Fantasy Baseball: 10 'No-Names' Who Are Still Being Highly Undervalued
Over a month into the 2015 season, sample sizes have become large enough for fantasy baseball owners to consider promising early starts.
For some young breakout stars, it's already far too late. Everybody purchased stock on Joc Pederson, Devon Travis and Chris Archer long ago. Brand names such as Alex Rodriguez and Bartolo Colon warranted immediate attention, as both are well-known veterans playing in the Big Apple.
Nobody needs to be told about McDonald's, but the new mom-and-pop burger shop in town often proves more delicious. Before word of mouth causes a line to form around the corner, patrons can enjoy the quaint restaurant and say they went there before everyone else did.
The 10 players featured in this slideshow don't have a marketing team boosting their fantasy ownership rates. They didn't generate buzz in the minors or ever post gaudy numbers. Many go ignored playing in small markets and/or for mediocre clubs. Yet they can all contribute more than some brand-name counterparts.
With an exception of two pitching studs not getting their proper due, the list contains players available in more than half of Yahoo Sports' fantasy leagues. Not all are must-adds for standard mixed-league gamers, but at least keep them in mind.
Odubel Herrera, OF, Philadelphia Phillies
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He's not the prettiest player, but Odubel Herrera is a regular starter with speed, at the least making him a cheap source of stolen bases.
Desolate on offense, the Philadelphia Phillies are starting the Rule 5 pick at center field. Through 30 games, he's hitting .278 with five steals, but beware the average. The 23-year-old has shown a poor process with five walks and 26 strikeouts, benefiting from a .366 batting average on balls in play (BABIP).
His legs, however, made Herrera a deep sleeper entering the 2015 campaign. Down in the Texas Rangers farm system, he swiped 21 bags during 125 games last year. Getting frequent plate appearances, occasionally atop Philadelphia's lineup, he'll get enough chances to poach 20 bases before the year ends.
A poor lineup and no power makes him a poor man's Ben Revere, but unlike his teammate, Herrera boasts middle-infield eligibility. CBS Sports deemed him a second baseman entering the season, ESPN listed him at shortstop, and Yahoo gave him both.
Herrera has exclusively played outfield in the majors, but capitalize on the oversight in deep-mixed and NL-only formats.
Danny Salazar, SP, Cleveland Indians
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The most known of the unknown, Danny Salazar spawned Cy Young hype just a year ago. Yet the electric righty is owned in 79 percent of Yahoo leagues. This number needs to be 100.
Although a poor spring caused Salazar to start 2015 in the minors, T.J. House's struggles quickly reversed the Cleveland Indians' poor decision. Since his promotion, Salazar has posted a 3.81 ERA in four starts, but everything else highlights his ace upside.
He has compiled 37 strikeouts through 26 innings, giving him a 12.81 strikeouts per nine innings pitched (K/9) rate that leads all starting pitchers. This is no fluke, as his 15.6 swinging-strike percentage also tops the majors. Through 188 career frames, he has collected 222 punchouts.
If his massive strikeout prowess isn't enough—and it should be—his impeccable control should also make owners giddy. Going along with his dominant power, Salazar has issued a mere five walks, giving him a sensational 29.9 strikeouts minus walks percentage. Yes, that also leads the majors.
After two sensational starts, he allowed four runs in each of his two outings versus the red-hot Kansas City Royals. Not only did he catch a streaking opponent at the wrong time, but he still mustered 16 strikeouts (and no walks) against the toughest lineup to punch out.
Salazar should be claimed in all active leagues, but see if his owner doesn't appreciate how good the 25-year-old is. It wouldn't be the least bit shocking if he finishes the season a top-25 fantasy starter.
Brandon Crawford, SS, San Francisco Giants
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Brandon Crawford's power surge deviates from his career norms, but a shortstop brandishing pop and a keen batting eye can't go ignored.
The 28-year-old has gradually improved throughout his tenure with the San Francisco Giants, raising his on-base percentage and slugging percentage every year. He has taken those rates to new horizons, registering a .355 on-base average and .468 slugging percentage.
Both rank among the top five shortstops, and his 11.8 walk rate leads the way at the light-hitting position. His five home runs tie Zack Cozart for the top spot, and only five other shortstops have produced more than two long balls during 2015.
While his fly-ball percentage has actually dropped, his hard-hit rate has skyrocketed to 38.2 percent, up from a career 26.8 clip. Even though he won't maintain his current blistering pace, he's an above-average bat at a position severely lacking difference-makers.
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Wade Davis, RP, Kansas City Royals
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The Kansas City Royals activated Greg Holland from the disabled list on Wednesday. With that, Wade Davis relinquishes his temporary role as the team's closer. Just because the saves will vanish, however, doesn't mean everyone should dump Davis.
Carrying over last year's dominance, he hasn't surrendered a run during 13 innings this season. Dating back to last year and including the postseason, he has yielded nine earned runs in 99.1 innings, accumulating 142 strikeouts in the process.
Sound like someone who should be jettisoned to the waiver wire? In traditional leagues where owners can set their lineups daily, there's great value to absorb from elite setup men. Instead of wasting a spot on an inactive starter, a terrific reliever will boost ERA, WHIP and strikeouts.
There's no better middle reliever than Davis to fill that role, so grab him if his current owner only valued the 29-year-old righty for saves.
Yasmani Grandal, C, Los Angeles Dodgers
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Going 4-for-4 with two homers and eight RBI is a good way to put your name on the map.
A prime case study for remaining patient early, Yasmani Grandal entered May hitting .189/.317/.283. After a strong week headlined by Thursday's breakthrough, he now sports a .307/.411/.533 slash line.
Another way to read that? His numbers are padded by one strong outlier. But this is a catcher who entered the season with sizzling sleeper appeal, escaping the hitter's trap of Petco Park for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
He continues to flash impeccable plate discipline, garnering a 15.6 walk percentage. While the average is one number not to trust, he provided 15 dingers through 128 games last year, so he has the power prowess to serve as a No. 1 fantasy catcher.
Chances are a stampede formed on Thursday, and it's too late to scoop him up now. Yet this was a player set to be featured as a buy-low candidate before his big day, so don't discount Grandal as a fluke.
Jimmy Nelson, SP, Milwaukee Brewers
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Is Friday’s start a case of bad timing or the precise reason to give Jimmy Nelson a look?
The Milwaukee Brewers surrendered four earned runs against the Chicago Cubs, who took the righty deep three times. Yet he also finished the evening with 11 punchouts and one walk through seven innings.
After exiting his first three starts with three runs allowed, his ERA has now ballooned to 4.25. Yet his 1.11 WHIP, 8.75 K/9 and 49.5 ground-ball percentage all signify a high-quality hurler capable of greatness.
If not for one horrendous outing against the Cincinnati Reds—during which he got torched for seven runs through 2.1 innings—Nelson would be the hottest ticket in town. Of course, life doesn’t work that way. Fantasy players don’t get mulligans to wipe off an atrocious start, although that’s actually an interesting idea to test out. Would you use one this early or save them in fear of a worse day later in the summer?
During that nightmare outing, his wildness was especially out of character. Nelson issued five free passes against the Reds but only seven during his other five starts. If he can avoid the terrible off days, he’ll find his way on most rosters before long.
Kevin Pillar, OF, Toronto Blue Jays
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Dalton Pompey wouldn't have qualified for this list in March. The rookie outfielder developed a cult following as a sleeper, but the Toronto Blue Jays demoted him after batting .193/.264/.337.
Owners looking to replace his anticipated speed don't have to search far. Snatching the starting role, Kevin Pillar is hitting .270 with five stolen bases. Although he only stole one bag in 53 MLB games last year, he collected 27 in Triple-A.
He also smacked 10 homers during those 100 minor league games, so he could offer some sporadic pop. His lack of plate discipline is concerning, but his 14.0 strikeout percentage should help him maintain a decent batting average.
While his 10 defensive runs saved (DRS) don't directly benefit fantasy owners, his stellar glove will stave off Pompey, cementing him playing time in a stacked offense. Although not as flashy an option, Pillar can ably round out a roster.
Yimi Garcia, RP, Los Angeles Dodgers
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Every year, a middle reliever emerges as a stellar fantasy asset to scoop off free agency. Wade Davis, Dellin Betances, Andrew Miller and Ken Giles didn't need saves to latch onto rosters last season, but it took time for them to get noticed.
At this juncture, Yimi Garcia is the top breakout candidate. Through 13.2 frames, the 24-year-old righty has recorded a 0.66 ERA, 0.96 fielding independent pitching (FIP) and 21 strikeouts. His 42.0 strikeout percentage places fourth among relievers of all ilks behind David Robertson, Aroldis Chapman and Miller.
Arriving in style late last season, he allowed two runs through his first 10 MLB innings for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He also, however, benefited from a .167 BABIP and 100 percent strand rate. Fortune remains on his side with a .160 BABIP and 87.5 percent strand rate, but he has created some of his own luck with whiffs.
With sidelined closer Kenley Jansen nearing his return, Garcia won't factor into the save situation unless the injured star suffers a setback. If he keeps this up, he's still a useful tool to own anyway.
Ender Inciarte, OF, Arizona Diamondbacks
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In hindsight, Ender Inciarte didn't receive enough recognition entering the season. Despite hitting .278 with 19 steals last season, he fell by the wayside in all but the deepest leagues. Now he's garnering everyone's attention with a .314 average and four steals.
Like Pillar, his exceptional defense solidifies his starting role in a crowded outfield. Hitting .344 against southpaws will also help the Arizona Diamondbacks lefty fend off a strict platoon.
While he has drawn just three walks, he has only struck out eight times, carrying a 89.2 contact percentage. He won't keep batting over .300 or reaching base at an elite clip, but he'll churn out enough hits to swipe some bags, especially atop Arizona's batting order.
ZiPS projects Inciarte to hit .280 with 25 steals the rest of the way. In mixed leagues employing five starting outfielders, he's a steady piece to complement more strikeout-prone sluggers.
Chase Anderson, SP, Arizona Diamondbacks
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With an article based around name recognition, it only makes senses to do a blind taste test. One is a highly regarded ace and the other waiver-wire fodder in 92 percent of Yahoo leagues.
Player A: 43 IP, 2.72 ERA, 3.37 FIP, .232 BABIP, 8.37 K/9, 1.26 BB/9
Player B: 29.1, 3.38 ERA, 3.02 FIP, .308 BABIP, 8.28 K/9, 2.15 BB/9
Player A is Johnny Cueto, who is fending off regression concerns with a tremendous start. This game usually aims to praise someone at the household name's expense, but this isn't meant to drag him in the mud.
Player B? Chase Anderson, who is improving upon a quietly promising rookie season. His strikeout rate is virtually identical to last year's 8.28 K/9, but the 27-year-old is issuing a full walk fewer per nine innings. He has also expanded his ground-ball rate to 48.1 percent.
Why does he get no love? Gamers don't tend to target someone with a middling minor league track record who didn't debut until age 26. Yet his solid rates across the board are too good to keep ignoring.
Note: Advanced stats courtesy of FanGraphs.
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