Hype is gone, but fantasy potential is not

IN A world in which a 30 percent success rate is considered good, you would think the fantasy baseball community would be a more patient and forgiving group.

It is not, and in this world in which the need for instant gratification runs rampant, there is no patience anymore when it comes to player development. Youngsters either hit l i ke a champ or pitch like an ace right out of the gate, and if they don’t, they are tossed atop the scrap heap the following season.

But savvy fantasy baseball players know better than that. Player development can take time. It is up to you to understand skills win out over immediate performance in the long run.

We can still view highly touted prospects who fail to immediately turn into Mike Trout as potential high-end talent. They are called post-hype sleepers.

The middle infield is loaded with these types of players this season, Cubs shortstop Addison Russell, for example. Once a highly touted prospect with the Athletics, Russell landed with the Cubs in 2014 and was thrown into the fire at just 21 years of age. His rookie campaign in 2015 lacked excitement, and he struggled to hit for power or average.

He took a step forward the following year, improving his power totals and plate discipline, but still hit just .238. Last season, shoulder issues kept him from taking another step forward, and his subpar performance has him rapidly falling down draft boards — making him an ideal late-round grab.

For late-round speed, you can also look to Reds infielder Jose Peraza and Diamondbacks shortstop Ketel Marte. If it is power you covet, the Blue Jays continue to give Devon Travis the chance to prove himself despite a rash of injuries.

Use the fantasy community’s short memory to your advantage. While they f ight for the next group of up-and-comers, you can focus on proven talent early and forgotten skill-sets late.