LestersLegends.com » Jose Lopez

1. Will Hideki Matsui continue to produce?
He will turn 36 this summer so expectations should be tempered. He’s also leaving the HR Haven that is Yankee Stadium. Plus, the Angels’ lineup is not as formidable as the Yankees was. Given his injury risk and new home, he’s a player I would avoid in 2010.

2. Will Scott Kazmir continue to pitch well for the Angels?
After a miserable 2009 with Tampa Bay, Kazmir pitched well for the Halos posting a 1.73 ERA in six starts. He is always an injury risk, but should post a low ERA. Getting away from the Yankees and Red Sox should help. Don’t expect a ton of strikeouts from Kazmir though, as 2007 was more the exception than the rule.

3. Outside of Kurt Suzuki, will the A’s have any decent fantasy players on offense?
Rajai Davis will get you a bunch of SBs. Other than that it’s a crapshoot. The only dark horse is Jake Fox, who could possibly put up a bunch of HRs for Oakland.

4. Will Jose Lopez have a monster year?
With Ichiro and Chone Figgins setting the table, Lopez should have plenty of RBI opportunities. He averaged 92.5 RBIs the past two years, and should go over the 100 mark this year. See where he ranks among Second Basemen.

5. Will Ichiro win the batting title?
With Chone Figgins hitting behind him and Joe Mauer playing in a new ballpark, I think Ichiro is the favorite to take home the batting crown.

6. Will Chris Davis bounce back?
Davis was everyone’s darling last year and he fell short of expectations thanks to his .238 average . He still managed to hit 21 HRs though, and was a force in September and October hitting .318 with 5 HRs and 21 RBIs in 110 ABs. Look for him to be better in 2010.

7. How will the move to Texas affect Rich Harden?
He’s pitched in the AL West before so he has a brief track record at Ranger Ballpark. It’s not pretty though. In five starts he has a 7.66 ERA, a 2.01 WHIP, and a .330 BAA. Couple that with his injury history and he’s a player I’d avoid on draft day unless he came at an absolute bargain.

Here’s a look at some players who got out of the gate early last year.  It may be wise to target these players late in the draft and move them if they start hot again.
 
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José López
 - Lopez’s three best career months for average are April, June, and May.  His average is 29 points higher before the All-Star break for his career, and despite playing in 30 less games he has 20 more Runs, 20 more Hits, 8 more Doubles, 7 more triples, 1 less HR, and 39 more RBI.  Additionally, his OBP is 26 points higher, slugging percentage 51 points higher, and OPS is 75 points higher before the break.

Derrek Lee – Lee tore it up last April hitting .371 with 24 R, 8 HRs & 23 RBI in 26 games.  In
the other 129 games he hit .274 with 69 R, 12 HR, and 67 RBI.  If he starts out that hot, with his name recognition, you might be able to turn him into a nice upgrade.

Justin Upton - Upton tore it up to a tune of .340, 14 R, 33 H, 6 Doubles, 5 HRs, and 15 RBI in 26 April games.  In the remaining 82 games he hit a miserable .216 with 38 R, 45 H, 13 Doubles, 10 HRs, and 27 RBI.  He hit just .221 in August and December in his 2007 debut.

Casey Kotchman - Kotchan came out sizzling hitting .321 with 6 HR, and 30 RBI in 53 games through May.  In the next 90 games he hit just .243 with 8 HR and 44 RBI. 

Jeff Keppinger – Jeff is a career .287 hitter, but has hit .329 in April and May, including hitting .333 last year during those months.  He had 21 of his 43 RBI (49%) in 38 of his 121 games (31%).  He should be available late in drafts.  You can use him to provide depth, or as trade bait if he gets off to another great start.

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