The 2024 MLB season has kicked off with two games between the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres in Seoul, South Korea.

And with Opening Day officially taking place on Thursday, fantasy baseball managers are taking to the draft room to compile the teams they hope will earn them a league championship.

The big names will fly off the board early and often, but the hidden gems and sleepers are the players who provide depth and prove to be the difference between victory and defeat.

Ahead of the official start of the season, here are the top 30 picks in fantasy this year and two under-the-radar players out of the AL East worth taking a chance on.

Top 30 Rankings

The top 30 rankings in fantasy baseball this year are:

1. Ronald Acuna Jr., RF, Atlanta Braves. 
2. Mookie Betts, SS, Los Angeles Dodgers. 
3. Fernando Tatis Jr., CF, San Diego Padres. 
4. Juan Soto, LF, New York Yankees. 
5. Bobby Witt Jr., SS, Kansas City Royals. 
6. Corbin Carroll, OF, Arizona Diamondbacks. 
7. Freddie Freeman, 1B, Los Angeles Dodgers. 
8. Aaron Judge, CF, New York Yankees. 
9. Spencer Strider, SP, Atlanta Braves. 
10. Julio Rodriguez, CF, Seattle Mariners. 
11. Kyle Tucker, RF, Houston Astros. 
12. Matt Olson, 1B, Atlanta Braves. 
13. Yordan Alvarez, LF/DH, Houston Astros. 
14. Trea Turner, SS, Philadelphia Phillies. 
15. Francisco Lindor, SS, New York Mets. 
16. Bryce Harper, 1B/DH, Philadelphia Phillies. 
17. Pete Alonso, 1B, New York Mets. 
18. Marcus Semien, 2B, Texas Rangers. 
19. Austin Riley, 3B, Atlanta Braves. 
20. Jose Ramirez, 3B/DH, Cleveland Guardians. 
21. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 1B, Toronto Blue Jays. 
22. Rafael Devers, 3B, Boston Red Sox. 
23. Gunnar Henderson, SS, Baltimore Orioles.
24. Corey Seager, SS, Texas Rangers. 
25. Michael Harris II, CF, Atlanta Braves. 
26. Zack Wheeler, SP, Philadelphia Phillies. 
27. Corbin Burnes, SP, Baltimore Orioles. 
28. Bo Bichette, SS, Toronto Blue Jays. 
29. George Kirby, SP, Seattle Mariners. 
30. Randy Arozarena, LF, Tampa Bay Rays

Sleeper: Triston Casas, 1B, Boston Red Sox

Amid a disappointing season that saw the Boston Red Sox finish last in the AL East, Tristan Casas quietly put together a year that has some thinking he may have a bright future with the team.

In 2023, the 24-year-old hit 24 home runs, drove in 65 runs and posted a slash line of .263/.367/.490, all improvements over his previous season.

Casas played his best ball after the All-Star break, and his power should intrigue fantasy managers.

While there will be some who hesitate on adding him to their fantasy rosters based on a Red Sox team that looks to be anything but a contender this year, don't be surprised if he is a top-tier first baseman by year's end and an under-the-radar picks that wins you a title.

Hidden Gem: Colton Cowser, CF, Baltimore Orioles

In 44 at-bats this spring, Baltimore Orioles center fielder Colton Cowser had 14 hits, six home runs, 13 runs and generated an OPS of 1.184.

Simply put, he was undeniable and is expected to make the Orioles' 40-man roster due to his outstanding and explosive form in spring training.

How much he will play is a different question, with Cedric Mullins already locking down the center field position.

Cowser is adaptable, though, and found playing time in both right and left field, something that should not be ruled out this season.

If he can carry over his impressive hitting from this spring and the Orioles offense is as potent in 2024 as it was a season ago, he is a worthy hidden gem who can help you win your league.