One of my favorite topics to write about is post-hype sleepers, and I’ve been looking forward to this article. These are former top prospects who faced injuries or performance struggles, making them overlooked in fantasy. I love writing about these players because their talent once made them elite prospects, yet struggles dropped their value. Talent doesn’t disappear, injuries or early MLB struggles just take the shine off. Many of these names will go undrafted but could become waiver-wire steals. Here are six post-hype sleepers I’m watching in spring training and keeping on my scout team list.
Post Hype Sleepers eligibility:
- Must be a former top 100 prospect at some point per MLB or BA
- Must still have prospect status or not eclipsed a full year of service time
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6 Post Hype Prospects for 2025 Fantasy Baseball
Brooks Lee SS/2B | Minnesota Twins | Best Prospect Rank: 2024 MLB #18
A product of Cal Poly, where his father is the head coach, Brooks Lee has hit at every level from college to the pros. The only time he batted below .290 was in his first taste of Triple-A in 2023. He repeated the level in 2024 and dominated, slashing .308/.368/.606 with eight homers in 114 plate appearances. That earned him his MLB debut, where he struggled, hitting .221 while dealing with injuries. If history repeats itself, Lee is primed for a breakout in 2025. Despite an ADP of 405, he’s battling Edouard Julien for Minnesota’s 2B job. He makes consistent contact (~15% K rate, ~10% BB rate) with solid exit velocities (86 mph avg, 107.4 mph max). His biggest issue is chasing outside the zone (>35% O-Swing%), but he still makes 60% contact on those pitches. As he refines his approach, expect him to be more selective, driving better results across the board.
Now Brooks Lee takes Cole yard! Lee has a homer and a 107 MPH single off the right field wall in two at bats 👀 https://t.co/ovspSivZ5A
— Twins Central (@TwinsCentral1) March 6, 2025
Zac Veen OF | Colorado Rockies |Best Prospect Rank: 2022 MLB #22
Did you see Zac Veen’s first spring homer? Of course you did, it took over social media for 24 hours, thanks to his monster shot and bat flip nearly drilling the pitcher. His power-speed combo has always been intriguing, with 40 homers and 134 steals across 343 minor league games. Injuries derailed his development, wiping out his prospect hype and limiting his 2024 production. This spring, he’s bounced back, hitting .278 with two homers and five steals in 42 plate appearances. He could return to Triple-A since he only has 21 games there, but a strong spring could earn him a roster spot. Veen has solid contact skills (87% zone contact, ~13% swinging strike rate), and health is his only real concern. Even if he starts in Triple-A, expect him in the big leagues at some point in 2025.
Rockies prospect Zac Veen crushes one 433 feet and provides an EPIC bat flip 😱 #SpringTraining pic.twitter.com/5Cr1RwNztm
— MLB (@MLB) February 22, 2025
Zebby Matthews SP | Minnesota Twins | Best Prospect Rank: 2025 BA #73
What Zebby Matthews did in 2024 is being overlooked. He pitched across four levels, from High-A to the majors, and had twice as many starts as total walks in the minors. That led to an absurd 16.29 K/BB ratio, which might be one of the best ever. For reference, the best MLB K/BB ratio was 11.625 by Phil Hughes in 2014. Matthews struggled in his MLB debut, allowing 11 homers in 37.2 innings, leading to a 6.69 ERA. However, his slider and changeup both had a 30%+ whiff rate, and his fastball sat 95 mph, touching 97. He’s currently the Twins’ No. 6 or No. 7 rotation option, behind Simeon Woods-Richardson, Chris Paddack, and David Festa. While he may start in Triple-A, he’s shown he can dominate minor league hitters and is ready for the big leagues. Even if he goes undrafted, expect him to start games in 2025. Elite command shortens the learning curve, and Matthews should become fantasy-relevant this season.
SP Breakout Candidate: Zebby Matthews
– 3rd lowest BB% (3.3%) in pro ball last year
– 30.5 K%, 15.3% SwStr% in the minors
– Fastball averages more than 95mph
– Posted a 20.5% SwStr% with his slider in MLB (185 pitches)
– 3.78 SIERA in 37 MLB innings, the ERA was trashed (6.69)… pic.twitter.com/ECCvkAPoMt— Jon Anderson (@JonPgh) February 13, 2025
Curtis Mead 3B/2B | Tampa Bay Rays | Best Prospect Rank: 2023 MLB #33
Australia native Curtis Mead has had a winding path, which isn’t surprising given how the Rays handle prospects. If this spring is any indication, though, he’s ready to contribute. Once considered one of the minors’ best pure hitters, he slashed .298/.390/.532 between Double-A and Triple-A in 2022-23. His development stalled due to limited MLB opportunities, playing just 62 big league games over the past two seasons while hitting .244 with two homers. This spring, Mead leads all hitters with a .576 average (19-for-33), one homer, and just three strikeouts. The Rays’ infield is crowded with Yandy DÃaz, Brandon Lowe, and Junior Caminero locked into starting roles. Jonathan Aranda is projected at DH, but Kevin Cash loves platooning, so Mead should see time at DH or fill in at 2B. His exit velocities have improved, jumping from an 83.5 mph average EV in 2023 to 88.8 mph in 2024. His MaxEV also climbed from 108.1 to 112.4 mph. He pairs that with a 10.5% swinging strike rate and 86.8% zone contact rate, both above average. Mead has hit at every level, and if Tampa gives him regular at-bats, we’ll finally see how good he really is in 2025.
It's utterly insane that Curtis Mead has done what he's done so far in Spring Training
13-for-17 is absurdpic.twitter.com/LS6qtKiQjX
— Rays The Roof (@RaysTheRoofTB) March 6, 2025
Endy Rodriguez C | Pittsburgh Pirates | Best Prospect Rank: 2023 BA # 23
Endy RodrÃguez was set to be the Pirates’ everyday catcher in 2024 before an elbow injury sidelined him for the season. Now healthy, he’s showing shades of his 2022 self in spring training. That year, he hit .323 with 25 homers, 95 RBIs, and an 11% walk rate across four minor league levels. So far this spring, he’s slashing .364/.517/.591 with a 24% walk rate and just a 6.9% strikeout rate. Beat writers speculate he’ll start in Triple-A due to a roster crunch, but his performance could force the Pirates’ hand. If he makes the roster, Henry Davis likely shifts to an OF/1B/DH role, and RodrÃguez could push Joey Bart for starts. Let’s not forget Henry Davis was last year’s breakout catcher prospect but flopped, and Joey Bart has struggled for years. Catcher is thin in fantasy, with only a few elite options that require an overpay. Most managers will look for late-round options, and RodrÃguez is one to consider. If he starts in Triple-A, watch for a late April or early May call-up.
https://twitter.com/Pirates/status/1896287443352953155
Jack Leiter SP | Texas Rangers | Best Prospect Rank: 2022 MLB # 17
No prospect’s hype has faded more than Jack Leiter’s. Once the top talent in the 2021 draft, he fell off top 100 lists by 2024. He rebounded in Triple-A last season, posting 77 IP, 12.86 K/9, and a career-best 4.09 BB/9. That earned him a call-up, but major league hitters crushed his fastball. Aware of the issue, Leiter revamped his arsenal and it has looked dominate this spring. Adding a 2-seamer and “Kick” changeup, both have gotten good results this spring. Per @TJStats on X.com, his new arsenal grades at 109 tjStuff+ (100 is average). His 4-seamer (98-100 mph) grades at 111 Stuff+, the 2-seamer (98 mph) at 102, and the Kick change at 107. Leiter was mostly a two-pitch guy in 2024, but these additions should keep hitters off his fastball. With Cody Bradford and Jon Gray injured, he’s likely in the Rangers’ Opening Day rotation. His 10.97 K/9 and 2.53 ERA this spring make him a strong breakout candidate. If you get the chance, take the late-round flier.
Jack Leiter, K'ing the Side. 👀 pic.twitter.com/Q3LogVlsjP
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) March 11, 2025
Follow me on X: @ProspectsOnWes | Get an early start on your 2025 Draft Prep with the updated Top 500 Dynasty Rankings. | Then check out my Top-400 Overall Fantasy Prospects
