MLB Underrated Team

With the MLB All Star Game having come and gone, I thought it would be a good time to look at the undervalued players in the MLB. These are the underappreciated guys who are helping their teams win as much as some of the all stars we saw this past Tuesday. The team I made is a regulation all star roster with 34 players: 14 pitchers, 20 position players. In order to qualify, a player must never have been an all star in his career, and all position players must be qualifiers for league leaders (3.1 PA per team games played). So, this is not a list of “all star snubs,” as guys like Adrian Beltre, Brandon Crawford, and other worthy all stars are absent since they have already been to one or more all star games. This list is for the guys who have never been, but still deserve the recognition as some of the best players in the game.

Some of these guys have been solid, albeit unspectacular players for years, while some are rookies or in their first year making a positive impact for a team. In no way am I saying the competitors in the all star game were undeserving of their selections, rather I created this team to recognize guys who are right outside the level of the all stars, or even on the same level with less popularity. There were a lot of new names on this year’s AL and NL rosters, but overall it is a lot of the same guys year after year. Without further ado, here’s my Undervalued All Star team for 2016.

Disclaimer: stats used include Defensive Runs Saved (DRS), defensive Wins Above Replacement (dWAR), Ultimate Zone Rating (UZR), and Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP). For definitions on these metrics please visit http://www.fangraphs.com/library/ They can explain much better than me!

*All stats as of the All Star Break

Starting Lineup:

L   LF Christian Yelich, MIA: .317/.398/.475

As the only National League player in the top seven of batting average and walks, Yelich has been good enough this season to deserve an all star spot. He most likely deserved it more than Adam Duvall and Odubel Herrera, two guys who got in possibly just because their respective teams needed a representative. Though he has been a capable third place hitter for the Marlins, I put him lead off in this lineup because of his superb on base skills. Yelich grades out as a league average defender (3 DRS, -2.2 dWAR), but is an excellent hitter with a solid walk rate and below league average strikeout rate (20.5%). As a 24 year old, Yelich’s AVG, OBP, and SLG% has improved every year since his first full season in 2014. Needless to say, it shouldn’t be too long before he is seen in the midsummer classic.

R   SS Zack Cozart, CIN: .267/.316/.482

After three average years as the Reds everyday shortstop from 2012-2014, Cozart’s injury shortened 2015 season could have signaled the beginning of the end for Cozart on a rebuilding Reds team. Instead, Cozart has returned this year as the team’s most valuable player. With 10 DRS already this year Cozart doesn’t have to hit much to provide value at a premium defensive position. Instead he is on track to surpass his career high in nearly all offensive statistics. If Cozart can keep improving, he may have a shot to make an all star game in the future, though he faces tough competition for years to come in Addison Russell, Corey Seager, Aledmys Diaz, and Brandon Crawford. With all that star power at his position in the NL, Cozart is truly underappreciated around the league.

R   RF George Springer, HOU: .262/.359/.473

With the second most home runs for an outfielder in the AL, Springer has provided the Astros with some much needed power at the top of the lineup. He has provided steady production since emerging on the scene in 2014, with only some bumps in the road due to injuries. If Springer can stay healthy, he can put up some truly impressive numbers this season. He has improved his defense with 10 DRS already, twice his amount from last year. With Carlos Correa coming to the big leagues with one of the best rookie seasons in history last year, and Jose Altuve emerging as an MVP candidate this year, Springer has been somewhat forgotten. If he continues to provide power, on-base skills, and above average fielding, he’ll see the all star game before long.

R   2B Jonathan Schoop, BAL:  .304/.338/.509

Three 2B’s with 15+ HR’s and an AVG above .300: Robinson Cano, Daniel Murphy, and….. Jonathan Schoop! The first two are much discussed all stars who both are at least being considered for the MVP award. Schoop however gets none of the hype despite the fact that he is the only one with a positive UZR in the field. Manny Machado and Adam Jones are the true stars for the first place Orioles, but Schoop has also been terrific thus far. Though his K/BB ratio is a bit concerning, that is about the only weakness in his game.

R   DH Nick Castellanos, DET:  .302/.342/.534

It seems this is the year Castellanos has finally figured it out at the plate. After flashing massive potential through his first two years, he has improved his average by 50 points, and slugging percentage by over 100. He is the only AL player to be hitting over 300 and slugging over 500 without being an all star. Though he rates as a below average defender (-5.2 dWAR), if he continues to emerge as a strong middle of the order bat, he will always provide value to his team. I utilized him in the DH spot in the order since he does not add value in the field but I had to keep him in the lineup due to his elite bat that belonged in the All-Star game.

R   1B CJ Cron, LAA: .278/.333/.475

First base was the hardest position to pick from here. 15 of the 22 qualified first basemen were either past All-Star’s or current. The best of the rest was CJ Cron, who has been one of the few productive bats in the Angels lineup next to Mike Trout. Though he just broke his hand and will be out six-eight weeks, this list is celebrating underappreciated stars of the first half, a half in which he was the only Major League first basemen to drive in 50+ runs (50) and strike out less than 50 times (41).

L   CF Adam Eaton, CHW: .271/.355/.394

Though Eaton is playing mostly right field this year, I put him in center because he is capable of being an elite fielder anywhere in the outfield, and well, this is a fictional all star team. Eaton leads the MLB in UZR with a rating of 19.7, and is second in the MLB with 18 DRS. His fielding alone gives him a spot on this team, but his hitting doesn’t hurt. He currently leads the MLB in triples and has added 10 steals for good measure. Having an outstanding fielder who can run and hit a little bit can help any team. Alex Gordon has made three all star games on the strength of his fielding with an OPS around .750 and modest power numbers, so I don’t see why Eaton can’t do the same in the future.

R   C JT Realmuto, MIA: .317/.349/.426

I’ll be the first to admit it: I used to laugh at the fact that the Marlins started JT Realmuto everyday as their catcher. After Jarrod Saltalamacchia was designated for assignment last year, the starting job was Realmuto’s to lose, and I thought he would lose it pretty quickly. Instead he put up modest numbers last year to keep the starting job and has really taken off with it this year. He leads all catchers with nine stolen bases and is second with a .317 BA. He’s easily on track to become the only catcher to reach double digit steals since Yadier Molina stole 12 in 2012. Though Baseball Prospectus grades Realmuto as a poor pitch framer, he is above average at stolen base prevention making him an average fielder with a unique set of skills on offense.

R   3B Anthony Rendon, WAS: .254/.341/.406

In his first full big league season in 2014, Rendon finished fifth in MVP voting. He could do it all: 21 HR, 17 steals, a .287/.351/.473 slash line, 39 2B, a league-leading 111 runs, and great defense at third base. I remember comparing him to Nolan Arenado as two of the best young third basemen in 2014. Then last year Arenado kept trending up, and Rendon regressed in an injury shortened season. This year Rendon is coming back closer to his 2014 numbers, again with above average defense with positive dWAR, and positive DRS.  Maybe it’s a sign that the Nationals were a top team in 2014 and a top team this year, but struggled in 2015 when Rendon regressed. In a stacked National League for third basemen, Rendon will have to compete with Arenado, Kris Bryant, Maikel Franco, Jake Lamb, and Matt Carpenter for many years to come to get into the midsummer classic.

 

R   SP Michael Fulmer, DET:  9-2, 2.11 ERA, 1.096 WHIP

This was a relatively easy pick as Fulmer has put up terrific numbers in his rookie season, establishing himself as the ace of the Tigers staff. In his last nine starts before the all star break Fulmer has given up four earned runs in 57 and a third innings. His team won eight of those nine games, keeping them competitive as the Indians went on a crazy winning streak. In his first year he has already proven to be a great return for free agent to be Yoenis Cespedes at last year’s trade deadline. If he continues to produce to even close to what he’s done lately, he’ll be in the All-Star game soon, and probably more than one.

Pitchers

R   SP Kyle Hendricks, CHC:  8-6, 2.41, 1.022

Three pitchers in all of baseball are top five in ERA, and top 10 in WHIP. The best pitcher in the game (Clayton Kershaw), the best playoff pitcher in the game (Madison Bumgarner), and Kyle Hendricks.

R   SP Kenta Maeda, LAD:  8-6, 2.95, 1.090

After signing a very reasonable contract in the offseason, Maeda has provided much needed stability after Clayton Kershaw in the Dodgers rotation that has been shaky everywhere else.

R   SP Trevor Bauer, CLE:  7-3, 3.36, 1.224

Two inconsistent seasons pitching to a 4.38 combined ERA had some questioning Bauer’s top prospect marquee, Now Bauer has finally found some consistency in the rotation after starting the year in the bullpen. Bauer has also decreased his FIP to a career best 3.49.

L   SP Danny Duffy, KC:  5-1, 3.27, 1.068

The Royals swing man has cut his walk rate in half (3.5 to 1.8) and strongly increased his strikeout rate (6.7 to 10.3) from last year to provide much needed stability on the Royals poor pitching staff.

R   SP Lance McCullers, HOU:  4-4, 3.61, 1.636

Starting his year late due to injury, the Astros hurler has come on strong by pitching to a 2.84 FIP so far this year while striking out 11.6 batters per nine innings. If he can cut down his walks (5.5 BB/9), he can reach dominance.

R   RP Dan Otero, CLE:   33G, 1.24, 1.101

After a poor 2015, Otero has bounced back in a huge way pitching the late innings for the division leading Indians.

R   RP Addison Reed, NYM:  44G, 2.09, 0.884

Reed has been a workhouse so far, pitching to career highs in most all categories. Most importantly he has a 5.89 K/BB ratio, easily the best in his career.

R   RP Shawn Kelley, WAS:  38G, 2.67, 0.950

Kelley is another reliever experiencing a career season due to all time best BB and K rates. In his six prior complete seasons in the bigs, his career best K/BB ratio was 4.56. It is currently an impressive 7.57.

R   RP Hector Rondon, CHC:   33G, 1.67, 0.649

As the closer on the World Series favorites, Rondon gets surprisingly little attention for how good he has been. He has the best WHIP in the MLB for anyone who has pitched more than five innings.

R   RP Seung-hwan Oh, STL:   46G. 1.75, 0.885

Oh has quietly made a seamless transition to the bigs after pitching in Japan. With the struggles of Trevor Rosenthal, Oh has been huge late in games for the contending Cardinals.

L   RP Jerry Blevins, NYM:  43G, 2.08, 0.962

After fracturing his arm twice last year, Blevins has returned to be on pace for a career best ERA. He has allowed a very weak OPS of .553 to lefties (his speciality), but more surprisingly has allowed an OPS of .389 to righties thus far.

L   RP Adam Liberatore, LAD:  39G, 0.59, 0.824

Liberatore had a decent rookie year last year but has come on very strong this year pitching to an MLB best ERA for anyone who has thrown more than six innings.

R   RP Ryan Dull, OAK:  42G, 1.90, 0.718

Dull has been a busy man as one of the few productive arms in the Athletics pen, pitching the eighth most innings in the bigs for guys without a start.

Bench

R   C Cameron Rupp PHI:  .288/.332/.505

Rupp’s slugging percentage is just below Wilson Ramos for best in the MLB for catchers. As a young player with little competition at his position, the All Star game is not too far off if he can keep the job from top prospect Jorge Alfaro.

L   2B Derek Dietrich, MIA:  .295/.387/.430

It seemed Dee Gordon’s half year suspension would be a huge blow to the Marlins playoff hopes but Dietrich has stepped in and done above and beyond what was expected from him.

L   2B Rougned Odor, TEX:  .272/.292/.482

Aside from punching Jose Bautista in the face, Odor has been very productive with the seventh best SLG% for second basemen. If he can improve his on base skills he is a sure fire All Star in the future.

L   SS Didi Gregorius, NYY:  .295/.325/.466

Gregorius is one of six shortstops to be hitting over .290 while slugging over .460. The other five were all stars this year.

R   SS Jordy Mercer PIT:  .271/.357/.378

Mercer doesn’t do anything exceptionally but he can hit for average, draw walks, hit double digit home runs, and play a solid shortstop. One of the few guys on this team that does not have All Star ceiling but is still very solid.

R   UTIL Jose Ramirez, CLE:  .295/.352/.414

A little known name, Ramirez has played a ton of right field and third base for the Indians. His versatility is key for a team that has been juggling injuries and suspensions in the outfield all year long.

L   3B Luis Valbuena, HOU:  .261/.354/.460

Valbuena is an interesting player as he hits for solid power, gets on base, but does not hit for enough average. If he could increase his home run rate he could be a real force. Right now, 20-25 home run power is not good enough for his average defense and poor batting average.

R   OF Rajai Davis, CLE:  .260/.320/.423

An unheralded player for the Indians, Davis leads the league in steals with 24 currently. As a semi every day player for the past eight years, Davis does not get the respect he deserves for his ability to steal bases while hitting at a league average rate.

R   OF Lonnie Chisenhall, CLE:  .295/.343/.465

On pace for a career high OPS, Chisenhall provides more utility options for the Indians alongside Jose Ramirez.
S   DH Carlos Santana, CLE:  .257/.352/.497

Santana has long been known for his tremendous walk rate but has also delivered nice power numbers with 20 home runs thus far.

L   OF Kole Calhoun, LAA:  .286/.361/.437

Similar to Jordy Mercer, Calhoun can do it all, but nothing at an All Star level. With a solid average and walk rate, along with 20 home run power, Calhoun is about the only nice complement to Mike Trout left in the Angels lineup.

Just Missed:

Colby Lewis (SP TEX), Nick Tropeano (SP LAA), Matt Andriese (SP TB) , Derek Law (RP SFG), Neftali Feliz (RP SF), Matt Bush (RP TEX), Dan Jennings (RP CHW), David Phelps (RP MIA), Tyler Flowers (C ATL), Welington Castillo (C ARI), Dae-ho Lee (1B SEA), Tommy Joseph (1B PHI), Darwin Barney (2B TOR), Brett Lawrie (2B CHW), Adeiny Hechavarria (SS MIA), Brandon Drury (3B ARI), Yangervis Solarte (3B SDP), Cheslor Cuthbert (3B KC), Miguel Sano (3B/OF MIN), Seth Smith (OF SEA), Ezequiel Carrera (OF TOR), Hyun Soo Kim (OF BAL), Robbie Grossman (OF MIN), Paulo Orlando (OF KC), Cameron Maybin (OF DET), Kevin Pillar (OF TOR)

All stats found on Fangraphs.com unless otherwise noted.

Think I missed anyone? Think some of my picks were wrong? Tell me in the comment section! Thanks for reading.