Steven Souza (OF, TB) - 2015 Fantasy Baseball Sleeper

BALLER MOVE: Target as Low-End OF3

ANALYSIS: Steven Souza can be described as late-bloomer, mainly due to his off-the-field problems, which included a 50-game suspension for a banned stimulant in 2010. Since that time, he has destroyed minor league pitching. He won the International League MVP in 2014 with a .345/.427/.577 line, 18 HR, 77 RBI and 28 SB in 100 games. Souza’s poor showing in September for the Nationals (.130/.231/.391), despite just being over 23 AB, could help to deflate his cost on draft day, making him a great sleeper candidate.

Given his first opportunity to crack an opening day lineup this year, I believe Souza is primed to start producing big fantasy numbers. Now that he is finally getting his chance to play every day, a 20/20 season is not out of the question. Because of his low ranking going into this season (59th outfielder), I see him as a fantastic sleeper candidate to break out in 2015. He represents a low-risk, high-reward option as a third or fourth outfielder on a mixed-league roster.