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Preseason fantasy baseball awards: Best late-round value picks

It's called "going back to the well."

We all do it -- even fantasy baseball experts. That's the theme as wee look at our picks for late-round value. It's not the first time some of our five-person staff goes back to the same guy late.

Will Venable is a late-round value pick. (AP Photo)

Bender's pick: Will Venable. OK, so the "going back to the well" thing is mostly about me. I take Venable late every year in our Experts League, but it won't be as easy after he posted 22 HRs and 29 stolen bases in 2013. Venable's power might decrease, but his average is consistent. He's a consistent player. He's also averaged 25.2 stolen bases the last four years. I'm in. 

MORE AWARDS: Breakout hitters | Breakout pitchers

Lutovsky's pick: George Springer. I'm not sure the much-hyped Astros' prospect is going to fall to the later rounds, not after compiling 37 HRs and 45 stolen bases in the minors last season. Springer is new and has double-take totals, and that's enough to inflate his value.

Pinkerton's pick: Matt Adams. The Fantasy Source boss talks about Adams a lot. Like, a lot. He's always watching Adams' at-bats closer than the rest of us in the office. Oh, I see you Brad. There's no doubt Adams can hit -- a .503 slugging percentage in just 296 at-bats is proof of that. When are the Cardinals going to play this guy more? Perhaps Pinkerton has the answer already.

MORE FANTASY BASEBALL: Draft Kit | Join Fantasy Source 

Williams' pick: Oswaldo Arcia.  The prospect went undrafted in our Experts League last season, but he hit .251 with 14 HRs and 43 RBIs in 97 games. Plate discipline is an issue for the soon-to-be 23 year old. He had 117 Ks in 351 at-bats, meaning he strikes out one third of the time. If that doesn't improve, Arcia is an unfulfilled reach. There's nothing wrong with taking a late flier, however.

Valentine's pick: Everth Cabrera. Cabrera's role in the Biogenesis scandal is going to knock him down draft boards, which is fine for owners trolling for stolen bases. Cabrera has 81 steals the last two seasons; third most in the majors. Problem is Cabrera was a .240 from 2009-12, and owners are going to question whether or not he can "do it clean."

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