Sleepers in fantasy sports do not necessarily have to be players taken late in drafts. A sleeper simply means a player you value more than consensus. Sleepers could be a player you simply expect to outperform their ADP. Being able to find sleepers is one of the keys to success, especially in fantasy baseball. Below are my favorite second base sleepers for 2025.
5 Second Base Sleepers To Target
Gleyber Torres, Detroit Tigers
One concern that fantasy baseball managers may have with Gleyber Torres is his move from Yankee Stadium to Comerica Park in Detroit. The Yankees had one of the most hitter-friendly stadiums last season, while the Tigers had one of the most pitcher-friendly. Over the last three seasons, they ranked 18th (NYY) and 21st (DET) in park factors. Though Detroit may not have as productive a lineup as New York, Torres should still perform well.
Playing in the Tigers’ lineup may actually benefit Torres in 2025. Because the Yanks were so deep last season, he spent just 56 games hitting in the top third of the lineup. He spent his other 95 games batting fifth or later. Torres also played better in some ways outside of Yankee Stadium last season, hitting more homers and posting a better batting average in away games.
Currently, Torres has an ADP of 208 and has been drafted after players like Nico Hoerner, Luis Arraez, Brice Turang, Andres Gimenez, Bryson Stott, Luis Rengifo, and Xander Bogaerts. According to Steamer projections, Arraez is the only one of them that projects for more PAs. None of those players project for more games played than Torres. Out of this bunch, Torres projects for the most home runs and walks, the second most runs and RBI, and the third-best wOBA and wRC+. He has been overlooked in drafts and should be valued higher than 2B15.
Zack Gelof, Athletics
According to several projection systems, Zack Gelof projects for a 20/20 season. He hit 17 homers last season, while stealing 25 bases, to go along with 60 runs, 49 RBI, and a .211 AVG. He has been drafted as 2B18 so far this offseason, going around pick 220.
Fantasy managers seem to be afraid of the batting average, and rightly so. Gelof posted a 34% strikeout rate in 2024, along with a horrendous 65% contact rate. Those issues led to an AVG just above the Mendoza line. Still, we should look at his stat line from last year as his floor. He could improve on all of those numbers in 2025, considering Gelof has basically no competition for playing time at second base. The Athletics have also improved the team around him, which helps make the case for Gelof being much more productive in year three.
Gelof has a ton of value where he is being drafted and makes for one of my favorite second base sleepers this season.
Brandon Lowe, Tampa Bay Rays
Another one of my favorite sleepers at second base is Brandon Lowe. Injuries have hampered Lowe the last three seasons, limiting him to 281 games during that span. A (hopefully) healthy Brandon Lowe presents more value than 2B22, with that injury history seeming to drive his ADP down to the 240s.
The Rays have a lot of options at second, but they could also play him at DH to help combat some of the injury issues. Even with the injury-riddled seasons, Lowe has been productive when given time to play. He started 107 games last year and 109 games in the previous season, and hit 20 home runs in both.
Here is a blind resume. Which player would you rather have?
Player A: 25 home runs, 73 runs, 69 RBI, six steals, .233 AVG
Player B:Â 19 home runs, 66 runs, 69 RBI, eight steals, .264 AVG
You may lean towards Player B because of the slight steals advantage and the upper hand in AVG. If so, you chose Jordan Westburg, who has an ADP of 95, about 150 picks before Lowe (Player A).
Lowe’s value hinges on his health, so fantasy baseball managers have to gamble a little in drafting him. Still, he could be a huge steal and one of the best keepers in fantasy baseball this year if things pan out.
Jonathan India, Kansas City Royals
Jonathan India played well last season for Cincinnati, posting 15 home runs, 84 runs, 58 RBI, 13 steals, and a .248 AVG. It was his his second season in a row with double-digit steals and home runs, and the third time in four seasons he did it. He projects to do the same thing again this season, while also improving his AVG.
This season, he will play for a Royals team that should be one of the top teams in baseball. India should also get the bulk of the playing time at second base, after playing in a crowded Cincy infield. This should allow him to score plenty of runs. Only five second basemen project for more runs this season. The Royals also ran the 11th most last season, so India should get the green light to steal. He was only caught twice last season in 15 attempts and might get more opportunities to swipe some bags in Kansas City.
India does not hit the ball very hard, which will limit his power, but he pulls and drives the ball well. He also projects for a well-above-average OBP, the seventh-highest for second basemen. That gives him added value in points leagues.
India should go earlier in drafts, and this value makes him a major sleeper this season.
Willi Castro, Minnesota Twins
Willi Castro has a 242 ADP as 2B21, but could return much more value this season. He stole a career-best 33 bases in 2023. Castro also tallied career-bests with 12 home runs and 89 runs last season. He has the ability to improve on both in 2025, which could be a career year for him.
The Twins do not list Willi Castro atop any position in their depth chart, but he has eligibility at four positions in most fantasy leagues. That positional flexibility adds a ton of value, especially in deep leagues. It can be hard to find productive at-bats at certain positions, making him a great late pick.
Below, you will find another blind resume.
Player A: 10 home runs, 64 runs, 55 RBI, 35 steals, .254 AVG
Player B: 14 home runs, 78 runs, 60 RBI, 22 steals, .243 AVG
The edge in steals and AVG goes to Player A, but Player B outperforms him in the other roto categories. Player A is Brice Turang, who is 2B8, going 100 picks before Player B – Castro.
That is the definition of a sleeper and makes Castro one of my top second base sleepers this season.
Who are your favorite second base sleepers for 2025? Comment your opinions below. For more of the great fantasy baseball rankings and analysis you’ve come to expect from FantraxHQ, check out our full 2025 Fantasy Baseball Draft Kit! We’re here for you all the way up until Opening Day and then on into your championship run.
I am not sure India will hit 10 HR this year. 11 of his 15 HR in 2024 were at Great American SmallPark and he will not call that home in 2025. It seems that many players who are successful in GABP leave Cincinnati and become much less valuable.
Royals had a top-10 hitters park last season, and there’s a good chance India gets the bulk of the 2B playing time. I think he will produce.
Your Blind resume for Willi Castro isn’t so much that Castro is under priced but rather Brice Turang is over priced.
MI taken about the same time as Willi Castro that I would take before Willi Castro include Maikel Garcia, Jackson Holliday, Tyler Fitzgerald, Colt Keith and Brandon Lowe. I would consider taking Zack Gelof before him. I would not take India before Castro because I feel leaving GABP for KC is going cause India to take a hit in both HR and SB.
I have no idea on if Torres will be good or a wasted pick so I will follow my rule and let someone else draft him and draft someone I feel more confident in.
I love your choice of Brandon Lowe. I also love Kristian Campbell at his current draft position. Colt Keith and Maikel Garcia are also intriguing picks.
My biggest question is Why are people drafting Jackson Chourio and Jackson Merrill in the second round and Langford in the 4th round based upon their 2nd half turn arounds but ignoring what Colt Keith did?
Both can be true about Castro and Turang. I’d also take Lowe, Gelof, and Fitz ahead of Castro. Colt Keith doesn’t steal and doesn’t have 20/20 potential, so those players are top 50 overall type of players and he isn’t.