3 Underrated Players That Need More Love
3 Underrated Players That Need More Love
This is for the unsung heroes
Every year, hundreds if not thousands of talented baseball players are overlooked and do not get the hype they deserve. As the season winds down, I have been looking at who had sneaky good seasons and found some incredible baseball players, who do not get the love they deserve. I’ll be starting with an arm in Kansas City.
Brady Singer
30 GS | 3.1 fWAR | 3.53 ERA | 168.1 IP | 159 K | 1.271 WHIP
When we think of the Royals rotation very few people start by naming Brady Singer. Why is that? He has been on the team longer than Seth Lugo, Cole Ragans, Alec Marsh, and Michael Wacha. Understood he might not be the best arm on the staff but he has been a staple of consistency for this rotation. Not many teams have a better “3” starter than Singer. Across 674 career innings, Singer has generated 634 strikeouts during that time. He owns a career 103 ERA+, which puts him just above the league average. The best ability in Singer’s game is availability. He has thrown no less than 128.1 innings in a season since 2021. Being able to rely on a 3-starter for over 125 innings/year who generates solid results is a luxury the Royals have been enjoying for the past 5 years. He will get paid at some point, especially if he can continue to improve.
Ian Happ
543 AB | 4.3 WAR | 136 H | 25 HR | .250 BA | 88 R | 85 RBI | 13 SB | .346/.459/.804
Happ plays in a major city, model of consistency in stats and availability. How does he not get more hype? He has hit 150 bombs during his career and has been a staple in the Cubs lineup since 2017! In 2022 he got his first Gold Glove nod and has added another in 2023. Elite fielder and a very productive bat? No wonder he is a top-50-ranked fantasy player right now. Happ just got paid last season and signed a 3-year deal. Something tells me this man is going to make a whole LOT more money come 2027 when he becomes an unrestricted free agent.
Michael King
GS 29 | 3.9 fWAR | 3.04 ERA | 168.2 IP | 198 K | 1.198 WHIP
King was the main part of the return in the Juan Soto trade last December and he has done nothing but dazzle since. King owns a career 3.24 ERA through 46 career starts…that is impressive. Not to mention he is pairing that with a 10.4 SO9 and a 1.194 WHIP. There is no question that King will eventually get paid as he has been electric since 2021. He is also a big reason that the Padres look like a real contender for the World Series this year. It is incredible how King has again delivered an excellent season and managed to keep it on the down low. Any team in baseball would be lucky to have him on their staff.