2022 Best Later Round Targets

by Curt Brooks

To this point, you have seen many articles that have helped you identify safe foundation players as well as the top players in various categories based on skills. Here we identify some players that you can use to round out your roster after the 15th round or so and still acquire some valuable skills with only minimal risk.

We will focus on a group of players that meet a somewhat narrow range of criteria – ADPs greater than 250, possess dual skills, and have risk scores of 3.00 or lower. For hitters, we also limited our search to full-timers. In an auction, each of these players can likely be had for no more than $1-$3, thus meeting the definition of end-gamers.

Pictured here, Will Myers (PW,a) is often available later in drafts but still has very desirable skills – think of him as a late-round version of Austin Riley or Giancarlo Stanton without the (INJ) tag. As he enters his 10th year in MLB, he has a very stable skill set. Similarly, look for the Marlins’ Jesus Aguilar (p,a) a couple of rounds later to support your power game without tanking your batting average – very valuable at this stage of the draft.

If you still have the need for speed in the later stages, be sure Joey Wendle (SB,a) is on your shortlist – he is available late with an ADP outside the top 300. If your power game is secure, David Fletcher (s,AV|-P) can help, and comes with the added bonus of multi-position flexibility in your infield.

Nicky Lopez and Isiah Kiner-Falefa both slot in with identical skills of (SB,a|-P), although Lopez also carries the (|Rg-) liability tag. As with Fletcher, one must plan around their lack of power.

On the pitching side, Garrett Whitlock (ER,k) owns valuable skills – just be sure you’ve budgeted for his inexperience and the potential negative regression. Carlos Carrasco (e,KK) has strong skills but he does carry the highest risk score of anyone on this list due to end-of-season surgery to remove bone fragments from his right elbow. Taylor Megill (e,KK) is in the same asset group but carries the experience liability tag.

If you need to speculate on late saves, look for Matt Barnes (e,K+) or Dylan Floro (e,k). Barnes possesses a closer-worthy skills profile — Floro somewhat less so — but saves are a product of opportunity and both might end up with some 9th inning work.

Middle reliever Devin Williams (E+,K+) brings extreme skills to the table with only minor liabilities – as a minimum, he can certainly help your ratios and could add enough strikeouts to make a difference. Likewise, Aaron Ashby (ER,K+) owns excellent skills and could even challenge for a spot in the rotation, but even in middle relief, he is a valuable roster addition.