Ask The Experts: Vlad Sedler (FTN Fantasy)
Vlad Sedler (FTN Fantasy) tackles a series of hard-hitting outfield-centric fantasy baseball questions in the lead up to spring training.
We’ve recruited a star-studded lineup of fantasy analysts for the remainder of The Buzz’s ongoing positional preview series to tackle pivotal questions at each position group that include their draft strategy tips, insights on top prospects and favorite sleeper candidates, arming savvy fantasy managers with the insider knowledge required to dominate their leagues.
This week’s guest is no stranger to trusting their gut. Vlad Sedler is the driving force behind fantasy baseball coverage at FTN Fantasy where they just released their jam-packed 2025 Fantasy Baseball Draft Guide. Make sure you check it out. He’s one of the most influential fantasy analysts out there. I can’t think of anyone better suited to break down some of the most challenging questions for fantasy managers in the lead up to spring training.
What are your expectations for Ronald Acuña Jr. in his return from knee surgery?
Whether or not to target and draft Acuña at or around his ADP is one of the biggest conundrums this draft season. It is an easier decision for volume drafters as they would be wise to snag a few shares when he falls past his ADP. For those drafting just a couple of leagues, it's wiser to target a healthier, studly player in the second round. A third-round Acuña is much more palatable than a second-round one. If I were to predict how things go for him: he returns in late April, starts off slowly, people complain, and he then crushes for the remaining 4.5 months. — Vlad Sedler
Who are you more confident in returning to form: Julio Rodríguez or Corbin Carroll?
I expect both hitters to return to form this year and return first-round fantasy value. I prefer Carroll because of lineup context, home park (better than Julio's) and the extra speed. Both have an outside shot at finishing as the 1.01 this season. Don't think we can go wrong drafting either guy, especially if it's towards the end of the first round of 12-teamers. — Vlad Sedler
Who makes a bigger fantasy impact next season: James Wood or Wyatt Langford?
This is an incredibly tough question, though I expect both to take yet another step up in 2025. Earlier this draft season, Wood was my preferred choice by a hair. Though working through my projections model (FTN VDP), Langford currently comes out ahead. Both could be 25 (HR) - 25 (SB) bats, but Langford should have the advantage in the counting categories, runs and runs batted in. Hitting in a primo lineup slot around guys like Marcus Semien, Corey Seager, Adolis Garcia and Josh Jung is a truly blessed opportunity. The Nationals will have a better offense than last season and Wood is the guy more likely to hit 30 dingers this season. — Vlad Sedler
Are you targeting Mike Trout at his current NFBC ADP (131st overall)?
It is tempting but I am not since I've usually already absorbed injury risk on my fantasy squads by this point in the draft - usually in the form of Jacob deGrom or Christian Yelich. I'd love to see Trout have one more phenomenal season, but that requires avoiding the IL, which is something I don't believe he will be able to do given his lower body issues over the last few seasons. — Vlad Sedler
Who’s your favorite sleeper pick?
I have so many but the one hitter who really stands out is San Francisco Giants outfielder, Jung Hoo Lee. Lee has had an ADP around 250, which is a steal for a guy who is legitimately one of the elite pure hitters in baseball. He apparently is healthy and should easily provide fantasy profit for those who invest. Lee won't hit more than 15-20 homers, but that's not what we're buying him for — it's the elite batting average, possibly in the .295 - .310 range. Lee will most likely be the Giants leadoff hitter, though there have been whispers about him hitting out of the three-hole between Willy Adames and Matt Chapman. If that ends up being the case, we project him for less runs but more RBIs. — Vlad Sedler
Who’s your bust pick?
This may sound crazy and against the grain, but I'll go with Dylan Cease. It comes down to cost where he's being drafted as the SP10 in NFBC ahead of more reliable (at least to me) pitchers such as Cole Ragans, Framber Valdez and Pablo Lopez. There's no doubting that Cease has a filthy arm and that the 222 strikeouts he's averaged over the last four seasons are valuable. My issue is his control - the fact that he's posted some of the league's highest walk rates among starting pitchers. Moreover, Cease is the one guy in this range most likely to post an ERA greater than 4.00 and there have been rumors floating about possibly being traded. There are pitchers available a few rounds later who I like just as much if not more. — Vlad Sedler