Underrated Fantasy Baseball Hitters and Pitchers: Sal Frelick, Alejandro Kirk and More

As the MLB All-Star break approaches, I thought it would be a good time to point out some fantasy baseball underrated and overrated players.

We'll start with underrated fantasy pitchers and hitters in this article. I'll be using fantasy point totals from ESPN to help put together my list. I'll be approaching things with a standard 10-member league in mind.

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Underrated Catchers

Hunter Goodman has seen his own percentage rise to about 95% now, so he's not as overlooked as he had been, but he's still not viewed as the top-end fantasy catcher he is.

Goodman is third at the catcher spot in points leagues, only behind Cal Raleigh and Will Smith. Goodman wouldn't cost a fortune to acquire in a trade, and is set up for success with half his games being in hitter-friendly Colorado.

Alejandro Kirk is rostered in just 82% of leagues despite sitting sixth at the catcher position so far.

He's pretty comfortable sitting at his sixth spot too. He's five points ahead of seventh place, which is 12 points clear of eighth place. Kirk should be owned and utilized in more leagues, and a good chunk of you still have the chance to add Kirk for free.

Agustin Ramirez is the No. 7 catcher. He's also sitting at 82% rostered.

What's wild with Ramirez is that he didn't play a big league game until April 21. He's gotten his big league career off to a strong start, with his power numbers leading his fantasy appeal. Add the rookie before it's too late.

Underrated First Basemen

Yandy Diaz is nearly owned in all fantasy leagues now, but like Goodman, isn't viewed as a top-end option. Diaz ranks fourth among first basemen so far.

He's a slow week from dropping out of the top 10 as well, so that's part of the reason he's a bit underrated, but Diaz has delivered a strong season so far, and could be capable of even better numbers moving forward. Diaz would be a good trade acquisition if you are lacking at first base, and it shouldn't cost you an arm and a leg.

Michael Busch is on the rise after a big weekend at the plate. He's rostered in 88% of leagues overall.

Busch is enjoying a career season and currently sits eighth in points leagues at 1B for the year. He's not a major trade asset because he has been a waiver wire option in standard leagues all season, but if you believe in Busch keeping things rolling, you could acquire him for extremely cheap.

Underrated Second Basemen

Luis Arraez is an underrated second baseman in my eyes, and he also could have been listed as an underrated first baseman. That double position eligibility is massive for his fantasy outlook.

He's a top-10 performer at both positions, but notably sits third among second basemen so far. Arraez is rostered in 96% of leagues, but it really should be at 100% seeing he can slot in at first or second base. He should be a bit cheaper to acquire in a trade, and could be an extremely good pickup for the second half of the season.

Gleyber Torres is in a similar spot to Arraez, just minus the position versatility. He sits sixth at the position in points leagues so far, and is rostered in 94% of leagues.

Torres has been in the top 10 most of the season, even though he's missed some games with injuries. He's a cheaper trade acquisition, and could still be added for free by a few of you.

Underrated Shortstops

Geraldo Perdomo continues to stick with the top-end fantasy shortstops (and hitters overall), yet isn't widely viewed as an elite option.

He's just a point behind Bobby Witt Jr. for the top fantasy shortstop slot. Perdomo has been special all season, yet is available in a few fantasy leagues yet. He's a cheaper trade target, and could keep posting elite-level numbers, just like he has all season.

Jacob Wilson finally got some recognition after a torrid start at the plate, but he's dropped to 94% rostered and is dealing with a hand injury, so that could drop some more if he misses time.

Wilson has cooled off a bit from his red-hot start to the season, but he's still hitting over .330, while having good overall numbers. He's still sixth in fantasy points among shortstops and is a daily starter even after cooling off a touch. I don't understand why he isn't at 100%, and would add him off the waiver wire or try to acquire him in a trade, because he's really undervalued as a fantasy asset.

Underrated Third Basemen

Miguel Vargas is the lone third baseman I want to discuss. He should be eligible at first base as well, so that adds some value to his name.

Vargas ranks 10th among fantasy third basemen so far this season, yet is owned in just 36% of leagues right now. His average is weak, but he has solid power and run production numbers on a bad team.

He's a trade target in real life, and could get a major boost if he joins a contender. I'd urge fantasy owners to add Vargas in the days leading up to the deadline, in case he gets moved. Vargas is at least worth holding in deeper leagues, and his point totals this season suggest he's worth rostering in standard leagues too.

Underrated Outfielders

George Springer is atop my list of underrated outfielders right now. He's up to 97% owned now, but was at just 73% back on June 24.

He's hot at the plate right now, but would be easier to acquire in a trade after just being a waiver wire option. Springer ranks 10th in points leagues so far, so that suggests he should be owned and started in all leagues right now.

Byron Buxton ranks 15th among outfielders, and is also at 97% rostered.

He'd be a touch easier to acquire in a trade, and could be a daily starter to a lot of you, especially if you are lacking in the outfielder department.

Andy Pages is ranked 17th among outfielders to this point of the season. He's dropped a bit to 96% now. 

Most are expecting him to fall off in the second half of the season, but if you believe in him, or desperately are looking for outfield help, he should be a pretty cheap trade target. Pages has been a starting fantasy outfielder over the course of the season, and even a little regression shouldn't change that.

Sal Frelick is the last outfielder I want to discuss. He ranks 25th so far this season, yet is owned in just 66% of fantasy leagues.

He's not a big power guy, but has stolen bases and a strong average and on-base percentage to offset that lack of power. Frelick bats leadoff for the Brewers now, and if he continues delivering a similar average and OBP the rest of the season, his standing among fantasy outfielders is only going to increase. Add Frelick before he's scooped up.

Underrated Starting Pitchers

A number of starting pitchers could be mentioned here. 

A lot of them are owned in most leagues, but some of the non-big names are pretty affordable fantasy trade targets.

Some guys I'd highlight are: Carlos Rodon, Bryan Woo, Nick Pivetta, Matthew Boyd, Merrill Kelly, Nathan Eovaldi, Ryan Pepiot, Grant Holmes, Yusei Kikuchi, Zack Littell, Nick Lodolo, David Peterson, Casey Mize, Shane Baz and Matthew Liberatore.

All of those guys rank in the top-50 fantasy starting pitchers to this point in the season. Again, most of those guys are already owned in your fantasy league, but targeting them in a trade might be beneficial to your fantasy rotation - they are mainstays in a lot of leagues and won't cost a fortune to acquire.

Underrated Relief Pitchers

There's a bunch of relief pitchers who are underrated in the fantasy world. Some aren't even closers.

Here are some relievers who rank in the top 50 right now: Carlos Estevez, Jeff Hoffman, Aroldis Chapman, Will Vest, Emilio Pagan, Trevor Megill, Abner Uribe, Bryan Abreu, Camilo Doval, Ronny Henriquez, Jason Adam, Kyle Finnegan, Tyler Rogers, Pete Fairbanks, Alex Vesia, Tommy Kahnle, Adrian Morejon, Dennis Santana, Daniel Palencia, Cade Smith, Brendon Little, Jeremiah Estrada, Kenley Jansen, David Bednar and Phil Maton.

There's a lot of higher-owned fantasy relievers (closers mostly) who are performing worse than players in that list I just gave. Swapping them out for one of the top-50 performers to this point in the season might not seem like the biggest deal, or even seem really smart, but a few points here and there could improve your league standing and help your fantasy season last a bit longer.