When planning out a strategy for fantasy drafts most, especially those in rotisserie leagues, build their rosters around specific categories. Fortunately, in today’s game, the majors are full of players who are multiple category contributors which makes roster construction much easier. As the rounds get later in the drafts, however, the dual-threat players become less available, leaving you with those single category contributors. These players often get overlooked and find themselves labeled as “one-trick-ponies.” Despite their perceived flaws, however, these types of players can be the key to helping you win specific categories and, ultimately, help your overall team. So let’s take a look at some of these players who may go overlooked in drafts despite their abilities to contribute a high in certain categories.
STOLEN BASES
Jarrod DysonQuite possibly, the best example of a single-category contributor over the past few seasons has been Jarrod Dyson who has averaged 31 stolen bases over the past five seasons despite not reaching 300 at-bats in any season. With the Royals, Dyson was never able to lock down a starting gig but this offseason he was traded to the Mariners where he is slated to be among the teams’ starting outfielders. An increase in playing time should lead to an increase in production and those looking to secure the stolen base category in their league should look to secure Dyson on their rosters.
Davis is a player who rarely finds himself drafted in shallow leagues as he often enters each season without the certainty of playing time. But even with limited at-bats, he often finds himself atop the stolen base charts by year end. Davis led the American League with 43 stolen bases in 2016 while with the Indians and will begin the 2017 season as one of the starting outfielders for the Oakland A’s (Davis played for the A’s from 2008 to 2010 in which he stole 116 bases over 369 games). Like Dyson, a secure starting gig in 2017 should allow for Davis to be among the league’s top base thieves and a must-draft for those looking to lock up the stolen base category.
Smith was an elite base stealer at the minor league level, swiping 229 bags over 398 games, and that skill set is something he showed will translate at the major-league level after he stole 16 bases over 72 games with the Braves following his call-up. Smith was traded this offseason, first to the Mariners and then to the Rays where he figures to complete for a starting outfield gig. Even in a part-time role his stolen base ability should make him a valuable player to own this upcoming season.
HOME RUNS
Moss is coming off a season in which he hit 28 home runs over 413 at-bats for the Cardinals, marking the fourth time over the last five seasons he’s hit more than 20 home runs. The batting average leaves plenty to be desired, but his power is certainly something fantasy owners will covet and should be able to find later in drafts.
Jedd GyorkoGyorko set a career-high in home runs in 2016, hitting 30 bombs over 400 at-bats for the Cardinals. He spent his first three seasons playing in Petco Park where he hit 49 home runs over three seasons including 23 during his rookie campaign in 2013. Gyorko should enter 2017 with at least two, if not three, position eligibilities and should be considered a nice power source later in drafts as he fights for a spot in the starting lineup.
Pederson has now played two full seasons at the major league level and while he saw improvements in batting average and OPS in 2016, it’s his seasonal averages of 65 runs, 25 home runs and 60 RBI that see him largely as a single-category contributor. Fantasy owners know the power with Pederson is legitimate and he is somebody worth targeting as long as you don’t mind a poor batting average.
BATTING AVERAGE
The Marlins’ third basemen is a career .293 hitter and is coming off a 2016 season in which he hit .305 with eight home runs, 75 RBI, 70 runs, and two stolen bases. Prado is not going to wow you in any one statistical category but he hits in the upper third of the Marlins lineup and his ability to hit for a near .300 average will help fantasy owners who may want to draft some of the power-only guys like the ones listed above who do not boast favorable averages.
Escobar has not always hit for a high batting average but he has hit over .300 in each of the last two seasons while playing for the Nationals and Angels. Escobar is a career .283 hitting and does not offer much in the way of home run power nor stolen base ability but like Prado his stable batting average will help offset those on your roster who really struggle in this category.
STRIKEOUTS
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Robbie RayRay finished the 2016 season with 218 strikeouts over 174.1 innings. His 218 strikeouts is certainly quite impressive but unfortunately it came with a 4.90 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP. There is no denying Ray’s elite strikeout ability and fantasy owners should not shy away from him because he struggled in those other categories.
Pineda struck out a career-high 207 batters in 2016 but unfortunately outside of the “K” category Pineda struggled, going 6-12 with a 4.82 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP. Of course fantasy owners know the talent that Pineda possess after his breakout rookie season in 2011 but injuries and inconsistent performances have his draft stock lower than his potential upside which makes him a solid player to target later in drafts where at the very least you know you will get the strikeouts.
So there you have it. Those are some of the single-category contributors who may find themselves going in the later rounds or not at all in fantasy drafts because of what they don’t offer. But it’s what they do offer which makes them such valuable commodities in the fantasy world and should put them on your radar heading into this fantasy season.