Fantasy Profile: Marlon Byrd, OF, Cincinnati Reds

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: Marlon Byrd, OF, Cincinnati Reds

LWOS Ranking: 69, Captain’s Value: $2.61

Marlon Byrd has surprised many fantasy owners with this resurgence in fantasy production over the past two seasons.  Byrd has averaged 24 HRs and 86 RBIs per season over the past two seasons, while playing for 3 different teams (Mets/Pirates/ and Phillies).  In 2015 he will be a starting outfielder for the reds and get to hit in the friendly confines of Cincinnati for half of his games.  Many fantasy owners have high hopes Byrd to continue to produce power and drive in runs in his new home, and if he falls far enough in a draft he could be a steal for fantasy owners.

It is important however to point out that Byrd is entering 2015 at age 37 and is slated to play in the outfield, which may be seen as more of a health risk than if he were to play first base or DH in the AL.  Additional signs of concern for Marlon Byrd include his above average .344 BABIP in 2014, and the fact that his strikeout rate sky rocketed to 29% last season vs. his 17.8% rate over the previous 4 seasons.  Fantasy owners may be able to draft Byrd’s production at a value on draft day, however it is advisable to be prepared for a regression in performance in 2015.