2018 MLB Draft Guide: Targeting Multi-Position Players

Published: Jan 18, 2018

Terms like sleeper, breakout and bargain plays will start to fill the minds of those preparing for upcoming baseball drafts. One much overlooked category seems to be players who provide multiple position eligibility. There’s always chasing the white whale of a player with catcher eligibility who may play another position providing value, yes, never forget Brandon Inge. But baseball is changing with the institution of the 10-day disabled list. In 2016, disabled list appearances spiked to a record high 571 only to be eclipsed by a staggering 659 number last year.

It comes with little surprise the Dodgers led the majors with 38 disabled list moves, which seems outlier high, but the major league average of 22 means injuries will be coming. This trickle-down effect can force fantasy owners into some tough decisions on how to salvage their lineup and with roster resolution. It can foster an atmosphere where fantasy owners are forced to use up valuable FAAB resources or waiver claims to find a reasonable replacement. Depending on the depth of a league or format, this proves to be a daunting task; especially in a draft and hold format in some NFBC drafts.

How can one mitigate FAAB losses or burning a precious waiver claim to fill a position? Drafting players who can be deployed at multiple positions. Flexibility not only applies to self-improvement, but also allows savvy fantasy owners to replace players without having to make sacrifices.

Targeting players eligible at more than one position makes sense in this changing environment. Another definition of flexibility references the “ability to easily modified”. For instance, last year owners losing Carlos Correa were forced to head to the waiver wire for a replacement, but this also enhances Alex Bregman’s draft stock this year with him appearing at shortstop 30 times last year. So in most leagues, Bregman’s not only a third baseman and corner infielder, he also carries shortstop along with middle infield eligibility. This is a huge bonus.

Understanding one’s league settings along with some sites' ability to adjust rosters within a draft provides an opportunity for those who do their legwork. Since baseball’s changing, owners need to do so as well. Another way to define flexibility can be a “willingness to change or compromise”. Targeting players who can fill at least three positional slots during a season helps alleviate the headaches caused by in-season injuries along with the increased frequency of players being placed on the disabled list.

Not only will this pay off during the season, but it will also pay dividends in draft rooms where rosters can be adjusted as it progresses. For instance, in a recent mock, my roster included Chris Taylor (Eligible at second base, third base, shortstop and outfield), Alex Bregman referenced above, Nick Castellanos (Third base and outfield) and Ian Desmond (First base and outfield) created pliability. In the latter rounds, having Chris Taylor eligible to move anywhere between six spots meant not having to draft an outfielder or a middle infielder. This opens doors to roster construction.

Players who can fill more than one spot, like Eduardo Nunez, prove more valuable over the length of a season due to their multi-positional eligibility. Teams which win not only build balanced rosters; they maintain a “quality of bending easily without breaking”, yet another variation to the definition of flexibility.

In order to prepare you for the year ahead, here’s some targets of note along with a list at the bottom showing players games played by position.

Sir Fix-A-Lot: Eduardo Nunez

It feels somewhat dirty to draft Eduardo Nunez and paying for his recent upticks in production. However, his eligibility proves invaluable in the chaos created by disabled list volume. Nunez can be deployed at third base (53 games), second base (26), outfield (20) and in 10-game minimum leagues, shortstop (16 games). Do not forget middle infield and corner infield for at least five positions of eligibility and a sixth if your league allows him to be a shortstop.

Did you know over the last three years he’s slashed a cumulative .296/.332/.443 with 72 stolen bases? During the last two seasons, Nunez averages 66 runs, 14 home runs, 63 RBI and 32 steals. He’s far from perfect, but better than perceived.

Northern Import: Yangervis Solarte

In spite of being traded to Toronto, there’s not much hype surrounding Yangervis Solarte. He’s been solid the last three seasons with a .270/.324/.435 slash the last three years. Going virtually unnoticed in drafts, his price will be low but could translate to a solid late round addition with upside if he ends up near the top of the Blue Jays lineup.

Solarte also logged 80 games at second base, 28 at shortstop and 22 at third base making him eligible at five positions. Monitor where he will hit prior to drafts and keep him in mind as a late round flier at shortstop if it’s a position of need.

Second round worthy: Jose Ramirez

Eligible at four positions (Second base, third base, middle and corner infield), Jose Ramirez will look to build on his breakout last year. He launched 29 home runs and stole 17 bases with a .318/.374/.583 slash line. More importantly, Ramirez raised his walk percentage, fly ball rate, home run per fly ball percentage and hard contact (Exit velocity above 90 MPH) while lowering his chase percentage (Swings at pitches outside the strike zone). Factor in the Cleveland offense and Ramirez seems in line to repeat most of 2017 with potential for slight regression in his home run total.

There are many more players of interest, but here’s a list of players by main position played with their game totals which could provide interest for fantasy this year. If nothing else, remember in leagues with 10-game eligibility, Anthony Rizzo can be utilized at second base. You’re welcome.