10 Undervalued Players

10.  Martin Prado UTL (Atlanta Braves)

Prado, 28, has been a member of the Braves since 2006, and has remained on the squad mainly because of his versatility. Prado, who can cover every spot in the infield (minus catcher), and the outfield, also provides a solid hitting option as well. He's been a good fit in the Atlanta lineup getting on base, producing runs, and averaging about a dozen homers a year. Prado, (.314AVG. 3HR, 21RBI), is a Tribe favorite and helps set up for a team full of power.

9.  Luke Scott (Tampa Bay Rays)

Scott is not exactly the best hitter… or fielder…or much else. But the upside is that he plays for the "mad scientist" Joe Maddon, who seems to get every ounce talent out of every player. Scott has posted a .243 average with 8 home runs and 31 runs batted in.  The real value of Scott is his performance against the competitive division, (5 HR's, 21 RBI's vs. AL East). Another thing that helps Scott is that playing a bench role for Tampa, but with a lot of opportunities, is much better than being forced to start in Baltimore.

8.  Jose Altuve 2B and Jed Lowrie SS (Houston Astros)

These middle infielders have become an integral part of the Houston offense. The 5'5 Altuve (.310 AVG., 2HR, 13 RBI, 9SB) as the leadoff man, and Lowrie (.288 AVG., 7HR, 18 RBI) as the table-setting 2 hitter have provided a spark to the ‘Stos lineup. Which is an important thing considering Carlos Lee has spent the past 5 years watching every other offense talent vanish from the team. Astros fans got a glimpse of Altuve late last season and have been impressed with his continued production so far this season. Astros fans also survived a scare when the injury-riddled Lowrie, (acquired from Boston this offseason), has remained productive after a stint on the DL with a wrist ailment turned out to be nothing serious.  These two are also nice defensive pairing up the middle, with Lowrie's versatility being an added bonus.

7.  Mike Aviles SS (Boston Red Sox)

Last year when the Sox acquired Mike Aviles from the Royals last year, few thought that he would have this much of an impact. After he was awarded the starting job at short in spring training, Aviles, (.276AVG., 8HR, 28RBI, 5SB), hit his way into the leadoff spot, where he has flourished. Aviles is coming off of a series in Philadelphia in which he went 5 of 14 with three homers, two of which lead off the game. His clutch hits and defense has been a major reason the Red Sox have remained afloat, just now returning to .500 (21-21).

6. Jonathan Lucroy C (Milwaukee Brewers)

Jonathan Lucroy, (.349 AVG., 5HR, 29RBI), is fourth in the league in hitting, and for a Milwaukee team that has had their offense depleted this past year, this is a pleasant showing. The talented, young, (just 25), catcher is also hitting .419 off lefties. Lucroy is also been a very clutch hitter this season, (.625 with 2 outs and runners in scoring position, and 3 of 3 with 9 RBI's and a home run with the bases loaded). Lucroy also provides an upside defensively.

5.  Jason Hammel SP (Baltimore Orioles)

Hammel, who has been considered a mediocre starter, was sent to Baltimorealong with Matt Lindstrom in exchange for the O's top starter Jeremy Guthrie(2-2, 5.55ERA, 15K's with Colorado). The deal, which was highly questionable, has already paid off the birds. Hammel is 5-1 with a 3.12 ERA and 46 strikeouts. Opposing hitters are .200 after Hammel gets a first pitch strike. The O's are off to a great start, and good teams get production from unlikely places and this is certainly an example.

4. Ted Lilly SP (Los Angeles Dodgers)

On a team full of young All-Stars, It's the 36 year old Lilly who has led the Dodgers pitchers this season. The former Cub pitcher was brought in with Aaron Harang to help bolster the back end of the rotation, but has been a pleasant surprise posting a 5-1 record with a 3.14 ERA. Only the 2 and 3 hitters that have faced Lilly have an average over .200. He's also held hitters to a .159 average after a first pitch strike.  He and the great showing from catcher A.J. Ellis, has helped the Dodgers stay on track despite Matt Kemp's recent struggles with injury.

3.  Josh Reddick RF (Oakland Athletics)

Reddick, just 25, is already stepping into a role as a run producer (.272 AVG., 11 HR, 24 RBI), on the A's. The talented youngster, (acquired from Boston this offseason), has teamed up with Cuban defector Yoenis Cespedes to lead a youth movement in the bay.  Reddick showed what he was capable of during the second half of last year in Boston, and has already doubled those numbers this season with increased at-bats.  He also has decent speed and great defensive upside. Reddick will be a key component if the A's are going turn around their recent woes.

2.  Cole Hamels SP (Philadelphia Phillies)

It's hard to call a former World Series MVP undervalued, but this year it would seem that Hamels is the only bright spot for the Phils this year. Hamels has posted a 7-1 record and a 2.17 ERA with 66 strikeouts, the top pitcher on a team full of aces. With injuries striking down the offense, the Phillies have had to turn to the pitching to keep the team afloat. With Cliff Lee's recent injuries, and Roy Halladay's apparent decrease in ability, the lefty has stepped up and dominated. Hamels is the leading candidate in for the NL Cy Young award, and is well on his way to making some MAJOR money this offseason.

1. Giancarlo Stanton RF (Miami Marlins)

On a team full of new names and faces, it's been a new name, but old face that has put up the big stats this year. Giancarlo, (formerly Mike), Stanton has put up .278AVG, 10 homers, and 30 RBI's, while the big money free agents have struggled, (Reyes:.257 AVG, 0HR's, 8RBI's),(Bell:7.16ERA),(Buehrle:4-4 record). Stanton has helped to keep the Marlins season alive after the team went through a big slump early in the season. He has also come up clutch this year with two walk-off homers, one being a grand slam.