At times, fantasy baseball mirrors real life. We often become enamored with what is flashy, exciting, and highly publicized, while overlooking what may seem boring or less interesting. But savvy fantasy managers know that gaining an edge often means searching for value in places others ignore. Sometimes the biggest opportunities come from the most overlooked teams.
That brings us to the Miami Marlins. The Marlins may not be packing ballparks because of dominant play anytime soon, but that does not mean they are without fantasy value. In fact, Miami currently has a few intriguing names that smart owners should be paying attention to.
One of the most interesting is Owen Caissie, a highly regarded young prospect who seems to have slipped off the fantasy radar. Caissie came through the Chicago Cubs system, one of baseball’s most visible organizations, and has long been known for his power potential. Now with Miami, he appears to have a real opportunity to establish himself at the major league level.
What is not to like? Caissie is just 23 years old, has legitimate 25-home run and 10-stolen base upside, and is off to a strong start. Perhaps most importantly for fantasy purposes, he should receive plenty of at-bats on a Marlins club that can afford to let young players develop. Opportunity matters, and Caissie has plenty of it. For owners looking to add upside before the rest of the league catches on, he is the type of player worth targeting now.
Another name to watch is Liam Hicks. While Hicks is not a full-time starter, very few catchers in today’s game truly are. What he has done, however, is hit. Hicks has been swinging a hot bat and providing production from one of fantasy baseball’s thinnest positions.
He may not be someone to rely on all season long, but for managers seeking short-term help at catcher, Hicks makes plenty of sense. In leagues that require two catchers, he should be considered a must-add option while the production lasts.
The lesson, as always, is simple: do not ignore the mundane. Championship fantasy teams are often built not only through stars and headline names, but by finding hidden value where others are not looking. Right now, the Marlins may be one of those places.