2020 Fantasy Baseball Rankings

Acuna went 41/37 in homers/steals last season as a sophomore but the batting average is likely going to be 20-30 points below Trout and the homers may end up 10 behind. Most are taking Acuna first anyways because of the difference in steals and frankly, you can't go wrong with either.

Although Mike Trout has missed some time, they've mostly been flukey injuries. Had he stayed healthy, we may have been talking about 55 homers with 15 steals and a .300 average. His consistency alone makes him the number one overall pick just ahead of Acuna.

Although Trout and Acuna were both phenomenal last year, it was Yelich who finished as the #1 fantasy player in baseball. Despite missing 30 games, he still hit 44 homers with 30 steals and a .329 batting average. Don't be shocked if he goes 50/30 with a batting crown this year.

After his ridiculous start in April, Bellinger cooled off for sure, but still played at a 43 HR, 102 RBI, 116 R, 13 SB, .274 pace. He doesn't come with the risk some are suggesting as let's remember, he was still just 23 years old in his down season of 2018. You can draft him in the top-five with confidence but behind Trout, Acuna and Betts.

Mookie's batting average dipped 50 points from the year prior and he stole 14 fewer bases despite an extra 15 games played. With that said, his 2018 performance shows he has the upside to finish as the #1 fantasy player. As it is, the choice at #4 and #5 is between he and his teammate, Cody Bellinger.

Even despite missing the first month, Lindor went for 32 homers, 22 steals and 101 runs. He has been steady for three seasons and could very easily take another leap into the top tier of fantasy assets this year but he'll need that batting average to leap in order to get there.

There are four first-round worthy shortstops this year and among them, Story may be the top bet. He now has 35+ homers 20+ steals and a batting average above .290 in two consecutive seasons. After Bellinger is off the board, you could make a case for Story at pick #6 overall.

 

Turner has struggled to stay healthy thus far but when he is on the field, there may be no better fantasy asset. He has the upside to hit 25 homers with 50 steals and a .300 batting average. There is virtually no chance he drops into the second round so grab him while you can.

Arenado won't steal any bases, but besides Trout, this is the most consistent and reliable bat in the majors. If he doesn't get traded, he is a virtual lock to again finish among the top 10 fantasy hitters and you just may be able to snag him at the end of the first round.

 

It seemed impossible that Soto could be even better than his rookie year but that is just what we got with 34 homers, 110 RBIs, 110 runs and a .282 batting average to go with 12 steals. Considering how young he is, we may see even more in 2020 which would make his second round ADP a steal.

 

Thanks to his 122 runs and 41 homers, Bregman outperformed Story, Turner and Lindor last year so you might consider him at #6 overall once Bellinger is gone but his lack of steals makes his ceiling a bit lower than each of those other first rounders.

Freeman might not be the most exciting second round pick, but the floor over the past four years has been a .300 hitter with 90+ runs, 90+ RBIs and 25 homers. Last season he was at 113 runs, 38 HRs and 121 RBIs so it isn't like his ceiling is too bad either.

 

Ramirez is certainly an interesting case because he only finished 15th among fantasy third basemen in 2019 but finished the year so strong that many are remembering why he was a first round pick to begin with. Ramirez is a near-ock to go 20/20 again but with upside for that majestic 40/35 season with a strong average.

Martinez won't steal any bases but with 40 homers, 100+ RBIs and a .300 batting average every year, fantasy owners are getting an absolute steal at any point in the second round of drafts. Don't be scared off by his dip in production, as underlying metrics suggest he was among the most unlucky hitters in baseball.

 

While Rendon may be the best overall third basemen in real life, walks and defense don't translate to fantasy. Rather, we are looking at a player without speed but one whose 4-category bat makes him a strong second round pick for the 2020 season.

Believe it or not, Devers managed to finish at the number one fantasy third basemen last year over Rendon, Arenado and Bregman. Batting in the middle of Boston's great lineup afforded him 129 runs and 115 RBIs which went a long way, but he contributed in all five categories and is young enough that he might do even better in 2020.

Tatis was sensational in his half of season with 22 homers, 16 steals and a .317 batting average but every underlying metric available to us screams significant regression. He is a strong source of power and speed but expect the BA to plummet.

Unlike Aaron Judge, who is also going at the end of the second round, Harper has only missed 8 games in the last two seasons. He might not have as much power or the reliable batting average, but there is something to be said for health and the extra 10 steals.

Judge again missed 50+ games in 2019. While he is healthy, we are still looking at a 40+ homer pace with tons of runs and a batting average that won't kill fantasy owners, but with a second round ADP, the risk may be a little bit too much.

It may be difficult to believe but Bogaerts outperformed even Francisco Lindor, Trea Turner and Gleyber Torres last year thanks to 110+ runs and 100+ RBIs to go with a .311 BA and 33 homers. His ceiling may not be as high as the others, but he is excellent in every non-steals category.

 

By now, you should know that although Marte isn't one of the game's most well known stars, he is a solid bet to return 25 homers, 100 runs scored and 30 steals with a strong batting average if he can stay healthy fo the full season. He doesn't have much upside for the third round ADP, though.

 

It was just an 87 game sample size but in that time, Yordan was clearly one of the top five hitters in baseball. He won't steal any bags, but 50 homers, 140 RBIs and a .320 batting average is within the realm of realistic possibilities. He comes with some risk, however, since we haven't seen it for an extended time.

The shortstop position is so loaded that Baez' 29 homers, 11 steals and .281 batting average didn't even get him into the top 12 at the position last year. He is still well worth a third or fourth round pick, however, because the bat and speed are both reliable.

 

Altuve hit a career-high 31 homers last year but still only finished as the #10 fantasy second basemen because the steals have disappeared and his batting average has continued to drop. With that said, he has been so consistent for long enough that he may still be the top second basemen for 2020.

 

Blackmon had a rough spot in the season but still finished with 30+ homers, 110+ runs and a batting average north of .310. He is getting older and only stole 2 bags compared to the 43 fantasy owners got in 2015, but this still a great bat in the late third round.

It feels odd that a rookie can hit 53 homers with 120 RBIs then end up draft towards the end of the third round but that's exactly what we have here. 60 homrs is a real possibility but then again, so are 35 homers with a .235 batting average, similar to the disappointment fantasy owners had with Hoskins last season.

 

As a 22-year-old, Gleyber managed 38 homers, 96 runs and 91 RBIs with a .280 batting average. There is still room for more growth and it would no surprise if he became an MVP candidate this year as a 23-year-old. There isn't enough speed to make him the top fantasy second basemen yet though.

Albies was remarkable last year with a .295 batting average to go with 24 homers, 15 steals and over 100 runs. He did all of that as a 22-year-old so you'd have to think there is room for even more growth in 2020. He is well worth a fourth-round pick at this point.

Although we haven't seen it for an extended stretch, what Meadows did last year, hitting 33 homers with a .291 average and 12 steals makes him well worth considering if he lasts into the fifth round of your drafts. There may be room for more upside as well.

If not for the 40 games missed, we might be talking about Springer as the reigning AL MVP. He was on pace for over 50 homers, 125 RBIs and 125 runs. There isn't much speed but the upside for the other four categories makes him an amazing value in the fourth round of drafts.

There is no one who will deny the likelihood that Marte's .329 batting average drops this year but we are still talking about a kid who hit 32 homers with 10 steals last year. As we've seen with Jose Ramirez and J.D. Martinez, these breakout stars can sometimes even further improve.

Stanton missed virtually the entire season but let's not forget that he only missed 7 games in the prior two years and combined for 97 homers, 232 RBIs and 225 runs scored. Don't be mistaken, this is still one of the best hitters in baseball.

Mondesi had a ridiculous 43 steals last year but he did it in just 416 at-bats. If he can stay on the field for a full season, 60 is not only a possibility, but likely. Add in 15 homers and we are talking about a potential first round value, albeit one with great risk.

 

We've never seen Rizzo hit 35 homers or bat .300 but his production has been so steady that fantasy owners can be certain they'll get 25 homers with 80+ runs, 90+ RBIs and a batting average north of .275. That makes him a worthwhile 4th or 5th round pick.

 

 

 

In his first year with the big league club, Hiura was every bit as good as advertised, going for 19 homers, 9 steals and a .303 BA in just half a season. We could very well see him among the top three in the position by year's end, but he isn't quite as safe as any of the options above him.

Bryant is an excellent player, of course, but his fourth round ADP is a classic case of the name driving the price. He should hit .275 with 30 homers if he stays healthy, but you can find that out of Eddie Rosario and several others a few rounds later.

Merrifield leads off the second tier of fantasy second basemen after Altuve, Torres and Albies. He won't hit 20 bombs, but we can expect a batting average near or above .300 plus 20-30 steals once again, making him a great fifth round pick.

 

Goldschmidt's batting average may have dipped thanks to a slow start but he finished with 30+ homers for the third consecutive season and very nearly went for 100 runs and 100 RBIs. More than likely, that batting average will end up north of .280 again too which would make him a steal at the end of the fifth round.

Machado now has five consecutive seasons with 30+ homers, 80+ runs and 80+ RBIs. Yes, he struggled last year in batting average but this is a durable player with a great floor and Round 1 upside should he decide to steal 15 bags again like we've seen a few times.

After two years of a low BABIP, Olson's BA finally jumped to .267. It isn't probable he will offer more than that but fantasy owners know 50 HRs and 120 RBIs is truly within reach if he doesn't miss a full month this season.

 

The former top overall prospect had a heck of a season in 2019 but his .400 BABIP is almost certainly not going to repeat in 2020. Even still, this young stud has room for more growth and could provide 30 homers plus 10 steals for fantasy owners.

Villar is moving from a great hitter's park to one of the worst but we are still talking about someone who went 24/40 homers/steals with 111 runs and a .273 batting average. There is some risk, as we saw in the 2017 disappointment

It wouldn't surprise anyone if Guerrero batted .330 with 40 homers this year but we are still talking about a kid who didn't outperform Brian Anderson, Renato Nunez or Todd Frazier last year in similar plate appearances. His upside is breathtaking but there is unquestionably some risk at his ADP.

Eloy started out rough for the White Sox last year but he turned it on to close the season, displaying the legitimate 45 homer power that he was thought to eventually morph into in the MLB. Don't be shocked if that batting average jumps 20 more points to .290 as well.

 

 

Pham may not be the biggest name in baseball but by now, we should know he is going to give fantasy owners 20 homers, 20 steals and a strong batting average with loads of runs. He offers similar expectations to Austin Meadows but four rounds later.

 

 

Abreu outperformed Anthony Rizzo and Paul Goldschmidt last season, knocking 33 homers with 122 RBIs and a solid as always .282 BA. He hasn't slowed down one bit despite the age so you can rely on him to produce once again if you grab him in the 7th round.

Like his father, the young Bichette is one heck of a hitter and he proved that by batting .311 with 11 homers in just 46 games last year. Over a full season, it would be no surprise if he morphed into a 30 homer threat with a quality batting average and all the runs and RBIs to accompany it.

LeMahieu may have been the most shocking breakout last year, moving from a .276 hitter with limited power at Coors to all of a sudden 26 HRs, 102 RBIs and a .327 BA away from Coors. You can expect some regression but his 2019 campaign was just too great to discount him in the 6th or 7th round.

Even despite missing 25 games, Rosario still drove in 109 runs thanks to 32 homers. With a full season and his steady .280 batting average, drafting him at his eighth-round ADP is pure thievery. He won't steal any bags but there is certainly something to be said for his consistent bat.

 

This is your reminder that Suarez hit 49 home runs last season. He, of course, ended up with 100+ RBIs for the second straight season too, and his batting average won't even kill you. The fact that you can get him a round or two after Kris Bryant is absolute gold.

 

 

Semien is currently being drafted outside the top 12 fantasy shortstops around the 7th round but did you know that he finished among the top five last year and ahead of Lindor, Turner and Torres. Semien knocked 33 bombs with double-digit steals, a good .285 batting average and 123 runs.

Ozuna had a down year thanks to some injuries he played through, but this is still a bat that should hit 35 homers with 100 RBIs in Atlanta's lineup if he can stay healthy throughout the year. In fact, last year he even stole a dozen bases despite missing 30 games.

Realmuto didn't quite live up to the lofty expectations last year but still managed to finish as the top catcher in fantasy baseball. He is a near-lock to again lead the position in steals and runs while providing 20+ homers, 75+ RBI and a solid batting average. His ceiling might not be as high as Gary Sanchez, but you know you are drafting a sure-fire top 100 player with Realmuto.

Laureano was never a big-time prospect but he certainly put on a show in just 123 games last year, knocking 24 homers with 13 steals and a .286 batting average. Over a full season, he could potentially end up around 30/20 but he does come with some risk.

Yes, Donaldson hit 37 homers last year with 90+ runs and 90+ RBIs but this is a player who missed 160 games over the prior two seasons and won't offer average or steals to counteract the injury risk. With that said, his upside looks nice in the 9th round.

Bell slowed down a ton after the break but was so terrific to start the season that he still finished with 37 homers, 116 RBIs and a .277 batting average. There is potential for more, but considering how he ended the year, perhaps a little risk as well for the price tag.

If fantasy were real life, Chapman might be the second best third basemen in the league but fantasy accounts for average instead of OBP and his 1 steal won't help much. Rather, he is big power guy with runs, homers and not much else to help your fantasy team.

Gallo only played 70 games but still managed 22 homers, 54 runs scored and 49 RBIs. With a full season, you'd have to expect him to return to 40+ homers, but the big question is whether the batting average is worth the risk in the seventh round of drafts.

Soler did swat a ridiculous 48 homers with 117 RBIs and a decent batting average last year but let's not forget that he has missed considerable time due to injury every season prior. If he can stay healthy, that eighth round ADP will be a bargain, but it's a big if.

Robles did not help from a batting average standpoint but he is still young enough that progress can be expected. Where he did help, however, was on the basepaths with nearly 30 steals to go with 86 runs. He has sufficient power and should grow into more so his seventh-round ADP seems perfect.

 

 

Brantley had injury troubles for a while but has now played virtually every day for two straight years. In that time, he has returned to the steal .310 hitter with 20 homers. Although the steals are long gone, that profile still works great with a tenth-round pick.

 

Castellanos hit 25+ homers with a .290 BA again last season, and this year he'll get a sizeable ballpark factor upgrade so those numbers could both take another jump. No, he won't steal bases, but he is durable so you can bet the runs and RBIs will total 160+ for the fourth straight season.

Muncy now has 70 homers over the last two seasons and while fantasy owners know he won't be a source of help in the batting average department, he still managed 100+ runs because of the 90 walks. Multi-position eligibility certainly doesn't hurt either.

 

Don't look now, but Robert was better than even Fernando Tatis in the minors. Much better. He does have holes in his swing but in 200 games, has still managed to bat .312. He has future 40/40 potential and could be a superstar even as a rookie this year.

 

Anderson missed 40 games last year but still nearly went 20/20 with 81 runs. If that was all, it would have been a killer season but he also happened to bat .335 for the Sox. We can expect that to drop to near or even below .300 this year but that is still a great buy around the 8th round.

 

 

So far, we've only seen Correa play more than 110 games once in his five seasons. Whenever he is on the field, Correa has been a tremendous hitter so the upside is that of a top five fantasy shortstop but his floor is quite low because of the repeat injury risk.

 

Benintendi had a disappointing offensive season in 2019, hitting just 13 homers with 10 steals and a .266 batting average. There is upside, sure, but if he repeats that production, he is barely worth drafting, let alone all the way up in the top 100 picks where his ADP currently is.

 

It is clear at this point that Conforto won't be a source of useful batting average or steals, but he crushes in the other three categories, hitting 33 homers with 90+ RBIs and runs scored last season. That is a quality stat-line around round nine.

 

Moustakas is a virtual lock to hit 30+ homers with 80+ RBIs but he doesn't steal any bags and with the power will likely come a sub-optimal batting average. You could do worse in the 9th round, however, because at the very least, he is a reliable three-category contributor.

The Orioles had a dismal season but Mancini took his performance to another level with 35 homers, 106 R, 97 RBIs and a .291 BA. He is among the top regression candidates but even with a dip, we are still looking at a potential value in the 10th round because name-value is driving his ADP down.

 

Yes, Sanchez did manage to swat 34 homers and has historical power potential for the position, but you are definitely going to take a hit at batting average if you draft him. With that said, hitting in the middle of the Yankees lineup should afford fantasy owners loads of RBIs and runs too.

 

Hoskins' BA luck caught up to him and that BA dipped to .226. His power remained about the same rather than jumping to a new level like many seemed to be anticipating. He does still have upside for more but the floor, as we've seen, is a non-top 25 first basemen.

 

There were many skeptics after McNeil's strong rookie performance but it now clear that he is a hitter through and through. He'll again compete for the batting crown and seems likely to his 20+ homers once agin for the Mets this season.

 

 

 

Polanco picked up where he left off after the 2018 suspension by batting nearly .300 with over 100 runs and 22 homers. His speed is gone but for his 11th round price tag, that is a plenty useful stat line even if you have to use him in the utility spot instead of shortstop.

 

 

 

Puig may not be signed yet but it is inevitable that he will be end up starting every day for some new team and when he does, you can bank on 20+ homers, 15+ steals and a .260+ batting average as he always seems to give us.

Mercado impressed as a rookie, hitting 15 homers, stealing 15 bags and scoring 70 runs in just 115 games. His production slowed at the end of the year, though, and the overall batting average will likely dip so don't expect the same useful pace for all of 2020.

 

After a lousy 2018, it seemed Santana's bat had finally hit the end of career wall, but he bounced back to a tune of 34 homers, 110 runs and saw his batting average soar from .229 to .281. All are expected to regress in 2019, but not enough to make him worth passing on in the 12th round.

Seager is a far cry from being an MVP candidate as a rookie, but his batting average won't kill you and he'll hit around 20-25 homers with 80+ RBIs and runs. If he is traded to Boston, he'd likely see a jump in every offensive statistic.

Escobar had a heck of a breakout season, driving in 118 RBIs thanks to 35 homers. The batting average will never be great but he certainly won't hurt you in that category. What's more, is that he'll qualify for 2B and 3B so that you can slide him around during the week.

Most seem to recall Kepler knocking 36 homers but did you realize he did it while missing 30 games. The batting average will almost definitely be under .260 but if he plays the full season, you can bet on 90+ runs and 90+ RBIs this season.

 

 

Dahl has always had trouble staying healthy even while he is was in the minors but while he is on the field, you know you'll get strong production. Think of him in the same light as Michael Brantley, who should bat around .300 with about 20 homers and a handful of steals.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Franmil played most of his season with San Diego's pitcher-friendly park as his home venue but still managed 37 homers in just 494 total at-bats. The batting average will likely end up south of .270 but 50 homers is a possibility out of the 13th round, so you know what to do.

 

There has been some hype fatigue on Schwarber so you can now get him in the 13th round even though he jacked 38 homers with 92 RBIs last season. In fact, the batting average even leaped up to .250 and is projected to remain there for the 2020 season.

In terms of overall game, Grandal may be the best catcher in all of baseball, as his OBP will hover just south of .400 and he plays excellent defense but the BA will be closer to that .240 mark and his HRs, RBIs and runs should dip in the ballpark and lineup moves from MIL to CWS.

With so many competent fantasy shortstops, it may seem boring to draft Andrus in the 13th round but he has been so consistent and durable from year to year that this boring source of speed and average may prove well worth the price once again.

 

 

Rosario is still young enough that he may still improve upon his 15 homers, 19 steals and .287 batting average that fantasy owners received from him last year. His ceiling is nowhere near some of the top shortstops, but he will contribute in all five categories.

If you get into the 14th round and need either steals or batting average, Cain will make for an excellent investment. He should again steal 15-20 bags and you can expect the batting average to jump back up closer to that .300 mark he sat at for 4 of the past 6 seasons.

 

 

Sano missed over 50 games but still hit 34 homers and drove in 79 runs. With a full season, 50/110/110 is a real possibility but let's not pretend that he hasn't let fantasy owners down a number of times so there is most definitely some risk as well.

Gurriel was unbelievable last season going from 13 homers and 85 RBIs to 31 and 104. Even with the power spike, he maintained his .290 BA for the third straight season. Although he is older, it is clear that fantasy owners can still rely on him for plenty of production.

 

 

 

Turner has quietly been one of the better pure hitters in baseball over the last few seasons. The problem is that he consistently misses 30 to 50 games. If we finally get a full season, that .310 batting average with 30+ homers and 90+ runs would look great in the 12th round.

Contreras is no doubt one of the best hitting catchers in baseball, with a .270+ average in three of four seasons, but his upside is capped by the fact that Chicago also has Caratini and is certain to get him 200+ PAs. Even so, Contreras should have no trouble reaching 20 HRs, 50 R and 60 RBIs once again.

 

Biggio might not help in batting average, as we saw last year, but there is no doubt about it that he is a source of both power and speed. 20/20 seems like a near-certainty and there is room for more which sounds great with his 12th round price tag.

Santana's breakout season was absolutely ridiculous on paper. He finished with 28 homers, 21 steals, a .283 BA and 80+ RBIs and runs in just 474 at-bats. He may not be as efficient this season but even if he takes a step back, he would be a steal in the 13th round.

There is virtually no chance Mallex will hit double-digit homers or even drive in 50 runs. In fact, he batted just .228 last year but steals are steals and Mallex should tally 50 of them for you if he plays the entire season. This is the equivalent of a fantasy asset who hits 80 homers but hurts you in three categories.

 

Tucker hasn't lived up to the hype in his first 130 big league at-bats but don't sour on him quite yet. This is a legitimate five-category asset who could go 40/25 HR/SB with a .280 batting average within the next few years. It is tough to tell how quickly it will come but he has to get playing time first.

 

Gone are the days where Segura will steal 20 or even 30 bases but he is a near-lock for double-digit homers and steals to go with an average that should again hover around .300. His ceiling falls short of many other shortstops in fantasy but the floor is terrific.

Garver may be the most difficult catcher to peg this season because his breakout was so extreme and such a surprise. He hit 31 homers in just 311 at-bats. Surely that rate will regress but he should also get more trips to the plate too so 35 HRs, .260 BA is not out of the question by any means.

 

 

Encarnacion is most certainly getting up there in age but his power persists as he knocked 30+ homers again for the eighth straight season. As we all know, the batting average won't be great but we can put up with that for 100+ RBIs and 80+ runs to go with the power.

Calhoun has a smaller frame but his bat is loud, as evidenced by the 21 homers he hit in just half a season. In fact, he batted .272 with 99 RBIs + runs as well so don't be shocked if it jumps to 35/90/90 over the course of a full season. Calhoun is a serious breakout candidate.

 

After starting the season slow, Toronto sent Gurriel back to the minors but once he was called back up, he was one of the best hitters in baseball with a nearly 50-homer pace. That won't keep up, but 35 with a strong batting average is entirely possible.

 

 

Buxton has never managed to stay healthy for a full season but while he is healthy, fantasy owners get a source of power and great speed. Should he finally stay on the field all year, fantasy owners could receive 20 homers, 25 steals and a decent batting average out of the 14th round.

Although DeJong hit so poorly at the end of the season, he has no chance of losing playing time because he is so great in the field. Even with his rough stretch to close things, DeJong finished with 30 homers and 97 runs. He is expected to do much of the same this year.

Eaton missed a lot of time in 2017 and 2018 but has played three complete seasons in the last five years and gave fantasy owners 15/15, .280 with 90+ runs in all of them. With his ADP still sitting outside the top 200, he makes for an excellent fifth fantasy outfielder.

 

 

For the first time since 2009, McCutchen played fewer than 145 games. Yes, he is coming off a major injury but he is expected to be back for opening day so you should rely on him for 20 homers, 10 steals and a decent batting average as he always seems to provide.

Reynolds was an excellent surprise last year as a rookie, batting .316 with 16 homers and 83 runs despite being down in the minors for the first month of the season. There is some risk in drafting him but more than likely, this is a solid source of batting average in the middle of your draft.

 

 

Didi only ended up playing half the season but in that time he continued his torrid home run pace with 16 of them. The batting average dropped and his ballpark change should have a negative impact but this is still a 25-homer shortstop in the middle of your drafts.

There is a chance Lux is dealt to Boston but it seems most likely that he'll stay. If he does, the most likely fantasy outcome is a Daniel Murphy-lite from day one but with upside for more. He hit .347 with 26 homers last year in just 113 minor league games.

 

Upton missed 100 games last year but has otherwise been extremely durable his entire career, hitting 30+ homers with 80+ runs and 80+ RBIs in three consecutive seasons. Thre is a chance he struggles again, but more than likely, he'll return value in the 17th round of drafts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Perez missed the entire season but is still just 30 years old and let's not forget that he was an all-star for six consecutive seasons. There is no more consistent source of power at the position but his BA has dipped into danger territory two times in three seasons. Perez ends the top teir of reliable catchers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lowe didn't have a high prospect pedigree nor did he perform in his rookie debut but he blew up last year for the Rays, hitting 17 homers and driving in 51 runs in just 296 at-bats. Don't be surprised if that grows to 25 and 10 with a solid batting average over a full year.

Walker finished as a top 15 first basemen with a near-identical stat-line to Paul Goldschmidt. He slowed down in the second half and the batting average won't be useful but unless Seth Beer forces Arizona's hand, Walker should again get 25+ homers for fantasy owners this year.

It never feels exciting to draft Choo, but he now has 20+ homers with a .260+ average and 80+ runs in each of the past three seasons. In fact, he stole 15 bases last year even despite his older age. This is a killer value in the 21st round of drafts.

 

Aquino came out of the gate absolutely blazing but came to a screeching halt. Even so, he finished the year with 19 homers and 7 steals in just 56 games played. His ceiling is obviously immense but if he doesn't hit from the start, he may end up back in the minors before long.

 

 

If you are scrambling to find a useful late-round outfielder, look no further. Garcia has an excellent bat, hiting 20 homers with a .282 batting average and incredible statcast data in just 125 games last year. The sizeable ballpark upgrade could drive that to 30, .290 this season and his price is the 21st round.

If you are looking for this year's breakout player, Davis might just be your guy. He finished the season on an absolute terror once the Mets finally implanted him in the everyday lineup. What's more, is that the underlying metrics suggest it should have been even better.

 

Dozier had a strong 2019, batting .279 with 26 homers, 75 runs and 84 RBIs. He won't swipe any bags, but that was good enough to outproduce Rhys Hoskins and Edwin Encarnacion from a fantasy perspective and fantasy owners can expect more four category production this year.

 

 

 

 

Newman was expected to hit for average with 15-20 steals but just because he accomplished it as a rookie doesn't mean we can quite expect that performance in 2020. Rather, his MLB season was actually better than anything he ever did in the minors.

Voit wasn't anything near the short sample-size explosion we saw in 2018 but he still managed 21 homers, 72 runs and 62 RBIs in just 118 games. While the batting average won't be ideal, you can certainly put up with 30 homers, 90/90 RBis and runs in the 17th round.

 

 

McMahon didn't play every day as some expected but he still managed 24 homers. With more playing time this year, that could spike to 30+ and his .250 BA is likely to improve as well considering his aptitude in that department throughout the minors.

 

Smith was among the biggest surprises last season, knocking 15 homers and 42 RBIs in just 170 at-bats. That's a full-season pace of 40 homers and a 120 RBIs. Granted, that won't happen, but the upside is clearly there for a special season. You'll have to decide if the hefty ADP is worth the risk.

Braun doesn't have 500 at-bats in any of the last three seasons and isn't likely to reach that figure in 2020 but he still provides 20 homers, double-digit steals and a useful batting average year in and year out. His ADP is unbelievably outside the top 300 this season.

Since 2016, Ramos has batted a superb .294 and averages 16 homers per season with 64 RBIs. He doesn't possess the upside of a Contreras, Sanchez or Garver but in terms of consistency, he is as solid as you'll find. Ramos ends the tier of players you rely on to finish among the top ten catchers.

Kingery slowed down after his blazing start but still finished with 19 homers and 15 steals in just 126 games. With a full season likely ahead of him and multi-position eligibility, this may end up being one of the steals of the draft when he goes 25/20 with a .260 average.

Urshela was among the most surprising breakouts in 2019, batting .315 with 21 homers for the Yankees. Although that isn't going to keep up, he earned playing time in New York and may prove worth of that 20th round ADP.

Since Hosmer went to San Diego, his batting average hasn't been anywhere near as reliable as it once was. The power is still in the 20 homer per season range but his primary calling card is the durability that affords fantasy owners 90+ RBIs per season and plenty of runs.

Murphy didn't do all that much either of the last two seasons with just 12 and 13 homers plus 90 missed games combined, but his batting average has still be reliably good. If he can manage to stay healthy, .315 and 20 HRs is not out of the question.

We know by now that Odor is going to kill us in the batting average department but he once again swatted 30 homers with 93 RBIs and double-digit steals. You'll either need to target BA early or just punt the category altogether, but Odor is great for the other four categories.

Peralta missed 70 games last year but still hit 12 homers with 57 RBIs and a strong batting average. If he can stay healthy the full year, fantasy owners may see a return to that great 2018 line of 30 homers, 87 RBIs and a .293 batting average. In round 20, he's an absolute steal.

It has now been two seasons since Votto has displayed any power, and his batting average has dropped quite a bit each of the last two years. He might not be helpful in fantasy whatsoever, but there is, of course, a chance that he bounces back to become a top 12 first basemen once again.

Don't look now, but Wong was actually great last year, hitting .285 with 24 steals and a dozen homers. While he hasn't exactly been consistent in his career, repeating those type of numbers would make him a downright steal late in drafts.

 

 

 

Cron had 30 homers in 2018 and followed it up with 25 last year despite just 125 games played. Should he see a full season of health, 35 or even 40 is a possibility but the cost is a medicore at best batting average.

Senzel was expected to be an immediate five-category contributor but has run into some injury issues then struggled with a .256 batting average. The upside is still there but compared to others being drafted in the 15th round, he comes with more risk.

 

 

Swanson's statcast metrics were shockingly good so even though he broke out to a clip of 17 homers and 10 steals in just 127 games, there could be more under the surface that fantasy owners end up with this year from the Braves' shortstop.

 

 

 

 

 

Canha took a big a big step forward last year, improving his batting average 25 points while he managed 26 homers in just 126 games. That number could become nearly 40 with a full season but the batting average is more than likely going to regress a bit.

 

Andujar virtually missed the entire season so there is some risk in relying on a bounceback or even a full year of stats, but if we get it, we've seen the upside to be a .300 average with 25+ homers. With an ADP above 300, you should be able to get him super late in drafts.

 

Joc has always had power but last year he kicked it up a notch, reaching 36 bombs in just 450 at-bats. He is one to monitor in the upcoming weeks as his playing time could spike if the Dodgers deal him to Boston in the possible Mookie Betts deal.

Pollock hasn't reached 450 at-bats in any of the past four seasons but while he is on the field, fantasy owners are still getting both power and speed. Should he finally stay healthy for the full year, 25 homers and 15 steals is a realistic possibility.

 

 

 

There is nothing sexy about grabbing Hernandez in the 22nd round as your #3 middle infielder but he has been as consistent as you'll find over the last few years. He is a safe bet for 15 homers, 10 steals and useful batting average while playing just about every game.

 

Prior to last year's injury, Haniger batted .285 with 26 homers, 90+ runs and 90+ RBIs. There is a chance he returns to that level of production in 2020 but he only batted .220 last season so drafting him even in the middle of your draft comes with considerable risk.

Diaz finally received some playing time and the bat was strong as expected with 14 homers in just half a season. The batting average has room for growth too so don't be surprised if a full season gives fantasy owners 25 homers with a .280 average.

Hampson was everyone's favorite late-round sleeper last year but the Rockies fiddled around with their lineup and he was only given 299 at-bats. In that time, he showed some power and great speed, but that batting average struggled. Unless they trade Arenado, he might struggle for playing time again.

 

 

 

 

Kelly was on a roll last season before his injury but still managed to power up for 18 homers in just 314 at-bats. The batting average may end up below .240 but with a full season, 30 homers isn't out of the question for the youngster.

 

 

 

 

 

Chavis came out blazing after he made his MLB debut and many were calling him the next great star but he cooled off in a huge way and ended up only hitting .254 but with 18 homers in 347 at-bats. With multi-position eligibility, this is a premiere breakout candidate to target late in drafts.

 

Adell might just have the brightest future of any prospect in baseball, but he is nowhere near as polished as someone like Luis Robert. Rather, the power may take some time to develop and he'll never be a source of steals. You can stash him, but he isn't expected to be a star right away.

 

Solak was never a big prospect but he always raked in the minors then continued that trend upon being called up for Texas. He finished the year with 32 combined homers, 91 RBIs and a .290 batting average. That seems unlikely in his full rookie season, but the kid can surely hit.

Vasquez is being drafted as the ninth catcher off the board this season but finished 2019 as the #4 catcher in fantasy with 23 homers and a solid .276 average. Playing in Boston's treacherous lineup certainly dosn't hurt either. His upside isn't as sexy but this is a good bat well worth using as a top 12 catcher.

 

 

After hitting 1 homer in 123 games during the 2018 season, La Stella completely changed his game and caught fire in 2019. He swatted 16 of them in just 292 at-bats and prior to injury, he was batting .295 as well. There is a chance he continues that performance over a full season this year.

 

 

Riley has impressive power without question, hitting 18 homers in just half a season but the batting average will kill fantasy owners if he doesn't cut down on the strikeouts. Still, you could do worse than a lottery ticket in the last rounds.

 

The 29-year-old Myers has been disappointing each of the last two seasons but let's not forget that he is not far removed from 58 HRs and 48 SBs in two seasons combined. The average will never be there but the power/speed combo is worth a late-round gamble.

Narvaez was exceptional last year in a breakout campaign with 22 bombs and a .278 average. While he may be due for some regression, moving from Seattle's pitcher park to Milwaukee's hitter park and a much stronger lineup could help him have another very useful offensive season.

Gordon only played half a season and fantasy owners still received 22 steals from him. With a full season, 40 and 100 runs is not out of the question. Although he won't help with homers or RBIs, steals are hard enough to get that he is worth a 20th round pick.

Nunez went from 8 homers and a .258 average in 2018 to a breakout performance with 31 homers and 90 RBIs. The batting average certainly won't help fantasy owners, however.

The Rays' kid shortstop was so bad in the first half that many figured he might get sent down to the minors but he picked up the pace, batting .278/.340/.467 in the second half which has many wondering if a full season 2020 breakout is in store.

 

 

 

Yadi isn't likely to knock 20 homers again at this point in his career, but he is a safe source of batting average and also provides a handful of steals every year as well. While he is healthy, batting in the middle of the lineup should provide plenty of RBIs and runs for fantasy owners too.

 

 

 

Castro was a total afterthought for most of the season but he finished on such a strong note that he ended up with 22 homers, a .270 batting average and 86 RBIs in Miami's crummy lineup. Now that he is in Washington, 100 RBIs is a realistic goal.

 

 

 

 

Simmons will never hit 20 homers nor should we expect him to return to the 19 steals we saw in 2017, but this is a reliable source of decent numbers at all five primary hitting categories. You can grab him in the very last round of your draft if you need a middle infielder.

 

 

Cano may be old and coming off a rough season, but he missed 55 games again and had some rough BA luck. He is a prime bounceback candidate who could jump to 20 homers, .280 at the plate and you can grab him in the last few rounds.

Berti was never much of a prospect and is actually already 29 years old. He won't ever hit for power, but 25+ steals with a solid batting average and perhaps even 85 or 90 runs is a legitimate possibility. Plus, he plays most positions and has limited competition for playing time.

Alfaro slowed down a bit at the end of the season but still finished with 18 homers and a .262 batting average. The youngster has some speed as well and that bat should continue to improve in just his third full season in the bigs this year.

 

Say what you want about Schoop's batting average risk but this is a middle infielder who has hit 76 homers in his last three seasons despite missing 80 games over the last two years. With a full bill of health, we could see 30 bombs with 100 RBIs out of a late-round second baseman.

Carpenter was a major disappointment in 2019 for fantasy owners but let's not forget that he was an MVP candidate just 18 months ago. There is a chance he gets healthy all season and posts another 30+ homers with 100+ runs for fantasy owners.

Murphy didn't show much in his September debut but he was a top prospect for a reason, hitting .293 with 20 extra-base hits in just 41 minor league games. Murphy should be in the lineup almost every day and can be expected to contribute in four categories.

Urias only batted .219 in his anticipated rookie campaign but it was a small sample size so we shouldn't quite give up on him yet. Rather, this is someone worth putting on waiver-wire speed-dial following drafts in case he starts to break out.

Lowe didn't do a ton in his 152 at bats last year but in the minor leagues he made it clear that he is a masher through and through. It would be no surprise if he ended the year batting .290 with 25 homers much like we saw in Trey Mancini's breakout 2019.

 

 

 

Seager hasn't hit for batting average in any of the last three seasons, but he did manage to swat 20+ homers for the seventh straight season and he did it last year in just 106 games. This might be a cheap way to grab 30 homers in 2020.

Madrigal is a talented prospect but probably not quite worth drafting and stashing in a standard-sized league. From the moment he is called up, though, Madrigal should be owned everywhere.

 

 

 

 

Aguilar had a rough 2019 but was only given 314 at-bats. Now that he is with Miami, we can expect him to play near every game and if he does, those 35 homers fantasy owners saw in 2018 may return.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prior to the last year, Ahmed was merely a fringe starter who might bop 15 homers, but was going to kill your batting average and not accomplish much else. He kicked it up in 2019, though to 19 homers, 82 RBIs and 79 runs with a batting average north of .250. If that all returns, he'll be a nice late round value.

Alberto doesn't walk much but fortunately for fantasy owners, all that matters is his .305 batting average. That might not stick around though and he certainly won't help you with power or speed.

Goodrum isn't going to hit even .250 but this a multi-position guy for your bench that will hit a dozen homers and steal a dozen bases.

 

If you play in a deeper league and are looking for a source of batting average in the later rounds, Cabrera is as solid of a bet as you'll find. Durability is a concern and he won't hit for power anymore though.

 

While Kieboom may not be the phenom Gavin Lux is considered to be, this is still a very polished young bat who went .303/.409/.493 in Triple-A last season. Much like Andrew Benintendi, though, he should be more useful in real-life than the bigs where his advanced eye is Kieboom's top calling card.

Profar may have batted .218 but he is still young enough that we can expect some improvement. Even if we don't get it, he is strong enough in the other four categories that you can use a late-round pick on him knowing you'll get steady production.

Mejia was a bit of a fantasy disappointment last year but that is often the case with young catchers. He should end up with much more than 226 at-bats this time around and if he does, you can expect 15+ homers to go with a useful batting average.

Smoak batted just .208 but underlying metrics suggest he may have been the most unlucky hitter in all of baseball. Expect .240 at least this year with another 25+ homers in Milwaukee.

Shaw was awful last year, batting .157 and losing his job but he was playing through injuries. Don't forget that he hit 30+ homers in back to back seasons before last year's struggles.

Murphy was quietly exceptional for the Mariners in just 260 at-bats, knocking 18 homers with 40 RBIs and a .269 BA. Now that Narvaez is out of his way and in Milwaukee, Murphy should add 200 trips to the plate and could approach 25 or perhaps even 30 homers for fantasy owners.

At-bat for at-bat, Kendrick was one of the best hitters in the MLB last season despite his old age. He somehow went from a 4 home run hitter to 17 bombs with a .344 batting average. It is hard to tell if it will stick around for a full year but he is well worth a late-round investment.

 

 

 

 

It wasn't long ago that Happ was being drafted within the first 10 rounds because of his power/speed combo. Playing time needs to come back and the BA is an issue but he has upside worth monitoring.

 

We've seen Posey's power numbers slowly drop over each of the last four seasons but last year the batting average finally plummeted too. There isn't much upside here but at the very least, you know he will play almost every day.

 

 

 

 

Martinez was only given 334 at-bats last year even though he batted .305 in 2018. His batting average dipped but all of the underlying metrics suggest that was a fluke. If he plays the full season in Tampa, he could prove to be one of the great steals in 2020.

 

 

 

 

 

Longoria is nowhere near the 2016 version fantasy owners got with 36 homers and a solid average but the 20-25 homer power is still there if he can stay on the field all season.

Suzuki's bat took off last year with 17 homers, 63 RBIs and a .264 BA in just 280 at-bats. It seems likely that Gomes will take more of a back seat this year which would make Suzuki a plenty useful offensive catcher for fantasy owners.

 

 

It is clear that Fletcher won't provide much in the way of homers or RBIs but this a guy who should boost your BA and provide 75+ runs in the final few rounds while playing multiple positions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Among the C2 options, no one has more upside, perhaps, than Jansen. He did only bat .208 last year but this was a very strong minor league hitter plus he has some pop.

 

 

 

Belt's batting average is not likely to jump back up to the .275 mark we grew used to seeing earlier in his career but there is something to be said for 15+ homers every year and all the runs that come with his high OBP.

 

 

 

 

d'Arnaud is not likely to help with batting average but as long as he can manage to stay healthy, fantasy owners can again expect 15+ homers with 60+ RBIs in this potent Atlanta offense.

 

 

Peraza is a long way removed from batting .234 as a rookie with 21 steals in half a season, but he is very young still and should start in Boston's great offense so don't be surprised if he breaks out in 2020.

Franco again played just 123 games but still hit 17 homers. With a change of scenery, we may finally get a chance to see Franco's upside which could be in the tune of 30 homers and a .275 average.

We've now seen Frazier hit over .275 three straight seasons and while he doesn't offer a ton of power or speed, the 80 runs certainly helped fantasy owners a bit last season.

 

 

 

 

Vogelbach did manage 30 homers as many thought he might but the batting average was so horrendous that there are talks that he may lose his job at some point this season. With that said, with the risk comes upside for 40 bombs and a Joey Gallo like season.

 

 

 

Galvis is quietly one of the most consistent offensive shortstops. His upside is limited, of course, but you can count on him for 20 homers, 65 runs, 65 RBIs and a decent average.

Pujols is nowhere near where he once was and has some durability concerns but this is still a 20+ homer hitter for the end of your bench with a BA that won't entirely kill you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chirinos may be older and a batting average liability, but you can bet your bottom dollar that he'll provide 15+ homers and 50+ RBIs for fantasy owners as a strong C2 option.

 

Cabrera never feels exciting to draft but there is much to be said for someone who you can count on for 15 homers, 80 RBIs, 65 runs and a batting average that won't kill you late in drafts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thames probably won't play every day for Washington but even with just 396 at-bats last year, he managed 25 homers, 67 runs and 61 RBIs. Fantasy owners would love that production repeated out of a last round pick.

Desmond's batting average has dipped the past few seasons and his 20 steal speed has essentially disappeared but we are still talking about a near-everyday player in Coors who is likely to his 20 homers again.

Cooper has a solid bat that could again bat .280 with 20+ homers if he plays a full season in the middle of Miami's lineup. There isn't a ton of upside, however, and there is risk he would lose his job if he doesn't start well.

 

 

 

 

Zunino's but was so bad last year with a .165 BA that he may end up losing his job altogether, but we know there is no other C3 with this kind of upside. It wouldn't surprise anyone if he knocked 30 homers this year.

 

 

Although Garcia should again end up south of 10 homers and 50 RBIs, we are talking about a consistent .270+ hitter who should have no trouble notching 15 steals.

Tellez has power galore, as evidenced by his 21 homers in just 370 at-bats. Now, the BA will hurt a bit, but you can afford to deal with that if his homers jump to 35 over a full season.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Castro knocked 13 homers in just 237 at-bats last year and may end up with more playing time this year, but if he does, fantasy owners can expect a lackluster batting average.

 

Perez managed to finish among the top 12 fantasy catchers last season, driving in 63 runs on 24 homers. The batting average ended up below .240 but with a low-end C2, that is just par for the course.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Flores finally signed and with Scooter Gennett out of San Francisco, Flores has a solid path to consistent playing time for the first time in years. This reliable bat is a solid late-round investment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dozier has now hit 20+ homers in six straight seasons and he did it last year despite missing nearly 30 games. Yes, the batting average will be rough but he is also a source of RBIs and runs too.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Crawford had a rough season in 2019, batting just .228 with 11 homers, but he has been so steady for five years that a bounceback to the tune of 15 homers, .250 and 50+ runs/RBIs could be in store.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marwin is a long way removed from batting .303 with 90 RBIs for the Astros in the now infamous 2017 Astros' season, but he still has 20 homer power if he can stay on the field and the batting average shouldn't hurt.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beaty offered fantasy owners a jolt last season with both power and speed. It was a small sample-size and there is no guarantee for playing time but he may be worth a late-round investment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

McCann was the #7 fantasy catcher in 2019, swatting 18 homers with a solid .276 average but Chicago went and acquired Grandal so you'd expect McCann sees less playing time this season.

 

 

 

 

Moreland has never been a source of batting average but he does offer power and last year it was plus power with 19 homers in just 91 games. That could become 30-35 with a full season of health this year.

Barnhart is so great defensively that there is virtually no chance he'll lose his job so two-catcher leagues can expect 40+ runs and RBIs but the BA and power won't be all that useful.

 

 

 

The former top prospect has immense talent but we most certainly have not seen it in his first 165 MLB games. There is a chance he breaks out this year, but you are best suited merely keeping him on waiver wire speed dial.

 

Bauers has not produced at the level many prospect hounds expected but he does have upside to break out this year to a tune of 20 homers, 10 steals and a .250 batting average if he hangs onto the job.