Patience simply isn’t a virtue in Fantasyland. Suffice it to
say, epic, slow-building rock masterpieces never blare on its denizens’ radios. No person should have to wait for a Jimmy Page guitar solo.
It’s because of this incessant yearning for instant
gratification, laggard development by top prospects is typically deemed
unacceptable. High-ceiling youngsters who initially underperform are unfairly damned. As a result, expectations and price-tags the following season are often times greatly reduced.
Texas’
Chris Davis(notes), who is currently only owned in just 47 percent of Yahoo! leagues,
is a prime example of how owner restlessness creates gigantic value.
A season ago, the Rangers’ slugger was the darling of the
fantasy sports world. Pundits and experienced players alike hoisted the future
home run king onto an unreachable pedestal, drowning the unproven commodity
in unwarranted adoration. Blessed with prodigious raw power and an everyday gig
in an RBI-friendly lineup, Davis,
it seemed, was destined to "Crush" a lot.
However, prolonged droughts spurred by a lack of plate
discipline led to a dramatic downfall. Sporting a .202 BA and dreadful 44.1
strikeout rate by the end of June, he, deservedly so, was banished north to Oklahoma City. In the eyes of the eager, his reputation was
forever tarnished. Justin Smoak(notes) would soon make him a complete afterthought.
Instead of wallowing in minor league exile, Davis, under the guidance
of OKC hitting coach Scott Coolbaugh, retooled his approach, suppressing his
overly voracious demeanor at the dish. When recalled in late August, he was a
different player compiling a .308 BA with six homers and 26 RBI in 133 at-bats. Loose-fitting fan toupees were still in peril whenever he stepped into
the box, but his 27.1 K percentage during that span was a significant
improvement.
This past offseason, the 24-year-old continued to work hard
building on his late-season success. The results this spring have been
eye-opening. Granted it’s a small sample, but he’s collected 18 hits in 44
at-bats with two homers and 10 RBI. More importantly, he’s posted an 11:3 K:BB
split (25.0 K%). Davis
credits his cooler persona for the turnaround. From MLB.com:
"I’m a singles machine," David joked. "A couple of
those singles came with two strikes. That’s big. I’m not a stranger at swinging
at balls in the dirt, but that’s when hitting to the opposite field comes in,
not trying to do too much but just put the ball in play."
Manager Ron Washington has been impressed with his young
power hitter’s mental strides noting he’s "not over-swinging" and "controlling
the strike-zone." That frame of mind has regained the skipper’s confidence.
From the Dallas
Morning News:
"Everything he’s been through,
there’s still people who are going to doubt Chris Davis," Washington said.
"But I don’t doubt Chris Davis."
Although Washington
admittedly is a recreational "skier," his words couldn’t be truer. The fantasy
masses shouldn’t doubt Davis.
His light-tower power, shortened swing and entrenched spot batting sixth in a
loaded Rangers lineup bode well for a breakthrough campaign. With an ADP of
150.97 according to Mock Draft Central – Jorge Cantu(notes) territory – he is quite
possibly the greatest power grab in the middle rounds of mixed leagues.
Unless you’re in a deep mixed or AL-only league, Davis isn’t your primary
choice at first base. The position is brimming with boppers. But because he
also qualifies at power-strapped third, Davis, who has 686 career MLB at-bats
under his belt, is the prototype post-hype sleeper who will pay an enormous
dividend. Minus steals, a Mark Reynolds(notes)-like production leap isn’t
unfathomable.
Too bad his acquired patience won’t rub off on the fantasy
masses.
Fearless Forecast:
501 at-bats, .269 BA, 32 HR, 98 RBI, 82 R, 3 SB
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