Sandy Alcantara (SP, MIA) - Fantasy Baseball Draft Sleepers

BALLER MOVE: Draft target ~ 250

CURRENT ADP: ~297 overall

ANALYSIS: Sandy Alcantara was once the jewel of the Marcell Ozuna trade, grading out as a solid pitching prospect with the potential to develop into a number two or three starter. Now entering his age-24 season, Alcantara showed some encouraging signs in September, providing optimism for growth in 2020.

The most noticeable improvement was in his strikeout-to-walk ratio, with an 8.6 percent increase in the month of September, Alcantara seemed to have an increased level of comfort and confidence on the mound. We also see a 4.3 percent increase in groundball rate during September, which shows that Alcantara was able to induce more weak contact. He was able to provide high volume for a rebuilding Marlins team in 2019, so we can safely project more of the same in the upcoming shortened season.

Alcantara’s best pitch is his four-seamer, averaging 95.6 MPH with a strong spin rate and earning a 10.1 Pitch Value. His arsenal also includes a changeup, curveball, sinker, and slider. The curveball (.270 xwOBAcon) induced weak contact, while the changeup (17.3 SwStr%) missed bats. This is a young pitcher who has proven to log a lot of innings and showed intriguing improvements in control and batted ball profile. He’ll also toe the rubber in a pitcher-friendly environment at Marlins Park. Alcantara warrants a selection past pick 250 in your fantasy drafts. His strong September provides glimpses of upside for this 2020 outlook.