A home run hit by a superstar player or a dominant start by an elite pitcher will never go unnoticed in baseball circles. However, far too often the impressive feats of their lower profile teammates go unnoticed. That is particular true for a group of players that have flown under the radar despite the considerable success they have had this season. Here is a look at the five most underrated baseball players in MLB fantasy right now.
OF: Marcell Ozuna, Miami Marlins
Can you guess who the Marlins most productive outfielder has been this season? While you might have guessed Giancarlo Stanton, Ozuna’s numbers have actually been better. Ozuna has hit .332 with 16 home runs, 44 RBI and 38 runs scored in 2017. According to WAR, Ozuna has been a top-15 outfielder since the start of last season and has been more valuable to Miami than Stanton. His incredible hitting numbers combined with his solid defense has made Ozuna one of the most underrated players in baseball right now.
Don’t be surprised if Ozuna is moved at the trade deadline. The Marlins are trying to sell their ballclub and shedding payroll is one way that can help them make that happen. They could have a complete firesale and at this point, nobody is off the radar. The Marlins are in third place in the National League East but that still puts them seven games below .500 and 10.5 games out of first place.
SS: Elvis Andrus, Texas Rangers
Andrus is another player that has really flown under the radar over the past couple of seasons despite some excellent production both at the plate and in the field. The numbers don’t lie. Andrus has recorded the second-most hits, the third-most runs and the most steals among American League shortstops so far this season. His .292 average is among the best at his position. Andrus has also been excellent defensively at the shortstop position for Texas. He might not get the same level of attention as Xander Bogaerts of the Boston Red Sox or Carlos Correa of the Houston Astros, but Andrus has quietly been excellent for the Rangers.
SP: Lance Lynn, St. Louis Cardinals
Lynn might not have a considerable arsenal of pitches but he has been very effective with what he does have this season. Lynn is 5-3 with a 2.69 ERA, a 1.09 WHIP and an 8.67 K/9 so far this season. The former All-Star and World Series champion has been solid after missing all of the 2016 season following Tommy John surgery. He might eventually suffer some regression but Lynn deserves a ton of credit based on what he has done so far this season.
RP: Alex Colome, Tampa Bay Rays
Colome earned the closer gig in Tampa Bay last year when he posted a 1.91 ERA and recorded 37 saves. While some expected regression, Colome has quietly been just as good this season with a 2.05 ERA, a 1.08 WHIP and a 8.22 K/9 while recording 18 saves so far this season. MLB fantasy GM’s that invested high in him have been rewarded. Colome is tied with Boston Craig Kimbrel for the AL lead in saves and if he continues performing at an elite level he could end up winning that AL saves title this season.
The Rays are surprisingly three games above .500 and are in contention in the American League. They are 5.5 games out of first place but are very much in the race for a wild card spot in the playoffs. It’s early but if the playoffs were to start today, they’d be one of the two American League wild card teams. Colome’s performance is a big reason why that’s the case.
OF: Ender Inciarte, Atlanta Braves
Inciarte has been excellent for the Braves over the past couple of seasons but somehow he has managed to stay out of the spotlight. The Gold Glove-winning outfielder has hit .300 with 41 runs scored and 10 stolen bases this season yet somehow he still hasn’t received much attention outside of Atlanta. It’s only a matter of time before Inciarte begins to get the recognition he deserves. For now, he will remain one of the most underrated players in MLB fantasy this season.
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