Fantasy baseball sleepers: Pitchers to target late

PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 01: Luis Castillo
PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 01: Luis Castillo
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Mike Foltynewicz

Last year, Mike Foltynewicz was a popular sleeper in fantasy baseball. After a middling, at best, 2017 campaign, that luster has worn off.

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After a solid 2016 campaign, Foltynewicz was expected to take a step forward, potentially becoming a top of the rotation pitcher for the Braves. Instead, he took fell backwards, posting a 4.97 ERA and a 1.481 WHiP. He struggled with his command, posting a career worst 3.4 walks per nine, and hit ten batters, doubling his career total.

Yet, even with those rough numbers, there were positives for Foltynewicz. His 8.4 K/9 rate was the best of his time in the majors, and he displayed an improved changeup and curve. If Foltynewicz can get all three pitches working at the same time consistently, he could be poised to take that step forward.

Foltynewicz also ran into a bit of bad luck last year. While he has always tended to have a high batting average on balls in play against, opponents hit .332 when putting the ball in play against him last year, a 26 point increase over 2016. With the Braves outfield defense having improved, those numbers could decrease in 2018.

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After fantasy owners were burned by Mike Foltynewicz last year, he may slide down the draft boards. As a late round pick, he could be due for that breakout campaign.