Edwin Encarnación | LestersLegends.com

Can Edwin Encarnacion Continue to Swing a Hot Bat?

8 May 2012

.
We knew the power potential was there. After all, he has hit 38 home runs over the past two seasons in just 230 games. At that rate he would hit 27 home runs in a 162-game season. Pretty solid number for a player with third base eligibility.
.
He was not without his warts though. Sure, he improved his batting average to .272 last year, which was the first time he cracked the .252 mark since 2007, but he barely drove in any runs.
.
Encarnacion had 55 RBI last year and 51 in 2010. Those are pretty small RBI totals for a guy that hit 17 and 21 HRs respectively. At least he scored runs at a solid clip last year (70) as opposed to 2010 when he managed just 47 runs despite those 21 HRs.
.
So far this year he’s firing on all cylinders. Edwin is hitting .279 with 17 runs, nine home runs, 25 RBI, and four stolen bases in 29 games.
.
If you extrapolate his early start he’d finish hitting .279 with 95 runs, 50 home runs, 140 RBI, and 22 stolen bases. While I don’t think he’ll come close to the home run, RBI, or stolen base totals, a .275-95-35-110-10 line would not be out of the question.
.
He’ll have to hit better on the road to continue his breakout season. He’s hitting just .190 with a .520 OPS away from the Rogers Centre. Sure he’s killing it at home (.377, 1.366 OPS), but he’ll only play half his games there.
.
Edwin is in the midst of a nasty slump where he has just two hits in 21 May at bats, including going 0 for 14 in his past four games. He’s part of a powerful lineup and has the green light to swing for the fences. If you own him, keep riding the wave.
.
.
Also check out:

No Comments

| Posted by LestersLegends | Categories: fantasy baseball, MLB | Tagged: Edwin Encarnación, fantasy baseball, MLB, Toronto Blue Jays |

Jose Valverde and Edwin Encarnacion go on the DL

28 April 2009

Two NL Central foes sent players to the Disabled List today.

The Houston Astros sent Closer Jose Valverde to the 15-day DL because of a strained calf. The NL Saves leader the past two years has been slow out of the gate with just two Saves and a 5.63 ERA. He already has two blown Saves. LaTroy Hawkins will man the post until Valverde can return. Hawk also has two Saves and 3.60 ERA. He blew one Save so far. He has served as Closer in past years, and can be counted on as a short-term fix in the Saves category.

The Cincinnati Reds placed Edwin Encarnacion on the 15-day DL as well because of a fracture in his wrist. Edwin is hitting just .127 for the season with one HR and six RBI. Jerry Hairston, Jr. will likely man the hot corner until Edwin returns. Jerry isn’t hitting much better at .182 with a HR and 2 RBI. He is not worth picking up.

2 Comments

| Posted by LestersLegends | Categories: Uncategorized | Tagged: Edwin Encarnación, fantasy baseball, Houston Astros, Jose Valverde, LaTroy Hawkins, MLB |

Fantasy Baseball – BREAKOUT Corner Infielders

9 March 2009

Here is a list of Corner Infielders who could have breakout 2009 campaigns.

Chris Davis – In half a season (80 games, 295 ABs) with Texas Davis hit .285 with 51 Runs, 23 Doubles, 17 HRs, and 55 RBI. He struggled in August with his average (.228), but he still managed to drive in 20 runs. He rebounded nicely by hitting .325 in September. I think he’ll hit 25 HRs and drive in 100 runs.

Billy Butler – Butler was great after the All-Star Break hitting .305 with 29 Runs, 9 HRs, and 36 RBI in 57 games. He hit .249 with 15 Runs, 2 HRs, and 19 RBI in his first 67 games. He should be able to drive in 80-90 runs if he stays healthy.

Edwin Encarnación – Edwin’s HRs have increased every year from 9 to 15 to 16 to 26. His RBI dropped from 76 to 68, but that, in part, is a reflection of the 38 point dip in his average. If he can get his average in line, he could possibly hit 30 HRs with 90 RBI.