Categories? Where we’re going, we don’t need categories.
Some people just prefer good old-fashioned points leagues where pitchers and hitters are rewarded more for their volume and discipline than the flashy stats and ratios. Well, obviously they go hand-in-hand… but we’re digging for the players that roto leagues left behind. On the hitting side, points leagues tend to reward contact skills and plate discipline, giving points for walks and total bases while penalizing strikeouts (in most formats). Meanwhile, pitchers tend to accumulate points for innings pitched, strikeouts, quality starts and wins. We’ve seen hitters like Josh Bell and Luis Robert Jr. improve their approach at the plate, helping themselves to a hot start. Meanwhile, several relievers have solidified their roles in the back end of their respective bullpens, with guys like Lucas Erceg emerging as the ninth-inning option on a relatively consistent basis.
So strap in as we accelerate to 88 mph (and beyond), highlighting players that have been overlooked and under-rostered in most points leagues formats. Scoop up these guys to make your league mates think you got your hands on Biff’s Almanac.
NOTE: Every points league has slightly different scoring settings, so bear that in mind as you read through the suggestions.
Ivan Herrera, C/UT, STL
2026 Projected Positional Ranking (C): 7th
2026 YTD Positional Ranking (C): 8th
9.9% rostered (ESPN)
In some leagues, Herrera hasn’t earned his catcher eligibility quite yet, but it’s coming! And he’s well worth a pickup even without, as he’s registered 12 walks to just six strikeouts entering the weekend. He’s posted above-average decision value and process+ numbers so far this season, and despite not recording a home run yet this season, he has the power to leave the yard at any point. He should finish the season as a top-10 catcher option with the ceiling even higher than that, especially if the Cardinals’ lineup remains as hot as it has in the first 10 games of the season.
Josh Bell, 1B, MIN
2026 Projected Positional Ranking: 29th
2026 YTD Positional Ranking: 5th
12.5% rostered (ESPN)
Bell has been criminally under-drafted and under-rostered across all formats, but especially in points leagues. He’s riding a .400 BABIP and a 15.7% walk rate to an outstanding start to the season. Batting in the middle of the Twins lineup, Bell has recorded 10 RBI and 11 runs scored. His below-average zone contact rate (74.6%) is a concern and a sign that regression may hit sooner than later, but it should lean back toward his career average of 83.0% as the season progresses. Bell is a streaky hitter who should be rostered during this hot stretch until he starts to really cool off. He’s a perfectly serviceable CI or UT bat and should be available in almost every league.
Xavier Edwards, 2B/SS, MIA
2026 Projected Positional Ranking (2B): 11th
2026 YTD Positional Ranking (2B): 3rd
81.0% rostered (ESPN)
At 81.0% rostered, Edwards is what we would call the “Chalkiest” suggestion on this list, but he also should be 100% rostered with the start to the season that he has posted. Edwards began the year with an exceptional decision value rating, and it’s shown in his performance with a .396 batting average and .453 OBP through 50 at-bats entering the weekend. Edwards also popped his first home run of the season earlier this week, though don’t expect sustained power as he’s recorded just four home runs in the past two seasons combined. Batting second in the Marlins order behind Jakob Marsee and in front of upstart bats like Agustin Ramirez and Owen Caissie, Edwards ought to continue scoring runs if he can keep getting on base at this ridiculous clip.
Luis Robert Jr., Jr., OF, NYM
2026 Projected Positional Ranking (OF): 52nd
2026 YTD Positional Ranking (OF): 14th
57.4% rostered (ESPN)
Is this the same guy that we saw for years on the Southside? Robert has completely altered his approach and seems to actually be aware that there are borders to the strike zone. As of Friday afternoon, he ranked 7th across ALL OF MLB in decision value for the 2026 season. Last year, his decision-value rolling chart looked like this:
That huge dip in the middle of the season is below the 25th percentile. That’s REALLY bad. To go from one of the worst decision-makers at the plate in 2025 to one of the best in 2026 is a testament to a huge approach shift, and it’s been reflected in his season totals so far. Not only does Robert Jr. have a .333 batting average through 12 games, but he’s posted a .480 OBP. If he continues with this adjusted approach, combined with his elite athleticism and raw skill, the sky is the limit for the Mets outfielder.
Emerson Hancock, SP, SEA
2026 Projected Positional Ranking: N/A
2026 YTD Positional Ranking: 29th
72.3% rostered (ESPN)
Hancock has posted two excellent outings, allowing just one run over his first 12.2 innings across two quality starts. He’s generating whiffs with the four-seam fastball, recording 14 swings-and-misses on that pitch alone across his first two outings. He’s been excellent at keeping the fastball up in and out of the zone, while mixing in his sweeper, sinker, and cutter lower in the zone. The control over all of his pitches is far improved from last season, as he’s given up just one walk while ringing up 14 K’s. Check his results against the Astros from Friday night, and if he’s still generating whiffs with that fastball, he ought to be added just about everywhere. The Mariners’ batting order backing him up isn’t too shabby either
Lucas Erceg, RP, KCR
2026 Projected Positional Ranking (RP):
2026 Positional Ranking (RP): 24th
23.4% rostered (ESPN)
After Carlos Estevez was sent to the IL, Erceg stepped directly into the closer role and hasn’t relinquished it, recording three saves entering the weekend. This is a scenario where the metrics haven’t been awesome, but the role is too vital to care. In points leagues (or at least most of them), closers are worth their weight in FAAB and should be prioritized at the RP spot. With Estevez hurt (and struggling before that), Erceg is mostly unchallenged for the ninth-inning role in Kansas City. The Royals have shown a penchant for using Matt Strahm in the seventh and eighth, so it’s likely that Erceg’s spot as closer is safe, at least for now.
Trevor Megill, RP, MLW
2025 Positional Ranking (RP): 5th*
2026 Projected Positional Ranking (RP): 45th*
1.1% rostered (ESPN)
The Brewers’ incumbent closer from a season ago, Megill, was projected to lose his job as closer to trendy reliever Abner Uribe. That certainly hasn’t been the case so far this season as Megill has recorded three of the team’s four save opportunities (Angel Zerpa earned the other on a night Megill was unavailable) so far this year. At just 64.1% owned, it appears that the fantasy industry hasn’t quite caught up to the Brewers’ depth chart in the bullpen. An elite relief arm from last season, there’s no reason to doubt Megill in 2026. Unless disaster strikes, the role ought to be his for the foreseeable future. Make sure to check out Rick Graham’s RP Roundup for more info on bullpen roles around the league.
