We all go into our fantasy drafts with the goal of finding players who can contribute across the board. The idea of building a well-balanced team to help you climb the ranks of your roto, points or head-to-head fantasy leagues. As we get deeper in the drafts however there are fewer and fewer players who contribute across the board but that does not mean all is lost. There are plenty of players who can offer above average to even top end production in singular categories. Identifying these players will help you round out your roster and add some insurance if you find you are lacking in a category as the draft goes on.
Home Runs
Adam Duvall OF, CIN- Duvall is currently sitting with an average ADP of 153 which is good for the 12-13th round in 12-team standard league formats. Duvall has averaged 32 home runs and 103 RBI over the last two seasons. The downside with Duvall comes with his averages as he has hit below .250 in each of those seasons with an average OBP of .298. If you find yourself in need of some power in the mid-to-late rounds I think Duvall is your best overall value.
Hanley Ramirez 1B, BOS- Ramirez hit 23 home runs during an injury plagued season in which he appeared in 133 of the 162 games. Ramirez is saying all the right things in camp and says he ready to have a big year for Boston. Ramirez should be motivated as he has an option that will be triggered if he gets enough plate appearances. Money is usually a motivator for players and when locked in Ramirez is a dangerous hitter. The addition of JD Martinez will provide some protection in the lineup for HanRam which adds to my intrigue here. Currently Ramirez has an ADP of 324 which means is he going undrafted in most standard leagues but offers 25-30 homer potential with 100 RBI upside if he does in fact stay healthy for the Red Sox this season.
Logan Morrison 1B, MIN- I’ll be honest, I have no clue if Morrison can match the 38 home runs he hit 2017 but he figures to have an everyday role with the Twins and we have seen plenty of players make adjustments and start launching home runs so maybe this is just Morrison finally showing that upside that had him hyped up nearly a decade ago. He currently has an ADP of 292 which again makes him an end of the draft option which 30+ home run potential.
Stolen Bases
Delino DeShields Jr. OF, TEX- Deshields has stolen 62 bases in three seasons with the Rangers with 54 of those coming in 2015 and 2017. He stole 29 bags in 2017 over 120 games. Deshields is currently slated to begin the season as the Rangers starting center fielder. This role should allow for him to see a career high in at bats and thus improve upon his 29 stolen bases from last year. Deshields has a current ADP of 222 which makes him a decent late round stolen base grab.
Cameron Maybin OF, MIA- Maybin has made it back to the Marlins after being traded there in 2008 as one of the top prospects in the deal that saw Miguel Cabrera go to Detriot. Maybin never reach his potential with the Marlins and it could be argued he has never reached his full potential to this point in his career. The one thing Maybin has shown the ability to do is swipe a base and this is where his fantasy value lies. Maybin stole 33 bases in just 114 games last season and is slated to start for the Marlins this year. He will likely be active on the base paths and if he can stay healthy it would seem likely he can match that total this year as well. Maybin has a current ADP of 356 meaning he is likely undrafted in most standard leagues.
Mallex Smith OF, TB- Smith appeared in 81 games for the Rays last season, hitting .268 with 33 runs, two home runs, 12 RBI and 16 stolen bases. At the Triple-A level last year Smith added an additional 21 stolen bases over 47 games meaning he totaled 37 stolen bases over 128 games last season. Smith is not going to spend any time in the minors this year as the Rays are committed to a youth movement with Smith being one of their key pieces they look to build around. He figures to be the team’s leadoff hitter against right-handed pitching and should have the green light to go whenever he wants. I think Smith could push for the American League lead in stolen bases this year with a full workload.
Batting Average
Joe Panik 2B, SF- Panik is projected to be the Giants leadoff hitter this season which bodes well for his run totals, but fantasy owners will also want to take a look at him if they need a boost in batting average. Panik hit .288 last season and .312 in 100 games back in 2015. Critics can point out his .239 average in 2016 but I am going to go with that being an anomaly and a byproduct of a very unlucky .245 BABIP. Panik is projected to hit around .290 this season and with an ADP of 284 I consider him to be somewhat of a bargain for somebody looking to fill a middle infield spot.
David Peralta OF, ARI- Peralta plays against right-handed pitching which helps him keep a healthy batting average at his late round ADP of 279. He hit .293 last season thanks to his .301 average against righties. Peralta also offers some decent pop and can swipe a bag ever now and then as well. Peralta’s home ball park and surrounding lineup bodes well for his fantasy appeal.
Strikeouts
Kevin Gausman SP, BAL- I’m sure there are plenty of fantasy owners who shutter at the thought of drafting Gausman after how putrid his 2017 season started but the second half of his 2017 season was actually quite good. Over his final 17 starts Gausman went 7-5 with a 3.49 ERA while striking out 112 over 100.2 innings. If he can carry that production over to 2018 he has the upside to touch 200 strikeouts while finishing well above his current ADP of 198.
Dinelson Lamet SP, SD- Lamet made 21 starts as a rookie last year, going 7-8 with a 4.63 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP. He also struck out 139 over 112.7 innings which is why he lands in this article. Lamet’s 10.9 K/9 last season is not a fluke and he should again be a high strike out candidate for this upcoming year as long as he can stay in the Padres rotation. If Lamet can get to about 170 innings he could very well reach the 200 strike out plateau. Currently Lamet has an ADP of 229 which means he is being drafted around the 19th round in 12-team standard leagues.