Shifting our attention from ranking top-notch players according to each position, let’s now concentrate on the ‘Average Draft Position’ or ADP. Remember, in the world of ADP, hunting for value is of prime importance. To clarify, this isn’t a list of sleepers or busts, it’s an analysis of players with rankings that seem underrated according to the National Fantasy Baseball Championship indices. In this set of players, our spotlight will be on five particular individuals ranked from 150-100.
Be ready for a torrent of bargains! Starting with Bo Bichette, positioned at #142. It’s important to recall Bichette’s significant achievements from a couple of years back. This shortstop masterstroke from Toronto led the Major League Baseball (MLB) in terms of hits for two consecutive years, 2021 and 2022. His 2023 performance was no less impressive; he established a .306 season average. However, he witnessed a sudden setback in 2024. Bichette struggled with his form and couldn’t pack authority into his hits, consequently losing his renowned good contact. Additionally, his power seemed drastically diminished, making substantial contributions to an all-time career low in terms of home runs and average. Notably, before 2024, Bichette managed to maintain an OPS not less than .800, a remarkable feat for a player largely recognized for his solid contact. Considering his past record, there is high possibility for Bichette to bounceback, making him a trustworthy player as per my book.
Next up is Spencer Strider, holding rank #134. Although Strider may not be pitching maximum innings in 2025, he remains a promising aspect when it comes to arm talent and pitch-per-pitch success. His strikeouts in 2022 and 2023 were a sight to behold, with K/9s standing at 13.8 and 13.5, respectively. The discount on an ace like Strider is significantly pronounced and I believe the price will continue to rise as we get closer to March. Despite the fact that Strider might miss some games at the start of the season, you shouldn’t be worried, and neither am I. His comeback performance will make up for the brief absence.
Then we have Mike Trout, ranked at #133. It’s indeed unfortunate that fans are deprived of experiencing full seasons played by Trout. Despite being 33, he still possesses the allure of first-round talent. Evidence of his ability can be traced back to the 2023 season where he bagged 40 home runs in merely 119 games. Meaning, despite missing 43 games, he still ended up with one of the top home run scores in the Major Leagues. Worth noting, is that even at this age, Trout retains 90th-percentile sprint speed. So, considering this high ceiling along with a likable discount, one can only hope for an uninterrupted sailing in terms of health.
Moving on to Bryan Woo, who is positioned at #131. Similar to Spencer Strider’s case, Bryan Woo may not be seen as a key player leading the league in terms of depth statistics, but he carries enormous potential to be among the top pitchers. He appears to be a hidden treasure within Seattle’s depth chart. Analytics support his exquisite 2024 showmanship – an impressive 2.89 ERA was undershot by an even more impressive 2.72 xERA, while his issuing of walks was close to nonexistent. His total walks for the season, obtained in 121.2 innings, were only 13. Alongside, Woo showcases immaculate control in his pitching, seldom allowing batters to barrel up. Such attributes places him in line for significant accomplishments.
Finally, we’ll look at Jake Burger, who holds the rank #124. Traded off twice for pretty ordinary prospects so far, Burger continues to baffle with his moves, especially considering his nonprohibitive expense and his team control that extends until 2029. Surprisingly, he doesn’t seem to draw the attention or value he deserves from teams. Back in 2023, Burger rocked 34 home runs and followed it up with a respectable 29 in the next year. Now, with his shift to Texas Rangers, he is well-positioned for a good show in counting stats. Burger is set to be locked in as designated hitter and will hold eligibility for first base too, which is a commendable advantage. With the move to Texas, a more hitter-friendly environment than Miami, Burger has a real chance to boost his performance. When a relatively inexperienced player like Mark Vientos is taken four rounds earlier, I’d rather place my bets on a proven experience and the accompanying discount; that comes with Jake, the homerun specialist.