With the 2025 MLB season nearing, it’s time for fantasy baseball. That means you’re going to need some fantasy baseball sleepers to target in your drafts. Below, we’ve got you covered with our top pitcher and hitter sleepers for the 2025 fantasy baseball season to target in your drafts.
Looking for more fantasy baseball advice for this season? Check out our starting pitcher rankings, and our relief pitcher rankings for your draft.
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Fantasy Baseball Sleepers 2025: Starting Pitchers
Here are the top starting pitcher sleepers to target in fantasy baseball and MLBSZN on PrizePicks.
Reds SP Nick Lodolo — ADP: 224
Similarly, Reds SP Nick Lodolo was plagued by injuries last season and hasn’t pitched over 115 innings since his MLB debut in 2022 battling injuries. His 4.76 ERA may seem concerning at first glance, but his xERA of 3.72 is significantly lower, indicating untapped potential.
Lodolo also boasts one of the highest strikeout percentages in baseball at 25%, and his curveball is among the best in the majors, with an expected batted-ball average of just .168. With the Reds projected to compete for the division title this season, Lodolo’s upside is very appealing as long as he stays healthy.
Red Sox SP Walker Buehler — ADP: 228
Targeting MLB players on proven one-year deals is a smart "buy low" strategy, and Walker Buehler is a perfect example. Coming off his second Tommy John surgery, Buehler is an attractive buy-low candidate, as he’s playing on a one-year, $21.05 million deal with the Red Sox this season.
Although his daunting 5.38 ERA might raise concerns, his xERA of only 4.70 suggests he’s performing at a much more sustainable level. Not long ago in 2021, Buehler was phenomenal — posting 16 wins with a sub-2.50 ERA and a WHIP below 1.
Additionally, last year, he recorded his lowest strikeout percentage since entering MLB in 2017, at just 18%. Buehler appears poised for a rebound on a team like the Red Sox, who are expected to win plenty of games and compete in the AL East.
Phillies SP Jesús Luzardo — ADP: 254
Phillies SP Jesús Luzardo is another intriguing sleeper. Transitioning from an “ace” role on the Miami Marlins into the back of the rotation could allow Luzardo to benefit from veteran guidance and reduced pressure.
Last season, he posted an xERA of just 4.50 alongside a 21% strikeout rate — his lowest since entering MLB in 2019. Despite a down season, Luzardo’s underlying metrics place him in the 80th percentile for his category, and with his arsenal of pitches, he’s well-positioned in his new environment alongside established arms like Aaron Nola and Zach Wheeler.
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Fantasy Baseball Sleepers 2025: Hitters
Here are the top hitter sleepers to target in fantasy baseball and MLBSZN on PrizePicks.
Pirates SS Oneil Cruz — ADP: 43
Pirates SS Oneil Cruz is one of the most intriguing talents in baseball. The 6-foot-7 shortstop, only 26 years old, hit 21 home runs last season and ranks among the top 3% in barrel percentage. His bat speed is second only to Aaron Judge, highlighting his elite power potential.
However, Cruz’s strikeout rate surged to 30% last season — nearly 10 percentage points higher than his 2023 rate — due in part to missed opportunities against fastballs. With a full spring training and a return to regular playing time, Cruz should be looking to lower his strikeout rate while maintaining an expected batting average over .310 and an expected slugging percentage near .600.
With his MVP-like power, Cruz is well-positioned to challenge for a 40+ home run season. While he’s going in the fourth or fifth round of drafts, his upside makes him worth targeting as a sleeper this year.
Athletics OF Lawrence Butler — ADP: 69
A’s OF Lawrence Butler had a remarkable rookie season, ranking in roughly the 80th percentile in key metrics such as expected batting average, barrel percentage, hard-hit percentage, and bat speed.
The 24-year-old increased his home run total dramatically from four in 2023 to 22 in 2024. Impressively, Butler posted an expected batting average above .235 across all pitch types — including fastballs and breaking balls. In the second half of the season, after the All-Star break, he registered 260 plate appearances, hit for a .300 average, and produced 13 home runs with 71 hits. His consistent improvement is something to keep an eye on.
Giants OF Jung Hoo Lee — ADP: 258
Giants OF Jung Hoo Lee was having an outstanding rookie campaign until an injury required surgery, limiting him to just 37 games in 2024 — a small sample that belies his immense potential.
Despite the limited workload, Lee recorded an impressively low 8% strikeout rate over 158 plate appearances, one of the lowest in baseball, with an expected batting average around .300 and a swing percentage under 10%.
A useful comparison for his performance is Cleveland’s Steven Kwan, a player who consistently gets on base by efficiently handling fastballs in 60+ plate appearances. Kwan has posted an on-base percentage above .350 in two seasons along with a .288 expected batting average, underscoring the season-long promise that Lee could similarly deliver.
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The stat options include pitcher strikeouts, saves, home runs, and RBIs, so you can pick several stats to target on any player you like in 2025. Build your Lineup, and follow along throughout the regular season for MLB DFS on The Playbook.
