The most underrated player on each MLB team

Amid an offseason teardown during which nearly every everyone was discussed as available to be had, Ray’s name carried the most value in Arizona — and for good reason. The southpaw strikeout specialist was limited to only 123.2 innings a year ago due to an oblique injury but was still among the top arms in the game when healthy. His strikeout rate remained at 12 per nine innings for the second consecutive year.

With the addition of Josh Donaldson and return of Nick Markakis, Camago stands to be a super utilityman in 2019. He was silently one of the breakout performers of 2018, producing 3.7 WAR amid an .806 OPS, 19 home runs and 63 runs scored. Camargo has seen time at second and third base, along with shortstop and left field, in his first two seasons.

Mancini failed to build on his solid 2017 debut, seeing declining numbers in on-base percentage and batting average, and he produced a WAR that dipped slightly into negative numbers. That should not be a deterrent against his progress, as he continued to show power potential by hitting 24 home runs for a second straight year.

In comparison to the lofty expectations set as he rose through the Red Sox organization and during his brief rookie year, Devers’ first full season was a slight letdown. However, that makes it easy to overlook just how talented the 22-year-old third baseman is. He connected for 21 home runs in the regular season and hit .385 in Boston’s ALCS win over the Astros. The best days still are ahead for Devers.

Zobrist continues to both defy age and be the glue amid the star-studded ranks of the Cubs. The former World Series MVP produced a .305/.378/.440/.817 split line a year ago while taking the field at four different positions. This included 395.2 errorless innings at second base.

Jose Abreu and the plethora of big-name prospects that make up the ranks of the White Sox comprise many of the club’s storylines. However, Sanchez has been one of the most consistent performers on the South Side. A brilliant defender who spent much of his time at third base a year ago, Sanchez led the American League with 10 triples and accounted for 2.6 wins on the year.

Suarez is firmly among the elite ranks of the game’s most underrated players. He is one of three third basemen to top 30 home runs, 100 RBI, a .280 average and an .890 OPS a year ago, along with Nolan Arenado and Alex Bregman. The Reds certainly see the value of Suarez, as they inked him to a seven-year, $66 million extension last spring.

Clevinger doubled down on his strong sophomore season with an even greater showing last summer, proving his mettle amid the AL’s best starting staff. Clevinger won 13 games and notched 207 strikeouts while finishing in the AL top 10 in a handful of other categories. In his first postseason start, Clevinger struck out nine Astros over five innings in the AL Division Series.

Injuries have plagued Dahl through his first two seasons, but he finally got a chance to show his stuff late in 2018. Dahl produced an .897 OPS in the second half of the season, with 12 home runs. It was enough for the Rockies to move on from Carlos Gonzalez in right field and give Dahl the keys to the job full time.

There is a nasty idea that Cabrera’s performance has declined alongside his health, which is contrary to the truth. Although a biceps rupture limited him to 134 at-bats, Cabrera still hit .299 with impressive exit velocity as well. While he may never again be the Triple Crown, MVP threat he once was, writing Cabrera off may be a premature mission.

The Astros made a shrewd move when they acquired Pressly from the Twins at the trade deadline in exchange for a pair of minor leaguers. Pressly in short order became one of the best relievers in baseball down the stretch, working to an 0.77 ERA over 26 appearances. The 30-year-old righty stands to be an important part of the Astros' chase of a third straight 100-win, AL West title.

Mondesi had a coming-of-age season a year ago, producing an .804 OPS with 14 home runs and 32 stolen bases. At a time when there is a stunning number of dazzling power/speed threats at shortstop, Mondesi is in position to develop into one of the American League’s best at the position.

Upton has been around for so long, while producing at an All-Star level, that it is easy to look past what he is able to do on a yearly basis. Entering his age 31 season, He is on track to pass 300 home runs, 1,000 runs scored and 150 stolen bases this summer, with time to do a lot more. Upton is among the game’s most consistently impactful performers, albeit one who falls just beneath MVP level.

It speaks more to the depth of the Dodgers that Hernandez, who hit 21 home runs and drove in 52 a year ago, does not have an everyday role in L.A. "Kiké" has been one of the most dynamic performers on consecutive National League championship teams, providing a perfect plug-and-play option for Dave Roberts’ regularly revolving cast.

Anderson was one of the few regular bright spots for the Marlins, posting an impressive rookie season. He had an all-around offering of 11 home runs, a .357 on-base percentage and a .757 OPS while splitting duty between third base and right field. His 3.9 WAR was second among all NL rookies.

Shaw is the only other third baseman to top 30 home runs in each of the last two seasons besides Nolan Arenado. Since joining the Brewers in 2017, Shaw has averaged 32 home runs, 94 RBI and an .844 OPS, all elite run production numbers. He is the secret axis that churns amid the Brewers lineup.

Such is the extent that Gonzalez’s value has been underscored, it took into spring training for him to find a new deal. Gonzalez's well-known ability to play anywhere on the field will be especially important for the Twins, as they attempt to plug multiple holes after massive steps backward in 2018. He produced a major turnaround season of his own, hitting .303 in August with 11 second-half home runs.

Nimmo made arguably the biggest step forward of any National League outfielder last season, making the most of his first chance at an everyday opportunity. The 26-year-old (on March 27) outfielder produced a 4.4 WAR, amid a .404 on-base percentage, second-best in the NL. Nimmo will be a well-placed table-setter atop the Mets lineup this summer, as the team looks to climb back into the pennant race.

There were many eyebrows raised when the Yankees gave Hicks a seven-year, $70 million extension in February, citing only one truly excellent season under his belt. However, the decision could be looked back at as a bargain, as Hicks emerged as an all-around force in his sixth season. He brings a fitting blend of power and eye to the top of the potent Yankee lineup.

While Matt Chapman and Khris Davis emerged as MVP-caliber contributors a year ago, Piscotty proved to be the offensive backbone of the club. He has a habit for solid contact, driving in a career-high 88 runs with an .821 OPS. Piscotty may be close to his roof as a hitter, but it is a strong one.

Pivetta’s 15-24 record over his first two seasons doesn’t tell the whole story, as his results have shown potential for much more. The 26-year-old righty has averaged 10 strikeouts per nine innings in his first two seasons, finishing eigh^th in the NL in 2018.

Williams was a new man coming out of the All-Star break last summer, becoming one of baseball's toughest starters down the stretch. The 26-year-old righty had a 1.38 ERA over 71.2 innings in the second half of the season, ultimately compiling 14 wins. His 3.11 ERA was seventh-best in the National League.

After opening the year as a dominant setup man, Yates was equally impactful in the ninth inning following the trade of Brad Hand. Yates converted 12 of 13 save opportunities, while holding opponents to a .181 average and 90 strikeouts in 63 innings pitched.

Smith rallied in impressive fashion from Tommy John surgery, returning to the Giants bullpen as the closer. He resumed his position as one of the best left-handed relievers in baseball and could be a valuable trade chip for the Giants this summer. Left-handers hit .171 against Smith and his devastating slider.

There is a reason why the Mariners were willing to move on from anybody possible…except Haniger. For good reason too, as the right fielder was an All-Star in his first full season, hitting 26 home runs and finishing in the American League top 10 in both RBI (93) and OPS (.859).

Since making his debut in 2017 in the Cardinals lineup, he has made an instant impact with his bat. The runner-up for NL Rookie of the Year in 2017 has 97 extra-base hits in 223 career games. Where he truly took strides a year ago is defensively, as he accounted for over two defensive wins.

One of the game's fieriest competitors and personalities, Pham took his trade from the Cardinals to Tampa Bay personally…and he took it out on American League pitching. Following the July trade, Pham hit .343 with a 1.071 OPS over 39 games. Pham has accounted for a 9.5 WAR since becoming a full-time player in 2017.

Leclerc took off after becoming the closer in August, converting each of his 12 save opportunities through the end of the year. He finished with a streak of 21 consecutive scoreless innings and a 0.85 WHIP for the year. It was enough for the club to ink him to a four-year, $14.75 million extension.

Gurriel Jr. plays with a naturally infectious flare and suitably provided some exciting moments in his rookie campaign. The 25-year-old free swinger hit 11 home runs in 65 games and showed some promising range in the field. It remains to be seen if his long-term profile is as a shortstop or second baseman or if he will shift into the outfield.

There is no better player in baseball who is yet to grace an All-Star Game roster than Rendon, who has twice finished in the top 10 of NL MVP voting. Since 2017, Rendon owns a .923 OPS, eighth-best in the National League. With the departure of Bryce Harper, Rendon stands to be the backbone of the Nationals offense — and perhaps finally get that well-overdue All-Star recognition.