Kevin Gausman (SP, BAL) - 2015 Fantasy Baseball Sleeper

BALLER MOVE: Target in Late Rounds

ANALYSIS: With a high-90s fastball and a splitter that misses bats at a high rate, Kevin Gausman will likely be a popular sleeper pick in 2015 fantasy baseball drafts. Gausman reached the majors in 2013 and pitched 47.2 innings. He was a confident pitcher who reared back and trusted his stuff. Hitters often missed, but when they connected, they did serious damage. Despite a 9.5 K/9 and a 2.45 BB/9, he allowed an 18.4% HR/FB and a .328 BABIP. As a result, he posted a 5.66 ERA.

Gausman made a tradeoff in 2014: he took something off his pitches and aimed more for the corners, willing to increase walks (3.02 BB/9) and decrease strikeouts (6.99 K/9) for lesser contact (5.8% HR/FB and a .304 BABIP). He finished 2014 with a 3.57 ERA. Gausman is worth the hype due to his upside, and if he improves his secondary pitches, as is reasonable to expect for a young pitcher, he will significantly exceed his ADP.