This writeup highlights the most consistent fantasy performers by position in the MLB over the past three seasons. Although there may have been other players that played at a more elite level for a shorter period of time who are not listed, taking the cumulative average over the past three seasons generally benefits those who 1) have gotten steady playing time over the entire time period (and/or have been in the MLB the entire time), and 2) have stayed healthy. Since there are countless different ways to calculate a player’s fantasy production, I decided to use CBS standard points scoring.

Throughout the article, I use abbreviations for some statistics. There are eight hitters and four pitchers listed in this article. For hitters, the slash line listed indicates batting average/on-base percentage/slugging percentage, respectively. Here is a key listed below for other abbreviations:
HR= Home Run
RBI= Run Batted In
SB= Stolen Base
ERA= Earned Run Average
WHIP= Walks/Hits Allowed Per Inning
SO= Strikeout

Top Infielders

Top Catcher- J.T. Realmuto

2017-2019 points average per season: 400.5
Average statistical season line: .277/.333/.477 with 21 HR’s & 74 RBI’s
Best season (2019): 441.5 points, .275/.328/.493 with 25 HR’s & 83 RBI’s

Top First Basemen- Paul Goldschmidt

2017-2019 points average per season: 532
Average statistical season line: .281/.378/.520 with 34 HR’s, 100 RBI’s, 103 Runs, 9 SB’s
Best season (2017): 610.5 points, .297/.404/.563 with 36 HR’s, 120 RBI’s, 117 Runs, 18 SB’s

Top Second Basemen- Jose Altuve

2017-2019 points average per season: 495
Average statistical season line: .322/.384/.519 with 23 HR’s, 72 RBI’s, 95 Runs, 18 SB’s
Best season (2017): 599 points, .346/.410/.547 with 24 HR’s, 81 RBI’s, 112 Runs, 32 SB’s

*Full disclaimer* Whit Merrifield has averaged more points than Jose Altuve over the past three years (503.5 vs. 495). But since Whit Merrifield has averaged a staggering seventeen more games a season than Altuve, I do not believe that Merrifield would better represent the position from a production standpoint than Altuve.

Top Third Basemen- Nolan Arenado

2017-2019 points average per season: 585.5
Average statistical season line: .306/.375/.578 with 39 HR’s, 119 RBI’s, 102 Runs
Best season (2017): 602 points, .309/.373/.586 with 37 HR’s, 130 RBI’s, 100 Runs

Top Shortstop- Francisco Lindor

2017-2019 points average per season: 572.5
Average statistical season line: .278/.342/.513 with 34 HR’s, 85 RBI’s, 110 Runs, 21 SB’s
Best season (2018): 628.5 points, .277/.352/.519 with 38 HR’s, 92 RBI’s, 129 Runs, 25 SB’s

Top Outfielders

Top Outfielder- Mookie Betts

2017-2019 points average per season: 607
Average statistical season line: .299/.388/.533 with 28 HR’s, 87 RBI’s, 122 Runs, 24 SB’s
Best season (2018): 639.5 points, .346/.438/.640 with 32 HR’s, 80 RBI’s, 129 Runs, 30 SB’s

Top Outfielder- Christian Yelich

2017-2019 points average per season: 576
Average statistical season line: .312/.399/.564 with 33 HR’s, 96 RBI’s, 106 Runs, 23 SB’s
Best season: 618.5 points, .326/.402/.598 with 36 HR’s, 110 RBI’s, 118 Runs, 22 SB’s

Top Outfielder-  Mike Trout

2017-2019 points average per season: 569.5
Average statistical season line: .304/.448/.634 with 39 HR’s, 85 RBI’s, 101 Runs, 19 SB’s
Best season (2019): .291/.438/.645 with 45 HR’s, 104 RBI’s, 110 Runs, 11 SB’s

It is relatively safe to assume that Trout would be number one on the outfield list (and maybe all position players for that matter) if he were able to stay healthy over the past three seasons. Trout has only played an average of 129 games and has still been able to put up MVP caliber numbers for both the Los Angeles Angels, as well as for fantasy owners.

Top Starting Pitchers

Top Starting Pitcher- Justin Verlander

2017-2019 points average per season: 655
Average statistical season line: 17-8, 2.81 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 270 SO
Best season (2019): 765 points, 21-6, 2.58 ERA, 0.80 WHIP, 300 SO

Top Starting Pitcher- Max Scherzer

2017-2019 points average per season: 611
Average statistical season line: 15-7, 2.64 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, 270 SO
Best season: 712 points, 18-7, 2.53 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, 300 SO

Top Starting Pitcher-  Gerrit Cole

2017-2019 points average per season: 597
Average statistical season line: 16-7, 3.20 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 266 SO
Best season (2019): 741 points, 20-5, 2.50 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, 326 SO

Since relief pitchers are not listed in this article, I wanted to add a quick tidbit about the most impressive fantasy season from a relief pitcher over the past three seasons. In 2018, Edwin Diaz was nothing short of spectacular coming out of the pen for the Seattle Mariners. Along with his first All-Star appearance, Diaz recorded 57 saves to go along with a sparkling 1.96 ERA and 0.791 WHIP. He was able to accumulate 581 fantasy points in the season, creating great separation from Blake Treinen (#2 reliever) who had 535 fantasy points. After being dealt to the New York Mets heading into 2019, Diaz had a nightmarish campaign. Diaz compiled an ERA of 5.59 with 7 blown saves. Expect all of these players to make a fantasy impact in 2020!

Written by Andrew Lewis (Twitter @DynastyLewis_)