There are two middle infielders coming off consecutive seasons of 35 or more home runs. Only two. One of them, Rockies shortstop Trevor Story, is a second-round selection in most ESPN leagues, and for good reason. He is awesome. The other found himself dumped and forgotten only two springs ago, then shocked the Dodgers and everyone else when he turned his plate patience, power potential and defensive versatility into someone that correctly earned NL MVP votes. Then he went and did it again in 2019. What more does Max Muncy need to prove in order to earn some draft-day respect?
Well, he has it from me after he smacked 70 home runs over the past two seasons. No, Max Muncy is not a fluke. He qualifies at three infield positions in ESPN leagues and somehow remains underrated. The power is real and so is the plate discipline. Some argue that he either platoons or does not play enough, but more than 1,000 plate appearances in the past two seasons says otherwise. Sure, Muncy will not win a batting title anytime soon, nor does he steal many bases, but he is also available in the 10th round of most drafts, according to ADP numbers. I do not understand why.
Welcome to the latest chronicle of the "Do Draft" list, focusing on players that keep ending up on my teams because I find I continually reach the extra round or spend the extra dollar for their statistical services. Sometimes I simply get them where I value them because others do not agree. Muncy is one example. He shockingly broke out in 2018, after the Athletics cut him, and the Dodgers saw his value -- and reaped the benefits. While Muncy duplicated the home run output in 2019, other aspects of his profile did slip a bit, though not by much. This is a stable starting infielder with not just modest power but significant power. I rank him considerably higher than others do.
Remember, this is all about value. I am not selecting Muncy ahead of Cody Bellinger. Whereas I might want no part of Adalberto Mondesi or Giancarlo Stanton at near their perceived value, as noted in my "Do Not Draft" list, for players on this list I am willing to reach a bit. These are players to believe in, and not only for the cost of their investment. Let us get right to it, in order of general ADP.
Juan Soto, OF, Nationals: He's a first-round choice for me, for sure, but I somehow got him at No. 15 in an NFBC format and could not fathom why. I think he might be a top-five pick in one year's time, after he hits for more power and steals more bases. This is a generational talent.
Freddie Freeman, 1B, Braves: I got him at No. 16 in that aforementioned league. First, do not pass on first basemen early because you think there is depth. It's not what you think. Second, Freeman is about as safe as possible for four-category goodness. Security is important.
Jose Altuve, 2B, Astros: Stop downgrading Astros for stuff that happened years ago. Alex Bregman and Altuve remain terrific fantasy options in four categories, even if they do not run as much as you desire. Altuve in Round 3 is, well, a steal.
Justin Verlander, SP, Astros: We have to regard each injured player in a vacuum, and while I will go nowhere near Boston's Chris Sale, I think the Verlander situation is minor and presents a fine buying opportunity. I feel similarly about Cleveland ace Mike Clevinger, though it can be a bit risky to invest in both on one fantasy team. Regardless, if Verlander slips too far in your drafts, go get him.
Clayton Kershaw, SP, Dodgers: Yeah, in the past I thought he was a bit overrated in the rankings because of the missed starts, but now, despite a modest drop in skills, I've altered my thinking. The ERA and WHIP remain outstanding and few pitchers reach 200 innings. I have been investing in Kershaw more than I ever thought over the likes of Luis Castillo, Aaron Nola and definitely Blake Snell.
Nelson Cruz, DH, Twins: This narrative never changes, apparently. Some think he is too old. Some hate "clogging" their DH spot early. The numbers are outstanding, so this means more Cruz shares for me!
Jose Abreu, 1B, White Sox: Make it six seasons of consistent power production and a decent batting average. Things could get even better now that the lineup around him has improved. Not every draft pick needs to be young and teeming with upside.
Matt Chapman, 3B, Athletics: The underlying skills tell us more growth is possible for not only power but for batting average. I presume people keep passing on him for the latter reason. Chapman and his pal Matt Olson both deserve more love.
Zack Greinke, SP, Astros: Every year I see the same ridiculous statements about why to avoid this fellow, whether it's about his age or his fastball velocity. He was a top-five pitcher in 2019 and can do it again, but nobody needs to pay a top-five price.
Victor Robles, OF, Nationals: As a matter of fact I do think he will lead off and steal more than 35 bases. Granted, his batting profile is far from perfect, but for fantasy baseball (which is what we do here), I see a top-20 outfielder.
Liam Hendriks, RP, Athletics: Perhaps the lone closer in the top 10 I would be willing to reach for, but since so many are pessimistic that he can duplicate his 2019 feats, he keeps slipping.
Miguel Sano, 3B, Twins: That kind of power deserves a top-100 look, even though he has never reached 120 games in the majors and is a batting average risk.
Cavan Biggio, 2B, Blue Jays: Again, he is not likely to contend for a batting title, but I do not see myriad 20/20 contenders sitting there in the middle rounds of drafts either.
Edwin Encarnacion, 1B, White Sox: So you think this is the year it all falls apart and he stops hitting 30 home runs? Anything is possible, I suppose, but why would it cease now? It has been eight years of monster power and he is out there well past the 10th round of ESPN drafts.
Khris Davis, DH, Athletics: Most seem to see only clear decline from one bad year. He was hurt. I still see the three seasons with 40-plus homers and always the .247 batting average. Be more positive.
Nick Anderson, RP, Rays: I will definitely jump a round or two for someone that could easily eclipse 30 saves and 120 strikeouts. Saves are so easy to find during the season if this goes awry.
Lance Lynn, SP, Rangers: I thought it was funny how so many analysts screamed to sell high on Lynn last year. Those awesome numbers never did stop. I will acknowledge that Lynn outpitched his peripherals, but still, those 246 whiffs. I'm seeing some odd names going ahead of Lynn, including Shohei Ohtani, Frankie Montas and Sale (still).
Zac Gallen, SP, Diamondbacks: Everyone seems to love him and the price might become too optimistic, but it also depends on the makeup of your rotation by the middle rounds. Reach a bit if you lack depth.
Paul DeJong, SS, Cardinals: Little makes sense with his underlying numbers, but I see the potential for a .260 hitter and, thanks to his situation, a cool 100 RBIs. That's quite the find well past the middle rounds.
Scott Kingery, 3B/OF, Phillies: This one is about the cost of investment. In the top 100, pass. However, this is someone who can reasonably hit 25 homers and steal 20 bases, yet he's barely going in the top 200, and he's about to add middle infield eligibility. Nice.
Mark Canha, OF, Athletics: He had a similar OPS to Mookie Betts, Rafael Devers and Trevor Story last season, with the requisite power, and now he should play more regularly. I see opportunity.
Nick Solak, DH, Rangers: I blogged about him recently and now with the Willie Calhoun injury a lineup spot has opened up. Solak will hit enough to matter.
Evan White, 1B, Mariners: Some seem to be so sure he cannot hit for reasonable power, but I saw tons of examples of unlikely hitters doing precisely that in 2019. It is not all about the baseball. Hitters adjust. White is better than you think and a worthy late-round utility choice.
Christian Vazquez, C, Red Sox: You need only one catcher in ESPN leagues, and this one seems to be slipping to the very end. It works for me. For multicatcher formats, Kurt Suzuki and Robinson Chirinos are worth a look.
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