Fansided

5 best MLB players you’ve probably never heard of

By JJ Keller

Aug 2, 2014; New York, NY, USA; New York Mets center fielder Juan Lagares (12) catches a ball hit by San Francisco Giants first baseman Brandon Belt (not pictured) in the second inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 2, 2014; New York, NY, USA; New York Mets center fielder Juan Lagares (12) catches a ball hit by San Francisco Giants first baseman Brandon Belt (not pictured) in the second inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jul 30, 2014; San Francisco, CA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Josh Harrison (5) rounds the bases after hitting a home run off of San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Tim Lincecum (not pictured) during the third inning at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 30, 2014; San Francisco, CA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Josh Harrison (5) rounds the bases after hitting a home run off of San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Tim Lincecum (not pictured) during the third inning at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports /

Josh Harrison, 3B/OF, Pittsburgh Pirates
2014 stats: .306/.343/.487 — 134 wRC+ — 3.4 fWAR

Harrison is an example of a guy whose popularity is unknown to me. His team has been solid over the last couple years, and I’ve seen a couple of his highlights show up in the media, but this really is a breakout season, and the first time he has done anything noteworthy.

Before this season, he was mainly a utility guy, getting a few games here and there at second base, third base, and in the outfield. This year though, he was able to get a full-time shot, and he took it and ran, never looking back. For a while, his 130+ wRC+ could be chalked up to a small sample size, but he has not lost anything, still sitting at 134.

He could do a better job of walking, and thus getting on base, but he has carried a high average, and displayed above average power with 25 doubles, six triples, and 10 home runs. That has made him the 25th best hitter in the league by wRC+.

He has also been above average defensively, grading out positively by the advanced defensive metrics at second base, third base, and right and left field. We can see some similarities between Josh and the previously discussed Eduardo Escobar, in that they gain value by playing multiple positions, and playing them well.

The BABIP is high at .340, but guys with Harrison’s profile — good batted ball rates (high line drive percentage) and good speed — can sustain something close to that, so there isn’t a ton of evidence that suggest he is due for any massive regression.

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