The MLB season is starting soon, which means we are in the home stretch of our fantasy drafts. There are many trendy names based on spring performances, new faces in new places, prospect buzz, and more in current drafts. Those players are fun, but their ADP is likely inflated, and a lot will also bring some risk to your fantasy roster.
There are so many boring players in the player pool for every fun, risky player. However, these boring players are vital to your fantasy success as you will need them to bring their strong floors to your roster to offset whatever risk you are willing to take.
In this article, I will go over a boring player at each position to help give you some stability for your fantasy rosters. Just realize, there is more than one boring player at each position, and there is also no reason not just to draft an entire team of boring players and watch the cash roll in. So now, let’s check out this year’s “All-Boring Team.”
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Catcher
Elias Diaz (C – COL) ADP 259
Diaz had a fantastic fantasy season last year once he took over the starting role for the Rockies. He played in 106 games, hitting 18 home runs and hitting .246. Throughout his career, Diaz has shown the ability to hit a .240 average suitable for a catcher, and he has also showcased some power from time to time when given a chance to play. Heading into 2022, Diaz should be the starting catcher once again for the Rockies. He is projected for another solid season, hitting 15 or so home runs and over .250. That is a stat line for a boring catcher getting drafted after pick 250.
First Base
Paul Goldschmidt (1B – STL) ADP 46
After 2020, many gave up on Goldy. Did he prove us all wrong with a stat line of .294/31/102/99/12? Last year, he was a top-three first baseman and was a fantastic value in drafts. This season, more are paying attention due to his ADP of 46. Even with the high ADP, Goldy is boring. The 34-year-old will once again hit in the middle of the order for the Cardinals and will quietly go about his business racking up fantasy goodness. Goldy has now hit 30+ home runs in five of the last six full seasons, 90+ runs in six seasons, and 90+ RBI in five of six seasons. He is a consistent force but doesn’t wow anyone. Make him your boring first baseman, and do not look back. Honorary Mention – Jose Abreu (1B – CWS)
Second Base
Jean Segura (2B – PHI) ADP 211
When many hear the name Jean Segura, they think boring. I suppose a batting average over .280 with the potential to hit over .300 with double-digit home runs and stolen bases is boring. In that case, our definitions of boring in fantasy baseball are different. Segura puts up solid season after solid season. Sure, he has not had his career year since 2016; he still is producing. He will likely give you an outstanding batting average with decent numbers in the four roto categories while playing on a loaded Phillies team. Segura makes for a tremendous late-round second baseman or middle infield option. Honorable Mention – Kolten Wong (2B – MIL)
Shortstop
Amed Rosario (SS – CLE) ADP 236
Heading over to the shortstop position, we have another player similar to Segura. Rosario is coming off a season where he hit 11 home runs and stole 13 bases with a .282 average. In 2019, he hit 15 home runs and stole 24 bases, so there is a better home run and stolen base ceiling than 2021 showcased. The 26-year-old had his career-best maxEV of 111.5 mph and hard-hit rate of 43.1% last season. However, his barrel rate was down to 2.8% compared to 4% in 2019. A 4% hard-hit rate is not much, but for a player like Rosario, that can be the difference in hitting 15 home runs instead of 10. He should still run wild as he hits near the top of the Guardians lineup and makes for another great later-round boring player.
Third Base
Justin Turner (3B – LAD) ADP 141
Yes, Turner has an injury-riddled past, so prepare for an IL stint or two if you draft him. But also prepare for a player returning 25+ home runs and a batting average around .280 or higher. This year, the NL gaining the designated hitter can help Turner hopefully play more games and stay somewhat healthier. In the middle of the Dodgers lineup, Turner has flourished, which is even more loaded this season than in the past. If you can get 140+ games, then Turner’s fantasy return will be great, especially for a boring player.
Outfield
Charlie Blackmon (OF – COL) ADP 215
By now, you can see a lot of the boring players are older players. Blackmon meets that criteria and is also boring as he is not near the five-category stud he once was. Blackmon was a top-three-round pick a few years ago as he helped in all five categories. Now, Blackmon helps in three to four categories. He is still an outstanding source of late-round batting average, which is tough to find. He will hit in the middle of the Rockies lineup, adding to RBI and running production. Lastly, his power may be diminishing, but 15-20 homer runs could be in line for 2022. Blackmon is very boring, but his batting average alone has me intrigued, not to mention his power statistics he may be able to add to your fantasy team.
Starting Pitcher
Cal Quantrill (SP – CLE) ADP 228
Most people see Quantrill’s stat line for 2021 and are not entertained. They do not believe the 2.89 ERA is sustainable and the lack of strikeout appeal. The ERA is probably slightly low, and I would expect an ERA closer to 3.50. The strikeouts, on the other hand, are legit. Over Quantrill’s final 11 starts (August 1), Quantrill had a strikeout rate of 23.7% with a 10.6% SwStr. Much better than his season totals. Quantrill made some pitch mix changes and improvements down the stretch, leading to six+ innings pitched and three earned runs or less in 10 of 11 starts. Quantrill should be ready to take the next step. Think of him as a good version of Kyle Hendricks (SP – CHC), which is always quite boring.
Relief Pitcher
Andrew Kittredge (RP – TB) ADP 269
It can be challenging for boring relief pitchers, so I will target the Rays closer since so many pass on him. Sure, the Rays will use so many different arms to close out games throughout the season, but they usually have at least one closer that gets 20 saves each season. Last season Kittredge had eight saves with a 1.88 ERA and a 27.3% K-rate (22% K-BB) over 71.2 innings. Currently, he is line to be the primary closer for the Rays heading into 2022, and with the recent injury to Pete Fairbanks (RP – TB), that primary closer role should just become stronger. So do not sleep on Kittredge in your upcoming drafts.
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Brian Entrekin is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Brian, check out his Twitter @bdentrek.