2026 Fantasy Baseball: Are Caleb Durbin and Mickey Moniak Undervalued?
As fantasy baseball draft season heats up, managers are eager to identify undervalued hitters for the 2026 season. Two players who stand out are Caleb Durbin and Mickey Moniak. Both may not be grabbing headlines, but their underlying statistics suggest they could be due for significant improvement this year.
Understanding Process+ for Fantasy Value
The Process+ stat, developed by Kyle Bland at Pitcher List, evaluates a hitter’s overall performance using metrics like Decision Value, Contact, and Power. This holistic approach helps identify players who, despite having favorable underlying numbers, may not be fully valued in drafts.
Caleb Durbin: A Rising Star
Caleb Durbin, third baseman for the Boston Red Sox, has an Average Draft Position (ADP) of 222. He boasts an impressive Decision Value score, ranking fifth on a recent leaderboard. Durbin excels in making contact and understanding the strike zone, which are critical for success.
- ADP: 222
- Relevant Metrics: Strong Decision Value, excellent contact ability.
- Projected Performance: Potential to improve batting average and steal bases.
Moving to a more hitter-friendly park, Durbin could see an increase in his batting average, projected to rise above .270 while also posing a threat for at least 20 stolen bases this season. His ability to make contact could yield significant fantasy value.
Mickey Moniak: Potential Breakout Hitter
Mickey Moniak, an outfielder for the Colorado Rockies, carries an ADP of 244. Once the first overall pick in the 2016 draft, Moniak has struggled to find consistent playing time in the majors. However, his performance last season showed promise.
- ADP: 244
- Recent Stats: 14 home runs, with improved barrel and hard-hit rates.
- Projected Performance: Expected to hit around .250-.260 with a potential for 20 home runs and 10 stolen bases.
Despite some concerns about his strikeouts—he struck out 27.3% of the time—Moniak’s bat speed and contact quality improved significantly last year. This growth indicates that he is settling into his role, making him a candidate to exceed expectations this season.
Conclusion: Embrace Undervalued Players
In fantasy baseball, identifying undervalued players like Caleb Durbin and Mickey Moniak can be pivotal for winning your league. Their impressive underlying statistics and potential for improvement make them worthy picks in the later rounds of drafts. As the 2026 season approaches, fantasy managers should keep close tabs on these two potential breakout hitters.
