Each 2014 MLB Playoff Contender's Most Undervalued Impact Player

From Josh Harrison to Wade Davis, every 2014 MLB playoff contender has that guy.

The player who doesn't get the attention that he deserves but who will be critical to how the postseason races shake out in the final weeks of the season.

There are tons of relievers on the list, as that's one of the most underappreciated jobs in baseball. There are also big-time run producers, who are overshadowed by more prominent names on their respective clubs.

Plus, there's even room for a couple of starters who changed teams at the trade deadline. 

New York Yankees: Brandon McCarthy, SP

Brandon McCarthy has been dealing ever since he arrived in the Bronx. 

In 12 outings for the New York Yankees, the right-hander has recorded a 6-4 mark with a 2.54 ERA. What makes the numbers especially impressive is that McCarthy was sporting a 3-10 record with a 5.01 ERA at the time of his trade from the Arizona Diamondbacks to the American League East. 

Part of the starter's turnaround can be attributed to his new scenery, as McCarthy explained via Jamal Collier of MLB.com:

"

I spent the first half of the season being a hindrance on an organization, and that's something that doesn't sit well. To come somewhere where there's a playoff race going on and you're a positive influence and something that's helping the team, that's really all you can ask for when you're playing.

"

The Yankees are nearly buried in the race, but there's still an outside chance that the club could sneak into October. New York will need McCarthy to continue coming up big in the final weeks of the season. 

Cleveland Indians: Carlos Santana, 1B

Thanks to an epic August run, the Cleveland Indians have climbed into the playoff chase. 

Carlos Santana has played a central role in the Tribe's late-season resurgence. The first baseman's .233 batting average is ugly, but he's been on a tear since the All-Star break.

Dating back to the Midsummer Classic, Santana owns a .931 OPS, which hasn't gone unnoticed by manager Terry Francona.

"He's gone through a couple of stretches where he's been so dangerous," the skipper told Joe Reedy of Fox Sports Ohio. "It's not just been singles. It's been a lot of production."

Toronto Blue Jays: Marcus Stroman, SP

Despite a disastrous August, the Toronto Blue Jays are still within striking distance of a wild-card spot. Much of the credit for that goes to the much-improved starting staff. Of that group, Marcus Stroman is a pitcher who stands out. 

On Sept. 8, the rookie right-hander reeled off his first-ever complete-game shutout, holding the Chicago Cubs to just three hits. That showing was just part of a larger trend, which has seen Stroman post a 3.23 ERA in the second half of the season.

Jon Paul Morosi of Fox Sports recently tabbed Stroman as "one of the best young starters in MLB this year." 

Seattle Mariners: Chis Young, SP

The key to success for the Seattle Mariners in 2014 has been the dominance of the starting rotation. The group checks in with the lowest ERA of any staff in the AL. 

While Felix Hernandez deservedly gets the headlines, Chris Young can't be forgotten, either.

The M's snagged the 35-year-old off the scrap heap at the end of spring training, and that signing has proved to be a brilliant move. Young has posted a 12-7 record with a 3.35 ERA, as Seattle looks to zero in on its first postseason trip since 2001. 

Kansas City Royals: Wade Davis, RP

Wade Davis has been dismantling opposing batters in 2014. 

The right-handed reliever last allowed a run on June 25. That means that Davis has worked 32 consecutive outings without any damage. On the season, the 29-year-old has racked up 96 punchouts in 64.1 innings and limited the opposition to a .140 average. 

Davis has not only been an indispensable member of the Kansas City Royals' airtight bullpen but has also cemented his status as one of the premier bullpen arms in baseball. 

Detroit Tigers: J.D. Martinez, LF

J.D. Martinez is having a monster season in Motown. 

After the Houston Astros cut him loose in spring training, the outfielder has gone on to club 27 doubles and 21 home runs while hitting .305 with a .900 OPS in his first season for the Detroit Tigers.

His home run output is particularly noteworthy, considering that Martinez had gone yard just 24 times in the previous three campaigns with the Astros.

With Victor Martinez and Miguel Cabrera batting in the middle of Detroit's lineup, it's easy enough to overlook the 27-year-old breakout left fielder. 

Oakland Athletics: Luke Gregerson, RP

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

In the second half, the Oakland Athletics offense has vanished. 

That means that each and every run is precious, and preventing other teams from scoring is vital. That makes Luke Gregerson's job extra important. The setup man is tasked with bridging the gap between the starters and closer Sean Doolittle. 

Since arriving in the offseason, the right-handed reliever has been lights-out in the eighth inning, posting a 2.22 ERA in 65 contests. 

Baltimore Orioles: Darren O'Day, RP

Carlos Osorio/Associated Press

The rise of Zach Britton has been incredible. Since taking over the closer's role in mid-May, the 26-year-old has locked up 34 saves for the Baltimore Orioles.

Of course, Britton isn't the only talented reliever working out of the bullpen for the AL East front-runners. Darren O'Day hasn't received the same attention as Britton has, but he's also been nearly unhittable in the late innings. 

O'Day has dominated both left-handed and right-handed batters in 2014, as he's put up a 1.30 ERA in 62 outings.

Los Angeles Angels: Matt Shoemaker, SP

The Los Angeles Angels have been cruising in the second half. 

The AL West club owns the best record in baseball despite losing ace Garrett Richards to a season-ending knee injury. In the place of the sidelined starter, Matt Shoemaker has stepped up big time. The 27-year-old was named AL Pitcher of the Month and Rookie of the Month in August. 

His manager, Mike Scioscia, knows just how critical the first-year pitcher has been to the Angels' success, as he explained via Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times.

"It’s been incredible what he’s done, and we’ve needed him. It’s a cool honor to get Player of the Month, Rookie of the Month, and who knows, five more wins and maybe the Cy Young Award?"

In his last 10 outings, the starter has turned in an 8-1 record with a 1.53 ERA. 

Atlanta Braves: Mike Minor, SP

Thanks to the club's dismal offense, the Atlanta Braves have toppled out of the race in the National League East. 

However, the team still has a chance to snag a wild-card spot, but to do so the Braves will have to rely heavily on the starting staff. After an extremely slow start to the season, left-hander Mike Minor is becoming one of those starters that the club can count on. 

Minor had his turn skipped in the rotation in early August, but since returning, the 26-year-old has become a consistent source of quality starts. 

Milwaukee Brewers: Khris Davis, LF

In the Milwaukee Brewers' high-powered offense, it's easy for Khris Davis to get lost in the shuffle. 

Even if he doesn't generate lots of buzz, the 26-year-old has still posted noteworthy power numbers in 2014. Davis has clubbed 36 doubles to go with a team-leading 22 home runs.

Just what kind of pop the Brewers can expect from Davis in the closing weeks is uncertain, though, as the left fielder is dealing with a forearm issue. 

Pittsburgh Pirates: Josh Harrison, 3B

There are breakout seasons, and then there is the year that Josh Harrison is having with the Pittsburgh Pirates. 

The former utility man has been one of the best all-around position players in the baseball in 2014. Harrison, who is leading the way in the hunt for the NL batting title, has been an extra-base hitting machine. On the season, the 27-year-old has totaled seven triples, 34 doubles and 13 home runs. He's also recorded 17 steals. 

Thanks to those numbers, Harrison will earn plenty of NL MVP Award votes at the end of the season. 

St. Louis Cardinals: Pat Neshek, RP

The St. Louis Cardinals picked up Pat Neshek on a minor league deal in the offseason. That move has turned out to be a shrewd signing for the NL Central leaders.

Pitching on a one-year, $1 million contract, the sidewinder has provided the Cardinals with tremendous value and a ton of big outs. In 65 appearances, the 2014 NL All-Star has posted a 7-1 mark with a 1.33 ERA. 

San Francisco Giants: Jake Peavy, SP

A lot of big-name starters switched teams at the deadline, and Jake Peavy wasn't exactly at the top of that list. 

However, as the regular season comes to a close, it's difficult to argue that any of the pitchers who were traded have made a more decisive impact on the playoff race than Peavy has. Since arriving at AT&T Park, the 33-year-old has a 2.29 ERA in nine starts. 

While the move for the veteran appeared underwhelming at the time, it turns out that general manager Brian Sabean knew just what he was doing. 

Los Angeles Dodgers: Justin Turner, UTIL

Justin Turner would be leading the NL in batting if he had enough at-bats to qualify (.326 in 267 at-bats).

The 29-year-old, who has the versatility to play all around the infield, has also been at his best at the most important moments.

In his first season with the Los Angeles Dodgers, the right-handed hitter owns a batting average north of .400 with runners in scoring position. 

Washington Nationals: Denard Span, CF

With the Washington Nationals rolling toward the NL East title, the focus is on the club's loaded rotation. 

While the importance of the starting staff can't be understated, it all starts with Denard Span when it comes to the offensive side. The center fielder has been the ideal table-setter for manager Matt Williams' squad.

Span reaches base at an impressive clip (.353), steals lots of bags (30) and scores a ton of runs (90).

Note: All stats and videos courtesy of MLB.com. All salary information courtesy of Cot's Baseball Contracts on BaseballProspectus.com. 

If you want to talk baseball, find me on Twitter @KarlBuscheck.