Fantasy Baseball: Late-Round Targets at Each Position for 2017

Starting Pitcher: Vincent Velasquez and Jharel Cotton

It's easy to understand why Vincent Velasquez is available as a late-round target given the health concerns that popped up last year. But when he's healthy, he can certainly help your teams.

In 131 innings in 2016, Velasquez had a 27.6% strikeout rate and 11.2% swinging-strike rate, both of which were top-25 marks among starters who threw at least 120 innings. He did walk a few too many with an 8.2% walk rate, and his ground-ball rate is non-existent, but you won't be hurting for strikeouts here.

The injury concerns make him a good player to track during the spring, and his last start was a bit bumpy. In 3 2/3 innings, Velasquez issued four walks while striking out six. He had walked just one batter in 5 1/3 innings prior to that outing, but the closer we get to Opening Day, the more concerning those free passes become. This is something to keep in mind when deciding between your cheaper assets.

With Velasquez, his price is baking in a good amount of risk. He's the 59th pitcher off the board on ESPN, behind guys like Bartolo Colon and Hisashi Iwakuma who can't sniff his upside. That makes Velasquez a solid option if you're willing to inherit risk with your pick.

Jharel Cotton is even cheaper as the 73rd starter off the board, and he has similar potential. In five big-league starts last year, Cotton had a 12.5% swinging-strike rate, validating the 28.2% strikeout rate he had in Triple-A between the Oakland Athletics and Los Angeles Dodgers. With a manageable 7.1% walk rate that dipped lower following his trade to Oakland, he seems to be a really solid arm.

Cotton really doesn't fit the mold of a "last resort" pitcher you tag when you're out of other options. He's a legitimate piece you should be targeting even if you don't necessarily need another pitcher. You'll have to monitor his ADP because it is starting to creep lower, but he'll likely be worth wherever he winds up.

Other candidates: Sean Manaea, Taijuan Walker, Robbie Ray