If we really wanted to, we could make our 2021 pitching sleepers list 50 names long. Check that -- 150. There's no shortage of potential SP breakouts and values leading up to draft day, and between the inevitable injuries, surprise prospect call-ups, and need for spot-starters, fantasy baseball owners will find themselves combing the starting pitcher rankings -- both during the late rounds of the draft and on the waiver wire -- more than a few times throughout the year.

Because of the way baseball is trending, strikeouts are easier to find than ever, but no matter how much fantasy owners crave low ERAs and WHIPs and a high likelihood to get wins or quality starts, the most reliable stat remains the easiest to find -- Ks. That makes our job a little tougher, but it just means we need to focus even more on things that might not be traditional fantasy stats, such as BB rate, HR rate, BABIP, FIP, etc. That can help us discern whose ERAs and WHIPsare likely to be palatable once the season starts.

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Heading into 2021, there's another factor that could wreak havoc on rotations -- innings limits. No pitcher had a "normal" workload last A.J. Bouye Jerseys year, which could be particularly worrisome for young pitchers. Such pitchers compromise the bulk of this list, so keep that mind. Depth and flexibility will be key this year, as plenty of pitchers who don't start the year on major league rosters with have major league impacts. That doesn't nece sarily mean you should draft them, but if you have IL or minor league spots, make sure to take advantage of them.

Also, don't be afraid to make moves early. Our sleeper lists try to encompa s potential "values" in all types of leagues, from 10-teamers to 14-teamers. Some of the players on this list might not be "sleepers" in your league; others might never be draft-day considerations. If a player on this list isn't drafted, make sure to pay attention to his early-season performance. If your preferred sleeper is struggling, you don't nece sarily have to keep him around. After all, you will make plenty of roster moves this season, so there's no shame in starting early.

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Ian Anderson, Braves.Anderson isn't sneaking up on any fantasy owners this season, not after posting a 1.95/1.08 line with an 11.4 K/9 ratio in six starts with the Braves last year. The 22-year-old rightywon't post such ridiculous numbers this season, but an elite K-rate and low peripherals aren't out of the question. At this point, you probably have to reach for Anderson, so it's tough to say that he really qualifies as a "sleeper," but he certainly has breakout potential and could still outperform his draft position.

Cristian Javier, Astros.In 377 career minor league innings, Javier posted a 2.22 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, and 12.2 K/9 ratio. In 12 appearances (10 starts) last year with the Astros, he posted a 3.48/0.99 line with an 8.9 K/9 ratio. His advanced numbers suggested he was fairly lucky last season, but clearly the 24-year-old righty has Carolina Panthers Pet Gear elite stuff. Regardle s of his role, he'll have fantasy value, and he could be an upper-tier starter as soon as this season.

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Triston McKenzie, Indians.McKenzie has dominated at every strop in his profe sional career (2.68/1.00, 10.8 K/9 in 329 career minor league innings; 3.24/0.90, 11.3 K/9 in 33.1 major league innings last year), so there's no reason to think hecan't excel as soon as this season. A slight frame is the biggest knock on the 23-year-old righty, but given the pitching lineage of the club he plays for, we expect big things.

Kevin Gausman, Giants.At this point in his career, it's not excitingto draft Gausman, but the "journeyman" righty has seen a big uptick in Ks the past two seasons (10.0 K/9 ratio in 2019; Julian Stanford Jerseys 11.9 last year), and his peripherals actually matched his stuff last year(3.62/1.11). Wins are a bit of a worry, but given his home park and modest walk rate, Gausman is a relatively cheap source of production.

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Framber Valdez, Astros.Valdez is dealing with a fractured left ring finger that could force him to start the season on the DL, but that just creates an even bigger value opportunity in drafts for the 27-year-old southpaw. Valdez showed significant progre s last year, pitching to a 3.57/1.12 line with a 9.7 K/9 ratio in 12 appearances (10 starts). Most important, he lowered his BB-rate to 2.0. If he can continue to keep it in between 2.0-3.0, Valdez will strike out enough hitters to produce solid all-around numbers. Keep tabs on his injury, but if he's ready to go before the end of April, he's worth stashing.

Tony Gonsolin, Dodgers.Over the past two Marquis Haynes Jerseys years, Gonsolin has posted a 2.60/0.92 line with an 8.6 K/9 ratio in 20 major league appearances (14 starts). Despite having a low ground-ball rate (37.7 percent), Gonsolin doesn't give up many homers (0.62 HR/9 ratio), which bodes well for his future outlook. His role is certainly up in the air heading into this season, but he'll have value one way or another.

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Sixto Sanchez, Marlins.Sanchez made good on all of his promise in seven starts last year, posting a 3.46/1.21 line with 33 Ks in 39 innings. Perhaps surprisingly, the 22-year-old righty was never a high-strikeout guy in the minors (7.9 K/9 ratio) despite a 97.6-mph average fastball, so that's still something that could develop, but even as is, Sanchez has major breakout potential this year.

Aaron Civale, Indians.Civale is yet another Indians pitcher with a low-BB, solid-K repertoire. He might not be a K-per-inning guy, but the 25-year-old righty won't be far from that threshold. His numbers last year (4.74/1.32, 8.4 K/9) won't jump out at anyone, but Civaleposted a 3.12/1.10 line with a 7.5 K/9 in 381.1 minor league innings, and he seems to be developing more of a Jaycee Horn Jerseys knack for strikeouts as he moves up the ladder. He has late-round gem written all over him.

Josh Lindblom, Brewers.In his first season back from pitching overseas, Lindblom posted a 5.16/1.28 line with a 10.3 K/9 ratio in 12 appearances (10 starts). That doesn't sound great, but it's worth noting he had a 3.88 FIP, and his K-rate certainly suggests he has more upside. His ground-ball rate (26.9 percent) is a concern, but Lindblom should be a steady, high-K, back-end producer.

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Tyler Mahle, Reds.Most fantasy owners have probably streamed Mahle in favorable spots over the past couple years, but the 26-year-old righty mig