Runs scored are one of the most underappreciated counting categories in fantasy. Maybe because the original fantasy leagues were 4×4 and didn’t include runs or maybe because traditionally because they were not listed on the back of baseball cards, but no matter the reason, you can often find yourself in need of runs in the middle or end of the draft.

So, what do you look for? I like to look for cheaper leadoff hitters. They may not hit many home runs or steal all the bases, but they can rack up a ton of runs without you having to break the bank.

• Category Target: SBs | AVG/OBP | HRs | RBIs
• 2024 Fantasy Baseball Draft Kit
• Fantasy Baseball Draft Rankings
• Fantasy Baseball Projections

2024 MLB Players to Target for Runs

Brandon Nimmo (OF – NYM)

I am surprised that Nimmo is going so low. He is coming off of a career year in which he set a new career best in home runs and also had his most plate appearances ever. Maybe it is his past health history, but he has been healthy for two straight seasons and scored 89 and 102 runs in those seasons.

Maikel Garcia (3B,SS – KC) / MJ Melendez (C,OF – KC)

Melendez is projected to lead off for the Royals, but Garcia is becoming a popular candidate to do so as well. Both are going outside the top 200 and the Royals’ offense is getting better and better.

Jarren Duran (OF – BOS)

I love Duran. I think he could easily be this year’s version of TJ Friedl as a guy that has power and speed leading off in a good home park for a good offense. There is platoon risk, but I think Duran is a decent gamble.

Steven Kwan (OF – CLE)

Kwan was the talk of the town for a quick minute. Now, he is an afterthought. However, he has scored 93 and 89 runs in the last two seasons. With Kwan, you get average and stolen bases from the leadoff spot for the Guardians.

Parker Meadows (OF – DET)

Meadows is another guy that could pop. He also has platoon risk leading off for the up-and-coming Tigers.

Edouard Julien (2B – MIN)

Julien is the king of walks and projected to lead off for the Twins. He also has platoon risk, but the Twins moved guys to other teams via trade in order to give him more opportunities. Julien could easily score 90-plus runs if he gets the playing time.

DJ LeMahieu (1B,2B,3B – NYY)

LeMahieu is a shell of his former self, but he is projected to lead off for the Yankees in front of Juan Soto and Aaron Judge. It may not stick for long, but LeMahieu is a short term option in most leagues.

J.P. Crawford (SS – SEA)

Crawford is coming off his best season but is not being given a lot of attention. I think he regresses in the power department, but he is still leading off for a very good team in Seattle.

Jung Hoo Lee (OF – SF)

I don’t know how good of a player Lee will be, but the Giants have already said that they want him to lead off in San Francisco. He showed a lot of contact ability and the ability to take walks in Korea. If that can translate to MLB, Lee could be a really good value.

Brendan Donovan (1B,2B,OF – STL)

If Donovan had not gotten hurt last year, he would be a much more talked about player this draft season. He scored 48 runs in just 371 plate appearances. If he can get the full-time leadoff job, Donovan could easily score 80 to 100 runs.

Fantasy Baseball Draft Advice: Players to Target

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• 10 Must-Have Hitters to Draft
• 10 Must-Have Pitchers to Draft
• Fantasy Baseball Draft Sleepers to Target
• 5 Fantasy Baseball Draft Sleepers Outside Top 300 ADP
• 8 Fantasy Baseball Draft Sleepers
• 7 Catcher Draft Sleepers to Target
• 5 Fantasy Baseball Draft Values to Target
• 3 Fantasy Baseball Early-Round Draft Values to Target
• 4 Undervalued Starting Pitchers
• 3 Middle-Round Catchers to Draft
• 5 Second Basemen to Target
• 3 Undervalued Hitters to Draft
• 10 Players Better Than Their Slumps
• 6 Draft Values in AL-Only Leagues
• 6 Draft Values in NL-Only Leagues
• 6 Late-Round Draft Targets: Rookie Pitchers
• 4 Late-Round Draft Targets: Rookie HItters
• 4 Fantasy Baseball Two-Catcher League Draft Targets
• Fantasy Baseball Draft Strategy: Early, Middle & Late Rounds
• Fantasy Baseball Draft Arbitrage: Pitchers to Target | Hitters to Target
• 6 RP-Eligible Starting Pitchers to Draft
• 3 SP-Eligible Relief Pitchers to Draft

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