It's that time of year again. Spring is in the air, and baseball season is just around the corner. For avid fantasy baseball fans, this means it's time to start preparing for drafts. If you're looking for an edge over your competition, here are a few underrated MLB players to keep an eye on during drafts.
These guys may not be household names, but they could be key contributors to your fantasy team this season. So don't sleep on them come draft day!
Joc Pederson - San Francisco Giants
Joc Pederson is an underrated option in MLB fantasy baseball drafts. Although Pederson had something of an up-and-down career with the Los Angeles Dodgers, he has consistently hit homers, driven in runs, and scored points for fantasy owners.
During the 2019 season, he was one of only seven players to hit 25 or more home runs and steal at least ten bases. His strong arm, coupled with his wide range in centerfield, make him a valuable asset for both the Giants and fantasy owners alike.
If you’re looking for a sleeper who can help your fantasy team big time this season, Joc Pederson should be near the top of your list of considerations.
Gio Urshela - Los Angeles Angels
Gio Urshela has been one of the most productive players on the New York Yankees in recent years. Despite being undervalued in the fantasy baseball world, he had a breakout career with the Yankees by hitting over .300 and playing Gold Glove-level defense at third base. He may not be a top offensive star in MLB, but his consistently strong all-around ability means that drafting him for your fantasy team is always a safe bet.
Plus, with one of baseball’s most powerful lineups surrounding him in Los Angeles Angels, don’t be surprised to see Urshela’s numbers swell even higher this season—making him an even more valuable target for any savvy fantasy baseball drafter.
Brandon Crawford - San Francisco Giants
Brandon Crawford is an underrated name on the San Francisco Giants roster who should be a prime target to consider in fantasy baseball drafts this season. Despite a lackluster performance in 2020, he's consistently been one of the best offensive shortstops in the league since the start of the 2016 season, and this makes him a great option for people looking to fill out their infield quickly.
Additionally, his defensive capabilities are top-notch, earning him three Gold Glove Awards since 2016. Although you may need to take a look at other players initially, given his low name recognition and stats from last season, picking up Crawford later could pay off for owners looking for impact performers that don't come with inflated talent prices.
Framber Valdez - Houston Astros
Framber Valdez of the Houston Astros continues to be one of the most underrated pitchers in fantasy baseball drafts. Despite coming off a fantastic 2020 season where he went 5-3 with a 3.57 ERA across 51 innings, Valdez is still incredibly overlooked by fantasy owners. Valdez was incredibly resilient against lefty batters, holding them to just a .185 average.
He was even better against righties as they put up an underwhelming .164 average against him last season. In addition, he showcased impressive whiff percentages with his sinker and slider combos, further cementing his value as a legitimate middle-of-the-rotation starter with plenty of upside potential.
Fantasy owners should strongly consider adding Framber Valdez to their rosters early in their upcoming fantasy drafts before someone else gets lucky and grabs this hidden gem!
Andrew Benintendi - Chicago White Sox outfielder
Andrew Benintendi is an often underrated player that fantasy baseball players should target in their drafts. The Chicago White Sox outfielder experienced a down season in 2019. But last year, he was one of the few bright spots for the team, making him well-deserving of a spot on your roster.
His desirable lefty bat made for some strong offensive numbers, and with his experience, he comes to a lot of potential if he heads back to Fenway Park. He’s already shown what he’s capable of becoming, and drafting Benintendi would be a solid move for any fantasy baseball team this season.
Shohei Ohtani - Los Angeles Angels
The Los Angeles Angels Shohei Ohtani is a player who could be drastically underrated by fantasy baseball drafters. The two-way star has the potential to be a game-changer, both on the mound and at the plate, as he boasts an impressive 1.86 ERA with 149 strikeouts while hitting .286 with 18 home runs in 2020 alone.
Despite being sidelined in 2019 due to Tommy John surgery, Ohtani proves that he is ready to be drafted into any fantasy team, and his unique skillset makes him a serious threat to opposing pitchers and batters alike—a valuable asset when building your fantasy roster!
Francisco Lindor - New York Mets shortstop
The ex-Cleveland Indians shortstop, Francisco Lindor, is an underrated player who is often overlooked in fantasy baseball drafts. However, he should not be disregarded; Lindor has the capability of being a solid addition to many teams. He was selected for the MLB All-Star game in 2016 and 2018, and his career batting average is a respectable .288.
This demonstrates his consistent production at the plate and proves that he should not be underestimated. In 2017, Lindor led the AL in runs scored (129) while hitting 33 home runs and stealing 15 bases as well. With these skills, Francisco Lindor can be a valuable asset to any team looking to make it to the playoffs.
Conclusion
There are many factors to consider when building a fantasy baseball team, but targeting underrated players can give you an edge over the competition. Knowing which players are being drafted too low is key to putting together a winning squad.
The list provided should help get you started on your quest for fantasy baseball glory. Be sure to do your own research as well, and don't forget to set your sights on those league winners betting odds!
