"[Positional flexibility] really helps in-season just because it opens you up to more possibilities on the waiver wire and I'm not sure that gets considered enough."
Wise words Paul Sporer, published to this very blog, a few weeks ago.
At a very basic level; the players selected in the later rounds of the draft are probably not going to be in your active lineup on a daily basis throughout the year. Ideally, they'll just fill in for your studs when they aren't playing or don't have a game on a given day. Because of this, it's only logical to have a player who can fill multiple spots on your roster. Their utility can also help them garner some playing time in real life games, and while the playing time may be sporadic, owners in leagues that allow daily roster moves can take advantage when they do get an opportunity. With this in mind, here are seven players who have an average draft position later than 300 and have eligibility at multiple positions (min. 20 games at position).
Jedd Gyorko (STL 2B/SS; ADP: 317)
Gyorko's batting average doesn't jump off the page, but he does have some solid pop. The 27-year-old has hit double-digit home runs in all three seasons in the major leagues, and had a .444 slugging percentage in 2013. Regular starts may be available in the first half, too, with Jhonny Peralta sidelined with a thumb injury, though Aledmys Diaz is in the mix for time at shortstop as well. Regardless, Gyorko should see a decent number of at-bats against lefties, either at short or possibly as a platoon mate with Kolten Wong at second base. Gyorko also has a chance to gain even more positional eligibility as the season rolls along, as there have been some rumors that he could even get some time at first base to offer a right-handed option at that position.
Ben Paulsen (COL 1B/OF; ADP: 313)
Paulsen was afforded the opportunity to play more frequently in 2015 thanks to injuries and a strong .919 OPS in 31 games with the big club in 2014. He held his own pretty well, posting a .788 OPS in 116 games with the Rockies. His plate discipline wasn't great in the majors, but his walk rate in the minors usually hovered above 10 percent, so that very well could translate to the big leagues now that he has some experience under his belt. Paulsen is slated to serve on the large end of a platoon with Mark Reynolds at first base. The 28-year-old could very well provide value above his ADP if he can bring his power and plate discipline from the minors up to the big leagues while continuing to hit for average at the major league level.
Brandon Moss (STL 1B/OF; ADP: 321)
His batting average was not good, but Moss still has excellent pop. Over the past four seasons, Moss has smashed 95 home runs and has had an OPS north of .750 for three of those seasons. Granted, his numbers last season were down from the previous three and his numbers have been on the decline since his breakout campaign with Oakland in 2012, though some of his struggles early last year can be probably be attributed to his recovery from hip surgery. Cardinals manager Mike Matheny already said that the 32-year-old will have the first crack at the starting first base job, meaning he'll have plenty of opportunities to right the ship. Perhaps he strikes out too much to really be an everyday fantasy option in most formats, but the kind of power Moss possesses is excellent compared to other players who will be available this late in drafts.
Luis Valbuena (HOU 1B/3B; ADP: 342)
Valbuena had an interesting season in 2015. Although his batting average was a mere .224, he still managed a .748 OPS thanks to 25 home runs. His walk rate was also a decent 10.1%, creating some balance with his career-high 21.5% strikeout rate. It also appears that he will be the everyday starter at third base for Houston, which definitely allows for replication of his 2015 season. Similarly to Moss, Valbuena has power potential that is tough to match in the late stages of a draft, making him an intriguing endgame target that can fill in at either corner infield spot.
Eduardo Escobar (MIN SS/OF; ADP: 357)
Escobar appeared to break out in 2014 with a .275/.315/.406 slash line, but he still wasn't given the starting shortstop job in 2015. He was able to regain the job after Danny Santana faltered, and once again posted solid numbers, slashing .262/.309/.445 thanks to 31 doubles and 12 home runs. Although the situation wasn't ideal for Escobar last season, the lack of a set role allowed him to log enough time in left field to gain outfield eligibility for the 2016 campaign. He also appeared at second base 11 times, meaning he has eligibility there as well if your league only requires 10 appearances to gain positional eligibility. The 27-year-old has been named the starting shortstop for the Twins by Paul Molitor already, so the at-bats will be there. He just has to produce similarly to the past couple seasons to become a nice late-round steal.
Brock Holt (BOS 2B/3B/OF; ADP: 397)
When you think of utility, you think of Holt. Holt appeared at every position besides pitcher and catcher last season and put up a solid .280 batting average and .349 on-base percentage. Unfortunately for the 27-year-old, Red Sox manager John Farrell said that he won't receive as many at-bats in 2016 in an effort to keep him productive for the entire season. He also doesn't have a starting spot, so it'll be tough to gauge when he'll be in the starting lineup on any given day. That being said, he'll receive plenty of opportunities compared to other bench players in the league, and given his eligibility at three positions (and shortstop if your league only requires 10 appearances for eligibility), the 2015 All-Star is a solid late-round pick.
Lonnie Chisenhall (CLE 3B/OF; ADP: 414)
I know, Chisenhall had a down season last year. He spent 40 games with Triple-A Columbus and batted a lowly .246 while with the big club. However, the 27-year-old has been transitioned from third base to right field, where he appears to be the frontrunner for the starting role to begin the season. Plus, he's only a year removed from a .280/.343/.427 showing that included 43 extra-base hits. I'm not saying that he's going to be a mainstay in your lineup, but he does have some good things going for him between a recent season with solid statistics, opportunity, and some nice positional utility.