Who is each MLB playoff contender’s most indispensable ‘under-the-radar’ player?

Every contending team has star players, but they also have those special players who often fly under the radar yet are indispensable to a team’s success during a playoff run. These players have intangibles that aren’t always seen by the public, and with the focus mostly on stars, they often get overlooked, particularly outside their local market.

It’s time to give them the national recognition they deserve.

As I’ve done in recent seasons, I touched base with front-office executives and managers across MLB to hear their thoughts on these key players. I focused on the 16 teams that as of this morning have the best chance of making the playoffs. So, who is the most underrated, yet indispensable player on each of these viable postseason contenders?

(Teams are ordered by their postseason seeding entering Friday, including those outside each league’s six-team playoff field.) 

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American League

1. Detroit Tigers: Gleyber Torres, 2B

After signing a one-year, $15 million contract in the offseason, Torres has delivered for the Tigers exactly as they hoped, getting on base, hitting for power and moving the chains. He’s posted a 110 OPS+ and been worth 2.1 WAR, according to Baseball Reference. He doesn’t chase out of the strike zone, ranking in the 98th percentile in that category. He’s also in the 90th percentile or better in xwOBA, xBA, squared-up percentage and walk rate. The Tigers needed to increase the traffic for the middle of their order; Torres and his team-leading .359 on-base percentage have helped with that.

President of baseball operations Scott Harris: “Gleyber sets the tone for our lineup every night. His at-bat quality has become contagious on this team.”

2. Toronto Blue Jays: Alejandro Kirk, C

Kirk has been consistent at the plate, reaching base at a 35 percent clip while hovering around a .300 batting average for most of the season and producing average power. He has slashed .354/.384/.456 over 86 plate appearances in high-leverage situations. Defensively, he ranks among the best catchers in baseball in both blocking and framing to go along with an average pop time and an above-average arm. The Blue Jays also laud his leadership with their pitching staff.

President and CEO Mark Shapiro: “Alejandro quietly has become one of the best defensive catchers in the major leagues. At the plate with the game on the line, against the nasty slider down and away, he finds a way to get a hit. He has a slow pulse and doesn’t speed it up in critical situations. There is not a moment too big for him.”

3. Houston Astros: Mauricio Dubón, UTIL

The versatile Dubón has been indispensable for the Astros, who have dealt with injuries all over the field. This season, he’s played 34 games at second base, 22 at shortstop, 22 at third base, 13 in left field, six in center field, two in right field and three at first base. At the plate, he’s hit 18 doubles and seven home runs. Overall, he’s been worth 2.1 WAR. He’s been key coming off their bench.

GM Dana Brown: “With all our injuries, I’m almost certain that he has started at seven of the nine positions (except pitcher and catcher). Unbelievable talent.”

Manager Joe Espada: “His versatility is unbelievable and unmatched. He can spell anyone and provide quality at-bats.”

4. New York Yankees: Trent Grisham, CF

Grisham won Gold Glove awards with the Padres in 2020 and 2022, and although he won’t win one this year, he remains an above-average defender in center most of the time, though some metrics view him less favorably this season. However, at the plate, he’s reached base (.349 OBP), trailing only Aaron Judge on the Yankees in walks, and hit for power with a career-high 23 homers. He has a 126 OPS+ and 2.9 WAR. He’s been indispensable for the Yankees, who have dealt with injuries and some mixing and matching with other outfielders. An impending free agent, Grisham has been a solid contributor on both sides of the ball in his second season with New York.

Manager Aaron Boone: “He’s played like an All-Star all season. Good in center and good at-bats with power every day.”

5. Boston Red Sox: Garrett Whitlock, RHP

Whitlock was a quality starter for Boston for stretches over the past three seasons, including posting a 1.96 ERA in four starts last year before a season-ending elbow injury. He underwent internal brace surgery on his right elbow last May and in September told manager Alex Cora that he wanted to become a full-time reliever to lengthen his career. The move has been a success as this season he’s posted a 2.76 ERA with 69 strikeouts over 58 2/3 innings out of the pen. He has not allowed an earned run in 42 of 50 appearances, and has allowed only one earned run in 19 appearances since July 6. He’s thriving as a setup reliever for the Sox.

Chief baseball officer Craig Breslow: “Coming off the injury, Whitlock has settled into a bullpen role. He has held a number of leads and been a reliable bridge to Chappy (Aroldis Chapman, their closer).”

6. Seattle Mariners: Gabe Speier, LHP

Speier has been a bright spot for the Mariners, averaging 11.7 strikeouts per nine innings and just 1.9 walks per nine. He has struck out 62 in 47 2/3 innings while logging a 2.27 ERA and 0.90 WHIP. He ranks in the 99th percentile in xERA and in the 98th percentile in chase rate. Batters are hitting .157 against his four-seamer and .152 against his slider. Speier dominates left-handed hitters, who are hitting just .159 against him with a .280 slugging percentage. However, he gets righties out too, as they are batting .220 against him.

President of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto: “Among (our under-the-radar players) who get very little fanfare is Speier, who deserves to be noticed. He’s been awesome from day one, lives in high leverage and has been incredibly consistent, and until very recently, was doing it as the lone lefty in the pen.”

7. Kansas City Royals: Maikel Garcia, 3B

He’s not under the radar in Kansas City and he did make the AL All-Star team, but Garcia hasn’t gotten enough national acclaim, so I decided to give him the love he deserves. He is slashing .299/.362/.466 with 12 home runs, a 130 OPS+ and 4.2 WAR. He played all over the field for the Royals this season before becoming their everyday third baseman. Defensively, he ranks in the 97th percentile in outs above average (range) and in 78th percentile in arm strength. Offensively, he is in the 92nd percentile in xBA and in the 97th percentile in squared-up rate. He rarely chases out of the strike zone, makes consistent sweet-spot contact, creates traffic and moves the chains. To me, Garcia is one of the most underrated players in the sport.

Manager Matt Quatraro: “Since he was an All-Star, he shouldn’t be under the radar, but he has been. He’s been moved around — from second base to shortstop to third base to center field to left field, before finally settling in as our everyday third baseman. He also has been moved up and down the lineup. All these changes and movements have never affected his performance, as he’s hovered around .300 all year while playing above-average defense.”

8. Cleveland Guardians: Daniel Schneemann, UTIL

Schneemann has been a key cog for the Guardians, playing 60 games at second base, 15 at third base, 11 in center field, nine at shortstop, seven in right field and three in left field. He’s made only two errors all season, both at second base. Overall, he ranks in the 92nd percentile in outs above average and in the 84th percentile in fielding run value. Offensively, he’s provided some pop with 15 doubles and 10 homers in 335 plate appearances, along with eight stolen bases (80th percentile in baserunning run value). He provides value all over the field and on the bases.

GM Mike Chernoff: “He can play any position on the field, including in the middle of the diamond, and play them all well. He has been an important part of our offense, building on his breakout season last year.”

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National League

1. Milwaukee Brewers: Joey Ortiz, SS

The Brewers acquired Ortiz along with pitcher DL Hall from the Orioles in the 2024 trade for Corbin Burnes. Although Ortiz has not yet lived up to expectations offensively, he has thrived in other aspects, in particular his defense and difference-making intangibles. Ortiz is batting .233 with a .612 OPS, but he ranks in the 97th percentile among shortstops in outs above average and overall is in the 92nd percentile in fielding run value. Replacing Willy Adames as the Brewers’ shortstop wasn’t easy, but Ortiz has provided value defensively while also chipping in offensively with seven homers and 11 steals along with plenty of positive energy.

GM Matt Arnold: “He has quietly been one of the best defenders in the league and one of the best teammates I’ve ever been around. Always shows up with a positive attitude. He’s been a difference-maker for us, especially on the defensive side of the ball.”

2. Philadelphia Phillies: Tanner Banks, LHP

Banks has been the most underrated arm in the Phillies’ bullpen, logging a 2.98 ERA and 0.94 WHIP over 54 appearances. The southpaw has shut down lefty hitters, who are batting .163 against him (13-for-80). The Phillies used Banks in more important spots during José Alvarado’s 80-game PED suspension. Overall, batters are hitting .214 against his slider, .200 against his sweeper and .182 against his four-seamer. He also ranks in the 99th percentile in walk rate.

GM Preston Mattingly: “Tanner has been a stabilizer in our pen. His ability to pitch in multiple roles has allowed us to deploy our bullpen in different ways. He continues to dominate left-handed hitters at an elite clip.”

3. Los Angeles Dodgers: Jack Dreyer, RHP

The Dodgers have had to withstand a slew of injuries in the bullpen and still have numerous relievers on the shelf, including Tanner Scott, Kirby Yates, Evan Phillips, Michael Kopech, Brock Stewart, Michael Grove and Brusdar Graterol. (Scott and Yates should return soon.) Somehow, they are still in first place. Dreyer, 26, has been crucial for the makeshift pen as it has tried to weather the injuries. He has posted a 3.03 ERA over 52 games. He ranks in the 97th percentile in xERA and in 94th percentile in barrel rate. Batters are hitting .189 against his four-seamer and .214 against his slider.

GM Brandon Gomes: “Dreyer has done everything, from being an opener to closing out games for us. He shows the professionalism of a longtime veteran in just his first year in the big leagues.”

4. Chicago Cubs: Brad Keller, RHP

Keller couldn’t land a major-league job in free agency, so he signed a minor-league deal with the Cubs. Entering this season, he’d spent much of his seven-year career as either a starter or part-time reliever, but Chicago decided to make. him a full-time reliever, a decision that’s paid off. Keller has appeared in a career-high 53 games, posting a 2.41 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, and the best strikeout-to-walk ratio of his career (3.22). He ranks in the 95th percentile in average exit velocity, hard-hit rate and ground-ball rate. The 30-year-old appears to have finally found his niche.

GM Carter Hawkins: “He’s taken the ball and excelled in high-leverage spots. Pretty impressive year for a guy who came into camp on a minor-league deal.

5. San Diego Padres: Jeremiah Estrada, RHP

The Padres have arguably the best bullpen in baseball, led by All-Star closers Robert Suarez and Mason Miller and All-Star set-up relievers Jason Adam and Adrian Morejon. However, don’t forget about another impressive set-up man, Jeremiah Estrada, who has been lights-out this season. Estrada has recorded a 2.48 ERA over 60 appearances, with 82 strikeouts in 58 innings. Batters are hitting .235 against his 98 mph fastball, a stunning .109 against his nasty split-finger and .207 against his disappearing slider.

Manager Mike Shildt: “Jeremiah is an unsung hero not only in our bullpen, but also on our team. He is valuable because he is good at getting out of an inning with traffic and equally effective regardless of (whether he’s facing a) left- or right-handed hitter.”

6. New York Mets: David Peterson, LHP

Peterson has been the Mets’ most reliable starter this season, posting a 3.18 ERA and 1.24 WHIP. He made his first All-Star team in July. He’s allowed two earned runs or fewer in 17 of his 24 starts. His ground-ball rate is in the 95th percentile and his extension is in the 96th percentile.

President of baseball operations David Stearns: “David has been a real steadying force in our rotation. Consistently gets us deeper into games and has given us big starts when we needed them.”

7. Cincinnati Reds: Jose Trevino, C

Acquiring Trevino from the Yankees for reliever Fernando Cruz and catcher Alex Jackson was one of the best trades the Reds made in the offseason. Trevino doesn’t provide much offense (82 OPS+), but he does work the count and grind his at-bats. And on the defensive side of the game, he is special, leading the Reds’ young pitching staff and stealing strikes for them with his above-average framing ability. The 2022 AL Platinum Glove winner also does an excellent job of making in-game adjustments.

GM Nick Krall: “Jose has been a leader on this team for both the pitching staff and position player group. He has teamed well with (fellow catcher) Tyler Stephenson. He is extremely prepared in working with our pitching staff and is a grinder at the plate.”

Manager Terry Francona: “Jose is always prepared. A pro. A leader. Always ready.”

8. St. Louis Cardinals: Alec Burleson, DH/1B/OF

Burleson is putting together his best season, slashing .285/.337/.449 with 20 doubles, 15 home runs, 59 RBIs and a 120 OPS+. He ranks in the 95th percentile in squared-up rate and in the 91st percentile in K%. He’s hitting .273 against fastballs, .283 against breaking balls and .319 against off-speed pitches. At 26 years old, Burleson is coming into his own as a major-league hitter.

Manager Oliver Marmol: “He continues to develop as a solid big-league hitter. He has improved his defense, which has allowed for more at bats in left field and at first base. His ability to post everyday has made him a key part of this lineup.”

(Illustration: Kelsea Petersen / The Athletic; Photos: Rob Leiter, Mark Blinch / Getty Images)