Who is each MLB playoff contender’s most indispensable ‘under-the-radar’ player? Execs weigh in
Every contending team has star players, but they also have those special players who often fly under the radar yet are indispensable to a team’s success during a playoff run. These players have intangibles that aren’t always seen by the public, and with the focus mostly on stars, they often get overlooked, particularly outside their local market. It’s time to give them the national recognition they deserve. As I’ve done for the past three seasons, I touched base with front-office executives and managers across MLB to hear their thoughts on these key players. So, who is the most underrated, yet indispensable player on each of the viable postseason contenders?
(Teams are ordered by their postseason seeding entering Tuesday, including those outside each league’s six-team playoff field.)
American League
1. New York Yankees: Austin Wells, C
Austin Wells got off to a slow start to the season, batting .196 in March/April and .213 in May. However, he kept improving over the next three months, batting .238 in June, .277 in July and .325 in August. (His average has dipped in September.) He went from hitting at the bottom of the Yankees’ lineup to the middle of the order in the cleanup spot, behind Juan Soto and Aaron Judge. After hitting only three home runs through June, Wells’ power arrived in July and August when he belted nine of his 13 homers on the season. The rookie quickly became the Yankees’ third-best position player after Judge and Soto. He’s had an even greater impact on defense, ranking in the 95th percentile in fielding run value among all major-league catchers, according to Statcast. He is in the 97th percentile in pitch framing and also has garnered above-average marks in blocking and caught stealing rate. Wells is no longer under the radar, but he’s certainly become indispensable for the Yankees.
Manager Aaron Boone: “Wells has been a star player for us on both sides of the ball. He’s a middle-of-the-order impact bat, calls a great game and is solid defensively. He’s been a game-changer for this team with all he brings to the park every day.”
2. Cleveland Guardians: Set-up relievers Hunter Gaddis, Tim Herrin and Cade Smith
Hunter Gaddis is tied for second in the majors with 72 appearances. (Ken Blaze / USA Today Network via Imagn Images)
It’s hard to single out just one indispensable player for the Guardians because their entire set-up-reliever room has made such a difference this season. Their bullpen leads the majors in ERA (2.65) and batting average against (.202). In Emmanuel Clase (0.66 ERA, 46 saves in 49 opportunities), the Guardians have the game’s best closer. But their three set-up relievers have been almost as dominant. Hunter Gaddis has a 1.44 ERA in 72 appearances, Tim Herrin has a 1.96 ERA in 69 games and Cade Smith has a 2.00 ERA in 71 outings. Indispensable.
President of baseball operations Chris Antonetti: “Our setup guys — Hunter Gaddis, Cade Smith and Tim Herrin — have been invaluable. Hard to pick just one of them because they’ve all been instrumental in our success.”
3. Houston Astros: Mauricio Dubón, INF/OF
The Astros’ roster depth has been challenged this year due to injuries and underperformance at first base and in the outfield. However, the versatile Mauricio Dubón has helped fill the void, playing all four infield positions and all three outfield positions for Houston. He’s batted .269 with 23 doubles, 44 runs scored and 45 RBIs in 127 games and 391 plate appearances. Dubón ranks in the 84th percentile in fielding run value, in the 82nd percentile in arm strength and in the 94th percentile in range (outs above average).
General manager Dana Brown: “Mauricio can do so many things on the baseball field! … He plays multiple positions extremely well, has good speed, provides clutch hits, brings high energy to the park and is loved by his teammates.”
4. Baltimore Orioles: Albert Suárez, RHP
The Orioles have dealt with significant injuries in their rotation this year, including season-ending elbow injuries to Kyle Bradish and John Means as well as losing Grayson Rodriguez, who has been out since early August with lat discomfort. They bolstered their rotation at the trade deadline by acquiring Zach Eflin and Trevor Rogers, but ultimately Albert Suárez, who hadn’t pitched in the majors since 2017, has stepped up and been their second-best starting pitcher behind Corbin Burnes. Suárez has gone 8-5 with a 3.39 ERA in 21 starts and eight relief appearances. He was especially a difference-maker in August, when he went 2-0 with a 1.97 ERA over six appearances (five starts).
GM Mike Elias: “Our pro scouting department quietly signed him out of the KBO last fall and our minor-league pitching coaches helped him add velocity. Along with Corbin Burnes, he has held our pitching staff together and, in my opinion, should win Comeback Player of the Year.”
5. Kansas City Royals: Lucas Erceg, RHP
Lucas Erceg has converted eight of 10 save opportunities for the Royals. (Peter Aiken / USA Today Network via Imagn Images)
The Royals’ trade-deadline acquisition of Lucas Erceg was significant because it gave them the impact closer they desperately needed. At the time of the trade, Erceg had posted a 3.68 ERA in 38 appearances for Oakland with three saves. After the July 30 trade, Erceg has logged a 3.10 ERA and 1.15 FIP in 19 games with eight saves, 11.1 strikeouts per nine innings and 0.9 walks per nine. Opposing batters are hitting .224 against his four-seam fastball, which averages nearly 99 mph, and .135 against his wipeout slider.
GM J.J. Picollo: “Lucas taking over the high-leverage role in our pen has allowed others to have defined roles. He has shown that he can face the heart of a lineup in crucial situations and get the job done. Don’t know where we’d be without him.”
6. Minnesota Twins: Pablo López, RHP
The Twins have stumbled down the stretch to such an extent that no one stands out as an under-the-radar indispensable player. Over the last 30 days, no one in their rotation outside of Pablo López has posted an ERA under 5.00 and their bats haven’t done nearly enough either. But the Twins are still hanging on to the final wild-card spot, thanks in no small part to López’s dominance over the past month. In his last six starts, López is 4-0 with a 1.11 ERA and 38 strikeouts and eight walks. I know he’s not under the radar, but because his recent stretch has been so important for the Twins, he deserves to be highlighted here.
President of baseball operations Derek Falvey: “Pablo López has been huge for us. His work ethic, leadership, and the way he handles himself every day make him the guy everyone looks up to. He sets the tone for our staff on the mound and with so many young starters who we need down the stretch, he’s the one they look to and the glue that keeps that group together.”
7. Detroit Tigers: Zach McKinstry, INF/OF
The Tigers traded Jack Flaherty at the trade deadline, not realizing they would be in the middle of the wild-card race in mid-September. They were five games below .500 (52-57) at the beginning of August and now are five games over (78-73) and sit 1 1/2 games behind Minnesota for the third wild card. One of the Tigers’ surprise contributors has been Zach McKinstry, who has played second base, shortstop, third base, designated hitter and all three outfield positions for them this year. Since Aug. 1, he’s posted an .830 OPS while giving Detroit strong defense and base running (eight steals in eight attempts in that span). He ranks in the 88th percentile in defensive range and in the 79th percentile in sprint speed.
GM Jeff Greenberg: “Zach made some adjustments in the second half and has played an important role for us, especially over these last six weeks. He’s provided impact at the plate, on the bases with his running, and defensively at multiple positions across the infield and outfield. His versatility can be a real factor on any given day.”
8. Seattle Mariners: Collin Snider, RHP
Collin Snider has been dominant for the Mariners as a set-up reliever, posting a 1.45 ERA and 1.098 WHIP in 38 appearances. He has 41 strikeouts and 11 walks in 37 1/3 innings. Early in his career, Snider was a sinker/slider pitcher looking to find consistency, but he shifted to more of a sweeper/slider/four-seamer menu and refined his approach. He sits in the mid-90s with his fastball, around 90 mph with his cutter, and in the low 80s with his sweeper. That combination has enhanced his ability to miss bats as well as his overall consistency. Opponents are hitting .149 against the four-seamer and .237 against the sweeper.
President of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto: “I’m not sure anyone outside of our team recognizes how big Collin Snider has been for us. We’ve been hit hard with injuries all year long and we really needed someone to step up. He’s done more than that.”
9. Boston Red Sox: Justin Slaten, RHP
Justin Slaten has been a key part of the Red Sox bullpen, posting a 3.16 ERA, a 2.76 FIP and 0.994 WHIP over 40 appearances. He’s averaged 9.3 strikeouts per nine innings and walked 1.6 per nine. He ranks in the 89th percentile in fastball run value and in the 79th percentile in overall pitching run value. Opposing batters are hitting .128 against his four-seamer with no extra-base hits. He ranks in the 97th percentile in chase rate and in the 95th percentile in barrel percentage. He has allowed only two earned runs in 11 appearances since July 5.
Manager Alex Cora: “Justin is an absolute strike-throwing machine with stuff. He induces weak contact and gets left-handed hitters out. He has been invaluable to our club down the stretch.”
National League
1. Philadelphia Phillies: Matt Strahm, LHP
Matt Strahm has played a key role in a strong Phillies bullpen. (Eric Hartline / USA Today Network via Imagn Images)
At 32, Matt Strahm has authored his best year, logging a 2.06 ERA and 0.794 WHIP in a career-high 60 appearances. He’s struck out 69 and walked only 11 in 56 2/3 innings. His fastball run value ranks in the 93rd percentile and his overall pitching run value is in the 90th percentile. Opposing batters are hitting .169 against his four-seamer and .129 against his slider. Strahm has reverse splits as right-handed batters are hitting just .133 against him while left-handed hitters are hitting .246 against him. He’s been money down the stretch: Over his last 15 appearances, Strahm has a 1.23 ERA and 0.61 WHIP.
GM Sam Fuld: “Strahm is that guy for us. I know he was an All-Star, so maybe he doesn’t quite meet the (under-the-radar) criteria, but I feel like he’s an underappreciated player who can get lefties and righties out in any situation. He competes and wants the ball.”
2. Los Angeles Dodgers: Tommy Edman, CF
The Dodgers acquired Tommy Edman from the Cardinals in a three-team deal at the trade deadline, and after taking awhile to adjust to his new surroundings, he seems to be hitting his stride. Over his last 14 games, Edman has been arguably their best hitter, slashing .315/.362/.648 with five home runs, 12 RBIs and two steals. Since coming over from St. Louis, he’s played 18 games in center field and nine games at shortstop for the Dodgers. His versatility and ability to steal bases have really lengthened their lineup down the stretch.
GM Brandon Gomes: “Edman has the ability to seamlessly bounce back and forth between center field and shortstop and play those positions at an incredibly high level as well as adding another element of speed and bat-to-ball (skills) to complement our lineup. (It’s) been integral to our recent success.”
3. Milwaukee Brewers: Brice Turang, 2B
Brice Turang is one of the best defensive second basemen in baseball, ranking in the 89th percentile in range and in the 74th percentile in fielding run value. He’s hit a respectable .261 but also grinds at-bats and works the count. He has been dominant on the basepaths, stealing 44 bags in 50 attempts and taking the extra base when possible. He frequently makes highlight plays and his positive energy is felt on and off the field for Milwaukee.
GM Matt Arnold: “Brice has been such a dynamic force for us defensively, and also provides a competitive at-bat, working deep counts each time, with game-changing speed on the basepaths.”
4. San Diego Padres: Donovan Solano, INF
Donovan Solano has played 86 games for San Diego this year, including 31 at third base, 13 at first base, 27 at designated hitter and even a game at second base. On the season, he’s slashed .287/.343/.406 with 12 doubles, six home runs and 32 RBIs. He has tremendous instincts and is a great teammate and leader coming off the bench for the Padres.
Manager Mike Shildt: “Solano is a pro’s pro. Always takes a quality at-bat, has a very high baseball IQ and is a class act on and off the field.”
5. Arizona Diamondbacks: Jake McCarthy, CF
With elite speed, Jake McCarthy is a major threat on the basepaths. (Charles LeClaire / USA Today Network via Imagn Images)
Jake McCarthy has developed into one of the best athletic center fielders in the National League this year, slashing .288/.354/.412 in 453 plate appearances with 12 doubles, seven triples, eight home runs and 21 stolen bases in 27 attempts. He ranks in the 87th percentile in batting run value, in the 97th percentile in base-running run value and in the 79th percentile in fielding run value. His sprint speed is in the 97th percentile and his defensive range is in the 90th percentile. McCarthy, who is in his fourth season in the majors, takes away doubles in the gaps and singles in front of him defensively and puts constant pressure on opponents with his base running.
GM Mike Hazen: “Jake has taken over center field for us and played really well defensively along with creating a lot of offense for us in different ways with his speed and athleticism.”
6. New York Mets: Mark Vientos, 3B
Mark Vientos has been a key cog in the Mets’ lineup and one of their most consistent hitters. He batted .291/.347/.549 in the first half with 12 home runs and has hit .250/.309/.495 in the second half with 12 bombs. On the season, he has a 140 OPS+. He ranks in the 86th percentile in batting run value and in the 92nd percentile in barrel percentage. Vientos has crushed fastballs (.333 batting average against) and changeups (.382) while struggling against breaking balls (.172). His defense has improved considerably since spring training.
Manager Carlos Mendoza: “Proud of him; he had to work really hard. He has been solid overall on both sides, offensively and defensively. He continues to make adjustments, and he is a big reason why we are in this position as a team.”
7. Atlanta Braves: Raisel Iglesias, RHP
The Braves’ offense has absorbed tough blows this season, losing Ronald Acuña Jr. for the season and Ozzie Albies and Austin Riley for extensive time, which has made it even more crucial that they finish off opponents in close games. Enter closer Raisel Iglesias. He’s made a huge difference in those games and is one of the main reasons Atlanta is still in the race. Iglesias has converted 31 of 34 save opportunities with a 1.87 ERA and 0.718 WHIP. Opposing batters are hitting .150 against his changeup, .161 against his four-seamer, .158 against his slider and .143 against his sinker. He ranks in the 96th percentile in hard-hit rate and barrel percentage and in the 99th percentile in chase rate.
President of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos: “Raisel has been the anchor of our bullpen this season. He has had numerous multi-inning high-leverage appearances in addition to being a consummate professional and elite teammate.”
(Top image: Tommy Edman: Katelyn Mulcahy / Getty Images; Albert Suárez: Nick Wass / Associated Press)
