Every fantasy baseball site has its own unique draft rankings. ESPN takes the uniqueness to the extreme. ESPN’s unconventional draft rankings provide an opportunity to draft undervalued talent far past their consensus Average Draft Position (ADP). Take advantage of ESPN’s unique ADPs to build a powerful team. On the other hand, also keep an eye out for players ESPN overvalues to avoid.
ESPN sometimes ranks players slightly below their average. For example, Julio Rodriguez has an ESPN ADP of 21, while his consensus ADP is 10. Not crazy, but notable. A further out example is Rafael Devers, who has a consensus ADP of 40 compared to a 79 on ESPN. There are countless examples of players undervalued on ESPN who you can target in drafts to gain elite value.
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Undervalued Players to Target in ESPN Fantasy Baseball Drafts
Elly De La Cruz (SS – CIN) | ESPN ADP: 29 | Consensus ADP: 8
The potential to draft Elly De La Cruz two rounds later is huge. Would he actually go in the third round of an ESPN league? I doubt it. Regardless, this ADP discount provides the opportunity to get a first-round talent after the first round.
ESPN has always given the 24-year-old a lower rank, possibly due to its focus on points formats compared to his category league prowess. The shortstop is coming off his second consecutive 20-20 season. De La Cruz is a priceless contributor to categories leagues with the youth and upside to reach a new level. Target De La Cruz at this discount.
Pete Alonso (1B -BAL) | ESPN ADP: 46 | Consensus ADP: 25
Pete Alonso is an intriguing two-round discount. The slugger has switched teams from the New York Mets to the Baltimore Orioles after the offseason, so it is fair that fantasy managers and analysts have some questions. These questions are not worth the two-round disparity between ESPN and other sites.
The 31-year-old has been so consistent for so long. Excluding the 2020 COVID-19 season, Alonso has never played fewer than 150 games in a season or hit fewer than 34 home runs. Alonso is a reliable bat that you should absolutely take at this steal of a draft position, or even before.
Trea Turner (SS – PHI) | ESPN ADP: 71 | Consensus ADP: 27
Trea Turner? 50 picks below his consensus value? Are you kidding me? Turner slashed .304/.355/.457 in 2025. He hit 15 home runs, stole 36 bases, and received MVP votes for his performance in 2025. His current draft position on ESPN is nonsensical.
Turner’s primary concern is his age. He will be turning 33 years old in June, so he is getting up there. However, he is not getting that up there, especially after a dominant 2025. Draft Turner before his ADP to be safe.
James Wood (OF – WAS) | ESPN ADP: 81 | Consensus ADP: 32
James Wood has an admittedly impressive difference in value from ESPN to other sites. Wood had an eye-catching first half in 2025, batting .278 with 24 homers in the first half. The 23-year-old was an MVP candidate until he batted .223 with just seven homers after mid-July.
Wood’s rough second half questions his value. It does not tank his value by five rounds. Snag the outfielder at this price. It is not often you can find such an emerging player this late in the draft.
Zach Neto (SS – LAA) | ESPN ADP: 145 | Consensus ADP: 33
Zach Neto is a valuable category league contributor. He is not valued by ESPN rankings. I have never seen a player be so highly rated by consensus, yet barely crack ESPN’s top-150.
Neto has put together excellent seasons in 2024 and 2025. He went 20-20 in 2024 and 25-25 in 2025. He slashed .257/.319/.474 last season and has been on a steady upward trajectory since his debut in 2023.
Please draft the 25-year-old earlier than the 140s in ESPN. This especially applies to category league formats. Neto is less valuable in points formats and can be drafted less urgently.
Kyle Stowers (OF – MIA) | ESPN ADP: 186 | Consensus ADP: 114
Kyle Stowers emerged as a surprising star for the Miami Marlins after years of struggling to make a name for himself. The 2025 All-Star slashed 288/.368/.544 with 25 home runs.
Stowers is not a game-changing fantasy player. He features some concerns, such as striking out at a 27.4% rate. Despite being imperfect, Stowers deserves to be drafted much closer to pick 100 than he does 200. Draft Stowers to reinforce your outfield in an otherwise dwindling stage of the draft.
Bubba Chandler (SP – PIT) | ESPN ADP: 205 | Consensus ADP: 155
Bubba Chandler made waves in early 2025 by striking out batters in Triple A to an impressive 10.9 K/9 ratio. The elite pitching prospect can throw a devastating fastball at 100 miles per hour. Chandler made his MLB debut, throwing 31.1 innings to a 4.02 ERA and an 8.9 K/9 ratio.
Chandler’s modest debut is a sign of good things to come. The 23-year-old is projected to make the Pittsburgh Pirates’ starting rotation. His results should get better with time in the Majors.
Draft Chandler as a late-round ESPN target.
Ivan Herrera (C – STL) | ESPN ADP: 299 | Consensus ADP: 180
Ivan Herrera is an elite late-round catcher in ESPN drafts. In limited games in 2025, Herrera slashed .284/.373/.464 with 19 home runs. These are not offensive numbers you see from catchers this late in the draft.
Draft the soon-to-be 26-year-old much earlier than pick 300.
Honorable Mentions:
- CJ Abrams (SS – WAS) | ESPN ADP: 139 | Consensus ADP: 68
- Nick Kurtz (1B – ATH) | ESPN ADP: 55 | Consensus ADP: 19
- Nolan McLean (SP – NYM) | ESPN ADP: 121 | Consensus ADP: 95
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