With over half of the regular season played, fantasy baseball seasons are heating up. Every trade, waiver claim, and cut can be crucial at this time of year.
We now have enough of a sample size to evaluate players more clearly. If they’re healthy, we know what they’re capable of, and fantasy managers should have a solid sense of what their rosters need down the stretch.
Below are 10 underrated players to consider via trade or free agency. The format of your league will influence value here, but all of these players offer real upside.
Steven Matz
Matz is a reliever worth holding. Despite being dropped by nearly 4% of Ottoneu managers in the past week, his 2.98 xERA suggests better days ahead after a rough patch. His curveball and changeup are both above average. In deeper leagues or formats like Ottoneu that de-emphasize saves, he’s a smart stash.
Nathan Eovaldi
Eovaldi comes at a discount in Ottoneu leagues with an average salary under $10, yet he’s been one of the most efficient starters on a per-inning basis. Injuries have limited his volume, but his rate stats remain elite. Texas may manage his workload if they fall out of contention, but if he makes 8 to 10 more starts, he’ll be a valuable contributor for strikeouts and ratios.
Wilyer Abreu
Abreu is quietly putting up strong numbers. He has an .831 OPS and is pacing toward 30 homers. He chips in steals, maintains a solid walk rate above 9 percent, and can slot into your third or fourth outfield spot behind higher-end options. Great depth piece with upside.
Jeff McNeil
McNeil has been hot over the past two weeks with an .895 OPS and his highest walk rate ever. He looks set to finish with an OPS+ north of 120. His line drive rate is back near 2022 levels, and he ranks in the 85th percentile in launch angle sweet spot. With eligibility at multiple positions, he offers both production and roster flexibility.
Cole Ragans
Ragans is expected to resume throwing soon. His 2025 campaign has been bumpy, but some rest could set him up for a strong finish. His xERA remains well below his actual ERA, and few pitchers have underperformed their predictive metrics more. Even on a bad Royals team, his strikeout rate and innings volume will play.
Corey Seager
This is a classic buy-low moment for Seager. He leads MLB in the gap between wOBA and xwOBA, signaling a major correction is coming. Statcast data shows this is one of his best seasons under the hood. He may not come cheap, but his price probably won’t be lower the rest of the season.
Ben Rice
Rice has cooled off with a .686 OPS over the past month, but the peripherals remain encouraging. There’s a large gap between his xwOBA and actual results. His eligibility at both catcher and first base boosts his value across multiple platforms. If you’re in need of pop or positional flexibility, he’s a worthwhile add.
Bo Bichette
Bichette is flying under the radar with a 104 OPS+, but he ranks in the 85th percentile in xwOBA. He no longer runs as much as he used to, but in leagues that value batting average and hits, he’s a sharp midseason trade target. There’s too much talent here to stay this quiet all year.
Michael Soroka
Soroka’s surface stats don’t look great, but the underlying data says otherwise. He ranks in the 75th percentile or better in strikeout rate, barrel rate, xERA, and walk rate. His ERA is inflated, and fantasy managers have taken notice, which makes him widely available. Smart pickup for pitching depth.
Reese Olson
Olson is quietly a top-30 pitcher this season. His 2.89 ERA matches well with his expected metrics, and his whiff rate is in the 91st percentile. He has a solid strikeout rate and gets run support from a surging Tigers team. Even in deeper formats like Ottoneu, he’s producing over 5 points per inning. If he’s available, go get him.
Want more like this? Come hang with us here:
Join our newsletter for weekly updates, banter, and more.
:
:
:
: