Fantasy Baseball Draft Targets: Tyler Soderstrom, Pavin Smith, Kyle Manzardo

An overlooked category in fantasy baseball is RBI. Drafters tend to focus so much on home runs, stolen bases and batting average that the counting stats get left behind. Below are a few names to consider if you need RBI help in the middle and late rounds of fantasy baseball drafts. These are players outside the top 100 in average draft position (ADP) that could be positive producers in the RBI category.

P.S. You will see a heavy emphasis on placement within the lineup

Fantasy Baseball Players to Target for RBI

Tyler Soderstrom (1B – ATH)

Tyler Soderstrom has big-time power upside but the playing time could be limited to a weak side of a platoon. However, being on the strong side still offers a path to 500+ plate appearances. He posted a 14.6% barrel rate and a 48.9% hard-hit rate while up with the Major league club last year.

That type of power potential could lead him to a mid-order lineup spot, and with it comes RBI potential. Especially as the young team around him continues to improve. Soderstrom might only be a “three true outcomes” type of player, but in this lineup, that could lead to solid RBI production.

Kyle Manzardo (1B, DH – CLE)

Kyle Manzardo also might be platooning initially but he had a strong finish to the 2024 season and will be looking to build off that success entering his first full season at the MLB level.

Pavin Smith (OF – ARI)

Pavin Smith posted strong underlying numbers and career-best marks in multiple places. He enters the year in a position to be their primary designated hitter versus right-handed pitchers. If what we saw can carry over there is sneaky power and RBI potential here.