RADIO
Eric Samulski identifies hitters who are eligible at multiple positions (1B, 2B, 3B, SS, OF, C) that could add versatility to fantasy baseball benches and are draft sleepers in 2021.
With such a short season in 2020, many starting pitchers weren't able to throw more than 60 innings, so it's unlikely that they take the massive jump this season that would allow them to get to the 170-180 innings we usually expect. To work around this, many teams have discussed implementing six-man rotations and even more have talked about the importance of having multi-inning relievers. However, there is another consequence that we haven't been discussing as much: shorter benches for hitters.
If teams are going to throw starting pitchers for fewer innings, that will lead to more pitchers being used, which will mean teams need to carry more pitchers. As a result, teams have already mentioned carrying fewer hitters on the roster, with some AL teams carrying three hitters on the bench total. In order to pull this off, many teams will be stacking their bench with hitters who have position-versatility.
So what does this mean for you as a fantasy manager? Quite simply, there should be more multi-position hitters who will start more games than usual and, thus, be fantasy assets. Instead of a player like Chris Taylor having to complete for starts with three or four other hitters, he will potentially only have two other hitters to vie with (one of whom is likely to be a catcher). In a year where playing time and at-bats are more precious than ever, that makes versatile bench bats more valuable. With that in mind, I've created a list of useful multi-position players not projected to be starters, so you won't find Garrett Hampson (projected to start in CF), Chris Taylor (2B), or Kiké Hernandez (2B). I've also separated them into league-sizes to give you more actionable information. ADP is from 2/26/21 to 3/11/21 in NFBC All-leagues
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12-Team League Targets
Jonathan Villar and Jon Berti
ADP: 196 (Villar), 294 (Berti)
These two are well-known at this point. You're rostering Villar and Berti because you want speed at the end of your draft. However, I am sure as hell not paying this price for Villar now that he is a bench player in a pitcher's park. Yes, he will work his way into the starting lineup (maybe three games a week), but he isn't a great defender, and the Mets actually have a slew of good hitters that they will struggle to fit into the lineup, so I don't think Villar will always be first up for a start.
Meanwhile, ATC projects Berti for 25 SB and he is likely to see more at-bats than Villar since he is the main back-up in the OF, SS, and behind two underwhelming 2B options (who are both left-handed). Give me Berti at this ADP over Villar at his all day. However, if you see Villar start to slip around where Berti is going, his wheels still give him value.
Jurickson Profar and Ha-Seong Kim
ADP: 271 (Profar), 236 (Kim)
It's only been a week, but now that we've seen the Padres roll out some lineups, I'm not entirely sure why Profar decided to re-sign with the team. Using Mike Kurland's awesome Spring Training lineup tracker, we can see that Profar has started only four of the Padres' first eight spring games, and both times he's played the OF. Meanwhile, Kim has started six of the first eight games and has already played 2B, SS, and 3B.
I mentioned in my article on Kim that I believe in the talent and that the Padres signed him with every intention to put him on the field. I think he's being overlooked right now and can be a strong bench asset in fantasy.
Amed Rosario, Cleveland Baseball Team
ADP: 343
Amed Rosario is currently in a competition with Andres Gimenez for the starting SS role on Cleveland and while Gimenez is hitting .400 this spring and is the trendy name, too many people are counting Rosario out. Yes, Gimenez has swung the bat well in the spring (and when both were with the Mets in 2020) and is also a far superior defender at SS than Rosario; however, Rosario is no slouch.
He's hitting .375 this spring and the Indians are still getting him in the lineup often and having him hit leadoff when he is in there. It's easy to see a path where Rosario loses the position battle but still makes the Indians opening day roster as a versatile defensive option. The Mets had worked Rosario out in CF before, anticipating that he might need to move there to make way for Gimenez before both were traded in the deal for Lindor.
Rosario certainly has the athleticism to roam the grass and could provide 10 HR-15 SB upside as the back-up both at SS and in the outfield. He would also likely be the primary pinch-runner on the team and could even force his way into the starting CF role if the transition goes well and Oscar Mercado struggles again. There are a lot of question marks, but there are a few paths to fantasy goodness.
Luis Arraez, Minnesota Twins
ADP: 379
With the addition of Andrelton Simmons, Arraez appears to be on the outside looking in for playing time with Jorge Polanco moving to 2B. However, Arraez has MLB experience in the OF and has already started a game during Spring Training at 3B, so there is a good chance that he could become the Twins' super-utility player. That's important considering the Twins are also likely to give oft-injured 3B Josh Donaldson more than his fair share of rest during the long regular season. If Arraez emerges as the primary back-up there and then also gets a few starts a week at 2B, then he could be starting 3-4 games a week before you even factor in any outfield reps.
The issue is that Arraez is an accumulator; he doesn't have great speed or hit for power, so he needs reps in order to earn you runs or help your batting average. As a result, I think I'd be more inclined to roster him in daily-moves leagues, where I can play him for those runs and that batting average cushion when he gets the calls.
Marwin Gonzalez, Boston Red Sox
ADP: 405
With Kiké Hernandez playing well this spring and slotted into the Red Sox 2B role, that leaves Marwin Gonzalez as the main versatile bench option. Chaim Bloom has already said that the Red Sox will likely carry three bench bats and one of them is likely to be back-up catcher Kevin Plawecki.
That means Gonzalez will be the top back-up across the infield and a factor in the outfield as well. Considering the current minor injury to Xander Bogaerts and the question marks the Red Sox have with Bobby Dalbec, Franchy Cordero, Hunter Renfroe, and Hernandez, it's possible that Gonzalez, if he is swinging the bat well, can siphon starts away from multiple positions, perhaps playing nearly every day.
Last year was a down year for the veteran, but he is proven that a .260 average with 15-20 HR across a full season is well within his range. Getting that outside the top-400 could be a great value. If the playing time doesn't materialize early on, you can cut him for a hot bat on the wire.
15-Team League Targets
Edwin Rios, Los Angeles Dodgers
ADP: 385
Remember, just about a month ago, when Rios seemed like to be the Dodgers' starting 3B? With the return of Justin Turner, Rios now moves to a crowded bench that includes Gavin Lux and Matt Beaty; however, all hope isn't lost. Rios showed skills at the plate last year that the Dodgers simply can't ignore, recording a 13.6% barrel rate, .623 xSLG, and .395 ISO while also cutting his strikeout rate by 16%.
The Dodgers have also mix-and-matched their lineup, but they may be even more inclined to do so this year given the pitching situation and the fact that Cody Bellinger is coming off a shoulder injury and Justin Turner is 36 years old. With Rios also having experience in the corner outfield positions, it's possible that he gets a fair amount of use as a back-up at 1B, 3B, LF, and RF, which would also give him intriguing positional versatility.
Niko Goodrum, Detroit Tigers
ADP: 449
Goodrum is a bit of a strange case. His K%, xBA, and xSLG were basically career-worsts last year, but his barrel rate also improved to a career-high 9.8%. Perhaps the lack of consistent results can be traced back to a launch angle that appeared out of sorts, and the fact that he saw more breaking balls than he had in any season before.
Now he comes into 2021 having lost the starting SS job to Willi Castro and much of his perceived value has plummeted. Still, he has proven to be a power-speed fantasy asset in the past and also has experience at every defensive position outside of catcher. He's the perfect Swiss Army Knife on the bench as a back-up across the board and could still work his way into four games a week as the Tigers try to rest players.
He's doing his best to make a good impression in spring, hitting .571 with one stolen base so far and playing a few positions around the diamond. It's also not as if Renato Nunez, Jeimer Candelario, and Nomar Mazara are such world-beaters that Niko can't push them for playing time if he's swinging a hot bat.
Josh Rojas, Arizona Diamondbacks
ADP: 478
I'm open to drafting Rojas in 15-team leagues, but I'm doing so with the knowledge that I could very well be cutting him when Kole Calhoun comes back off the IL in mid-April. With Calhoun back and Daulton Varsho likely promoted once the team earns an extra year of service time, the playing time opportunities in the outfield might be hard to come by.
That means Rojas will serve as Nick Ahmed's back-up at SS and fight with Asdrubal Cabrera for time at 2B. While Rojas could absolutely beat out Cabrera for the job, I think the veteran is going to get a chance first while the Diamondbacks are still "in it," which would also help them build up some trade value for him.
Even if Rojas becomes a super-utility type player, he could make three-plus starts a week as the primary back-up at a few positions. Rojas has always had intriguing tools, and he's putting them on display in Spring Training, starting 5-for-15 with three HR and six RBI, so if the bat stays hot, the Diamondbacks will find a place for him.
Hanser Alberto, Kansas City Royals
ADP: 536
Alberto signed in Kansas City without much fanfare, but I'm not so sure he can't win the starting 2B job. The Royals will likely let Nicky Lopez break camp as the starter, but Alberto is a .278 career hitter and hit .305 in 2019, so he has proven that he can be a batting average asset, while Lopez hasn't.
Even if Alberto doesn't win the 2B right away, he has experience playing 1B, 2B, SS, 3B, and OF at the major league level, so the Royals could look to utilize him as a versatile back-up. He likely won't contribute a lot to your fantasy team, but a .280 hitter going this far in drafts is highly uncommon, and he could prove to be incredibly useful in daily-moves leagues.
Chad Pinder, Oakland Athletics
ADP: 538
Every year when we talk about versatility, we discuss Pinder. That should be even more so in a season where the Athletics lost Robbie Grossman and Khris Davis and plan to start Tony Kemp at 2B.
With only Ka'ai Tom and catcher Aramis Garcia projected to break camp on the bench with Pinder, it seems likely that Pinder will be the primary OF back-up, in addition to backing up 2B, 3B, and starting versus left-handers. All of that makes it entirely possible that he sees action in 100+ games this season as a solid hitter with decent pop in a strong overall lineup.
Dee Strange-Gordon, Cincinnati Reds
ADP: 556
Sure, Dee Gordon is not the same fantasy difference-maker you remember from his younger years, but he still has 85th-percentile sprint speed and is coming off SB seasons of 22 in 2019 and 30 in 2018. He hasn't had a strikeout rate above 17% since 2013 and is a .286 career hitter. He also is currently the primary back-up to Kyle Farmer, who hasn't really shown much in his MLB career.
With past experience at 2B and OF as well, it's possible that Gordon can see two starts a week even if Farmer is playing well. If Farmer's new swing doesn't lead to increased production then the left-handed Strange-Gordon could push him for starts against right-handed pitchers and make a difference on the bases.
So far, Strange-Gordon is hitting .375 with one SB in Spring Training, so perhaps there is still juice left in the tank. It's even possible that Gordon wins the job outright; it's a risk, but that's why we're talking deep leagues.
Mike Brosseau, Tampa Bay Rays
ADP: 401
I already mentioned Brosseau earlier, and he's certainly a fine target for multi-position eligible players, but I'm not sure why he is going above Tsutsugo and other names. He can certainly hit the ball hard, as evidenced by his .256 ISO and .558 SLG from last year.
However, as a right-handed hitter, Brosseau plays pretty much exclusively against lefties and should really only get 2B and 3B eligibility this year. To top that off, his xSLG last year was .415 and his xBA was .223, so there is an argument that his production is not sustainable. There are other multi-position guys I want at that ADP.
Yoshitomo Tsutsugo, Tampa Bay Rays
ADP: 485
To a certain extent, we should write off Tsutsugo's first season in the MLB considering he moved to the United States during a pandemic, had to remain in quarantine away from his family, and didn't have access to the same sort of socialization opportunities that would have made him feel more at home in his new locale. Players are still human after all.
Also, now that Nate Lowe is out of town, there's one less left-handed bat trying to compete for playing time. The other two non-catchers likely to break camp on the rays bench are Yandy Diaz and Mike Brosseau, both right-handed hitters, which makes Tsutsugo the most likely option to work into line-ups against right-handed pitchers.
Although he only played 3B and OF last year, Tsutsugo has experience at 1B in Japan and has been working there in Spring Training as well. A 1B/3B/OF option with power in a strong lineup is never something to turn your nose up at.
Deep-League Fliers
Brad Miller, Philadelphia Phillies
ADP: 600
Listen, Brad Miller raked last year in St. Louis, notching a 13.4% barrel rate and .218 ISO, with a 14.7% walk rate and solid .252 xBA. He has also played 1B, 2B, 3B, and OF in recent seasons and will be on the bench for a Phillies team that lacks any versatility from their bench with only Andrew Knapp and Roman Quinn projected to also break camp. That makes Miller the primary back-up pretty much everywhere in a stacked lineup.
Considering he hit 13 HR in 79 games in 2019 and seven HR in 48 games last year, pushing 90-100 games could lead to a homer total near 20 and counting stats to follow. If the Phillies decide to keep Odubel Herrera and push Scott Kingery to the bench, that could dent Miller's value as the only position-versatile bench option.
Leury Garcia, Chicago White Sox
ADP: 615
In 2019, Garcia hit .279 with 8 HR and 15 SB across 140 games. The White Sox are projected to go with a three-man bench in which Garcia is the only back-up infielder. Considering his 4.10 second home-to-first time last year was good for 9th best in Major League Baseball, it's safe to safe that Garcia still has difference-making wheels.
With his defensive experience in the outfield as well, he could find himself getting 2-3 starts a week and swiping a few cheap bases for you. He's 4-10 with a HR and a steal so far in spring, so he's showing that all-around game that makes him intriguing.
Josh Harrison, Washington Nationals
ADP: 655
Harrison is currently slated to be the only back-up at 2B, SS, and 3B for the Nats. Obviously, that could change, but Carter Kieboom hasn't been great so far in his Major League career and Harrison could steal at-bats in a great lineup. There isn't that much more to go off of, but there are worse options in an NL-only league.
Stephen Vogt, Arizona Diamondbacks
ADP: 662
The Diamondbacks are banged up in the outfield, which has many people assuming Daulton Varsho begins the year in the outfield. That would mean Vogt locks in back-up catcher duties. However, Vogt also has experience in the OF and at 1B. If he can accumulate C/OF eligibility, let alone C/1B/OF, then he can be useful in these deep leagues. He hit double-digit HRs four straight years before last season and underwent a swing change this off-season. The results so far are promising as he's hitting .429 with two HR in Spring training, so he might provide sneaky value for NL-only managers.
Yairo Munoz, Boston Red Sox
ADP: 789
This is just a gut feeling, but damn Yairo Munoz looks good in spring training. After hitting .333 in 12 games with Boston last year, he's now crushing HRs, making diving catches, and looking like a great bench option for the Red Sox. So far, Munoz is hitting .538 with one HR and six RBI. With experience at 2B, 3B, SS, and OF, he could be a right-handed complement to Marwin Gonzalez on the versatile Red Sox bench. Of course, the Red Sox did just sign Danny Santana, so that idea could go right out the window, but we're talking the last pick in the deepest of leagues right now anyways.
Franklin Barreto, Los Angeles Angels
ADP: 870
Remember Franklin Barreto? The one-time trendy shortstop prospect for the A's is now with the Angels and is projected to be their only back-up infielder with Albert Pujols locked into just 1B/DH. Considering Barreto only has one game of MLB experience in the outfield, he has multiple avenues to earn playing time if he is hitting the ball. Dexter Fowler and Justin Upton are older outfielders who may need a day off here and there, so Barreto and his plus raw power may actually become trendy again. Well, likely just in AL-only leagues.
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