Bill James has written at length about the value of MLB players’ secondary skills.

Power. On-base ability. Defense. Stolen bases. Overall baserunning acumen.

Players who contribute in one or more of those categories tend to be overlooked if they don’t hit for a respectable batting average.

So I decided to build a team of active players with low batting averages but high levels of secondary skill. The idea here is that these players may be somewhat underrated. At the very least, they are defined as much by what they don’t contribute as what they do.

I gathered all MLB hitters to bat at least 1,000 times in total between the 2021 and 2023 seasons. Then I percentile scored their batting average, secondary average, baserunning runs and defensive WAR, as displayed at FanGraphs.

To make this theme team, players required a batting average scored at the 25th percentile or lower and a high percentile score in at least two secondary areas.

C—Cal Raleigh, Mariners
AVG 3% | SEC 80% | BsR 46% | Def 98%

Raleigh is one of six catchers to hit at least 50 home runs since 2021. He led the position in each of the past two seasons with totals of 27 and 30. He’s also an outstanding defensive catcher who has improved his walk and strikeout rates each season.

1B—Joey Gallo, Nationals
AVG 0% | SEC 97% | BsR 73% | Def 44%

It was surprisingly difficult to find a first base representative, probably because batting middle-order and driving in runs are essential to the job description. And it’s difficult to drive in runs with a chronically low batting average.

Also: First basemen tend not to run well or steal bases, so they don’t score well for baserunning runs. Gallo is an exception.

2B—Trevor Story, Red Sox
AVG 23% | SEC 71% | BsR 84% | Def 82%

Story hit just .251 in 2021, his final season in Colorado, and then .227 in his first two injury-plagued seasons in Boston. He still averaged 25 homers and 25 steals per 162 games during this period, while playing quality defense at second base and shortstop.

3B—Matt Chapman, free agent
AVG 9% | SEC 81% | BsR 77% | Def 92%

The winner of four Gold Gloves in six full MLB seasons, Chapman has few rivals as a defender at third base, owing especially to his elite arm. He is also good for 25 homers and 70 walks in his best seasons—it’s just that Chapman flirts with the Mendoza Line in some seasons and owns a .226 average over the past three.

SS—Willy Adames, Brewers
AVG 20% | SEC 75% | BsR 62% | Def 95%

Adames’ batting average has cratered the past two seasons—.228 in more than 1,100 at-bats—and only Dansby Swanson has more strikeouts among shortstops since 2021. But on the plus side, Adames is a slick defender whose 80 home runs the past three seasons is topped only by Corey Seager.

LF—Adam Duvall, free agent
AVG 12% | SEC 76% | BsR 70% | Def 68%

Duvall has one of the higher isolated slugging percentages among outfielders since 2021 and is also one of the best defenders. He just doesn’t get on base very often via singles or walks.

CF—Trent Grisham, Yankees
AVG 2% | SEC 69% | BsR 92% | Def 70%

Grisham is a two-time Gold Glove center fielder who should get a boost to his bottom line with a move from Petco Park to Yankee Stadium. He set career highs with 75 walks and 154 strikeouts last season, meaning fewer balls in play, but he has the upside potential for 15 homers and 15 steals in the right conditions.

RF—Daulton Varsho, Blue Jays
AVG 15% | SEC 57% | BsR 88% | Def 96%

Varsho is an accomplished baserunner and elite defender. He has reached 20 home runs twice—with a high of 27 in 2022—but he just doesn’t get as many chances to show off his wheels with a .228 average and .294 OBP the past three seasons.

UT—Chris Taylor, Dodgers
AVG 23% | SEC 72% | BsR 94% | Def 50%

Taylor routinely starts at every position but catcher and first base. That versatility adds wins to the Dodgers’ total. At his peak, he was an offensive threat. Taylor makes less of an impact now that he’s north of 30, but he’s still good for nearly 20 homers and 30 doubles as well as about 15 steals and 60 walks per 162 games.