Fantasy Profile: Jon Jay, OF, St. Louis Cardinals

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.

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Fantasy Profile: Jon Jay, OF, St. Louis Cardinals

LWOS Ranking: 65, Captain’s Value: $7.03

Jon Jay is often an overlooked option for many fantasy owners, especially those in shallow leagues.  He certainly is not a flashy player as he does not dominate any single particular category and has often had to contend with other players on the Cardinals roster for playing time.  Over the last 3 seasons Jay has only managed to average 4 HRs, and 51 RBI per season.  Although he has displayed moderate speed as he has averaged 12 SBs over the past 3 seasons.  With inconsistent at bats over the course of the season fantasy owners may have found it difficult to start or even roster Jay, as he has been limited in his ability to produce the counting stats.

One key category that Jay continues to provide fantasy owners season after season is batting average (.295 Avg. 2012-2014 over 1,404 ABs).  There may be more value with Jay than ever this season however; as he is currently penciled in to be the everyday starting CF for the Cardinals which should result in increased counting stats this season.  There is also a possibility that Jay could be seeing work as the leadoff hitter this season due to his consistent ability to get on-base (.360 career OBP.).  As a leadoff hitter Jay could see over 600 ABs this season for a ball club that has consistently ranked at the top of the NL over the past 3 seasons in runs scored.  Additionally if Jay can maintain his well above average batting average, a fantasy owner could seriously benefit from his production in that category.