3 Busts to Avoid in 2021 Fantasy Baseball Drafts

MLB's Opening Day is going to be here quicker than you know it and that means it's time to start preparing for 2021 fantasy baseball drafts. It is important to choose top tier talent to fill out your starting roster as well as a few sleeper picks to put your team over the top.

It's also vital to avoid picking busts in your drafts. Players that end up as busts simply do not live up to expectations or fall short of their projections for their overall draft slot. With that in mind, here are three busts to avoid in 2021 fantasy baseball drafts.

1. Jose Abreu, 1B, Chicago White Sox

Jose Abreu is due for some regression after a career season. / Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Yes, Jose Abreu won the AL MVP award last season after leading the league in RBI and total bases. However, that is exactly what makes him a player to avoid this season. He is due for some regression and his career season has completely driven his draft price up. He is currently being drafted towards the end of the third round and as the No. 36 player off of the board, according to FantasyPros' Average Draft Position (ADP) data. For a player that is entering the season at 34 years old, it is unlikely to see him repeat his statistics from last season. Abreu will have a solid season and remain a consistent hitter, but using that kind of draft capital on him is likely not worth it.

2. Teoscar Hernandez, OF, Toronto Blue Jays

Teoscar Hernandez's power doesn't make up for his lack of contact. / Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

Teoscar Hernandez is the perfect example of a fantasy player that excels in some categories, but severely lacks in others. He heads into the season with the capability to hit 30+ home runs, but will likely also hit below a .250 batting average. Hernandez had a poor 30.4 strikeout percentage in 2020 and saw his walk rate decrease from 9.7 to 6.8 percent. He is a career .237 hitter and really only brings his power skills to the table. The lack of other fantasy baseball benefits makes Hernandez a possible bust candidate at his current ADP of No. 78 overall.

3. Dinelson Lamet, SP, San Diego Padres

Dinelson Lamet may have a rough go of it in 2021. / Matt Thomas/San Diego Padres/Getty Images

As for pitchers, Dinelson Lamet may have a tough time living up to expectations in 2021. He is currently being drafted as the No. 31 pitcher off the board, which means he is going to be a SP3 on most fantasy teams. However, he may not even be the San Diego Padres' third starter given how strong their starting rotation is now. Lamet missed the end of the 2020 season due to a bicep injury and it's possible that it lingers over into the start of this season. Plus, Lamet currently throws just two pitches in a slider and four-seam fastball. Hitters may figure him out sooner than later and that means he could end up as a bust this season.

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Larry Rupp is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Larry Rupp also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username phillyfan424. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.

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