The 2020 MLB season is approaching, and that means the fantasy baseball season is nearing as well. Some drafts have already been completed, while numerous more drafts will be happening over the next few weeks. Here are some infielders who could be ranked higher and may lead to a very efficient pick in fantasy baseball drafts.
*Rankings are according to ESPN’s “Complete 2020 Projections” at the time of writing. It is set to all players with ESPN standard scoring.*
Ketel Marte (2B, OF) (Arizona Diamondbacks)
Ketel Marte (Image from 98.7 Arizona Sports)
Rank: 42
Ketel Marte is ranked as the fourth-highest second basemen. His .592 slugging percentage is higher than the three-second basemen ranked higher than him, and his 36 homers are more than two of the three. Marte slashed .329/.389/.592 and finished fourth in the NL MVP voting last season. He also had 32 doubles and 92 RBIs. The Diamondback also has outfield eligibility, which could be useful to a fantasy owner.
Matt Olson (1B) (Oakland Athletics)
Rank: 54
Matt Olson missed some of 2019 from hand surgery. In the 127 games he played, he still managed to hit 36 home runs, 26 doubles and have 91 RBIs. If Olson plays 162 games at that pace, he would be on track for about 45 or 46 long balls and around 33 doubles. Those are some productive numbers for a fantasy baseball roster. The first base position typically provides some solid options and offense, and Matt Olson could wind up being one in 2020.
Mitch Garver (C) (Minnesota Twins)
Rank: 170
Catchers can sometimes be limited if a fantasy baseball league has a lot of teams. Getting one that can provide a lot of playing time and offense could really aid in a teams’ success. Last season, Mitch Garver hit 31 homers in just 93 games, which is an average of one every three games. He had a slash line of .273/.365/.630 and a .995 OPS. Garver could be a valuable pick fairly early into the draft.
Luke Voit (1B) (New York Yankees)
Rank: 231
Another first baseman to make the list is Luke Voit. In 2019, he played in 118 games and had a slash line of .263/.378/.464. He hit 21 homers and 21 doubles while, like many other Yankees, dealing with an injury for parts of the season. His numbers could increase this season if he’s healthy. Voit is also on the Yankees, so he will be getting quite a bit of at-bats in that hitter’s park in the Bronx.
Andrelton Simmons (SS) (Los Angeles Angels)
Rank: 269
Andrelton Simmons dealt with an ankle injury last season. He played in 103 games, and slashed .263/.309/.364. In 2018, he played in 146 games and had a better line of .292/.337/.417. He also hit 11 homers and 26 doubles that year. Simmons can get back towards those numbers this season, and being healthy could be a big factor in that. Los Angeles also added Anthony Rendon, and they still have Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani, so he could get some solid RBI opportunities this season.
Feature Image Courtesy of nbcsports.com
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