When playing in single-league fantasy baseball formats, position scarcity becomes even more important. After a few key players at certain positions, the drop-off in production can be drastic. Which is why it is often crucial to target the top options before the talent pool thins out.
Within the first 100 ranked players in the American League player pool, there are six catchers, 13 first basemen, five second basemen, six third basemen, eight shortstops, 20 outfielders, 32 starting pitchers, and nine relief pitchers. Some players qualify at multiple positions, so there is a bit of overlap in those totals, but the overall distribution still tells a clear story.
Breaking down those numbers alone, it’s obvious which positions stand out. My strategy is to target positions where the depth quickly thins. You still want to prioritize the best player available, but when it comes to making those tougher drafting decisions, lean toward the more difficult position to fill. I did include a first baseman and an outfielder in today’s targets simply because I love their value at their current ADPs. I also tried to avoid the first 25 picks for this piece since those players are generally obvious choices.
So without further ado, here are five lesser-heralded players to target in AL-only leagues.
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5 Players to Target in AL-Only Fantasy Baseball Leagues
Maikel Garcia (2B/SS/3B/OF – KC)
Out of the top 12 projected second basemen, only four play in the American League. Jazz Chisholm sits comfortably at the top, but he’ll cost you a late first or early second-round pick. That leaves 35-year-old Jose Altuve, borderline mixed-league starter Ceddanne Rafaela, and our guy, Maikel Garcia. Garcia also ranks as the fourth-best third baseman in the American League. The falloff behind him at third is even steeper. Royce Lewis or Addison Barger are the next best options at the hot corner, both of whom aren’t exactly sure things.
The Royals have a budding superstar in Garcia. Not only is he one of the better defenders in the league, but the 25-year-old also dramatically improved his batting profile. Garcia boosted his OPS by nearly 200 points from two years ago while pushing his home run total up to 16. He’s also one of the more aggressive base stealers in the game, totaling 23 steals last year after swiping 37 the season prior.
Garcia also shows a keen eye at the dish. The Royals’ leadoff hitter registered a minuscule 12.6% strikeout rate along with a 9.3% walk rate. His Statcast page is full of rankings in the top 10 percent, including whiff rate, chase rate, squared-up rate, strikeout rate, and expected batting average. He finished last season with 81 runs, 74 RBIs, and a .286 batting average. With the fences moved in at Kauffman Stadium and the Royals expected to be better offensively, those numbers could improve even further.
Garcia also played in all but two of Kansas City’s games last year, making him the ideal set-and-forget type of player. In Yahoo leagues, you can start him everywhere except first base and catcher, which further increases his value. After the big names go in the first two rounds, Garcia is an excellent choice in the late third or early fourth.
Josh Naylor (1B – SEA)
Once the big three are off the board, Josh Naylor is an excellent option at first base. As a mid-third-round pick, Naylor’s return could still be massive. Not only is the stocky 28-year-old capable of hitting 30 home runs, but he has also developed into a savvy baserunner. Despite having one of the slowest sprint speeds in the league, the Mariners’ first baseman still managed to swipe 30 bags on 32 attempts last year. While he likely won’t reach that number again, 20 steals could very well be within his wheelhouse. Holding runners at first has allowed him to study pitchers and their motions, and he has taken full advantage.
After joining Seattle last year, Naylor scored 32 runs, hit nine homers, drove in 33 runs, and stole 19 bases in just over 200 plate appearances while batting .299. Prorated over a full season, those numbers would place him among the top overall hitters in the league.
Naylor also rarely strikes out (13.7% K%), which helped him post a cumulative .295 batting average. He also scores a considerable amount of runs. Naylor scored 84 times two seasons ago and touched home 81 times last year. He’s currently slated to hit fourth for Seattle, sandwiched between Julio Rodriguez and Randy Arozarena, which should further boost his production.
Hitting every day in the middle of what should be a very productive lineup, Naylor could once again push for 85 runs with 95 RBIs. He also has a real shot at another 30-homer, 20-steal campaign with a batting average near .290.
Brandon Nimmo (OF – TEX)
Brandon Nimmo is expected to lead off for the Rangers, where he could contribute handily across the board. He didn’t walk quite as much last year, but the longtime Met boosted his batting average up to .262. Nimmo has traded a bit of patience for power in recent seasons, and while the free passes have dipped, the run production has remained steady.
Today’s version of Nimmo should be slightly above average in every major fantasy category. Even with the move to a more pitcher-friendly park, there’s little reason to expect a major power drop-off. Nimmo’s expected home runs by park does dip in Texas, but what he may lose in Arlington can be made up in Sacramento (Athletics) and Anaheim (Angels). Those two parks favor left handed power hitters while Texas does not.
Nimmo should still be good for around 85 runs, 23 homers, 75-80 RBIs, and 10-15 steals. Early health concerns appear to be behind him, as he has averaged over 150 games during the past four seasons. Nimmo is a fine Round 6 target in AL-only drafts, especially if you need a catalyst to score runs.
Kenley Jansen (RP – DET)
Even at 38 years old, Kenley Jansen remains one of the more reliable closers in the game. The former Dodger put together another strong season last year, finishing with a 2.75 ERA, a 0.97 WHIP, and 29 saves. The burly right-hander’s strikeout rate dipped below 25% for the first time in his career, but he still managed to strike out nearly a batter per inning while blowing just one save.
Jansen does give up the occasional home run and walks a few hitters, but he knows how to get outs when the game is truly on the line. Now a member of the Tigers, Jansen could easily surpass 30 — or even 35 — saves this season. Detroit is expected to win around 88 games, which should provide him with plenty of opportunities.
The Tigers do have a handful of relievers capable of closing, but it should still be Jansen’s job to lose most nights. While he’s not the sexiest pick, there is a massive drop-off at closer behind him. The next best stoppers in the American League are Griffin Jax, Bryan Abreu, Seranthony Dominguez, and Robert Garcia. Needless to say, that group hardly inspires confidence in the average fantasy manager. Snag Jansen in Round 8 or 9.
Simeon Woods Richardson (SP – MIN)
Over his final 14 starts last season, Simeon Woods Richardson posted a 3.00 ERA, a 1.06 WHIP, and a 24.4% strikeout rate. During that span, he shut out the Yankees, Phillies, Cubs, Mariners, and Astros across several five- and six-inning outings. He was especially dominant in September, when he held opponents to a .140 batting average while striking out 36 hitters over 27 innings.
Woods Richardson was drafted out of high school in 2018 by the Mets in the early second round. While never a top prospect, he was always considered someone to keep an eye out for. The 6-foot-3 righty features a five-pitch repertoire headlined by a plus slider that generated a .190 xBA and a 27.4% whiff rate last year. The 25-year-old also uses a long stride that helps his fastball play up in velocity.
At such a late ADP, Woods Richardson offers massive value. There’s always the chance he struggles, but in the 22nd round, the upside is tremendous.
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Austin Lowell is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Austin, check out his archive.
