X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

Fantasy Baseball All-Value Team: Favorite Value Picks at Every Position

Bo Bichette - Fantasy Baseball Rankings, MLB DFS Picks, Betting Picks

Dan's "All-Value Team" for 2025, including some fantasy baseball sleepers at every position. Read his favorite draft value picks for fantasy baseball in 2025.

The fantasy baseball draft is the most anticipated event on the fantasy baseball calendar. At this time of year, an offseason of speculation, research, and rankings come to a head as managers finally get to assemble a team and see how their best-laid plans play out.

Experienced fantasy managers come to drafts with a plan. Since getting the best player at each position is impossible, managers need to be aware of the options down the board and what they bring to the table. Planning from the bottom up to the early rounds allows managers to make the most of those all-important first picks as they will be aware of who is available later that can bolster the roster under construction.

When making my own plan, I often ask myself, “Why take Player A in Round X when I can have Player B in Round Y?” Player Y will carry a lighter projection, but knowing he is available later will allow me to pivot to filling another position with the earlier pick. In this column, I will do just that and share with you my “All-Value Team,” featuring the players I think will give you the most bang for your buck in fantasy baseball drafts in 2025. Note that the ADPs I reference come from NFBC drafts conducted over the first two weeks of February.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball lineup tools and resources:

 

Catcher Value Pick

Willson Contreras, STL (ADP: 69.45)

Why draft William Contreras at ADP 23.60 when his brother Willson is available over 40 picks later? William had a monster year in 2024 and has been pushed up the board to the turn of the second and third rounds. Picking him there means missing out on one of the remaining top-tier third basemen going after him in Austin Riley, Rafael Devers, or Manny Machado.

Willson, on the other hand, is catcher-eligible but will be playing first base for the Cardinals in 2025. The move is designed to prevent injury to the elder Contreras healthy and keep his bat in the lineup. Cutter projections by RotoBaller’s rankings guru Nick Mariano have Willson just behind his little brother in production but still pegged for 80 runs and RBI.

An additional note on NFBC’s ADP data: since their leagues run with two catchers, the positions ADPs tend to run a bit high. One-catcher leagues featured on more mainstream sites will feature an even lower cost.

 

First Base Value Pick

Christian Walker, HOU (ADP: 89.98)

In a 12-team draft, why take a first baseman in the first three rounds when Christian Walker is available in the eighth? Between 2022 and 2024, Walker has the third-most home runs (95) and sixth-most RBI (281) among all first basemen while maintaining a .250 batting average.

In 2025, Walker will aim at the Crawford Boxes in Minute Maid Park as the Astros’ new first baseman. If you are looking for 30 HR, 100 RBI potential in your first baseman, Walker is your man.

 

Second Base Value Pick

Nico Hoerner, CHC (ADP: 195.90)

Nico Hoerner had surgery in October on the flexor tendon in his throwing arm. He is reportedly rehabbing well, but it is not certain that he will be available for the Cubs’ opening series in Tokyo (March 18-19). Maybe that is why the second baseman’s draft stock is suppressed in 2025.

Hoerner provides 30 SB potential and has a contact profile reminiscent of Luis Arraez. There is almost no power in his bat, but in 2024, he ranked in the 99th percentile in both whiff rate (11.9 percent) and strikeout rate (10.3 percent) and had a 94.2 percent zone contact rate.

Going in the 16th round of 12-teamers, he is a great example of why you don’t need to sell out for speed early, and his batting average can offset the power-first sluggers you might pick up in earlier rounds.

 

Shortstop Value Pick

Bo Bichette, TOR (ADP: 125.23)

An injury-plagued 2024 spoiled Bo Bichette for fantasy baseball managers. The former All-Star’s efforts were hampered by a leg injury and ultimately ended by a fracture in his finger in September. Bichette had the finger surgically repaired during the offseason and is a “full go” for spring training, according to team manager John Schneider.

Bichette is the 12th shortstop off the board in 2025, sandwiched between Ezequiel Tovar and Anthony Volpe. Before last year, Bichette had finished with a batting average of .290 or better in every season since joining the majors. Even during last season’s meltdown, he finished with a 91.1 percent zone contact rate nullified by a career-low (by 70 points!) .269 BABIP. I am enthusiastically buying the dip.

 

Third Base Value Pick

Alec Bohm, PHI (ADP: 171.10)

What can I say? I’m a sucker for players with dependable batting averages. The deeper in the draft you get, the harder it is to find players who can help not just in that category but in others as well. The Phillies’ Alec Bohm fits the bill.

Over the last three seasons, Bohm sandwiched a .274 season between two where he hit .280. While he is not known to pack much power, he has been a steady source of RBI, racking up the sixth-most among third basemen since 2022.

Minor injuries in 2023 and 2024 robbed him of hitting the century mark in the category, coming three short in both seasons. Hitting in the core of the Phillies lineup, he should do damage there again and provide 70-plus runs with around 15 HR.

 

Outfield Value Pick

Taylor Ward, LAA (ADP: 180.25)

Going back to my rhetorical question from earlier: Why spend an eighth-round pick on Bryan Reynolds when Taylor Ward is available in the 15th? Both are projected for 20-25 HR and 80 or so runs.

Reynolds has a slight edge in RBI and batting average, but Ward is going at a significant discount. Like Reynolds, Ward’s ceiling is lowered by a lackluster supporting cast, but he is locked into an everyday spot in the top third of the Angels’ lineup.

 

Starting Pitcher Value Pick

Justin Steele, CHC - ADP: 132.60

In 2024, Justin Steele built off of his breakout in the year before, delivering a 3.07 ERA and 1.10 WHIP and averaging a strikeout per inning.

As a groundball pitcher, Steele’s GB rate dipped in 2024, and his flyball rate jumped up to a career-high, but he continued to demonstrate an ability to limit hard contact. In 2024, the lefty ranked in the 94th percentile in barrel rate and 88th in hard-hit rate and had a new career low in average exit velocity.

A hamstring injury early in the season and a fight with elbow tendinitis towards the end limited Justin Steele to 134.2 IP last year, which might scare potential drafters off. His strikeout numbers won’t carry a team, but I’m looking forward to picking up Steele for the help he will give my team ratios.

 

Relief Pitcher Value Pick

Jeff Hoffman, TOR - ADP: 150.00

I have Jeff Hoffman’s name in my head as my second closer, and if I happen to whiff on the others going ahead of him, I will reach well above ADP to get him. Hoffman was dominant in 2024, striking out 89 in 66.1 IP and recording career-bests in ERA (2.17) and WHIP (0.96). In January, he signed a three-year, $33 million deal with Toronto and is their presumptive closer heading into 2025.

Perhaps would-be drafters are skeptical without confirmation of Hoffman’s role. Perhaps they are worried about Hoffman having failed physicals for two other teams before inking his contract. If the Blue Jays saw fit to sign him, I’m in on drafting him in fantasy and will take as much of him as I can get at his price. If and when a ninth-inning role is confirmed, his ADP will skyrocket.



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy baseball app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, sleepers, prospects & more. All free!



More Fantasy Baseball Advice




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Los Angeles Chargers

Tre Harris Expected To Fill X Role For Chargers
Los Angeles Chargers

Quentin Johnston Needs To Earn His Spot In Training Camp
Los Angeles Chargers

Hassan Haskins The Leader For No. 3 RB Job
Los Angeles Chargers

Chargers Plan For 1-2 Punch At RB With Omarion Hampton, Najee Harris
New England Patriots

Patriots View TreVeyon Henderson As A Three-Down Back
Cleveland Browns

Browns View Quinshon Judkins As A Potential Bell-Cow Back
Seattle Seahawks

Seahawks Plan To Develop Jalen Milroe As A QB
Tennessee Titans

Titans Unlikely To Pick Up Treylon Burks' Fifth-Year Option
Cleveland Browns

Browns Apply Unrestricted Free-Agent Tender To Elijah Moore
Cleveland Browns

Browns Agree To One-Year Deal With Diontae Johnson
Dallas Cowboys

Cowboys Could Reunite With Amari Cooper
Pittsburgh Steelers

Steelers Sign Robert Woods To One-Year Deal
Jimmy Butler III

Officially Active For Game 4
Isaiah Stewart

Uncertain For Game 5
Michael Porter Jr.

Expected To Play In Game 5
Brandon Nimmo

Has Career Game
Russell Westbrook

Questionable For Tuesday Night
Tyler Glasnow

Going On The Injured List
Jaylen Brown

Back On The Injury Report
Jrue Holiday

Out Again On Tuesday Night
Bennedict Mathurin

Questionable For Game 5
Damian Lillard

May Not Play Next Season
Luis Arraez

Expected To Return On Tuesday
Johnathan Kovacevic

To Remain Out Tuesday
Brenden Dillon

Unavailable Tuesday
Luke Hughes

Not Ready To Return For Game 5
Darius Garland

Remains Out On Monday
Ross Colton

Remains Out On Monday
Oskar Bäck

Oskar Back Returns To Stars Lineup Monday
Tyler Glasnow

Could Land On Injured List
Miro Heiskanen

To Miss Game 5
Jordan Westburg

Placed On Injured List
Anthony Cirelli

Good To Go For Game 4
Cleveland Browns

Browns Decline Kenny Pickett's Fifth-Year Option
New York Giants

Giants Won't Pick Up Evan Neal's Fifth-Year Option
Carolina Panthers

Panthers Pick Up Fifth-Year Option On Ikem Ekwonu
Philadelphia Eagles

Dallas Goedert Could Remain An Eagle
Dallas Cowboys

Dallas Could Still Add Wide Receiver Help Prior To 2025 Season
Cleveland Browns

Shedeur Sanders Struggled During Pre-Draft Process
Buffalo Bills

Elijah Moore Visiting With Bills
Jacksonville Jaguars

Emmanuel Ogbah Signs With Jaguars
New Orleans Saints

Derek Carr Undergoes MRI Exam
William Byron

Ends With A Strong Top-Five Finish At Talladega
Ryan Blaney

Bad Luck Continues With Talladega Crash
Kyle Larson

Has A Career-Best Performance At Talladega
Ian Machado Garry

Gets Back On Track With UFC Kansas City Win
Brad Keselowski

Talladega Run Ends Early After Crashing
Carlos Prates

Suffers His First UFC Loss
Zhang Mingyang

Still Undefeated In The UFC
Anthony Smith

Retires After UFC Kansas City Loss
Giga Chikadze

Takes Unanimous Decision Loss
Giga Chikadze

Takes Unanimous-Decision Loss
David Onama

Extends Win Streak At UFC Kansas City
Michel Pereira

Drops Decision At UFC Kansas City
Abus Magomedov

Extends His Win Streak
Nicolas Dalby

Gets Finished For The First Time
Randy Brown

Gets Back In The Win Column
Ikram Aliskerov

Gets First-Round TKO Finish At UFC Kansas City
Andre Muniz

Gets TKO'd At UFC Kansas City
Ivan Demidov

Has Historic Outing In Game 4
Timo Meier

Records Two Points Sunday
Andrei Svechnikov

Nets Hat Trick In Game 4 Win
Leon Draisaitl

Caps Off Four-Point Effort With First Postseason Overtime Goal
Connor Hellebuyck

Gets Pulled Again
Alexandre Carrier

Fails To Finish Game 4
Tyler Tucker

Makes Early Exit Sunday
Chase Elliott

Recovers from Speeding Penalty to Finish Fifth
Joey Logano

Finishes Last at Talladega After Disqualification for Missing Spoiler Brace
Ryan Preece

Loses Talladega Race First in Photo Finish Then in Post-Race Inspection
NASCAR

Poor Toyota Strategy Arguably Cost Bubba Wallace Winning Chances at Talladega
Christopher Bell

Unhurt After Hard Contact with Inside Retaining Wall
Joe Ryan

Posts Stellar Outing
Jaylen Brown

Available For Game 4
Nick Lodolo

Throws Seven Scoreless Innings
Tyler Glasnow

Removed Early On Sunday
Darius Garland

Questionable For Game 4
Jaden Ivey

Making Progress
Frederik Andersen

Exits Game 4 With Injury
Jake Neighbours

Shines On Sunday With Three Points
Jordan Binnington

Makes 30 Saves In Game 4 Victory
Patrik Laine

Not Expected To Play In Game 4
Sam Montembeault

Labeled Day-To-Day
Tarik Skubal

Racks Up 11 Strikeouts
Aliaksei Protas

Considered A Game-Time Decision Sunday
Logan Thompson

A Game-Time Call Sunday
Luke Weaver

In Line To Get The Bulk Of Save Opportunities Moving Forward
Devin Williams

Removed From Closer Role
Chase Elliott

Is One OF The Top Overall DFS Picks Of The Week
Joey Logano

Could Joey Logano Finish A Race With A Top Finish At Talladega?
NASCAR

DFS Players Should Like Bubba Wallace For Talladega This Week
Christopher Bell

Should DFS Players Roster Christopher Bell At Talladega?
Austin Cindric

Is Austin Cindric Worth Rostering For Talladega DFS Lineups?
Shane Van Gisbergen

Is A Solid, Safe, DFS Choice For Talladega Lineups
Austin Dillon

Is Austin Dillon A Viable DFS Play At Talladega This Week?
Josh Berry

Qualifies Too High At Talladega To Be Worth Rostering In DFS
Michael McDowell

Should DFS Players Take A Shot On Michael McDowell At Talladega?
Noah Gragson

Could Be A Sneaky DFS Play For Talladega
Denny Hamlin

Probably Qualified Too Well for DFS Consideration
Kyle Larson

Increasingly Undervalued Due to His Crashing, but Still a Great DFS Option
Austin Hays

Smacks Two Homers On Saturday
Jorge Polanco

Goes Deep Twice On Saturday
Eugenio Suárez

Eugenio Suarez Hits Four Homers On Saturday
Framber Valdez

Tosses Complete Game In A Loss To The Royals
Jackson Chourio

Nearly Hits For The Cycle
Jimmy Butler III

Ruled Out On Saturday
Isaiah Stewart

Questionable For Sunday's Game
Jaylen Brown

Questionable For Game 4
Logan Evans

To Make MLB Debut On Sunday
Jrue Holiday

Won't Play On Sunday
Logan Gilbert

Heading To 15-Day Injured List
Mitchell Robinson

Questionable For Game 4 Versus Detroit
Michael Porter Jr.

Available On Saturday Night
Russell Westbrook

Won't Suit Up For Game 4
Ryan Mountcastle

Adley Rutschman, Ryan Mountcastle Not In Game 1 Lineup
Darius Garland

Won't Suit Up For Game 3
Darius Garland

Unavailable For Pregame Warmup
MLB

Yankees and Blue Jays Postponed On Saturday
Jordan Beck

Power Surge Continues, Homers Twice On Friday
Carlos Prates

Looks To Remain Undefeated In The UFC
Ian Machado Garry

Set For UFC Kansas City Main Event
Zhang Mingyang

Scheduled For Co-Main Event
Anthony Smith

Set For His Final UFC Bout
David Onama

Set For Featherweight Bout
Giga Chikadze

Looks To Bounce Back
Abus Magomedov

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
Michel Pereira

Returns To Action At UFC Kansas City
Cam Davis

Looking For Better Fortunes At TPC Louisiana
Adam Svensson

Making Third Apperence At Zurich Classic
Max Greyserman

Aiming For Similar Success At TPC Louisiana
Lee Hodges

A High-Upside Player In New Orleans
PGA

Nico Echavarria Looks To Ride Off Of Elite Putting In New Orleans
Gary Woodland

A Player Worth Watching In New Orleans
Max McGreevy

Returns To The Zurich Classic Of New Orleans
Rasmus Hojgaard

In Search Of Consistency Ahead Of Zurich Classic
Sam Stevens

A Boom-Or-Bust Candidate In New Orleans
Nicolai Hojgaard

Looking To Turn Season Around At Zurich Classic
Christiaan Bezuidenhout

Looks To Sway A Hot Putter In Teams Favor At Zurich Classic
Akshay Bhatia

Looking To Bounce Back At TPC Louisiana
Carson Young

Looks To Turn Things Around At TPC Louisiana
Erik Van Rooyen

Looking For Momentum In Louisiana
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF