FantasyPros Staff | Thu, Mar 13th 2025, 3:02am EDT

8 Overvalued Players to Avoid (2025 Fantasy Baseball)

I’ll break down ESPN draft positions as they appear in the draft day lobby, one of ESPN’s two slightly different ADPs, not to be confused with live draft trends. Here are overvalued fantasy baseball picks to avoid in ESPN drafts.

Overvalued Players To Avoid in ESPN Drafts (2025)

Draft rankings vary between fantasy baseball platforms, especially ESPN. For whatever reason, ESPN’s draft rankings strongly differ from FantasyPros’ consensus Average Draft Position (ADP) among other sites.

For example, Toronto catcher Alejandro Kirk is ranked 154 on ESPN compared to his consensus ADP of 299. A dive into similar examples can reveal overvalued players to avoid on ESPN.

Logan Gilbert (SP – SEA) | 15 ESPN ADP vs. 29 Consensus ADP

Logan Gilbert pitched a dominant 2024 season, leading the league in starts (33), innings (208.2) and WHIP (0.887). Although both ESPN and consensus sources place Gilbert as the fourth-highest pitcher, ESPN places the Mariner much higher overall than other sites.

Consider drafting Gilbert if he slides in the draft, but much better value is found with hitters such as Gunnar Henderson or Francisco Lindor around pick 15.

Anthony Santander (OF, DH – TOR) | 27 ESPN ADP vs. 71 Consensus ADP

As we will notice with most players on this list, Anthony Santander is a good player. But is he a third-round pick? No way.

The top-30 ranked players are expected to carry your team through the season. Since 2022, Santander has been a durable source of power, averaging 35 homers a season and not missing over 10 games. Despite these encouraging stats, the 30-year-old hits for low contact and is not a threat on the basepaths. There are better options available here to lead a team.

Alex Bregman (3B – BOS) | 38 ESPN ADP vs. 108 Consensus ADP

Alex Bregman is overvalued in ESPN and undervalued as a consensus. The soon-to-be 31-year-old had a down year in 2024 with a sharply lowered OBP of .316, dipping below .350 for the first time since 2016. Bregman’s .260 batting average and .453 slugging remained on par with recent seasons, and his 2024 advanced stats are similar to his career metrics.

I see Bregman as a likely bounce-back candidate for the Red Sox. I believe consensus ADP grades him too harshly. Regardless, ESPN values Bregman much higher than other sources and he should be avoided at this ADP of 38 overall.

Sonny Gray (SP – STL) | 56 ESPN ADP vs. 112 Consensus ADP

Sonny Gray was a strikeout machine in 2024. He had 11.0 K/9 and tossed the ninth-most strikeouts despite throwing only 166.1 innings. The Cardinal had a solid 3.84 ERA and a 3.67 xERA.

However, Gray has a career 8.9 K/9. That history makes it seem unlikely he repeats the strikeouts. It does not help that Gray pitches for the iffy Cardinals. Even if the strikeouts continue, there are more intriguing starters below Gray’s inflated range, such as Michael King or Max Fried.

Isaac Paredes (1B, 3B – HOU) | 87 ESPN ADP vs. 185 Consensus ADP

Isaac Paredes is a sleeper with the ESPN draft position of a proven star. While there is a lot of buzz surrounding Paredes this year – especially because he is now on the Astros – the third baseman has risen too far on ESPN to provide value. Do not draft Paredes this early.

Jung Hoo Lee (OF – SF) | 106 ESPN ADP vs. 270 Consensus ADP

Jung Hoo Lee is another sleeper with too high of a draft position on ESPN. The San Francisco outfielder was a superstar in Korea and transferred to MLB last season. He suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in May before he could succeed in the Majors.

The 26-year-old is an intriguing sleeper in the late rounds. Pick 106 is not what I would call the late rounds.

Ryan Pressly (RP – CHI) | 123 ESPN ADP vs. 287 Consensus ADP

The longtime Houston Astros reliever was traded to the Cubs this winter. Ryan Pressly recorded only four saves last season and looks to rebound as Chicago’s closer in his age-36 season. Even if Pressly has a good season with the Cubs, it’s hard to justify drafting him this early.

If you want a closer in this range, you could draft someone like Tanner Scott, who goes after Pressly on ESPN. As usual, better options are available.

Jonathan India (2B – KC) | 145 ESPN ADP vs. 234 Consensus ADP

The oft-injured Jonathan India played 151 games last season and slashed .248/.357/.392 with 15 homers and 58 RBIs. The second baseman had a decent season but continues to fail to live up to his lofty expectations as the 2020 NL Rookie of the Year.

India was traded from the Reds to the Royals this offseason. Perhaps the change of scenery will help reignite his offense. As things stand, India is a very average player and ranked uncomfortably high on ESPN.

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