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We're back with more fantasy baseball auction draft strategy articles, and today we're looking at hitters and pitchers with fantasy baseball auction draft values (AAV) of $1. You can check out several other articles and player recommendations for fantasy baseball auction leagues, including hitters and pitchers under $10 and under $5.
In auction draft formats, fantasy baseball managers are not bound by the rules and structure of the snake draft -- each manager has a spending budget for the draft, and needs to spend wisely. Later-round picks that are cheaper can be huge values and potential fantasy baseball sleepers, so it's important to have a list of player names to target at the end of auction drafts when budgets run low.
If you can extract value from the $1 dollar-day players, you'll be in a great position and may find it easier to eventually win some fantasy baseball championships. In this article, we will target the players with auction values of $1 that should offer the most value. Good luck RotoBallers!
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Nolan Schanuel, 1B, Los Angeles Angels
$1 AAV (Average Auction Value)
The 11th overall pick in the 2023 draft, Nolan Schanuel was quickly jettisoned to the majors, getting just 97 plate appearances in the minors before getting the call-up late in the 2023 season.
He unexpectedly performed well in 2023, slashing .275/.402/.330 with a home run, six RBI, 19 runs, and a 15.2 percent walk rate through 29 games. But with inferior power metrics, the first baseman was cast aside in most 2024 fantasy baseball drafts.
He didn't exactly prove the haters wrong in 2024, but managed a decent season. In 2024, he slashed .250/.343/.362 with 13 home runs, 54 RBI, 62 runs, and 10 stolen bases through 147 games. There were some good metrics from his 2024 season, as his 11.2 percent walk rate, 17 percent strikeout rate, 21.5 percent chase rate, 14.4 percent whiff rate, and 86.8 percent contact rate ranked among the league's best.
His elite discipline gets him far in the AVG/OBP categories, but his embarrassing power metrics make him a non-starter for most fantasy baseball players. He held a 3.5 percent barrel rate, 25.4 percent hard-hit rate, and 65.2 mph bat speed, ranking him among the worst of the worst in those metrics.
However, he managed to crank an adequate 13 home runs in 2024 because of his 39.2 percent pull rate (11 home runs on pulled balls in 2024). The same goes for his speed metrics; despite his abysmal 26.4 ft/sec sprint speed, he still stole 10 bases.
RotoBaller recommends a $2 AAV for Nolan Schanuel. He's a godsend in the AVG/OBP categories and won't tank you as much as you think he will in other categories, making him a great dollar-day pick.
Edwin Uceta, RP, Tampa Bay Rays
$1 AAV (Average Auction Value)
After a disappointing rookie year as a Dodgers bullpen arm (6.64 ERA, 1.52 WHIP, and 13 percent walk rate in 20 1/3 innings), Los Angeles cut Edwin Uceta loose in 2021. After another unremarkable few appearances with Arizona (5.82 ERA and 17.8 percent strikeout rate through 17 innings), he was again released.
In 2023, Uceta bounced around the minor leagues for the Tigers, Pirates, Mets, and Cubs, logging only three innings in the majors. The Rays signed him to a minor-league contract in 2024.
After just a few months in the Tampa Bay pitching lab, Uceta became one of the best relievers in baseball. In 2024, he held a 1.51 ERA, 1.70 FIP, 0.82 WHIP, 35.8 percent strikeout rate, and 5 percent walk rate through 41 2/3 innings. Along the way, he picked up five saves, seven holds, and two wins.
Other peripherals and advanced numbers looked just as fantastic, with a 33.8 percent chase rate, 34 percent whiff rate, 3.2 percent barrel rate, 31.2 percent hard-hit rate, 17.3 percent SwStr%, and 2.10 SIERA, all ranking him among the league's best relievers.
While Pete Fairbanks -- who has logged 20+ saves in the past two seasons -- should hold onto his closer role in 2025, Uceta is a real threat. A mediocre roster like Tampa Bay's will likely have some hard decisions to make; in that situation, Pete Fairbanks is likely one of the first guys out the door.
RotoBaller recommends a $2 AAV for Edwin Uceta, making him a bargain bullpen piece. If Fairbanks is traded or spends time on the injured list, Uceta at his current $1 AAV will look like the heist of the century. Regardless, Uceta is a valuable handcuff that should improve your ratios.
Edwin Uceta strikes out the side in his first spring training outing, just dominant stuff pic.twitter.com/Wpv8B3cYlf
— Jake (@TBRaysCentral) February 25, 2025
Luke Weaver, RP, New York Yankees
$1 AAV (Average Auction Value)
Luke Weaver had moments during the first eight seasons of his career as a starting pitcher, but he could never put it together. As a result, he bounced around six different teams, with just 0.7 bWAR accumulated in that span.
But in September of 2023, the Yankees claimed Weaver off waivers. He impressed in a three-start trial run, with a 3.38 ERA, 3.64 xFIP, 28.1 percent strikeout rate, and 5.3 percent walk rate through 13 1/3 innings. He was re-signed on a one-year deal and was sent to the bullpen for the 2024 season.
Weaver excelled with a 2.89 ERA, 3.33 FIP, 3.42 xFIP, 0.89 WHIP, 31.1 percent strikeout rate, 7.9 percent walk rate, and 22 holds through 84 innings. The advanced numbers look just as good, as he held a 2.87 SIERA, .200 xBAA, 33.5 percent whiff rate, and 31.9 percent chase rate.
Weaver acquired the closer role late in the 2024 season, picking up three wins and three saves in his last six appearances. His postseason performance for a pennant-winning Yankees squad was impressive, as he picked up four saves and a win with a 1.76 ERA, 3.36 FIP, and 28.6 percent strikeout rate through 15 1/3 innings.
He looked ready to take on the closer mantle for the storied New York Yankees, but a blockbuster trade to acquire star closer Devin Williams squashed most chances of ninth-inning glory for Weaver.
However, should Williams miss any time, Weaver slots in as the closer for the World Series-contending Yankees. If you've spent $22 of your salary budget on Devin Williams, it is a viable idea to lose $1 to pick up a handcuff.
Luke Weaver's 5 Strikeouts in 2 innings. pic.twitter.com/hC8EVE2Gwg
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) September 14, 2024
Jonathan Aranda, 1B, Tampa Bay Rays
$1 AAV (Average Auction Value)
A stuffed infield and Tampa Bay's roster trickery have kept former top-100 prospect Jonathan Aranda from regular plate appearances. But when the 26-year-old entered the batter's box last year, he performed incredibly well.
In 2024, he slashed .234/.308/.430 with six home runs, 14 RBI, and 22 runs through 44 games. While that line is decent, his advanced numbers were fantastic. He held a .362 xwOBA (.320 actual wOBA), .518 xSLG, .257 xBA, .434 xwOBAcon, 16.5 percent barrel rate, 48.5 percent hard-hit rate, and 25.6 percent chase rate in 2024.
ATC is somewhat confident in Aranda, projecting a .251/.335/.433 line with 15 home runs, 49 RBI, 51 runs, and one stolen base through 104 games. But with the Rays seemingly committed to Aranda as their designated hitter to open 2025, he has a good shot at much better numbers over a full season.
Given his $1 AAV, Aranda could end up being one of the biggest steals of 2025 fantasy baseball drafts.
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