Fantasy Spotlight: George Springer
Throughout the month of March, theScore examines hitters who represent their team's most intriguing fantasy plays. This edition focuses on Houston Astros outfielder George Springer.
2015 in Review: 451 PA, .276/.367/.459, 59 R, 16 HR, 41 RBI, 16 SB
The Good: Springer's batting average, OBP and stolen base totals all improved on their respective 2014 marks, and he showed the ability to be a five-category contributor in just his second major-league season.
The Bad: A wrist injury sidelined him for two months, and he struck out around once per game (though that represented an improvement on his rookie season). A high BABIP may result in a comedown for his .276 average.
Best Comparison: A young Grady Sizemore; despite being a better hitter than Springer (Sizemore batted between .268 and .290 in his first four full seasons), Sizemore offered the same blend of power and speed before injuries ultimately derailed his career.
What's in Store: Despite a middling batting average, Springer offers power, speed and a solid OBP to fantasy owners. He should hit second in the order between Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa, the other young stars comprising the Astros' core. If he can further improve his strikeout rate, it should help to combat a potentially unluckier BABIP.
Draft Outlook: Due to his all-around production, Springer will be drafted in the second or third round, depending on how deep the league is. He won't overwhelm in any one category, but as a player on the upswing of his career and without a marked weakness, he'll be a hot commodity.