5 best MLB players you’ve probably never heard of

Juan Lagares, CF, New York Mets
2014 stats: .272/.311/.372 — 94 wRC+ — 3.1 fWAR

Last, but the polar opposite of least, we have sophomore center fielder Juan Lagares. Like Roark, Lagares was not a highly touted prospect by any stretch, ranking 20th in 2012 by Minor League Ball, and not even making the same list in 2013. But he has proven himself as an everyday player in his two major league seasons.

While he was awful at the plate in his rookie year, he was still worth 2.9 fWAR on the year due to being worth +25 runs on the defensive side of things, second in the league among center fielders, and fifth best in the league. That has continued this year, currently at +20, but he has also added something else to his game. He figured out how to hit. Or at the very least not be worthless at the dish.

His 94 wRC+ is below league average, but not by all that much. And because of the absolutely absurd defensive value, he has still been worth 3 wins on the year, putting him in the top 10 among center fielders.

And it has to be noted that it is still a pretty sample sample size when it comes to the defensive metrics. But from what I have seen, the eye test and scouting reports match up with what the numbers say about Lagares’ ability to patrol center field. I personally feel defensive is easily overlooked and underrated, especially when the player in question isn’t a good hitter. Lagares has been an example of that so far, but if he develops further as a hitter, and keeps showing up on the highlight reel, he won’t go unknown for very long.