Joe Ross (SP, WAS) - 2016 Fantasy Baseball Sleepers

TARGET: ~170

CURRENT ADP: 207

ANALYSIS: It’s not a given that Ross will have a spot in the Nationals’ 2016 starting rotation, but he is definitely a favorite and I’d be approaching him as if the #5 spot is his. The upside is too good.

Not only does he pitch for a Nationals team that gets to face the Phillies, Braves, and Marlins, but he also happens to be a strong pitcher in his own right. He throws three pitches, relying on a strong fastball to anchor a sinking slider that he threw 35.6% of the time and a changeup that he would also sprinkle in. His swinging strike rate was impressive in his 2015 big league action at 11.9%, though his first strike rate was 114^th out of all starters who had logged at least 70 innings.

That doesn’t seem likely to change, as he relied on control in the minor leagues in lieu of real “put away” stuff and might feel more confident in throwing something challenging to open an at bat, but the strikeouts should be there for owners. Mix in a ground ball rate that a hair shy of 50% (49.8) and you’ve got a 3.42 FIP that I believe in. Don't let him slide on by, grab Tyson's little brother here before someone only drafts him because his ADP pushes him into the draft window.