These Mets are hidden gems for your fantasy baseball team in 2020

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PORT ST. LUCIE, FL – MARCH 08: Jeff McNeil #6 of the New York Mets in action against the Houston Astros during a spring training baseball game at Clover Park on March 8, 2020 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. The Mets defeated the Astros 3-1. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

You may know these New York Mets and what they can give your fantasy baseball team, but they may bring even more value than you previously thought.

We don’t yet know when the New York Mets season will officially begin. While we hang in limbo, it’s time to reassess your fantasy baseball strategy and see if you can find any hidden gems out there.

As managers all over the world prepare for their drafts, there are many Mets players who are worthy of serious consideration. For the first time in years, the team has a good balance of above-average pitchers and hitters.

While most of your favorite Mets will likely be rostered in the majority of leagues, there are several who represent excellent value. Let’s take a look at the underrated Mets’ players who should be taken much earlier than their projections imply.

Jeff McNeil

Jeff McNeil is criminally underrated as a fantasy player. The rising star announced his presence as a franchise cornerstone in a major way in 2019. He set outstanding marks across the board in his first full season, recording 23 home runs, 75 RBI, and a glistening .318 batting average. There is no reason to believe that The Squirrel won’t approach or even surpass those figures in 2020.

The Mets’ star also adds a special value boost in the form of his multi-eligibility. McNeil’s ability to play all over the baseball diamond will benefit fantasy managers as much as it has aided his real-life franchise. He can be started at third base, second base, or outfield, making him the perfect player to help your lineup work in the midst of an injury or trade.

Where He’s Being Drafted: 89.4 ESPN ADP
Where You Should Take Him: Target McNeil as early as the seventh round in a ten-team league.

Jacob deGrom

How can a player like Jacob deGrom be included on an underrated fantasy baseball players list? The back-to-back Cy Young award winner currently ranks as a surefire first-round pick and a staple of many manager’s rosters. However, there is good reason to believe that the superstar should be considered much higher than his ADP.

Crosstown Yankee’s ace Gerrit Cole currently has a slight edge over deGrom as the best pitching option in fantasy. However, the two are extremely close in overall value. While Cole’s strikeout history and potential for wins are enough to give him a small advantage, he does face the challenge of adapting to shorter porches in his new Yankees’ Stadium home. Considering deGrom’s recent track record, it is certainly reasonable for him to be the first pitcher off the board.

The Mets’ ace is one of the rare players with a sky-high ceiling and a very high floor. deGrom has proven that he is capable of dominating the game. An injury is the only thing that would keep him out of the top rankings.

While some managers specifically target a star hitter with their first-round pick, I believe firmly in the value of having a true ace. While I personally believe that deGrom would be a worthy gamble as early as the first overall pick, it would be admittedly difficult to pass on any trio of top three hitters (Mike Trout, Ronald Acuna, and Christian Yelich).

If you’re looking to lock up your rotation centerpiece, don’t be afraid to snag deGrom at any point in the first round.

Where He’s Being Drafted: 9.3 ESPN ADP
Where You Should Take Him: As early as #1 overall, with special consideration anytime for the fourth pick on.

J.D. Davis

J.D. Davis, like McNeil, brings value in a variety of ways. After posting a 2019 season with 22 homers and a .307 average, the former Astros prospect has earned his place in the daily lineup. While there are some concerns that the returning Yoenis Cespedes could steal some of his time in leftfield, Davis has proven to be proficient at a number of different positions.

The poor man’s version of McNeil can be placed in the outfield or third base positions in your fantasy lineup. He should also be a lock for 20+ home runs.

Expect him to outperform his ranking as the 221st best overall player and 59th best outfielder. He has great value as the last outfielder on your roster.

Where He’s Being Drafted: 219.2 ESPN ADP
Where You Should Take Him: Don’t wait for Davis. You’ll need good depth at their outfield or your 1B/3B slot. Snag Davis anytime after pick #180.

Dellin Betances and Seth Lugo

Traditionally, a bullpen players’ major draw in fantasy is their opportunity to record saves. With Edwin Diaz seemingly first in line for ninth inning chances, both Dellin Betances and Seth Lugo have limited upside.

Lugo’s 100+ strikeouts in each of the past two seasons make him worthy of a roster spot in your league. His 2.70 ERA and 0.90 WHIP in 2019 also add to his allure (particularly in roto leagues). His 21 holds (21st overall in MLB) give him a much higher evaluation in leagues that award that statistic.

Betances, on the other hand, is in the fringe of irrelevance at this point in the year. His lack of defined roles will likely leave him as an available free agent after your draft has concluded.

However, both players have a clear path for stardom in 2020. If the inconsistency and control issues that plagued Diaz’s first season in Flushing reappear, there is little doubt that the team will make a change at closer.

Lugo’s skills as a pitcher would make him a candidate for 30+ saves if given the proper opportunities.

If Betances is able to shake off the injury rust and recapture some of his prime value, he too could have a path to 20 saves.

Keep an eye on both players and monitor the bullpen stability in New York as the season progresses.

Where Lugo is Being Drafted: 246.8 ESPN ADP
Where You Should Take Him: Lugo would be an excellent reserve pitcher on a 10 team league. His ability to record strikeouts every day makes him a valuable plug-and-play weapon.

Where Betances is Being Drafted: 249.9 ESPN ADP
Where You Should Take Him: Most leagues don’t have a pick 249. However, monitor the bullpen in NYC closely. If Betances starts the season well and Diaz shows any signs of struggling, stash him on your bench.

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You may know these New York Mets and what they can give your fantasy baseball team, but they may bring even more value than you previously thought.

Jeff McNeil

Where He’s Being Drafted: 89.4 ESPN ADPWhere You Should Take Him: Target McNeil as early as the seventh round in a ten-team league.

Jacob deGrom

Where He’s Being Drafted: 9.3 ESPN ADPWhere You Should Take Him: As early as #1 overall, with special consideration anytime for the fourth pick on.

J.D. Davis

Where He’s Being Drafted: 219.2 ESPN ADPWhere You Should Take Him: Don’t wait for Davis. You’ll need good depth at their outfield or your 1B/3B slot. Snag Davis anytime after pick #180.

Dellin Betances and Seth Lugo

Where Lugo is Being Drafted: 246.8 ESPN ADPWhere You Should Take Him: Lugo would be an excellent reserve pitcher on a 10 team league. His ability to record strikeouts every day makes him a valuable plug-and-play weapon.

Where Betances is Being Drafted: 249.9 ESPN ADPWhere You Should Take Him: Most leagues don’t have a pick 249. However, monitor the bullpen in NYC closely. If Betances starts the season well and Diaz shows any signs of struggling, stash him on your bench.

Schedule

Where He’s Being Drafted: 89.4 ESPN ADP
Where You Should Take Him: Target McNeil as early as the seventh round in a ten-team league.

Where He’s Being Drafted: 9.3 ESPN ADP
Where You Should Take Him: As early as #1 overall, with special consideration anytime for the fourth pick on.

Where He’s Being Drafted: 219.2 ESPN ADP
Where You Should Take Him: Don’t wait for Davis. You’ll need good depth at their outfield or your 1B/3B slot. Snag Davis anytime after pick #180.

Where Lugo is Being Drafted: 246.8 ESPN ADP
Where You Should Take Him: Lugo would be an excellent reserve pitcher on a 10 team league. His ability to record strikeouts every day makes him a valuable plug-and-play weapon.

Where Betances is Being Drafted: 249.9 ESPN ADP
Where You Should Take Him: Most leagues don’t have a pick 249. However, monitor the bullpen in NYC closely. If Betances starts the season well and Diaz shows any signs of struggling, stash him on your bench.