helped him solidify his spot in the lineup. I believed Bradley Jr. would be able to carry over that momentum and confidence into this season and he's made me look good in doing so by doing just that.
Mid-season numbers: 50 Runs, 85 Hits, 14 HR, 54 RBI, and a .293 AVG
Marcell Ozuna, OF, Marlins - Ozuna had a bit of a breakout year in 2014 by compiling 72 R, 23 HR, 85 RBI, and a .269 AVG. With those numbers, expectations were high going into the 2015 season, unfortunately for him he struggled mightily and was sent to the minors as a result. So going into the 2016 season, Ozuna wasn't on many people's fantasy radar, which is why I viewed him as a prime sleeper candidate. He's worked well with co-hitting coach Barry Bonds and has put last seasons dreadful season behind him by already surpassing most of last seasons offensive numbers.
Mid-season numbers: 52 Runs, 97 Hits, 17 HR, 47 RBI, and a .310 AVG
Michael Saunders, OF, Blue Jays - A freak injury de-railed Saunders debut year with the Blue Jays as he was only able to play in nine games before he was shut down for the season. Coming into the 2016 healthy and motivated, Saunders came out of the gate wanting to show why the Blue Jays signed him. In 75 games this year, he's already mashed 15 HR's, only four off his career high, and driven in 37, just 20 off his career high, all of which will be surpassed so long as he remains on the field.
Mid-season numbers: 46 Runs, 86 Hits, 16 HR, 40 RBI, and a .296 AVG
Losers:
Mikie Mahtook, OF, Rays - This one was a semi loss as him being successful was contingent upon him making the team out of spring training, which he did not. Mahtook has played in 24 games thus far but the inconsistent playing time has contributed to a weak season thus far.
Until next time,
the wiz
