MLB 2020: Sleepers and players set to break out this season

Every baseball season produces its share of unexpected success stories – players who may not have had much fanfare entering spring training, but who take the playing time they're given and make the most of it. 

There are also players who have plenty of raw talent, but haven't quite figured out how to channel it in the proper direction – at least, not yet.

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Fantasy baseball owners are always on the lookout for the next wave of breakouts and sleepers, so we're doing some digging through the rosters of all 30 MLB teams to find the best candidates at each position for the 2020 season:

Catcher

Breakout: Will Smith, Dodgers — Already a top-tier fantasy catcher with just 54 games under his belt, Smith hit 15 homers with 42 RBI as a rookie. Expect him to push 30 home runs in 2020 and for years to come.

Sleeper: Sean Murphy, Athletics —  One of the top prospects in Oakland’s system, Murphy flashed some power (.566 slugging) in his 20 big-league games last season and is expected to be behind the plate on opening day.

Matt Olson had a 23.7% home run-to-fly ball rate last season, tops among all American League first basemen. (Photo: Kelley L Cox, USA TODAY Sports)

First base

Breakout: Matt Olson, Athletics —  He hit 36 homers with 91 RBI in just 483 at-bats last season and has to be considered one of the top first basemen on draft day.

Sleeper:Michael Chavis, Red Sox — He's expected to platoon with Mitch Moreland, but Chavis certainly showed what he was capable of as a rookie, driving in 44 runs in his first 63 games. He'll be a good source of power, and additional eligibility at second base makes him an appealing option for your roster.

Second base

Breakout: Keston Hiura, Brewers — His .303/.368/.570 slash line as a rookie was no joke. With his combination of power and speed, he could put together a monster season.

Sleeper:Robinson Cano, Mets — The veteran's first season in Queens was unfortunate, but Cano did hit .338 in his last 80 at-bats and is a pretty safe bet to bounce back (at least to a serviceable level) in 2020.

Shortstop

Breakout: Willy Adames, Rays — Overall numbers weren’t fantastic in his first full season, but expect the 24-year-old to carry over the momentum from a strong finish (.289/.353/.464 in August/September).  

Sleeper:Didi Gregorius, Phillies — It’s a great opportunity to buy low on Gregorius – who averaged 24 homers from 2016-2018 – as he moves to another hitter-friendly home ballpark.

Third base

Breakout: Tommy Edman, Cardinals — Steals are always a hot commodity and Edman (15 in 92 games) is someone who may fly under the radar in drafts. Expected to play outfield as well this season, the 24-year-old will offer positional versatility as the year goes on.

Sleeper:Travis Shaw, Blue Jays —  He endured a miserable 2019 in Milwaukee, but could thrive in a new environment with the Blue Jays after averaging 32 homers and 94 RBI in 2017 and 2018.

Outfield

Breakout:Eloy Jimenez, White Sox —  Fellow phenom Luis Robert may dominate the headlines this spring, but Jimenez came on strong down the stretch as a rookie, batting .308 with a .917 OPS in August and September. He could make a huge leap this season.

Sleeper:Kyle Lewis, Mariners — Penciled into Seattle’s opening day lineup, the 24-year-old has tremendous power, as evidenced by his six homers in an 18-game September call-up.

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Starting pitcher

Breakout: Eduardo Rodriguez, Red Sox — The 26-year-old lefty put it all together last year, winning 19 games with a 10-2 mark and 2.95 ERA in the second half. Walks remain an issue, but there’s still room for improvement on the already-strong 9.4 K/9 he posted in 2020.

Sleeper: Zac Gallen, Diamondbacks — Traded by Miami at the deadline, the young righty continued to pitch well in the desert. Based on his minor-league track record, that 10.9 K/9 rate over 80 MLB innings is no mirage.

Relief pitcher

Breakout: Taylor Rogers, Twins — Rogers managed 30 saves in 2019 despite not seeing the bulk of the opportunities early in the season. Expect even more with the job in hand from Day 1. 

Sleeper: Hunter Harvey, Orioles —  A first-round pick in 2013 who underwent Tommy John surgery in 2015, the 25-year-old finally reached the majors last year and should get hold (and possibly save) opportunities in 2020.

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