Next up in our 2024 fantasy baseball Team Sleepers and Busts series, we will focus on the Cincinnati Reds. As a rising team, the Reds have some rather intriguing sleeper options to consider for your fantasy baseball draft. Because of this, let’s discuss two of their top sleeper candidates and also discuss their biggest possible bust now.
Cincinnati Reds Sleepers & Busts for 2024 Fantasy Baseball
Draft Day Steals
Nick Lodolo, SP
The 2023 campaign was supposed to be pitcher Nick Lodolo’s breakout season. Instead, it was a nightmare. The southpaw was limited to only seven starts due to a left tibia injury, and he suffered a setback in August during a rehab start. When healthy, he also struggled, as he had a 6.29 ERA and allowed 10 home runs. While the former top prospect had a tough season, fantasy baseball managers should still watch him this season.
Lodolo showed as a rookie in 2022 that he has high potential. In 19 appearances, he had a 3.66 ERA and 131 strikeouts. Now that the 26-year-old is good to go, he’s a prime bounce-back and breakout candidate. If he stays healthy and takes that next step, he will be a steal of an addition to your fantasy baseball team in 2024.
Spencer Steer, 1B
Another young Reds sleeper whom fantasy managers should consider taking a chance on is Spencer Steer. The 26-year-old had an outstanding 2023 season and emerged as an everyday player in the process. In 156 games, he had 23 home runs, 86 RBIs, and a .271 batting average. He showed a nice blend of power and contact in his first full season with the Reds. He also was a threat on the base paths, as he had 15 stolen bases. Now, his goal is to take another step forward. If he does, he will be a big-time addition to your fantasy baseball roster.
While Steer had an excellent 2023 season, he certainly may fly under the radar in some leagues. This is because there are plenty of big-name first-basemen in the league. However, once you start to see the star players get off the board, Steer is a player to seriously consider this season. He has the potential to hit 30 home runs and reach 100 RBIs if he takes another step forward.
Draft Day Busts
Jeimer Candelario 3B/1B
One Reds player who has the potential to be a bust this season is Jeimer Candelario. After a strong 2023 season split between the Washington Nationals and Chicago Cubs, Candelario landed a three-year, $45 million contract with the Reds earlier this winter. In 140 games last season, he set new career highs with 22 home runs and 70 RBIs. He also had a .251 batting average. However, it is far from a guarantee that he will produce similar numbers in 2024.
Candelario notably struggled during the 2022 season, as he had a .217 batting average in 124 games with the Detroit Tigers. He also has never put up power numbers to the level he did last season, so expecting him to top 20 home runs next season may be a tall ask. As a result, there are some red flags with Candelario that fantasy managers must be aware of.
Nevertheless, it will be interesting to see how these three perform in 2024 from here. Lodolo is a bounce-back candidate, Steer is looking to take another step forward, and Candelario’s goal is to prove that last season was not a fluke.
For more of the great fantasy baseball rankings and analysis you’ve come to expect from FantraxHQ, check out our full 2024 Fantasy Baseball Draft Kit! We’re here for you all the way up until Opening Day and then on into your championship run.
Re Candelario and “he also has never put up power numbers to the level he did last season, so expecting him to top 20 home runs next season may be a tall ask” – he also has never had a home field as HR-friendly as Great American Smallpark, either.