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Most undervalued MLB players of the 2017 season
Known for his glove, Los Angeles Angels shortstop Andrelton Simmons has stepped it up at the plate this season. Kim Klement/USA TODAY Sports

Most undervalued MLB players of the 2017 season

Each MLB season, key players are often overlooked for a myriad of reasons. The following 25 players are some of the most undervalued players so far this 2017 season. Each player has been key for his team this year, whether anyone has noticed or not.

 
1 of 25

Brandon Belt, 1B, Giants

Brandon Belt, 1B, Giants
Charles LeClaire / USA Today Sports Images

The perception is that Belt is having a down year, hitting only .244 on the season. However, Belt ranks ninth in WAR among first basemen as a result of his .821 OPS and excellent defense.

 
2 of 25

Archie Bradley, RP, Diamondbacks

Archie Bradley, RP, Diamondbacks
Bill Streicher / USA Today Sports Images

Arizona's bullpen has made great strides this season, and the setup man is a big reason. Bradley has been dominant over 42 innings with a 1.50 ERA. He's also stranded more than 92 percent of base-runners.

 
3 of 25

Byron Buxton, OF, Twins

Byron Buxton, OF, Twins
Winslow Townson / USA Today Sports Images

Wonder why the Twins have been so patient with Buxton despite his .218 batting average? He's still managed to make a huge impact defensively with the second best defensive WAR of all center fielders.

 
4 of 25

Zack Cozart, SS, Reds

Zack Cozart, SS, Reds
David Kohl / USA Today Sports Images

It's been a breakout year for Cozart in Cincinnati. While he's consistently ranked well defensively, Cozart has the fourth highest WAR among all shortstops now that he has an OPS above .900. His WAR ranks ahead of the likes of Xander Bogaerts, Elvis Andrus and Francisco Lindor.

 
5 of 25

Chris Devenski, RP, Astros

Chris Devenski, RP, Astros
Gary A. Vasquez / USA Today Sports Images

He's not Houston's closer, but Devenski ranks among the top relievers in the game. He leads all relief pitchers with 55 innings and has a 2.62 ERA with more than 12 strikeouts per nine innings.

 
6 of 25

Jarrod Dyson, CF, Mariners

Jarrod Dyson, CF, Mariners
Joe Nicholson / USA Today Sports Images

Seattle acquired Dyson from Kansas City during the offseason to improve its outfield defense, and he's been as advertised. Dyson's defensive WAR is sixth best among all MLB outfielders, and he's also swiped 21 bases.

 
7 of 25

Scott Feldman, SP, Reds

Scott Feldman, SP, Reds
David Kohl / USA Today Sports Images

Cincinnati added Feldman to hopefully get an innings eater in front of its young pitching staff, and he's been up to the challenge. He has a 3.94 ERA and has thrown more than 100 innings.

 
8 of 25

Freddy Galvis, SS, Phillies

Freddy Galvis, SS, Phillies
Bill Streicher / USA TODAY Sports

With top shortstop prospect J.P. Crawford struggling at the plate in Triple-A, Galvis has held down the fort for the Phillies. He's held his own at the plate again with 10 home runs in 90 games, but his defense has been his greatest asset, ranking with the seventh best defensive WAR at the position.

 
9 of 25

Brett Gardner, OF, Yankees

Brett Gardner, OF, Yankees
Jayne Kamin-Oncea / USA Today Sports Images

Gardner has been one of the few constants for an injury-plagued Yankees outfield. He has an OPS near .800 and is on pace to be a 20/20 man this season.

 
10 of 25

Didi Gregorius, SS, Yankees

Didi Gregorius, SS, Yankees
Shanna Lockwood / USA Today Sports Images

Derek Jeter who? Gregorius has taken the shortstop job and run with it over the last two seasons in the Bronx. Not only has he played elite defense, but Gregorius is hitting .288-11-40 this season.

 
11 of 25

Jedd Gyorko, 3B, Cardinals

Jedd Gyorko, 3B, Cardinals
Scott Kane / USA Today Sports Images

Gyorko has been a jack of all trades for the Cardinals in the infield and their best offensive contributor. His OPS is nearing .900, playing primarily at third base, but he's also played second and first.

 
12 of 25

Ender Inciarte, CF, Braves

Ender Inciarte, CF, Braves
Neville E. Guard / USA Today Sports Images

It's been another great year for Inciarte, who has actually been the best return of last year's unbelievable Shelby Miller trade. The center fielder is hitting .310 with a .356 on-base percentage as Atlanta's leadoff man, and his WAR is a solid 2.4 due to his elite defense.

 
13 of 25

Tommy Kahnle, RP, White Sox

Tommy Kahnle, RP, White Sox
Dennis Wierzbicki / USA Today Sports Images

The White Sox bullpen has been terrific this season due to surprise contributions like those from Kahnle. He has an incredible 15 strikeouts per nine innings, resulting in his 2.50 ERA.

 
14 of 25

Ian Kinsler, 2B, Tigers

Ian Kinsler, 2B, Tigers
Raj Mehta / USA Today Sports Images

While Kinsler has struggled at the plate, hitting only .237-9-23 in 73 games, his defense has held him up as a strong contributor. His 1.8 WAR ranks sixth best among all second basemen.

 
15 of 25

Mike Minor, RP, Royals

Mike Minor, RP, Royals
Steven Branscombe / USA Today Sports Images

K.C.'s great bullpen has allowed the team to get back into the pennant race. Minor has been a surprise contributor, returning from arm issues to post a 2.22 ERA and more than one strikeout per inning.

 
16 of 25

Juan Nicasio, RP, Pirates

Juan Nicasio, RP, Pirates
Charles LeClaire / USA Today Sports Images

Nicasio has been terrific in a setup role for Pittsburgh. The former starting pitcher has a 2.59 ERA and more than one strikeout per inning.

 
17 of 25

Ivan Nova, SP, Pirates

Ivan Nova, SP, Pirates
Charles LeClaire / USA Today Sports Images

Lining up behind Gerrit Cole and Jameson Taillon, Nova has been Pittsburgh's best and most consistent pitcher. He's continued the adjustments he made after joining Pittsburgh last season with only 1.1 walks per nine innings and a 3.21 ERA.

 
18 of 25

Blake Parker, RP, Angels

Blake Parker, RP, Angels
Troy Taormina / USA Today Sports Images

The Angels have quietly built a quality bullpen with unsung heroes like Parker. He's fanned more than 12 batters per nine innings and has a 2.48 ERA.

 
19 of 25

Jose Quintana, SP, Cubs

Jose Quintana, SP, Cubs
Chris Humphreys / USA Today Sports Images

On the surface, it seems that the Cubs paid dearly to acquire a starter from the White Sox with a 4.49 ERA. However, Quintana's peripherals are nearly up to his normal standards with 9.8 strikeouts per nine innings. He last allowed more than three earned runs in a start on May 30.

 
20 of 25

Josh Reddick, RF, Astros

Josh Reddick, RF, Astros
Troy Taormina / USA Today Sports Images

Houston's four-year, $52 contract with Reddick opened some eyes during the offseason, but the right fielder has been worth the money in his first season. He has the eighth best WAR among all right fielders this season due to his .860 OPS and strong defense.

 
21 of 25

Jeff Samardzija, SP, Giants

Jeff Samardzija, SP, Giants
Charles LeClaire / USA Today Sports Images

Despite a subpar 4.86 ERA, Samardzija has a surprisingly strong WAR among starting pitchers this season. He's been an innings eater with 124 innings, and he has an incredible K/BB ratio of better than 9.00. His ERA metrics suggest improvement during the second half.

 
22 of 25

Andrelton Simmons, SS, Angels

Andrelton Simmons, SS, Angels
Brad Rempel / USA Today Sports Images

Simmons's elite defense at shortstop is well-known, but his offense has made him a truly elite player this season. He has a .781 OPS with 13 stolen bases, helping him post the second best WAR among shortstops.

 
23 of 25

Joakim Soria, RP, Royals

Joakim Soria, RP, Royals
Jay Biggerstaff / USA Today Sports Images

After a very subpar 2016 season, Soria has rebounded this year as Kansas City's setup man. He has 11.6 strikeouts per nine innings and a 3.55 ERA.

 
24 of 25

Steven Souza Jr., RF, Rays

Steven Souza Jr., RF, Rays
Caylor Arnold / USA Today Sports Images

Souza Jr. has helped the Rays stay in contention this season, contributing well offensive and defensively. His 2.9 WAR ranks among the best right fielders, and he has a career-high 18 home runs already.

 
25 of 25

Anthony Swarzak, RP, White Sox

Anthony Swarzak, RP, White Sox
Dennis Wierzbicki / USA Today Sports Images

Swarzak has been an elite reliever for Chicago with a 2.47 ERA and 9.9 strikeouts per nine innings. He's helped the team weather the loss of setup man Nate Jones.

Seth Trachtman is a fantasy sports expert and diehard Kansas City Chiefs fan. He doesn't often Tweet, but when he does, you can find him on Twitter @sethroto.

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