The fantasy draft season is upon us and all of the chatter out there is usually discussing which player to take after Mike Trout (the unanimously anointed #1 draft pick of the 2015 draft season). And yet, most fantasy owners know that the picks made late in the draft are usually the ones that make the difference between raising flags of victory and checking out in July. So for those fantasy owners that are looking for the outfield steals of 2015, may I submit the resumes of two players that may just fit the bill.
Outfielder Draft Value
Dexter Fowler, Chicago Cubs
Dexter Fowler made the most of his residence in the Mile High City, as he showed sparks of a legitimate power/speed combo as a member of the Colorado Rockies. From 2012 through 2013 as a 4th outfielder where he averaged 12 HR, 15 SB, with a .281 Avg, excitement was abound entering the 2014 season where he was billed as the full-time center fielder for the Astros; yet somehow fantasy owners seemed to have soured entering 2015. Fowler quietly produced moderate power and speed as the leadoff man for the Astros (8 HR, 11 SB). Additionally Fowler proved that as the leadoff man he could provide his squad with scoring opportunities, evident by his .375 OBP in 2014 (.374 OBP 2012-2014). So if he could get on base why did he not produce more counting stats? Let’s keep in mind Fowler was a steady on-base machine in a land of young free swinging power bats, which limited consistent opportunities to score, as he rarely saw the green light. This season Fowler is slated as the leadoff hitter for the Cubs and has traded Chris Carter (.227 Avg./36% strikeout rate 14′) as a clean-up hitter for Anthony Rizzo (.286 Avg./18% strikeout rate 14′).
Alejandro De Aza, Baltimore Orioles
In keeping with the theme of revisiting once heralded/now forgotten potential five category threats, may we discuss Alejandro De Aza? De Aza was once a prized prospect of the Marlins followed by the White Sox. When finally given the chance for full-time at bats in 2012 he stole 26 bags with a .349 OBP over 585 at bats. He followed that with a 17 homer 20 SB effort in 2013. Entering 2014, hopes were riding high for potential De Aza owners; unfortunately he served up a disappointing .243 Avg. and lost his spot in the daily lineups by the All-Star break. De Aza found new life in Camden Yards when he was traded to the Orioles at the end of August. The Orioles immediately plugged him into the lineup, as he rewarded their trust by slugging .537 over 82 at-bats in September. De Aza figures to be the starting left fielder for the O’s in 2015 and will start the season in a lineup that led the majors in HR in 2014; which may mean opportunities will be a plenty for De Aza in 2015, as he will likely be a draft value.
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