15 Underrated NL Players from the 2024 MLB Season
I've made you all wait long enough
Yes, I may have procrastinated in delivering the second half of my underrated players piece, but can you blame me? My eyes have been glued on postseason baseball, and for good reason. This October has been historically good.
Without further ado, I carefully calculated 15 players from the Senior Circuit who flew under the radar during the 2024 MLB season — one from every club.
Braves - Ramon Laureano
Laureano began his 2024 campaign with Cleveland, which was a disaster. In 31 games, the veteran outfielder posted a dismal .494 OPS or 43 OPS+.
Atlanta took a chance on Laureano in June in hopes of getting some production while their outfield was banged up. While he played in just 67 games, the Santo Domingo native clubbed ten HR, drove in 29, and had a solid 128 OPS+.
Marlins - Jonah Bride
After Peter Bendix sold most of his useful veteran players at the deadline, unproven players had chances to step up and play daily. Jonah Bride took full advantage.
The 28-year-old displayed some pop for the Fish, in 71 games he cranked 11 homers, along with a 123 wRC+. The 1B showed a keen eye at the plate, walking 11% of the time and grading out an elite 23.9% chase rate. I’m very curious to see what his future holds in Miami.
Phillies - Orion Kerkering
23-year-old Orion Kerkering quietly had a fantastic season in the Phillies bullpen. Although their pen didn’t show up in the playoffs, he was a big part of how successful they were over 162.
Kerkering used his elite sweeper 55% of the time to net himself a fantastic 2.29 ERA over 63 innings, 2.42 FIP, 2.94 xFIP, and 28.8 K%. There is lots to like with this young arm in Philadelphia.
Mets - Jose Butto
Jose Iglesias was probably the correct answer for this piece back in September but after the Mets went on a Cinderella run in October, he became too obvious. Enter Jose Butto, another reliever.
Butto was excellent in 2024, he carved up hitters across 74 innings with a 2.55 ERA, providing Carlos Mendoza with seven starts, and 23 relief appearances. The RHP is a versatile treat to watch.
Nationals - DJ Herz
A rookie who seemed to have come out of nowhere, Herz took the pressure off the rest of the Nationals staff by starting 19 games. The southpaw only amassed 88 innings but was very solid with a 4.16 ERA.
The most impressive thing about Herz’s season was his K%. He ranked in the top 20 in the second half K/9 and posted a 27.7 K%, the highest of any Washington arm that started a game.
Brewers - Tobias Myers
I’m not sure a lot of baseball fans had Tobias Myers making 25 starts on their bingo card this year — I certainly didn’t.
The RHP munched on 138 innings, the third most for Pat Murphy’s club. All 138 frames he chucked were good ones, as Myers played to the tune of a 3.00 ERA, 22.3 K%, and 3.91 FIP. It remains to be seen if he can reach 200 innings in a season, but the sky is the limit for the 26-year-old.
Reds - Nick Martinez
Initially, I wasn’t so fond of the Reds signing Martinez, considering Great American Ballparks dimensions, but the 33-year-old journeyman made an impact on Cincy’s staff from the get-go.
He was crafty, striking out just 116 over 142 IP, yet set a career-high in frames twirled. His 3.10 ERA was extremely impressive, and the right-hander gave Bell versatility by starting 16 yet appearing in 42.
Cubs - Nico Hoerner
The overshadowed half of the Cubs’ elite up-the-middle defense will always be Hoerner as long as Swanson is in the fold.
However, Hoerner played very well this year, posting a 3.9 fWAR, 10 OAA (top 97th percentile), and 31 stolen bases. He’s never going to hit for power, but it a DAMN good baseball player.
Cardinals - Ivan Herrera
Ignore the .370 BABIP, I’m blaming that on the sample size. Herrera only played in 72 games with the Cardinals this season, serving as a platoon-type catcher to Willson Contreras.
During those 72 contests, he posted a 2.1 fWAR, 127 wRC+, five HR, and five SB. Also contributing four blocks above average, he graded out as a solid defensive catcher. Oli Marmol, please give him more at-bats in 2025. Please.
Pirates - Luis L. Ortiz
Did you know Luis L. Ortiz appeared in 37 games this season? Did you know Luis L. Ortiz posted a 3.32 ERA across those 37 games? Yeah, me neither.
The 25-year-old was very solid in 2024, as he provided manager Derek Shelton with 135.2 innings of good enough baseball to win. The 1.0 fWAR and 4.45 xFIP show he may have gotten a bit lucky, but he deserves credit for his ‘24 campaign.
Diamondbacks - Justin Martinez
It feels like Justin Martinez is on the brink of that Devin Williams, Emmanuel Clase category of elite relief pitchers — and no one is talking about it.
The Dbacks righty contributed 72+ frames in 2024 and racked up a whopping 91 strikeouts during them (29.5 K%). He didn’t allow many runs either, with his 2.48 ERA. He’s going to fully break out in 2025 if he can consistently be around the zone. That 100 mph sinker is disgusting.
Rockies - Jacob Stallings
I may have a soft spot for veteran catchers… but 34-year-old Jacob Stallings posted the best wRC+ of his career (minimum 80 games played).
Sure, his home ballpark was Coors Field, but I legitimately couldn’t find anyone who had an underrated season besides him. I’m not counting Doyle or Tovar because they are now household names. Stallings hit nine HR and clubbed a 114 wRC+ over 82 contests with Colorado.
Dodgers - Miguel Rojas
There’s a reason why he’s on the World Series roster at the moment. Rojas has played his role perfectly in LA thus far, providing stellar defense (12 OAA), along with putting the ball in play.
With six homers, eight stolen bases, a 111 wRC+, and 2.8 fWAR over 103 games, the 35-year-old still packs a punch. Straight up underrated.
Padres - Ha-Seong Kim
He didn’t have as great of a 2024 as he did in 2023, but Ha-Seong Kim was downright underappreciated this season. The shortstop did his thing.
Kim swiped 22 bags this season, had an above-average wRC+ at 101, a great 12.3% BB-rate, and 4 OAA at a premium position. If the Padres don’t pay him this winter, somebody will.
Giants - Ryan Walker
Foolish Baseball highlights Walker all the time, but I’m still not convinced the unconventional reliever gets enough credit.
His side-winded delivery, and power fastball are so fun to watch. Walker dominated all season long with his 1.91 ERA over 80 innings — how can you not be in love with a 32.1 K%?