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. Fantasy managers are beginning to grow tired of poor hitting performances, and waiver wires are piling up with great bats off to cold starts.
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.
Dillon Dingler, C, DET
2026 Projected Positional Ranking (C): 19th
2026 YTD Positional Ranking (C): 6th
39.6% rostered (ESPN)
You’re telling me that Dingler is still available in more than half of all ESPN leagues? Over the past 80 games, Dingler has emerged as one of the top catchers across all of baseball. Though he may lack the pop of some of the top catchers in the league, he also doesn’t strike out quite as much, raising his value floor in points league formats. Dingler has batted in the middle-third of a potent Tigers lineup all season long, including cleanup duties against left-handed starters, and has driven in 14 runs to begin the season. For a guy that is largely overlooked across the entire gamut of fantasy baseball leagues, Dingler is someone who should be on players’ radars in 12-team, one-catcher leagues.
Josh Naylor, 1B, SEA
2026 Projected Positional Ranking: 7th
2026 YTD Positional Ranking: 39th
72.3% rostered (ESPN)
Managers are beginning to lose faith in Naylor after his prolonged slump to begin the season. Batting just .146 through 21 games played, Naylor has provided plenty of reasons for managers to be concerned. However, it stands to reason that the career .265 hitter should see better days over the course of the rest of the season. After a career year in 2025 in the speed department, Naylor has yet to steal a base in 2026 – mostly because he hasn’t gotten aboard to even attempt it. If fantasy managers are starting to bail on the proven talent that Naylor has provided over the past several seasons, I’m fully willing to cash in on their impatience and scoop the veteran infielder.
Carlos Correa, SS/3B, HOU
2026 Projected Positional Ranking (SS): 24th
2026 YTD Positional Ranking (SS): 11th
51.1% rostered (ESPN)
Leading off against lefties and batting third or fourth against righties, Correa has proven to be an integral part of the Houston Astros lineup so far this season. Though he’s slugging just .375, Correa has improved his walk rate and reduced his strikeout rate early in the season. Paired with an 8.5% barrel rate, his decision-making at the plate looks improved, and he appears more comfortable back home in Houston after his tenure in Minnesota. Rostered at just 51.1%, Correa is eligible at shortstop or third base and could be an asset at either (or both) positions for fantasy managers as long as he can stay on the field.
Trent Grisham, OF, NYY
2026 Projected Positional Ranking (OF): 68th
2026 YTD Positional Ranking (OF): 44th
14.2% rostered (ESPN)
One of the reasons I was hesitant to draft Grisham in a lot of places was because I thought that the Yankees might platoon the left-handed bat, sitting him against same-side pitching. However, the Yankees have faced left-handed starters in four of their last six games, and Grisham started all but one of them. Grisham has demonstrated an exceptional understanding of the strike zone so far this season, reducing his strikeout rate and raising his walk rate from a season ago while contributing a 93.0% zone-contact rate. He’s been largely unlucky so far this season with a .163 BABIP, but with an expected batting average (.211) nearly 60 points higher than his true average (.155), I’m willing to bet on positive regression for the Yankees’ outfielder, who is available in more than two-thirds of all fantasy leagues.
Michael Wacha, SP, KCR
2026 Projected Positional Ranking: 36th
2026 YTD Positional Ranking: 6th
72.9% rostered (ESPN)
It’s been four consecutive quality starts from Wacha to begin the season, and the Royals veteran is looking like his younger self back when he was an All-Star as part of the Cardinals staff. Wacha has been extremely accurate with his fastball, generating a 32.1% CSW so far with the pitch, while missing bats with his off-speed offerings, including a pair of changeups. With upcoming matchups against the strikeout-heavy Orioles and Athletics, Wacha ought to remain a viable starting pitching option, and somehow, in spite of his electric start to the year, he remains available in over 25% of leagues.
Kenley Jansen, RP, DET
2026 Projected Positional Ranking (RP): 16th*
2026 YTD Positional Ranking (RP): 12th*
59.7% rostered (ESPN)
Jansen ought to be rostered in nearly every 12-team league, but according to ESPN is still available in over 40% of them. The Tigers’ closer has thrown four consecutive clean innings and secured saves in each of his last four outings, bringing his season total to five. This week, Detroit plays seven times, giving Jansen an extra chance ahead of most other relievers to earn a save (and fantasy points) for his managers. Make sure to check out Rick Graham’s RP Roundup for more info on bullpen roles around the league.
