An overlooked category in fantasy baseball is RBI. Drafters tend to focus so much on home runs, stolen bases and batting average that the counting stats get left behind. Below are a few names to consider if you need RBI help in the middle and late rounds of fantasy baseball drafts. These are 10 players outside the top 100 in average draft position (ADP) that could be positive producers in the RBI category.

P.S. You will see a heavy emphasis on placement within the lineup

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Fantasy Baseball Players to Target for Batting Average

Tyler O’Neill (OF – BAL)

Tyler O’Neill has had injury issues over the years. Even while missing a ton of time he managed to hit over 30 home runs last year. That type of power late in a draft is hard enough to come by. With power comes RBI potential we seek.

The Orioles made a point to secure him to a contract early in the offseason, so they see value in his bat. He should land somewhere near the middle of the order as well. That lineup spot and power potential can be a solid combination for RBI upside and production.

Nick Castellanos (OF – PHI)

Nick Castellanos has an approach that typically ages poorly, but that is irrelevant, given the playing time guarantees and lineup around him. In three of his last four seasons, he has hit at least 23 home runs and 86 RBI. Two of those seasons were 100 RBI seasons as well.

The power has been declining the last few seasons but the RBI totals have been mostly consistent. If you are targeting RBI with a player who has proven to provide a solid floor of production then Castellanos is someone to consider.

Kerry Carpenter (OF – DET)

The Tigers have been a team slowly improving over the last few seasons. Kerry Carpenter finds himself, at the very least, on the strong side of a platoon and batting in the middle of the order. That lineup spot where he is also surrounded by improving talent around him should be a prime position to supply fantasy rosters with plenty of RBI.

Carpenter recorded 57 RBI in just 87 games last year. He had 64 RBI in 2023 in just 118 games. Health is the only thing to be concerned about. The RBI production and upside is rather plentiful otherwise.

Ryan McMahon (3B – COL)

If you think of steady and boring, Ryan McMahon comes to mind. The ceiling is limited but he is a player who stays healthy and plays just about every day. He has four straight seasons of at least 151 games played and 596 plate appearances.

McMahon’s projection sits around 70 RBI, which is fair considering the lineup around him. But you know you are getting a ton of volume and he will hit in the top half of the order. That could be reason enough to target late him for RBI production.

Tyler Soderstrom (1B – ATH)

Tyler Soderstrom has big-time power upside but the playing time could be limited to a weak side of a platoon. However, being on the strong side still offers a path to 500+ plate appearances. He posted a 14.6% barrel rate and a 48.9% hard-hit rate while up with the Major league club last year.

That type of power potential could lead him to a mid-order lineup spot, and with it comes RBI potential. Especially as the young team around him continues to improve. Soderstrom might only be a “three true outcomes” type of player, but in this lineup, that could lead to solid RBI production.

Deep League Targets

Giancarlo Stanton (OF, DH – NYY)

Big-time power but big-time injury concerns. Giancarlo Stanton will hit toward the middle of the order for one of the better lineups in baseball.

Michael Conforto (OF – LAD)

Targeting any part of one of the best lineups in baseball is always a good bet if you are chasing RBI production.

Joc Pederson (OF, DH – TEX)

He might be a utility-only option, but Joc Pederson figures to bat in the middle of the Rangers’ lineup. Even if he is in a platoon it would still be an ideal lineup and lineup spot for RBI production.

Kyle Manzardo (1B, DH – CLE)

Kyle Manzardo also might be platooning initially but he had a strong finish to the 2024 season and will be looking to build off that success entering his first full season at the MLB level.

Pavin Smith (OF – ARI)

Pavin Smith posted strong underlying numbers and career-best marks in multiple places. He enters the year in a position to be their primary designated hitter versus right-handed pitchers. If what we saw can carry over there is sneaky power and RBI potential here.

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