Fantasy Baseball: 5 Low-Cost Hitters Who Are Plate-Appearance Assets in Rotisserie Formats

Brandon Belt, San Fransisco Giants

ESPN drafters are also slightly more bullish on San Francisco Giants’ first baseman Brandon Belt, with the lefty slugger being snapped up more than 20 picks earlier at ESPN compared to the overall FantasyPros ADP aggregate.

The disparity makes sense given Belt’s status as a consistent threat for the kind of low-key high-volume production prized by roto players. Setting aside his injury-shortened 2014, Belt has totaled no fewer than 556 plate appearances over any season since his mini breakout in 2013. With Roster Resource projecting Belt to work his plus on-base skills out of the two hole for the Giants this season, it follows that Belt should threaten 600 plate appearances once again -- in fact, we have him projected for 622.

And while Belt is a streaky power hitter who probably doesn’t quite carry the 30-homer pop that his slugging reputation might suggest, he has shown strong recent growth as a hitter overall, with gradual increases in contact rate, walk rate and opposite field percentage over the past three seasons.

On top of that, his likely batting average contribution in the .260 to .270 range looks a heck of a lot better in the current depressed average environment. Over 600-plus plate appearances, that kind of quiet consistency might not be able to dig you out of a batting-average hole, but it can go a long way toward fortifying a strong ratio foundation.

Belt doesn’t exactly light up any particular category, but as a steady no-frills corner infielder, he’s a strong pick around 150 in any roto draft.