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Draft day wins often hinge on the picks you make outside the first few rounds. While elite names dominate early boards, the real difference-makers are the mid-round selections—players with upside who can outperform their draft price and push your roster into contention.
Below are smart targets for the middle rounds, covering power hitters, versatile infielders, starting pitchers to stash, and a veteran closer poised for saves. Each profile includes why the player is intriguing, how their skill set translates to fantasy value, and where to consider drafting them relative to their current ADP.
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Mid-Round Hitters with Upside for Fantasy Rosters
Sal Stewart — First Base Power and Plate Discipline
At 22, Stewart is coming off strong minor-league production and looks likely to open the season as Cincinnati’s primary first baseman. He profiles as a contact-oriented hitter who also draws walks and barrels the ball with regularity.
- Career hit tools: a consistent batting profile that translated to the majors late last season.
- Power window: Great American Ball Park can amplify his long-ball totals — 25–30 homers is a realistic target if he gets everyday at-bats.
- Draft strategy: Stewart’s average draft position (ADP) is well below where his ceiling suggests he should go; consider grabbing him earlier than the market price.
Jorge Polanco — Multi-Position Flexibility and Middle-Order Power
Polanco offers both eligibility and a middle-of-the-order profile that can be particularly valuable in deeper leagues. He’s projected to see time at multiple infield spots and is expected to hit near the heart of a lineup that should produce runs.
- Role: Listed at second and third base in many formats, and likely to get significant first base reps.
- Power rebound: Had a productive season recently with solid slugging and a 20-plus homer pace in a full campaign.
- Value pick: Currently coming off drafts in late rounds; he can easily return top-100 value if he maintains that power level.
Colson Montgomery — Rookie Power Ready to Break Out
Montgomery flashed serious run-producing ability as a rookie, hitting for substantial power in limited plate appearances. He won’t be a stolen-base source, but his isolated power makes him a high-upside option at premium infield slots.
- Rookie sample: Demonstrated 20-plus homer power in fewer than 300 plate appearances, indicating plus impact per opportunity.
- Lineup context: Playing in a lineup that may struggle for consistent run support, but Montgomery’s bat could be the engine that creates counting stats.
- Draft advice: With ADP outside the top tier of shortstops and third basemen, he’s a sleeper to target if you need position scarcity upside.
Mike Trout — Veteran Star With Late-Round Upside
Trout’s draft cost has dropped as he enters his mid-30s and works back toward full health, which makes him an intriguing gamble for managers who want elite peak production without early-round investment.
- Health and speed: Recent reports and spring metrics suggest improved health and quicker sprint times compared with the recent injury-plagued years.
- Contact and power: Still produces premium exit velocity and hard contact when healthy; stolen bases are no longer a reliable part of his profile.
- Strategy: If you can grab Trout in the middle rounds, you’re essentially buying elite upside at a discount — treat him like a high-reward swing pick.
Starting Pitchers to Target After the Top Tier
Trevor Rogers — High-Upside Rotation Option
Rogers arrives in a new pitching environment with refreshed mechanics and the results to back it up from a truncated but impressive sample. If he can stay on a regular starter’s schedule, his strikeout potential gives him fantasy appeal beyond his current draft slot.
- Recent form: Posted an excellent ERA and improved strikeout-to-walk ratios in limited starts last season.
- Risk factors: A low BABIP last year suggests some positive regression could reverse, but the underlying strikeout gains are real.
- Where to take him: Rogers is typically available well after the top SPs — consider selecting him in the low hundreds of ADP for a possible top-20 finish among starters if health holds.
Late-Round Targets: Catchers and Closers Who Can Outperform ADP
Carter Jensen — Cheap Catcher With Power Potential
With the incumbent catcher aging, Jensen could carve out regular plate appearances, possibly serving as the primary designated hitter in addition to his catcher eligibility. That role would create strong counting-stat upside at a position where solid producers are scarce.
- Opportunity: Projected to receive significant playing time in a lineup that values on-base and walk rates.
- Fantasy edge: Strong offensive projection plus catch eligibility makes him a candidate to finish among the top five at the position — all while costing a late-round pick.
- Draft tip: Catchers with dual roles are league-winners in many formats; take him in the later rounds and reap the positional advantage.
Kenley Jansen — Veteran Closer Projection for Saves
Even with his strikeout rate down and some batted-ball metrics showing early warning signs, Jansen remains the most obvious closer on his club. His track record of closing games and ability to limit damage keep him on the radar for fantasy managers hunting saves.
- Experience: Career saves place him among the game’s long-term elite closers.
- Performance cues: Still limiting opponents’ on-base and slugging numbers despite a dip in strikeout percentage.
- How to use him: If he wins or shares the ninth-inning role, Jansen could lead the league in saves at a bargain ADP; monitor bullpen competition but don’t be scared to grab late.
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John Davis is a sports journalist focused on the NBA, NFL, and major global championships. With seven years of live coverage, he breaks down performances and key strategies. His expertise gives you a clear view of every game and its impact.
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