RADIO
BALLER MOVE: Target as OF2 with Potential OF1 Upside
ANALYSIS: George Springer's 33.0 K% last season would have tied Chris Davis for the MLB lead had he qualified, his .231 batting average was concerning, and he stole just five bases after swiping 86 in his first two minor league seasons. But this is a guy who, at age 24, swatted 20 homers in just 78 games. After an adjustment period in April, Springer posted a .242/.352/.525 triple slash line. His low SB total resulted from the lingering quadricep injury that cost him half the season. He’ll need to rein in his aggressive approach, but the double-digit walk rates indicate that he’s got a good sense of the zone and isn’t just a free swinger. Springer likely won't sniff the .379 BABIP he posted in the minors, but improving on his .294 mark from 2014 is possible, given his speed. Even with the quad injury, Springer managed a 16.9% infield hit rate, highest in the majors among batters with at least 200 PA. Even with his early struggles and injuries, Springer provided enough value to justify the flyer many owners took on him last year. With a clean bill of health and a full season at the major league level, he’s a strong breakout candidate for 2015.
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