Middle infielders have continually been regarded as one of the weaker spots for fantasy production over the years. This has lead to many owners reaching on a SS or 2B a few rounds earlier than normal in order to make sure they don’t wind up with a dud at these positions. However, often times this backfires as the player fails to return on their draft day price. Meanwhile there are guys that went much later in drafts, or even come across waivers, that go on to outperform the player the owner reached on. Thanks to the influx of young superstars such as Carlos Correa, Francisco Lindor, and Jose Rameriez, the middle infield position has been progressively been getting deeper than before. And while the owners who wind up with a stud like those mentioned will surely be happy, there are only so many to go around. This leads to owners reaching on the next tier of middle infielders. This is something I try to avoid, and focus on who provides value at the MI spot later on. The increased positional depth means that there are guys that have been flying under the radar that I’d like to offer as value picks in the middle to late rounds.
I say value picks because the term “sleeper” is often a very controversial term in the fantasy community. Due mostly to different league sizes, roster sizes, and league/owner IQ, I often see a lot of disagreement about what truly defines a “sleeper.” What may be considered a sleeper to someone in a 10-team league may be a no-brainer roster worthy player in leagues that are 15+ owners. Not that the terminology matters much at all. However, I always see guys catching heat for calling someone a sleeper only to have Randy from his 20-team AL-only league call him a scrub. Not today Randy!!! You may not completely agree with all of my choices but you can’t shit on me for misusing the term sleeper.
I’ll define a value pick as someone with a FantasyPros composite ADP of 125 or higher. I chose 125 because I play mostly 10/12 team leagues and an ADP > 125 is basically someone that generally goes past round 10 in those drafts. Each player is followed by their Steamer/Razzball projections. Keep in mind they tend to be more conservative offensively.
Here are my Middle Infield Value Picks for 2018:
Ozzie Albies, 2B, Atlanta Braves (ADP: 140.7)
Albies is THE guy I had in mind when going with the term “value picks” over sleepers. No one that plays competitive fantasy baseball has been “sleeping on” Albies by any means. We are well aware of the wonderful tools and high ceiling that this exciting player brings to the table. His ADP has been increasing as a result, but at pick 131.5 he still represents an excellent value pick for your upcoming drafts. At just 21 years of age, Albies had a .286/.354/.456 triple slash in 244 plate appearances across 57 games for the Braves last year. He had 6 HRs, 34 runs, and 28 RBIs while adding 8 stolen bases in 9 attempts to show his speed in addition to great bat skills. Albies, a switch-hitter, is currently penciled in at the 2-hole right in front of Freddie Freeman and should get ample opportunities to score runs. He had an 83% contact rate last season to go along with an 8.6% walk rate and 14.5% strikeout rate showing that this 21-year old is already maturing quickly. He can hit both righties and lefties, as well as produce numbers across the board. Some expect less power than others this year and advise not to overdraft, but he is potentially a strong 4/5 category producer that can be found later on in drafts. He’s a great option for those looking to wait on a 2B or fill up your MI slot.
Steamer/Razzball Projections: .272/.328/.417, 72 R, 12 HR, 58 RBI, 21 SB in 600 PA
Scooter Gennett, 2B, Cincinnati Reds (ADP: 197.7)
Scooter Gennett, aka the guy EVERYONE expected to have a 4-home run game in 2017 after hitting only 10 more than that total the year before. Oh wait no one saw that coming? While he will be remembered by most for that impressive 4-HR showing, he put together an impressive year outside of just that one game. After hitting 14 HRs in 542 plate appearances in 2016, Scoot did more with less in 2017 by swatting 27 HRs in 497 plate appearances. This is largely in part to increasing his HR/FB from 10.5% in ’16 to an excellent 20.8% last season. Is this power legit? He has been hitting fewer grounders than earlier in his career, as well as elevating more balls and increasing his hard hit percentage as well. His .295/.342/.531 slash to go along with the 27 HRs, 80 runs, and 97 RBIs are impressive numbers for a 2B going this late. He helps out in every category except SB so you should be able to count on him week in week out. As the projections show, the reason he is going this late is that many believe he is in store for some major regression this year. Even so, I still see him more as a 20 HR guy that figures to be hitting in the middle of the Reds’ lineup. With Zack Cozart gone, it is expected that Jose Peraza will play SS, though top prospect Nick Senzel’s presence can’t be overlooked. Either way, Scoot looks primed to be the primary 2B for the Reds. I wouldn’t recommend banking on Scooter to be your everyday 2B, but I do see him as a solid MI guy that should return great value on where he is being drafted.
Steamer/Razzball projections: .259/.309/.428, 52 R, 16 HR, 61 RBI, 4 SB in 492 PA
Andrelton Simmons, SS, Los Angeles Angles (ADP: 205.7)
Perhaps the best defensive shortstop in the league, Andrelton Simmons has shown to be a pretty solid hitter as well. Simmons followed up his .281 average in 2016 with a .278/.331/.421 slash in 158 games played last season. Simmons’ elite ability to put the bat on the ball (88.6% contact rate) in addition to his impressive 10.4% strikeout rate led to his most productive offensive season so far. His strikeout rate was the lowest among all SS last season and ranked 2nd among all middle infielders. Simmons displayed a surprising power/speed combo last year as he had 14 HRs and 19 SBs which he hopes to replicate this season. He added 77 runs scored and 69 (nice) RBIs last season making him a modest 5 category contributor at the SS/MI position. His wRC+ of 103 was 9th best for a SS last season and 21st among all middle infielders. Simmons is a guy going pretty late in drafts that will give you solid numbers across the board from your MI slot if you decide to scoop him up.
Steamer/Razzball projections: .269/.323/.397, 63 R, 12 HR, 61 RBI, 11 SB in 567 PA
Orlando Arcia, SS, Milwaukee Brewers (ADP: 218.7)
Arcia’s sneaky good 2017 went under the radar as he hit in the 8 hole for a small market Milwaukee team, which may have helped suppress his ADP. Arcia had a strong showing, sporting a .277/.324/.407 slash in 548 plate appearances across 153 games in his first full season in the MLB. Arcia holds a valuable power/speed combo at the SS position as his 15 HRs and 14 SBs from last year show. Only a single SB away from a 15/15 season at 23 years old, cracking that this year is very obtainable and would make for an excellent return on his current price. Only 4 shortstops reached that benchmark last year. The addition of Christian Yelich and Lorenzo Cain bolsters this Milwaukee offense, which is definitely a positive but will also likely keep Arcia hitting towards the bottom of the lineup. This should put a cap on his counting stats, but even replicating his 56 runs and 53 RBIs are solid complimentary numbers to his sneaky pop, speed, and ability to hit for a decent average. His balanced production makes him an intriguing player to have especially in H2H categories formats. He is one of the best defensive shortstops in the game today, which helps ensure that he will play in 150+ games again if healthy. He makes for a solid late round value pick that you can plug in at MI or SS and feel comfortable doing so.
Steamer/Razzball projections: .262/.313/.405, 56 R, 14 HR, 61 RBI, 14 SB in 549 PA
Jorge Polanco, SS, Minnesota Twins (ADP: 279.7)
Jorge Polanco was one of many Twins last year that stepped up in a big way to bring a team with the fewest wins in 2016 to the Wild Card game last year. Polanco posted a .256/.313/.410 slash with 13 HRs, 60 runs and 74 RBIs, and 13 SBs in 133 games. The .256 season average may seem underwhelming, but it will also allow him to remain under the radar come draft day. The reality is that he got off to a rough start, but it is how he finished the year that makes him an intriguing value pick. He hit .293 with 10 HRs and 7 SBs while adding 43 RBIs and scoring 31 runs to close out the second half. He was a solid source of HRs and SB down the stretch that helped many owners including myself at the MI position. In case you haven’t figured out yet I am a big fan of guys that provide a solid power/speed combo especially in H2H leagues and in this stage of drafts. Polanco is a guy that provides just that, as a 15/15 year is certainly in reach. He was able to put up 13/13 last year, one of only 8 SS to do so. Where he hits in the lineup will factor into how many RBIs and runs he produces, but his relatively low 14.3% strikeout rate leads me to believe he will hit better than .256 this season. He gives you modest production in every category making him a great H2H categories player. Polanco is a guy that I’ve had on my watch list since the end of last year and one I see being a great value pick for the MI slot this upcoming season.
Steamer/Razzball projections: .274/.331/.426, 66 R, 13 HRs, 62 RBI, 12 SB in 545 PA
