We are all looking for an edge over our opponents when drafting our future fantasy squads. One of the strategies for drafting a successful team is researching players who will outperform their draft positions. Here at FantasyJuice we consider these players “sleepers.”
As we near fantasy baseball drafting territory, FantasyJuice will analyze some of these “sleeper” players and let you decide if they are worthy of a draft pick.
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The have one of the deeper starting rotations and farm systems in the Major Leagues. Some fantasy-worthy players are bound to get lost in the structured chaos of a good farm system. is one of these players. Though he has been consistently ranked a top prospect by scouts, he still is not garnering the fantasy recognition he deserves.
After developing his game in the minors over the last six seasons, Davis finally got the call to start for the Rays at the end of the 2010 season.
His minor league numbers are impressive, with a career 3.29 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, and a 8.7 K/9 ratio. These are not the flashy numbers of some other top prospects, like of the Rays, for example, but Davis has been ranked as high as the #17 prospect in baseball by Baseball America.
Through six starts for the Rays in 2010, Davis managed a 3.72 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, and slightly exceeded his minor-league K/9 with a 8.9 ratio. This is obviously a small sample size, but Davis appears to be ready to up his game in the majors.
Analyzing his hit percentage of 31% shows that Davis is around the league average of 30%. This suggests his ERA was not the benefit of good defense or luck last season. He should hover slightly below 4.00 ERA next season with a solid strikeout rate.
Looking at popular mock draft sites, Davis is currently being taken around pick #300 in drafts. That is 25th round territory for most 12-team leagues. He is falling below pitchers like , , and who will not post as impressive K/9 rates and do not possess Davis' upside.
It will be a small gamble on a younger player in most leagues but, considering his minor-league performance over the past six seasons, managers should be eager to draft Davis before the 25th round.
