Fantasy Baseball 2021: Best Sleepers to Pick Up for MLB Week 5

The Kansas City Royals have been the surprise Major League Baseball story in April.

The American League Central leader carries the best winning percentage in baseball into Wednesday, and its success has triggered a wave of fantasy baseball additions. 

Whit Merrifield and Carlos Santana were expected to be reliable fantasy contributors, but the surprises lie within the pitching staff and the latest waiver-wire pickup could be reliever Josh Staumont.

The 27-year-old has taken control of the save opportunities, and if the Royals keep up their winning ways, he could provide a boost to fantasy players in need of pitching help.

San Francisco's Anthony DeSclafani may be one of the best pitching pickups right now if you need starters. The right-handed hurler is coming off one of the best outings of his career. 

Colorado Rockies first baseman C.J. Cron should also be on your waiver-wire list as he continues to provide power in the heart of the order. 

Staumont picked up saves in his last two trips to the mound against the Detroit Tigers. 

In those two outings, the right-handed hurler did not give up a hit and fanned three batters. He conceded one earned run on three hits in 12 innings of work in April. 

Staumont could be in line for a third save as early as Wednesday since the Royals face the Pittsburgh Pirates, who beat them 2-1 on Tuesday. 

If the Royals pack more of a punch at the plate against Mitch Keller, they could give Staumont a chance to slam the door in the ninth. 

Kansas City's weekend series with the Minnesota Twins may also provide Staumont with save opportunities since the Twins sit in last place in the AL Central. 

Although Minnesota is seven games adrift of the Royals, it may play a few close games at Target Field since each of Kansas City's last seven victories were by four runs or fewer. 

Kansas City returns home next week for series with Cleveland and the Chicago White Sox, two sets of games that could prove it is the top contender in the AL Central. 

If those clashes remain close as well, Staumont could be in for a busy 10-day stretch before Kansas City heads back on the road. 

DeSclafani produced the best pitching performance of the last two days with his complete game shutout against the Rockies on Monday.

The San Francisco right-hander gave up three hits, punched out nine batters and conceded a single walk.

DeSclafani's latest outing was a continuation of a solid start in which he gave up multiple earned runs in one of five appearances. 

What makes the 31-year-old more appealing as a fantasy contributor is the potential to increase his strikeout rate. 

Unfortunately for DeSclafani, he can't pitch against the Rockies in every start. Seventeen of his 30 strikeouts came against his National League West rival. 

DeSclafani has a chance to prove he can record more strikeouts against quality opposition on Sunday versus the San Diego Padres. 

Even if he struggles in that start, he is worth a look with the Texas Rangers and Pittsburgh Pirates on the horizon in May. Texas leads the league in strikeouts, and the Pirates rank 23rd in runs scored. 

Cron has tried to help fill the Nolan Arenado-sized hole that was left in the Colorado lineup. 

Even though the Rockies are the only NL West team with fewer than 10 victories, the 31-year-old has started to succeed on an individual basis. 

Cron has a home run in three of his last five games, including a solo shot in Tuesday's victory over the Giants. 

During that stretch, he has three multi-hit performances and scored multiple runs in two of those contests. 

If Cron provides power outside of Coors Field, as he did on Tuesday, he will come with more fantasy value. 

For now, the first baseman should be viewed as a power threat on home soil, and if he keeps hitting long balls on the road, he could be a solid backup option or a candidate to start in infield or utility roles depending on your league structure. 

Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90.

Statistics obtained from MLB.com.