Throughout the month of March, theScore examines hitters who represent their team's most intriguing fantasy plays. This edition focuses on San Francisco Giants outfielder Denard Span.
2015 in Review: 275 PA, .301/.365/.431, 38 R, 5 HR, 22 RBI, 11 SB
The Good: In an injury-abbreviated season, Span's rate stats were as typically strong as ever, well in line with his career .287 BA and .352 OBP marks. His 11 stolen bases in 61 games portended another 20-plus steal campaign, of which he's had four. Having never hit more than eight home runs in any previous season, his five HR came as a bonus.
The Bad: Injuries have been a problem during his eight-year career, as he's had three seasons of 93 games or fewer. In each of those five other seasons, he played between 128 and 153 games, so at least one stint on the disabled list is seemingly assured for Span.
Best Comparison: Giants OF Angel Pagan
What's in Store: When healthy, Span gets on base and scores runs. His batting eye is excellent, helping to produce solid rate stats, and he has recorded between 17 and 31 stolen bases in each of the five seasons where he's been mostly injury-free. It's fair to wonder how the aftermath of Span's various ailments will affect the speed aspect of his game, however.
The Giants scored the fifth-most runs in the NL last season, so he's staying in a positive offensive environment; the Nationals scored the third-most runs, but only seven more than San Francisco.
Draft Outlook: Span's injury history will likely relegate him to the later rounds of most mixed league drafts. He'll easily outperform his draft position if he plays a mostly full season, but that's tough to foresee happening.
