Finding balance in your fantasy baseball lineup is critical, especially when prioritizing power hitters early in the draft. While these players can deliver impressive home run totals, their batting averages may falter. To counter this, consider targeting late-round players who excel in contact skills and can significantly enhance your batting average. This piece discusses six hitters available after pick 200 that can help you maintain a competitive average.

Yandy Diaz of the Tampa Bay Rays, with an ADP of 205, is an excellent option. He posted a .281 AVG last season and holds strong contact metrics, including a low whiff rate. Brendan Donovan, eligible at multiple positions for the St. Louis Cardinals, is another valuable pick, offering a solid .278 AVG and an impressive contact profile. Jung Hoo Lee, now a regular for the San Francisco Giants, presents a potential breakout after showcasing elite contact skills in a limited sample.

The St. Louis Cardinals are nearing the completion of arbitration decisions for eligible players as they prepare for the 2025 season. The team is focused on reducing payroll, resulting in a mixed outcome for their players. Outfielder Lars Nootbaar emerged victorious in his arbitration case, securing a salary of $2.95 million, while Brendan Donovan lost his hearing and will earn $2.85 million, much less than he sought. With these hearings concluded, the Cardinals are now awaiting the decision on Andre Pallante's case.

Donovan's struggle is particularly notable given his importance to the franchise's future, raising questions about the team's reluctance to settle outside of arbitration. This situation echoes last year's arbitration with utility player Tommy Edman, who was later traded. Despite the current challenges, fans hope for a competitive team and are eager for owner Bill DeWitt Jr. to be more open to spending in free agency.

Brendan Donovan, a key player for the St. Louis Cardinals, is currently in salary arbitration, aiming for $3.3 million compared to the team’s offer of $2.85 million. Donovan, who recently celebrated his 28th birthday, had a standout season, hitting .278 with 14 home runs and 73 RBIs. Over his three seasons with the Cardinals, he boasts a .280 batting average with 30 homers and 152 RBIs. This year marks his first eligibility for arbitration after a previous salary of $757,200.

This arbitration case comes in light of a competitive arbitration season, with teams winning three out of five decisions so far. The outcomes have varied, with some players successfully securing higher salaries, while others have faced reductions from their respective teams. As the Cardinals prepare for their upcoming decision on Donovan, eyes will also be on Lars Nootbaar, who has sought $2.95 million from the Cardinals while being offered $2.45 million. With several arbitration hearings still pending, the landscape of player salaries in MLB is shaping up to be particularly intriguing this season.

Brendan Donovan has entered salary arbitration with the St. Louis Cardinals, requesting $3.3 million compared to the club's offer of $2.85 million. The arbitration ruling is expected Wednesday, coinciding with another decision for teammate Lars Nootbaar. Donovan, who turned 28, posted a .278 batting average with career highs of 14 home runs and 73 RBIs last season. Over his three seasons with the Cardinals, Donovan has maintained a .280 average with 30 homers and 152 RBIs.

This year marks Donovan's first eligibility for arbitration after a salary of $757,200 in the previous season. Recently, the outcomes of other arbitration hearings showed a mixed bag for teams, with players like Luis Rengifo and Mickey Moniak successfully securing higher salaries than initially offered.

Outfielder Lars Nootbaar of the St. Louis Cardinals is currently in a salary arbitration hearing, seeking a $2.95 million contract against the team's offering of $2.45 million. This marks his first eligibility for arbitration after an impressive season where he hit .244 with 12 home runs and 45 RBIs, earning $761,000 previously.

The arbitration panel, comprising Janice Johnston, Allen Ponak, and John Stout, is awaiting a decision until another case involving teammate Brendan Donovan is resolved. Other players also slated for arbitration hearings include Cardinals' right-hander Andre Pallante, Washington's Nathaniel Lowe, and the Angels' Luis Rengifo, with hearings continuing until February 14.

So far, teams have prevailed in three out of four arbitration cases, including a notable win against Mark Leiter Jr. of the New York Yankees.