Fantasy Baseball Multi-Position Eligibility: Top 10 Player Rankings and Strategy

Baseball players who can slot into different positions make their managers' lives a lot easier. Filling eight defensive positions isn't necessarily hard with a full team, but when one player can play three different infield positions or all three outfield positions, for instance, it makes mixing and matching easier, particularly with lefties and righties.

It also makes a difference when injuries rack up, as versatile players can move into a single position for a week or two if a regular goes down, allowing the team to use bench spots to complete the team rather than fill a hole.

In fantasy baseball, the same principles take hold, as owners can find multiple ways to create their lineup and keep maximum flexibility by finding a player or two who can fill more than one role.

Let's look at 10 players ranked in ESPN's top 200 in points leagues who are eligible for at least two positions in fantasy baseball. DH doesn't count as a position aside from our top guy, as any offensive player can slot in at DH in most leagues, and we're not focusing on pitchers (again, aside from the top player).

The number next to each player is his ESPN ranking as of March 1. Most stats are from MLB.com.

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No. 1 Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Dodgers, DH/SP

Ohtani is the top player in fantasy, and that's even more true if you are able to put him both at DH and pitcher, as most leagues allow.

We don't need to belabor this point: the four-time MVP (including the last three seasons) is again set up for a massive season on the defending champion Dodgers, and he should get more innings on the mound.

No. 50 Jose Altuve, Houston Astros, 2B/OF

Altuve had the worst full season of his career last year. He had worse numbers in an abbreviated rookie season and during the COVID year of 2020, but Altuve otherwise set career lows or had his second-worst numbers in batting average, on-base percentage, and WAR.

He hit for some power, knocking 26 home runs, but that was accompanied by just 24 doubles, his second-lowest total outside of the rookie and COVID seasons.

Altuve shuffled around a bit last year, leading the team in at-bats at second base, left field, and designated hitter. He is expected to primarily play second this season after a bit of a failed experiment, and maybe that will help, but Altuve turns 36 in May; it's fair to wonder if he might just keep seeing his numbers deteriorating each season.

He's still likely to be a decent fantasy player, but I'm not sure if I love Altuve as the third-ranked second baseman or 12th-ranked outfielder; his dual-position eligibility helps, but Altuve's strikeout rate has risen while his walk rate stayed about the same, leaving him as a riskier high pick.

No. 63 Ben Rice, New York Yankees, C/1B

Rice had the second-most at-bats for the Yankees last season at catcher, first base, and designated hitter. He will likely be the top first-base option this year, with Paul Goldschmidt playing more against left-handers.

I'm not sure I love him as the second-ranked first baseman, but being able to plug first-base production into your catcher slot is a major coup. Rice hit .255 with 28 doubles and 26 homers last year. He will get plenty of chances to score and knock in runs in a powerful Yankees' lineup; I'll be talking him up as a strong draft pick for your catcher spot.

No. 72 Jazz Chisholm Jr., New York Yankees, 2B/3B

Speaking of that New York lineup, Chisholm set career highs last season with 75 runs, 80 RBI, and 31 home runs. His left-handed swing fits well in Yankee Stadium; Chisholm has hit a home run every 15.2 at-bats with the Yankees versus his career rate of once every 19.5 at-bats.

After splitting time between second and third base last season, Chisholm is likely to hold down second most of this year, maybe sitting against left-handed starters. Take advantage of the split position this season, as he will probably only be available at 2B next year.

No. 113 Salvador Perez, Kansas City Royals, C/1B

Perez has the same benefit as Rice in that he can give production in line with some first basemen and slot into the catcher spot. He doesn't walk much, and his strikeout rate jumped about five years ago and never came back down, but Perez has shown plenty of power.

His 30 home runs last season were the second-most of his career (after a whopping 48 in 2021), and his 35 doubles were a career high. While many catchers miss games resting, Perez will stay on the field while playing first and DH'ing, making him a good option if you miss on the top few catchers.

No. 128 Tyler Soderstrom, Athletics, 1B/OF

While Soderstrom has been a first baseman most of his career, he led the team in left field at-bats by a wide margin last year and is likely to dominate the time at the position again. (With Nick Kurtz at first, Soderstrom won't be making a move back any time soon.)

He strikes out a bit (as everyone seemingly does these days), but Soderstrom had 25 homers, 34 doubles, 75 runs, and 93 RBI last season while hitting .276. The A's Sacramento home is a good hitter's park, so another strong offensive season wouldn't be a surprise.

No. 166 Ceddanne Rafaela, Boston Red Sox, 2B/OF

Rafaela is part of a deep, young position player group in Boston. He mostly played center field last season and is likely to spend the bulk of his time there again. His ability to also slot in at second gives fantasy owners another option at a position that isn't always easy to fill with quality fantasy at-bats.

Rafaela racked up 16 homers, 34 doubles, 84 runs, and 20 stolen bases last season. Each of those numbers improved on his 2024 stats in essentially the same number of at-bats, and he also improved his walks and cut down on his strikeouts. Another jump would make Rafaela a strong fantasy player.

No. 169 Alec Burleson, St. Louis Cardinals, 1B/OF

We have had a lot of guys eligible at first base on this list, and that is generally one of my favorite positions at which to have multi-positional players. It's easier to find offense at 1B than any other spot, so rather than splurging on someone like Atlanta's Matt Olson, for instance, I like to wait at the position, have a few guys who can fill in, and know I can find free agents later.

Burleson had his best season last year, gaining six doubles and only losing three homers despite having 50 fewer at-bats. He also batted .290, one of the best marks in a league that doesn't care about base hits anymore. He also doesn't strike out as much as the other guys listed here. Being eligible at first base and in the outfield, where you need to fill three spots, makes him a valuable multi-position guy.

No. 179 Xavier Edwards, Miami Marlins, 2B/SS

Edwards mostly played second base last season while sliding over to short when filling in for Otto Lopez. That looks like it will be the setup again to start the season at least, making him a guy to consider later in your draft if you are short at one or both positions in the middle infield.

Edwards hits for average, batting .298 in over 900 career at-bats. He doesn't have much power (four homers, 35 doubles, 10 triples), but he has stolen 58 stolen bases the past two seasons while only getting caught 11 times. Throw in 75 runs scored last season, and you could find a much worse bench player who can fill multiple spots.

No. 200 Ernie Clement, Toronto Blue Jays, 2B/3B/SS

We'll finish with the guy who can slot in at the most positions of anyone on our list. When looking for a player to grab late in your draft, the best options are usually high-upside young players, injured guys who dropped but could return at a higher level, or those who can fill out your bench with versatility; Clement is the latter.

He is in a high-powered offense and tallied 151 hits, 35 doubles, and 83 runs last season. Clement doesn't strike out much, helping set off his lack of home run power, and he can do enough to fill in admirably when needed.

Guys you draft late usually end up getting dropped eventually, so there's not much harm in grabbing a player who can help you fill spots as your roster works into place early in the season.