Top 3 Sleepers for Steals in 2021 Fantasy Baseball Season

The 2021 MLB season is approaching, which means preparation for fantasy baseball drafts is in full swing. Here at The Duel, we're outlining not only the best overall options, but some sleepers as well who can push your roster over the top if they pan out.

With that in mind, here are three sleepers for steals during the 2021 fantasy baseball season.

Top 2021 Fantasy Baseball Sleepers for Steals

3. Manuel Margot, LF/CF/RF, Tampa Bay Rays

Manuel Margot is the kind of deep sleeper that could play a big role down the line this fantasy season. He was tied for fourth in steals last season with 12 despite playing in just 47 games and posted the best OBP (.327) of his career. The Rays ranked in the top 10 for steals attempted per game last season (0.82), so they won't be afraid to let their speedster loose if he can continue to get on base.

2. Tommy Pham, LF/DH, San Diego Padres

Tommy Pham is one of our overall sleeper picks for the 2021 fantasy season, and his steal potential is certainly there. The outfielder nabbed just 6 steals in 2020, although his OBP (.312) was uncharacteristically down from his career average of .369. His 2019 campaign should provide reason for optimism, when he stole 25 bases, posted a .369 OBP, and drew a career-high 82 walks (which placed him No. 18 in the majors). On a San Diego Padres roster that was second last year in stolen bases attempted per game (1.14) and entering a more normal MLB season, Pham's steal numbers should rebound. And as the 37th outfield being selected per FantasyPros' Average Draft Position (ADP) data he there's for the taking for savvy managers.

1. Jonathan Villar, 2B/SS, New York Mets

Jonathan Villar played for two different teams during the unpredictable 2020 MLB season, and his numbers suffered, with the infielder posting an OBP (.301) below his career average (.327) and falling to 18th among second basemen in Yahoo! fantasy scoring. However, Villar still managed to nab 16 stolen bases, which placed him second in the majors. He's also just one season removed from swiping 40 bases in 2019 and registering the second-best OBP (.339) of his career. Villar is falling into the 200s in some drafts, per ADP, which is too low for someone of his caliber.

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