Fantasy Spotlight: Chris Davis
Throughout the month of March, theScore examines hitters who represent their team's most intriguing fantasy plays. This edition focuses on Baltimore Orioles first baseman Chris Davis.
2015 in Review: 670 PA, .262/.361/.562, 100 R, 47 HR, 117 RBI, 2 SB
The Good: Davis led baseball in home runs and ranked second in RBIs while registering the second-highest OBP of his career. He also played in 160 games, and earned a seven-year, $161-million contract to stay in Baltimore.
The Bad: Since 2012, Davis' seasons have revealed a Jekyll and Hyde trend:
| SEASON | G | HR | RBI | AVG | OBP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 139 | 33 | 85 | .270 | .326 |
| 2013 | 160 | 53 | 138 | .286 | .370 |
| 2014 | 127 | 26 | 72 | .196 | .300 |
| 2015 | 160 | 47 | 117 | .262 | .361 |
It's seemingly arbitrary, but that pattern doesn't bode well for 2016.
Only once in his career has Davis had a season in which he didn't strike out over once per game, though if he were a more selective hitter, he likely wouldn't produce the power numbers he's known for.
Best Comparison: A less consistent version of Adam Dunn, the ex-Reds and White Sox slugger who, between 2004 and 2010, produced at least 38 home runs and 92 RBI per season, while reliably striking out more than once per game.
What's in Store: Given the team's massive financial commitment, they're prepared to live with Davis' warts, so he should again bat third or fourth in what looks like a strong lineup, with free agent import Hyun-soo Kim (a lifetime .406 OBP in the Korean Baseball Organization) and Manny Machado (career-best .359 OBP in 2015) getting on base ahead of him.
Draft Outlook: Davis should be selected within the first three rounds in most mixed leagues, with possible outfield eligibility helping his prospects. Even if his rate stats aren't as high as they were in 2015, his power production is as solid as it gets.