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Welcome RotoBallers to the next article in our fantasy baseball auction draft series targeting hitters with an average auction value (AAV) of under $5. In the auction draft format, fantasy baseball managers are no longer bound to the inane order of the snake draft.
But with freedom comes choice. You may have blown too much cash trying to haul in the big players, and realized you have to fill out your roster with cheap players. It may feel scary, but if you plan ahead for draft picks under $5, you'll likely be in a great spot going into the season.
In this article, we will target the hitters with average auction values of less than $5 that should offer the most value. RotoBaller's content for fantasy baseball auction leagues will keep on coming, so be sure to check it all out!
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Trevor Story, SS, Boston Red Sox
$3 AAV (Average Auction Value)
After suffering through three injury-riddled seasons, Trevor Story has become untrustworthy in fantasy baseball. Last year, he only appeared in 26 games, slashing .255/.340/.394 with two home runs, 10 RBI, eight runs, six stolen bases, and a 31.1 percent strikeout rate.
With such a small sample size, there's very little you can glean from his 2024 performance. There's as much data to support him as there is to oppose him. However, his important measurables held relatively stable.
His 28.1 ft/sec sprint speed is lower than the 29.6 ft/sec sprint speed of his peak, but the 31-year-old is still reliable for double-digit steal totals at that rate.
You can't look at his 2024 season, but Story has a track record of success that you can't find for cheap any longer. Even in seasons where he was limited to under 100 games, Story has managed double-digit steal and home run totals. He should still give fantasy players those numbers in 2025, as ATC projects .230/.301/.383 with 13 home runs, 51 RBI, 53 runs, and 19 stolen bases through 112 games.
You can't love what you have seen recently from Story, but you shouldn't throw the baby out with the bathwater. The starting shortstop is an everyday player who should pick up enough home runs and steals to justify drafting him in 2025.
While you shouldn't rely on Story as a starting piece, he's less of a risk in auction leagues, considering how low he is priced. RotoBaller recommends an auction value of $6 for Trevor Story, making him a steal at his $3 AAV.
Stay hot, Trevor Story. 2-for-2 today. Back to back days with a double.
6-for-14 this spring. pic.twitter.com/Gqh5FTNsg1
— Tyler Milliken (@tylermilliken_) March 2, 2025
Christian Encarnacion-Strand, 1B, Cincinnati Reds
$3 AAV (Average Auction Value)
Christian Encarnacion-Strand came into the 2024 season off the heels of an incredible performance in his debut year. In 2023, he slashed .270/.328/.477 with 13 home runs, 37 RBI, 29 runs, and two stolen bases through 63 games.
However, a wrist injury torpedoed his second season, as he was limited to just 29 games, slashing .190/.220/.293 with two home runs, 16 RBI, and 13 runs.
Nevertheless, the 25-year-old is still one of the league's most interesting young hitting talents. In 2023, he held a 48.4 percent hard-hit rate, .457 xwOBAcon, 38.6 percent sweet-spot rate, and 10.5 percent barrel rate, all putting him among the better players in the league. His power numbers will play well in the incredibly hitter-friendly Great American Ball Park.
The only worry should be the lack of clear playing time in Cincinnati. However, the young hitter has a good shot at displacing any of designated hitter Jake Fraley, or the infielders Gavin Lux and Jeimer Candelario with a decent showing in spring training (he's already up to two home runs through 13 plate appearances).
ATC projects a line of .257/.309/.451 with 17 home runs, 57 RBI, 47 runs, and two stolen bases in just 95 games. RotoBaller recommends an auction value of $3 for Christian Encarnacion-Strand, making him a worthy pick for cheap power.
Lars Nootbaar, OF, St. Louis Cardinals
$3 AAV (Average Auction Value)
A statistical darling since his debut in 2021, Lars Nootbaar has yet to put together a full season. His performance in 2024 looks to be among the worst numbers of his career, but he still managed a solid season, slashing .244/.322/.417 with 12 home runs, 45 RBI, 39 runs, and seven stolen bases through 109 games.
However, the advanced numbers still held up for Nootbaar in 2024, with a .264 xBA, .455 xSLG, .355 xwOBA (.331 wOBA), .395 xwOBAcon, 49.5 percent hard-hit rate, and 9.9 percent barrel rate. All of these suggest that he performed well enough to consider his 2024 season a continuation of his strong statistical profile.
The only concern with 2025 is his health, but there is no way to foresee the 27-year-old missing time. ATC projects a line of .247/.344/.428 with 17 home runs, 55 RBI, 60 runs, and nine stolen bases in 121 games.
RotoBaller recommends an auction value of $3 for Lars Nootbaar, making him a good value pick at his current AAV.
Jacob Young, OF, Washington Nationals
$3 AAV (Average Auction Value)
In his second year in the majors, Jacob Young settled into a nice everyday role with the Washington Nationals, slashing .256/.316/.331 with three home runs, 36 RBI, 75 runs, and 33 stolen bases in 150 games.
His statistical profile is rather gruesome, but Young still offers fantastic value in fantasy baseball this season.
His 33 steals are largely a byproduct of his elite 29.7 ft/sec sprint speed. The 25-year-old is likely to reach 30 steals again, if not more, in 2025. Additionally, he'll likely be ninth in the batting order, setting him up to once again deliver a high quantity of runs.
He should also offer solid production in the AVG category, with a .253 xBA, 19.3 percent whiff rate, 19.6 percent strikeout rate, and 83.1 percent contact rate likely to keep his batting average afloat.
The big worry for Young is his power. With a .317 xSLG, 1.6 percent barrel rate, and 28.9 percent barrel rate, his lack of power places him below more well-rounded candidates in the outfield.
While his elite defense (19 OAA in 2024, leading all outfielders) will keep him in the lineup daily, he won't be a starting-caliber option in fantasy baseball until he can add power. He arrived at spring training noticeably bigger and has already hit one over the fence through 16 spring training plate appearances, so he has a shot at improving his fantasy profile.
When you are this deep into the player pool, you will not find as many reliable, everyday players who offer massive production in at least one category. Young gives you that with his speed. He'll keep you afloat in the AVG category regardless, but he'll be one of the steals of the 2025 draft if his power improves.
Jacob Young - Washington Nationals (1)* pic.twitter.com/21BBQ2aWjN
— MLB HR Videos (@MLBHRVideos) February 25, 2025
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