Welcome back to the 2015 Last Word on Fantasy Baseball Guide. Over the next several months we will be releasing player profiles, projections, position rankings, and a number of other articles that will help you dominate your fantasy league this season. Whether you play rotisserie or head-to-head; whether you have a standard draft, a snake or an auction league, and whether its keeper league or a one-year deal; we have all the fantasy information you need.
For the rest of our fantasy baseball profiles and articles, please check out our Fantasy Baseball Guide Page
FANTASY PROFILE: IAN DESMOND, SS, WASHINGTON NATIONALS
LWOS RANKING 1, CAPTAIN’S VALUE: $18.77
Can you name the only shortstop to finish among the top 5 at the position in fantasy for the past three seasons? What about the only player in the MLB to go 20/20 each of the past three seasons? If you haven’t guessed by the title of this player profile, it’s Ian Desmond. At a position marred by injury and offensive mediocrity, Desmond is arguably the top pick. In addition to his consistently great numbers, he has played at least 154 games in 4 of his 5 full major league seasons.
However, there is cause for concern. Desmond’s weakness has been strikeouts. His strikeout rate has steadily increased over the years, and in 2014 it was a horrendous 28.2%, a stunning 6.1% increase from his 22.1% rate in 2013. This might explain the 25 point drop in batting average from .280 to .255.
If Desmond does not do something to improve this, a decline could be on the horizon. However, he is still an elite shortstop, and is a virtual lock for 20/20. Hitting in the loaded Nationals lineup means he should continue to produce good R and RBI totals as well. He should be picked in the 2nd-3rd round of fantasy drafts.
| Year | Team | Pos | G | PA | AB | R | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
| 2011 | WAS | SS | 154 | 628 | 584 | 65 | 8 | 49 | 25 | 35 | 139 | 0.253 | 0.298 | 0.358 | 0.656 |
| 2012 | WAS | SS | 130 | 547 | 513 | 72 | 25 | 73 | 21 | 30 | 113 | 0.292 | 0.335 | 0.511 | 0.846 |
| 2013 | WAS | SS | 158 | 653 | 600 | 77 | 20 | 80 | 21 | 43 | 145 | 0.280 | 0.331 | 0.453 | 0.784 |
| 2014 | WAS | SS | 154 | 648 | 593 | 73 | 24 | 91 | 24 | 46 | 183 | 0.255 | 0.313 | 0.430 | 0.743 |
| 2015 Proj | WAS | SS | 645 | 596 | 77 | 25 | 85 | 23 | 41 | 154 | 0.278 | 0.328 | 0.474 | 0.803 |
FOR THE REST OF OUR FANTASY BASEBALL PROFILES AND ARTICLES, PLEASE CHECK OUT OUR FANTASY BASEBALL GUIDE PAGE.
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