![Trey Mancini has 34 home runs in 2019. [Image Source: Flickr | KA Sports Photos]](https://staticr1.blastingcdn.com/media/photogallery/2019/9/23/660x290/b_502x220x82/trey-mancini-has-34-home-runs-in-2019-image-source-flickr-ka-sports-photos_2329191.jpg "Trey Mancini has 34 home runs in 2019. [Image Source: Flickr | KA Sports Photos]")
While fantasy drafts are important, many times a league will be won due to smart pickups during the course of the season.
With the majority of head-to-head fantasy baseball leagues ending on Sunday, let’s take a look at players who excelled despite going undrafted in many leagues. Each position will have a representative (three outfielders and five starting pitchers).
These are the players who according to Fantasy Pros didn’t have a preseason overall ranking of 250 or better (250 players are drafted in a 25-round, 10-team league). Fantasy Pros averaged out the preseason rankings that were provided by a bunch of experts.
Some honorable mentions include:
Catcher - Christian Vazquez (Red Sox), Omar Narvaez (Mariners), James McCann (White Sox), Roberto Perez (Indians)
First base - Howie Kendrick (Nationals), Danny Santana (Rangers)
Second base - Ryan McMahon (Rockies), Kolten Wong (Cardinals)
Third base - Miguel Sano (Twins), J.D. Davis (Mets)
Shortstop - None
Outfield - Jeff McNeil (Mets), Brett Reynolds (Pirates), Joc Pederson (Dodgers), Kole Calhoun (Angels)
Starting pitcher - Jake Odorizzi (Twins), John Means (Orioles), Matthew Boyd (Tigers), Domingo German (Yankees), Yonny Chirinos (Rays)
Closer - Hector Neris (Phillies), Brandon Workman (Red Sox), Taylor Rogers (Twins), Emilio Pagan (Rays), Hansel Robles (Angels), Ian Kennedy (Royals)
Catcher - Mitch Garver, Twins
Despite starting in just 74 games, Garver has 31 home runs averaging one per every 9.77 at bats. In one less at bat in 2018, he only connected on seven long balls.
First base - Josh Bell, Pirates
While his numbers dipped after the All-Star break, Bell still deserves the spot at first base. His 116 RBIs are bettered by only five players, and he has also hit 37 homers and scored 94 times.
Second base - Keston Hiura, Brewers
Hiura made his MLB debut on May 14, and while he has only appeared in 74 games, they have been extremely productive. His impressive numbers in somewhat limited action include a .301 batting average, 18 home runs, and nine stolen bases.
Third base - Hunter Dozier, Royals
Last season was a miserable one for Dozier in his first extended action at the big league level. This year has been a different story as evidenced by his .281 batting average, 26 home runs, and 83 RBIs.
Shortstop - Fernando Tatis Jr., Padres
On the shelf since August 13 with a back injury, Tatis Jr. will still finish near the top of the NL Rookie of the Year voting. In 84 games, he owns a .317 batting average, 22 homers, and 16 steals.
Outfield - Jorge Soler, Royals
Coming into this season, Soler’s career-high in homers was 12. He has nearly quadrupled that number with 45, and his 112 RBIs were tied for the ninth-most after Sunday.
Outfield - Trey Mancini, Orioles
With back-to-back seasons with 24 home runs in 2017 and 2018, Mancini was just outside the top 250 in preseason rankings. He has taken his game to another level in 2019, hitting 34 homers while batting .286 with 93 RBIs and 101 runs.
Outfield - Yordan Alvarez, Astros
Alvarez is the favorite to take home AL Rookie of the Year despite not making his MLB debut until June 9. It has been an incredible 82 games for the 22-year-old as he has .322 with 27 homers and 77 RBIs. He also did great for those that owned him and made the finals as he has hit .435 over his last seven games according to Roto Baller.
Starting pitcher - Mike Soroka, Braves
The fourth rookie on this list, Soroka has been the ace for a Braves team that has clinched the NL East. His 2.60 ERA is fourth-best in the majors, and he has a 13-4 record and 1.09 WHIP in 28 starts.
Starting pitcher - Sonny Gray, Reds
After a miserable 2018 with the Yankees (particularly at home), Gray has again resembled the pitcher who previously was a Cy Young candidate with the Athletics. In 30 starts, he is 11-7 with a 2.80 ERA (sixth-best in MLB), 199 strikeouts (tied for 20th-most) and a 1.09 WHIP (13th-best).
Starting pitcher - Lucas Giolito, White Sox
After a disastrous 2018, Giolito became a first-time All-Star in 2019. In 29 starts, the 25-year-old has a 14-9 record, 3.41 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, and 228 strikeouts.
Starting pitcher - Lance Lynn, Rangers
A long-time viable starting pitcher in fantasy, Lynn fell somewhat off the radar after a lackluster 2018 campaign. His 236 strikeouts in 2019 are the seventh-most in baseball, and he is 15-11 in 32 starts with a 3.76 ERA.
Starting pitcher - Mike Minor, Rangers
While Minor wasn’t bad in 2018 (his first year starting since 2014), he has improved in every manner this season. He is 13-10 in 31 starts with a 3.52 ERA, a 1.23 WHIP, and 191 strikeouts.
Closer - Liam Hendriks, Athletics
With Blake Treinen not duplicating the success he had last year, Hendriks stepped in as Oakland’s closer and has been remarkable. Since June 22 (when he recorded his first save), he has 23 saves, 69 strikeouts in 40 innings, a 1.80 ERA, and a WHIP of 0.85.
