5 Key Signings That Didn’t Make Headlines to Draft in the Middle Rounds
As the mitts are gently being dusted off, the temperature is slowly inching up, coaxing the grass into lush greenery. Many of us anticipate the sweet pop of the mitt that will soon resonate with people all over the world. The MLB offseason, seemingly stretching longer each year, proved to be an exception this time. Amidst the cold, dark winter nights, excitement unfolded. Big names were on the move, with Aaron Nola re-signing with the Phillies for $172 million over 7 years before November concluded. The Cardinals made their mark in November by signing a trio of pitchers: Kyle Gibson, Lance Lynn, and Sonny Gray. December brought the much-anticipated signing of Shohei Ohtani with the Los Angeles Dodgers, a groundbreaking $700 million deal over 10 years, with $680 million deferred.
For Dodgers fans, the excitement didn’t stop there. Making headlines, they traded for Tyler Glasnow and secured the top international free agent, Yashinobu Yamamoto, for an impressive 12 years and $325 million. While these moves are undoubtedly on your radar, let’s shift the focus to the underreported transactions—the ones that didn’t make the headlines but could prove crucial in the middle rounds of your fantasy drafts. Don’t expect the next MLB MVP among these five players, but when you’re savoring the taste of victory in your Fantasy Championship, be grateful for these unsung heroes. Here are 5 players to target in the middle rounds of your upcoming draft:
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Rhys Hoskins – 1B, Milwaukee Brewers (ADP: 186)
The Brewers’ signing of Hoskins is a highly underrated move this offseason. Despite losing their coach, Craig Counsell, and trading Adrian Houser and Corbin Burnes, the acquisition of Hoskins brings a much-needed offensive boost to the offensive lineup. Hoskins, who missed the entire 2023 season due to an ACL tear, last played an MLB game during the 2022 World Series. Averaging 34 home runs per season with a slash line of .241/.350/.483 from 2018-22, he holds significant potential. In his last full season (’22), he hit 30 home runs and slashed .246/.332/.462.
While concerns persist about Hoskins’ post-ACL tear performance, it’s crucial to note that despite batting right-handed, he tore his left ACL. Studies indicate a 12% decrease in batting average and power for tears in the rear leg. Interestingly, rehab for an ACL injury may benefit the uninjured leg, showing a 6% increase in batting average for tears in a player’s lead leg. If fully healed, batting 4th or 5th in the lineup could enhance his productivity. Positioned in the middle rounds of fantasy drafts, Hoskins is poised for a bounce-back season, projecting a slash line of .251/.350/.472 with 25+ home runs.
Teoscar Hernandez – OF, Los Angeles Dodgers (ADP: 129)
I know what you’re thinking: ‘This isn’t the Dodgers’ offseason acquisition we care about!’ And you’re right; Hernandez is not Ohtani, Glasnow, or Yamamoto. However, let’s dive into the Dodgers’ outfield dynamics and how Hernandez fits into the picture. Mookie Betts is officially moving to 2nd base, Ohtani will likely only DH this year as he recovers from elbow surgery, Jason Heyward won’t face starting left-handers, and Chris Taylor remains the versatile super-utility man. So, where does Hernandez stand?
Two players are out of daily competition and his historic success against lefties gives him the edge as an automatic starter. Against left-handed pitchers (LHP), Hernandez boasts an impressive slash line of .275/.329/.557 and has slammed 53 home runs across 841 plate appearances. Notably, he is one of 12 players with at least 25 homers in each of the past four full seasons. Although his performance against right-handed pitchers (RHP) doesn’t vary significantly, his strikeout percentage surged to 31.1% last season, especially struggling against the 4-seam fastball. If he can rectify this regression, he’s poised to become an everyday player for the Dodgers this year. I anticipate he will finish the season with 130+ hits, 25+ home runs, but also a staggering 160+ strikeouts.
Mitch Garver – DH/C, Seattle Mariners (ADP: 220)
Fresh off contributing significantly to the Rangers’ historic World Series run, Garver now finds himself in Seattle. The previous season marked his transition to a full-time designated hitter, a role he’s expected to maintain with the Mariners. While able to serve as a backup for the primary catcher, Cal Raleigh, his recurring injuries suggest minimal catching in the upcoming season. Last season, Garver missed two months, playing only 87 games. Despite limited appearances, he showcased an impressive .270/.470/.500 slash line with 19 home runs, 44 walks, and an OPS+ of 134.
Shifting to a full-time DH role might be the key for Garver to exceed the 105-game mark for the first time since 2018. His above-average power, 89th percentile Batting Run Value, and a 90th-percentile walk rate position him as a middle-of-the-lineup option for the Mariners. However, the caveat remains: his ability to stay healthy is a significant question mark. If he avoids injuries, Garver could amass plenty of at-bats, potentially delivering 20+ home runs and 110+ hits. At a draft position around pick 220, Garver’s upside makes him a potential steal if he surpasses the 105-game threshold.
Jung Hoo Lee – OF, San Francisco Giants (ADP: 210)
In the wake of last offseason’s disappointments, including missing out on Aaron Judge and a failed Carlos Correa deal, the Giants have finally made a significant move. The acquisition of J.H. Lee, an under-the-radar international free agent, carries inherent risks. Lee, the first player to transition directly from high school to a full KBO season in 2017, secured the Rookie of the Year award that same season. Despite a fractured ankle in June 2023, he has reportedly passed his physical and, at 25, brings above-average fielding and consistent contact to the outfield—a position the Giants struggled with last year. In his seven KBO seasons, Lee exceeded 10 home runs only twice but boasts an impressive .340/.407/.491 slash line, consistently surpassing 160 hits annually, excluding his recent injury-plagued season.
Despite the risks associated with his youth, recent injury, and competition in the crowded Giants outfield, the substantial investment in Lee suggests he’s unlikely to be sent to the minors. With a strong track record in the KBO, Lee has the potential to hit 10+ home runs and provide over 150 hits, including 30+ doubles, in his debut MLB season. Priced in the early 200s of fantasy drafts, Lee represents a high-upside addition for teams seeking impactful production.
Sean Manaea – LHP, New York Mets (ADP: 309)
This offseason, the Mets aimed to strengthen their pitching rotation following a lackluster performance last year, marked by the trades of Scherzer and Verlander at the Deadline. To address this, they signed Luis Severino, acquired Adrian Houser, and added Sean Manaea on a 2-year deal with an opt-out after the first season. Despite Manaea’s 4.44 ERA over 117 2/3 innings with the Giants, a closer look reveals improvement.
In his first 26 innings pitched he saw his ERA balloon to 7.96. In his last 91 2/3 innings, he maintained a 3.44 ERA, including a strong September with just 6 runs allowed in 4 starts. Notably, he only had 10 starts last year and was moved to the bullpen after a rough start. So why do I expect him to be valuable? Positive changes in his mechanics led to an increased fastball speed (>2 MPH faster) and his pitch selection adjustments (new sweeper, more 4-seam fastballs) proved effective. With the move to Citi Field, known for its hitter-unfriendly environment, and an anticipated role outside the top 3 starters, Manaea is poised for a strong season with multiple quality starts and 10+ wins.
