2023 MLB Fantasy: Five Infield Sleepers To Watch This Season

Everyone is looking for value in fantasy baseball drafts, particularly in the later rounds. There is talent to be found, and we’ve got five MLB infield sleepers that are worth a look for the 2023 season.

Brandon Belt

We’ll start off with new Blue Jays first baseman Brandon Belt. Belt spent most of 2022 on the IL, but it’s hard to forget about what he’s done in his career. Even though he hit just .213 last year, the career .261 hitter has shown a very good feel for making good contact in his career. Not to mention, he can be a sneaky source of power. While one shouldn’t expect a 29 home run campaign again, Belt could hit 15-20 if he can stay healthy.

A patient hitter who could also be a solid source of runs scored in a strong Blue Jays lineup, Belt should be available in most leagues — and be someone on your radar.

Eduardo Escobar

Mets infielder Eduardo Escobar was one of the hottest hitters in all of baseball in the second half of last season. The switch-hitter cranked eight home runs in the month of September, which helped give Escobar his fifth 20+ home run campaign of his career. While he didn’t come close to the 90 RBIs he accumulated with Arizona and Milwaukee in 2021, the 34-year-old drove in a respectable 69 runs for a deep Mets club.

Escobar can be rather streaky, but he’s the kind of player that can be a difference-maker when he’s hot.

Jorge Mateo

We now move to one of the curious ballplayers in the league in Jorge Mateo. The Orioles shortstop boasts plenty of speed; the 27-year-old stole 35 bases in 2022. That figure was good for second in Major League Baseball last season, only behind Marlins utilityman Jon Berti (41). However, an aggressive approach at the plate played a role in Mateo hitting just .221 last season.

Mateo’s second half (.241 BA, 27 RBI in 230 PA) proved to be better than the first (.205 BA, 23 RBI in 303 PA), but his questionable approach at the plate is concerning. Still, his stolen base potential can’t be ignored — especially if you need some swipes.

Oswald Peraza

Yankees infielder Oswald Peraza pushed his way into the lineup late last season, and did well when called upon by manager Aaron Boone. Peraza hit .306/.404/.429 with four extra base hits (one HR) in 57 plate appearances, and has followed that up with a good spring. As of March 18, the 22-year-old owned a .387 OBP and recorded six hits in Spring Training.

Peraza showcased good pop and base-stealing ability in the Minors, two traits that should serve him well in the 2023 campaign in New York.

Spencer Torkelson

Tigers infielder Spencer Torkelson did not get his career off on the right foot last spring. The top pick in the 2020 MLB Draft hit just .203 over 404 plate appearances in 2022, before a demotion to Toledo (AAA). Torkelson hasn’t shown the power stroke he had in the Minors and at Arizona State thus far in the spring, but he has hit .270 with a home run as of March 18.

A naturally gifted power hitter with great plate discipline and immense potential, fantasy players can’t ignore Torkelson. After all, he could break out and be a very valuable hitter this season.