In AL-Only leagues, the player pool can dry up fast. Today we’ll take a deep dive into players going outside the top 400 in average ADP who can still contribute to your AL-Only team.

Average Draft Position (ADP) referenced using FantasyPros Consensus ADP

Nail your draft by prepping with our Free Draft Kit. Cheat Sheets, sleepers & more

Home Runs

MJ Melendez (C – KC) ADP 408.0

The Royals prospect won’t break camp with the team, but if your bench (or minor leagues) is deep enough, he is well worth the stash. Melendez led the minors in home runs in 2021, and with power to all fields, his swing looks poised to help the Royals this season. While he won’t unseat number 1 catcher Sal Perez, he can spell Perez (who started at DH 40 games last season) and hold down the DH spot on his own. FantasyPros projects a 26.5 HR pace per 500 ABs with a BA that won’t hurt your team-an outstanding combination for a catcher eligible player. He may not contribute in April, but he has a chance to break into the top 5 at the position in the AL. Stash now and reap the rewards later.

Gavin Sheets (1B, OF – CWS) ADP 411.8

While his playing time will be challenged by Andrew Vaughn (1B, OF – CWS), one thing that is not in question is that Gavin Sheets hits for power. With an 87^th percentile maximum exit velocity, it is no wonder that baseballsavant.com classified half of his HR in 2021 as “no doubters.” This stat is further backed up by Sheets’ 9.9% barrel rate in 2021, compared to the league average of 6.6%. FantasyPros projects Sheets for 19 HR and 63 RBI across 386 ABs, but with Sheets’ raw power, there is an upside for plenty more.

RBIs

Seth Brown (OF – OAK) ADP 419.7

Seth Brown is likely the only cleanup hitter in the AL going outside the top 400 in ADP, making him an excellent source of cheap RBI based on volume alone. But the reasons to like Brown don’t end there. With his 90^th percentile maximum exit velocity and 76^th percentile sprint speed, Brown offers an intriguing combination of power and speed that produced 20 HR and 5 SB in just 307 ABs last season. Extrapolate those numbers across 500 ABs-a number Brown is likely to reach since his outstanding defensive metrics should keep him in the lineup-and Brown was on pace for 33 HR and 8 SB in 2021. Yes, he will drag down your average, but Brown’s volume, power, and speed combination after pick 400 is likely unmatched.

Stolen Bases

Jorge Mateo (2B, SS, OF – BAL) ADP 418.0

The name of the game for Mateo is speed. Mateo ranked in the 99^th percentile in sprint speed in 2021, leading to 10 steals over just 194 ABs. With a projected OBP below .300, Mateo is one to avoid in leagues that reward walks and punish Ks, but the rebuilding Orioles have no reason not to play Mateo and no reason not to let him run. He might not have a spot in the lineup on opening day, but his position versatility leads FantasyPros to project 13 SB across 346 ABs for Mateo in 2022. If things break right and Mateo finds 450+ ABs, a 20+ SB campaign is not out of the question.

Batting Average

Steven Kwan (OF – CLE) ADP 486.5

Across his minor league career, Kwan has accumulated a slash line of .301/.380/.438 across 947 PAs. Though there is competition for ABs in the Guardians’ OF, Kwan should be able to hold off the likes of Josh Naylor (OF – CLE) and Oscar Mercado (OF – CLE) to find his way to at least semi-regular ABs. FantasyPros currently lists Kwan as the Guardians’ starting LF and projects a .272 AVG. Given his strong plate discipline, Kwan has more walks than strikeouts in his minor league career-Kwan could prove to be an excellent late source of BA.

Already drafted? Import your team to My Playbook for season-long advice

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | SoundCloud | iHeartRadio

Beyond our fantasy baseball content, be sure to check out our award-winning slate of Fantasy Baseball Tools as you prepare for your draft this season. From our free mock Draft Simulator – which allows you to mock draft against realistic opponents – to our Draft Assistant – that optimizes your picks with expert advice – we’ve got you covered this fantasy baseball draft season.