There are underrated players all throughout the league regardless of which team you look at or cheer for. For the next six days, I will go division-by-division and team-by-team, identifying one underrated player or someone who ultimately seems to fly under-the-radar every year.
This player might be a pitcher or position player and could play anywhere on their 25-man roster. There are no limitations as the only goal is to finally give these guys the credit that they deserve!
1. Los Angeles Dodgers: Chris Taylor - Even though the Dodgers found themselves in the World Series last year and in the spotlight, they still have a very underrated player in utility guy, Chris Taylor. Last season, was the first time in Taylor's career that he played in more than 120 games, 140 to be exact, and the best part is that he is extremely versatile. In 2017, Taylor made 49 appearances in centerfield, 48 in left field, 22 at second base, 14 at shortstop, and 8 at third base when Justin Turner needed a day off or during late in-game situations. Furthermore, Taylor ended the regular season with a. 4.8 WAR and hit: .288/.354/.496 over 568 plate appearances with 148 hits, 21 home runs, 72 RBI, 17 stolen bases, 50 walks, and 142 strikeouts. Given how Chris Taylor can play all over the field, he should be given a lot more attention, but unfortunately is overshadowed by superstars like Clayton Kershaw, Corey Seager, Justin Turner, and Kenley Jansen.
2. San Francisco Giants: Cory Gearrin - Although the San Francisco Giants had a terrible season last year, there were still a few bright spots including the outstanding performance of reliever, Cory Gearrin. Gearrin finished last season with a 1.99 ERA over 68.0 IP, while giving up 15 earned runs along with 4 home runs and recording 64 strikeouts. When you look at the Giants bullpen, it is probably the strongest part of their roster because it consists of guys such as Sam Dyson, Mark Melancon, Hunter Strickland, Will Smith, and now Tony Watson. Both Mark Melancon and Will Smith were on the shelf last season, Melancon with a right pronator strain and Smith recovering from Tommy John surgery, but both should be able to help the Giants quite a bit this year assuming they stay healthy. Gearrin will once again play an integral part in the success of the Giants bullpen and if he can put up numbers like last season, then he is a guy to watch and easily the most underrated man on the Giants 25-man roster.
3. San Diego Padres: Brad Hand - Brad Hand is someone who everyone throughout baseball should be talking about more often yet the exact opposite continues to happen every year. Hand, who is slated to be the Padres closer once again this year, is coming off a season in which he recorded 21 saves in 26 save opportunities with a 2.16 ERA over 79.1 IP. During that span, Hand had an Opponent's Batting Average Against of .191 and a strikeouts-per-9 rate of 11.80. Ever since Brad Hand arrived in San Diego from Miami, he has found success as illustrated by the 2.92 ERA that he put up in 2016 over 89.1 IP. Last year at the trade deadline, there were several contending teams that called the Padres to try to work out a deal for Hand, but their efforts fell short and San Diego sent home the message that Hand is not going anywhere this winter when they signed him to a 3-year, $19.75 million dollar extension that includes an option for 2021. Who wouldn't want a lefty that has had tremendous success the past two seasons on their team?!
4. Arizona Diamondbacks: Jake Lamb - Jake Lamb is an integral part of the Diamondbacks lineup and continues to provide thump every year, but seems to get no recognition thanks to the tremendous amount of depth at third base around the league. Dating back to the 2015 regular season, Jake Lamb has 230 RBI along with 65 home runs over 1,619 plate appearances. Furthermore, his 11.6% walk rate, over that span, is 5th best among third baseman and his .470 slugging percentage puts him 12th on the list. Given the depth and the power at this position, it's to no fault of Jake Lamb's, that he ranks in the middle of the pack for many offensive stats, even though his numbers continue to be phenomenal every year. If you want to look at something more recent, take a look at the: .248/.357/.487 batting line that he put up with 133 hits, 30 home runs, 105 RBI, 87 walks, and 152 strikeouts. Besides offense, Lamb can handle the hot corner defensively as well and it's truly no wonder that the Diamondbacks preferred to have Jake Lamb man the hot corner instead of Brandon Drury heading into this season.
5. Colorado Rockies: Charlie Blackmon - For someone who is coming off not only a career year, but a historic season for a leadoff hitter, Charlie Blackmon certainly deserves a lot more recognition than he's gotten lately. Last year, Blackmon finished 5th in NL MVP voting and had a .331 batting average, 213 hits, 37 home runs, 104 RBI, 65 walks, and 135 strikeouts over the span of a career high, 725 plate appearances. There is no telling how Blackmon might perform this season because he is in the midst of his peak, at age 30, but it will be something to watch given that Blackmon is in his walk year and will be one of the notable free agents next offseason. Besides last year, you can't go wrong with Blackmon's career 15.2 WAR or his career Offensive Wins Above Replacement (oWAR) value of 17.1 either. Charlie Blackmon played a tremendous role in helping Colorado to make it to the postseason last year, along with the help of Nolan Arenado, and is primed for yet another potentially monster season.
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