Ok, now that I’ve got your attention, I don’t really believe that Niko Goodrum is a fantasy MVP, but he does have some significant value, value that goes far past the slightly interesting numbers he has put up thus far this season. Goodrum is hitting .238, with 9 home runs, 32 RBI, 33 runs, and 7 stolen bases. Those numbers are similar to Nick Williams’ numbers, and no one, and I mean no one, is touting Williams for fantasy MVP.
Goodrum is serviceable. That’s about it. However, he is serviceable as a first basemen. He is serviceable as a second basemen. He is serviceable as an outfielder. He is serviceable as a middle infielder, and he is serviceable as a corner infielder. With one more game at the hot corner, he will be serviceable as third basemen. If he makes five more appearances at shortstop (he has five already), he will be serviceable as a shortstop. For those not keeping score, Goodrum may very well qualify at every position but catcher, and right now, he’s qualified at every position but catcher, third and short.
Versatility cannot be overvalued in the game today. With the advent of the 10-Day Disabled list in 2017, teams are finding new and creative ways of giving slightly banged up players some additional rest. As a result, more and more fantasy managers are in need of short term replacement players for their injured players.
As the NFBC does not have a disabled list, but does allow for offensive changes on Fridays, owning a versatile bench player like Goodrum can not only save on FAAB, but also add a few at bats per week, a couple of runs and a couple of RBI, with the potential for a home run or stolen base thrown in.
So as not to be accused of picking and choosing a certain time frame to sensationalize Goodrum’s stats, let’s go back a full nine weeks, dating back to the first time that Goodrum got 15 or more at bats in a week. This way, we can compare starter numbers to starter numbers. Here are Goodrum’s weekly stats over the past nine weeks:
Week 16 .240 BA, 2 runs, 5 RBI, 1 HR, 0 SB
Week 15 .357 BA, 4 runs, 2 RBI, 1 HR, 1 SB
Week 14 .200 BA, 5 runs, 2 RBI, 0 HR, 0 SB
Week 13 .250 BA, 1 run, 3 RBI, 1 HR, 0 SB
Week 12 .313 BA, 4 runs, 3 RBI, 2 HR, 1 SB
Week 11 .125 BA, 1 run, 1 RBI, 0 HR, 0 SB
Week 10 .250 BA, 3 runs, 3 RBI, 0 HR, 0 SB
Week 9 .222 BA, 2 runs, 2 RBI, 1 HR, 0 SB
Week 8 .273 BA, 3 runs, 6 RBI, 1 HR, 1 SB
During these nine weeks, Goodrum hit .253, scored 25 times, drove in 27 runs, hit seven home runs, and stole three bases.
During those same exact nine weeks, George Springer has hit .213, scored 32 times, driven in 20 runs, hit seven home runs, and stole six bases.
Here’s the comparison:
| Player | Avg | Runs | HR | RBI | SB |
| Goodrum | .253 | 25 | 7 | 27 | 3 |
| Springer | .213 | 32 | 7 | 20 | 6 |
How would you like George Springer as a replacement middle infielder on your team, or filling in at corner infield when you suffer an injury to your first basemen? Sure, Goodrum might not continue to match Springer week for week, but nine weeks is a long sample size, and Goodrum he will prove quite helpful for teams incurring an injury.
Javier Baez now qualifies at second, short and third, and at a minimum will qualify for second and short next year. Baez is good and would be drafted early anyway. Max Muncy is eligible at the corners, and will attain 2B and MI eligibility once he plays one more inning at second base. Muncy won’t be available even in the shallowest of leagues. Jurickson Profar (eligible at 3B, SS, MI, CI and OF) finally is beginning to live up to expectations.How about those players, like Goodrum, whose value is not just in their respective batting categories.
Here’s a look at some players who qualify in at least four different positions (10 games minimum played this year, or 20 last year), who depending upon the size of your league, may be available and may contribute to your team:
- Chris Taylor (2B, SS, MI, OF)
- Matt Carpenter (1B, 2B, 3B, MI, CI)
- Kike Hernandez (2B, SS, MI, OF)
- Yangervis Solarte (2B, 3B, SS, MI, CI)
- Daniel Descalso (2B, 3B, MI, CI, OF)
- Hernan Perez (2B, 3B, MI, CI, OF)
- Chad Pinder (2B, SS, MI, OF)
- Daniel Robertson (2B, 3B, SS, MI, CI)
Yes, it’s a short list, and Taylor and Carpenter are taken in all but the shallowest of leagues. Nonetheless, a player like Hernandez (Regrettably, I cut him in the Main four weeks ago) can sooth a lot of fantasy manager headaches and provide value when a player goes down on the disabled list.
Yes, Jose Ramirez is certainly this year’s mid-season fantasy MVP. The Tiger can’t hold a candle to Ramirez, but when looking at versatility and productivity, Niko Goodrum should be at the top of your wish list.
Enjoy the All-Star break, best of luck,Buster
