Many drafters focus on the first round or the first few rounds, but those picks are pretty easy to decipher. Drafts aren’t won in the early rounds, they are won in the middle rounds.
Digging through the middle rounds and finding players that can return early-round value or at least a solid statistical return on their average draft position (ADP) cost are key. Let’s look at six middle-round hitters to target that could bring a strong return on investment.
Many drafters focus on the first round or the first few rounds, but those picks are pretty easy to decipher. Drafts aren’t won in the early rounds, they are won in the middle rounds.
Digging through the middle rounds and finding players that can return early-round value or at least a solid statistical return on their average draft position (ADP) cost are key. Let’s look at six middle-round hitters to target that could bring a strong return on investment.
Mid-Round Targets
Jasson Dominguez aka “The Martian” is one of my top mid-round targets. The hype train is in full effect and rightfully so. The 22-year-old has showcased 15-20 home run power in the Minors, which could get better, to go with 35+ stolen base upside.
Dominguez is set to play daily in the Yankees’ outfield and potentially hit near the top of the batting order. Dominguez can return a 20/20 floor with even more upside while scoring close to 100 runs if he hits near the top of the order. Dominguez is one of the top mid-round targets I believe will be a top second- or third-round pick next year.
Randy Arozarena is one of the game’s most consistent power and speed sources. Arozarena has had a 20/20 season in each of the last four seasons. Last year, he hit 20 home runs with 20 steals and a .219 batting average.
The batting average was his lowest in the four-year run, as he hit .250 or better in his first five MLB seasons. If the batting average improves, Arozarena’s power and speed sources can also improve. Arozarena has fallen in drafts this season from his previous normal fantasy baseball ADP, making him a major target as a bounce-back player in this range.
The Masyn Winn hype train is in full force. In his rookie season last year, Winn played 150 games, hitting 15 home runs and stealing 11 bases while hitting .267. His batting average dropped in the second half, but his power improved, recording 10 of his 15 home runs.
If Winn continues to develop in this regard, he could be a 20 home run hitter with 15-20 steal appeal. Winn is also expected to lead off for the Cardinals, giving him an appeal of 100 runs. Winn could be this season’s Zach Neto.
The lack of love for Andres Gimenez is interesting. The power dropped to only nine home runs last season, but he hit 15+ in the previous two seasons. More important is the speed Gimenez brings to the game with 20+ steals in the previous three seasons and 30 in each of the last two.
Gimenez also brings a .250 batting average with the power and speed. Gimenez can be a game-changer for those who draft him at a sub-par second base position.
Dansby Swanson struggled early last season but finished with 16 home runs and 19 steals. He had hit 22+ home runs in the previous three seasons.
Swanson had surgery this offseason and appears healthy and ready to go this season. He is the last shortstop with 20/20 appeal and should be a target at shortstop or middle infield in all formats.
Heliot Ramos had quite the rookie season. He played 121 games for the Giants, hitting 22 home runs with 72 RBI, six steals and a .269 batting average. He had a great 14.5% barrel rate and 47.4% hard-hit rate, suggesting more power could be in store.
Ramos may even lead off at times for the Giants, leading to better counting stats. The rookie season was great, but the sophomore season could be even better.
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