Early bench targets, 2025

As is the case with starting pitchers, fantasy managers often overvalue Opening Day starting lineups. As such, bats who start the season on the bench often can be rostered at a nice discount. Especially those with hidden or emerging skills, since they are likely to carve out full-time roles once an opportunity arises.

Here are a bunch of bats on MLB benches whose value could increase as the 2025 season moves along.
 

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Dillon Dingler (C, DET) is a former MLB second-round pick who has displayed good power in the minors. He carried that thump into the spring (.452 Slg in 44 PA) and already has a home run during the first few games of the regular season. Some pretty big holes in his swing held him back from being a top catching...

Almost!

You’re just a few clicks away from accessing this feature and hundreds more throughout the year that have a singular goal in mind: Winning your league. Subscribe to BaseballHQ.com here!

Already a subscriber? Sign in here

More From Batters

No one hit the ball harder on average than Drake Baldwin in May, which helped him produce at an elite clip for the month.
Jun 1 2026 3:06am
Bryson Stott and Liam Hicks have enhanced their profiles this year by pulling the ball, in different ways.
May 29 2026 3:06am
JJ Bleday's combination of surging batted ball quality and plate discipline gives him the tools to become an impact bat.
May 25 2026 3:10am
This week's installment of Lineups Outlook highlights three batters benefiting from new batting order spots; plus, hoping for more for two rookies.
May 22 2026 3:07am
Jarred Kelenic's marginal post-promotion production is hiding elite batted ball quality.
May 18 2026 3:07am

Tools