Prospect News: Burrowing For Gems Under Fantrax ADPs

Reds 2B Matt McLain 192.3 

He’s had the kind of dominant spring that makes ADP somewhat irrelevant except that it sets a trap for anyone counting on this guy to be available for them at pick 192. He’s at 160.68 in 212 NFBC leagues since March 1 and 147.69 in 119 leagues since March 8. 

Guardians OF Chase DeLauter 309

Astros SP Mike Burrows 310.2

Rockies 2B 3B OF Willi Castro 311.8

The number moved on all three of these guys since I initially built this list a few days ago, each climbing the draft by about five spots. DeLauter’s going 283.96 in NFBC drafts since March 1 (212 leagues), and he’s my preference if I can get just one of these guys. He’s 24, he’s slashed .393/.433/.643 with one home run and three strikeouts in 30 plate appearances this spring, and the Guardians outfield is wide open. 

Burrows is up to 261.23 in those recent NFBC leagues. Lotta love for the excavator. 

Diamondbacks 3B Jordan Lawlar 323.1

Lawlar might be my number one player to get at these draft room prices. I’m thinking 20/20 is well within reach, and that kind of speed from the third base spot would toggle some standings. If you happen to have third base and corner infield on lock down, you can move Lawlar to the outfield and get premium production there. Still a value at 275.4 in NFBC drafts since March 1. 

Cardinals UT Ivan Herrera 342

Mets 2B 3B Brett Baty 345.3

Speaking of positional flexibility, Brett Baty might add first base and outfield designations in the first month of the season. He was the Mets 2nd best hitter in the second half last year, and I think they’ll find ways to keep him in the lineup almost every day. He’s going off the board at 275.1 in 212 NFBC drafts since March 1. 

Herrera is a wild card here. Will he add catcher eligibility early in the season? Will he add it at all? How about the outfield? As a Util-only guy in 12-team, one-catcher leagues, this price feels right. In a 15-team, two-catcher league, this price is theft for the drafter at the moment. If Herrera doesn’t catch, though it seems like he will, you still have a solid hitter who I think returns this cost pretty comfortably even if he never leaves the utility spot. 

Rangers RP Robert Garcia 366.8

Mets OF Carson Benge 369.9

Oh lucky you who punted saves until the end game but managed to land a likely closer in an extreme pitchers’ park. 

Or perhaps you need a high-upside hitter to round out your outfield? Benge is making it hard to send him back to Triple-A, slashing .406/.472/.500 with a 13.9 percent strikeout rate through 36 plate appearances. It’s still possible he spends a chunk of 2026 in Syracuse, but that’s baked into this price. 

Marlins SP Max Meyer 394.9

Meyer’s climbing quickly on the strength of a 50 percent strikeout rate and 0.57 WHIP through seven spring innings. Most importantly, he looks healthy. Going at 323.39 through 212 drafts since March 1, he’ll probably be long gone by 390 in your leagues. 

Red Sox 3B Marcelo Mayer 425.7

Mayer is going 494.6 in those leagues since March 1. I can admit I’m a little confused. I’ve never been comparatively high on Mayer . . . until this week, I suppose. He’s a 20 home run bat who should add second base eligibility early and have that job to himself in an everyday way until he hits his way out of it. 

Twins SP Mick Abel 431.2

Here’s another illusory ADP. Abel is at 355.67 since March 1 and 332.47 since March 8, flying up draft boards as people seek innings eaters with upside.

Nationals 3B Brady House 437.6

I’ve already written about House’s market in Prospect News: MONSTARS Take Manhattan or House On Fire when I said “Nationals 3B Brady House has just eight plate appearances but has already hit two home runs. He hit just four in 73 games last season on the way to a 56 wRC+. The 11th overall pick out of high school in 2021, House has better bones than that. This fresh new front office and coaching staff could help renovate his approach and make a big difference. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s a better-than-league-average regular in year two. He just got traded for Brewers OF Garrett Mitchell in the Highlander Dynasty Invitational, and he’s probably available on the cheap in your leagues.” 

He’s continued to swing a hot bat since then, batting .438 with a .906 slugging percentage through 35 plate appearances. He has walked just once against ten strikeouts, so there’s plenty of risk here, but he’s free money here, and I take it as good news that he’s taking his A swing and smashing the ball. 

Athletics 2B 3B Max Muncy 458.9

Cardinals OF Nelson Velazquez 463.1

Angels 3B Oswald Peraza 469.6

Mariners OF Heriberto Hernandez 475.4

I like all these hitters at their cost. For now, they’re deep league options who won’t fit every build, but every one of these guys could claim a regular lineup spot and become popular mixed league fliers in April. 

Braves OF Jurickson Profar 999 

Until his appeal gets resolved, Profar is a viable last-round pick in any league. If the suspension holds, you’ve got your first cut. If not, your league mates are going to be upset at the sharkiness. 

Thanks for reading!