Justin Morneau, 1B, Minnesota Twins

July 21, 2006 @ 16:00:00

By Brad Berreman
Edited by Ryan Dodson

Minnesota Twins 1B Justin Morneau has seen a surge in his numbers in 2006. He ranks among the American League Leaders in home runs (25), RBIs (78) and slugging percentage (.588) so far this season.

After a disappointing 2005, when he hit just .239, Morneau is hitting .306 so far in 2006. His on-base percentage, which was .304 in 2005, is .352 so far in 2006. 

Morneau has already eclipsed his 2005 home run total, 22, in roughly 60 fewer games in 2006. He is also nearly to his 2005 RBI total, 78, so far in 2006.

In early 2005, Morneau was hit the head by a pitch from Seattle Mariners LHP Ron Villone. After returning to the lineup, he seemed much less confident at the plate, and it showed in his numbers for the season. He was just simply a different player.

2006 has brought a realization of the potential Morneau has as a power hitter. The emergence of outfielder Michael Cuddyer as a solid, consistent hitter and catcher Joe Mauer leading the American League in batting average in the No. 3 spot in the order has made Morneau better as well.

TABLE: JUSTIN MORNEAU, 2005 AND 2006 STATS

YEAR	HR	RBI	AVG	OBP	SLG	2B	BB	K	TB
2006	25	78	.306	.352	.588	18	25	60	194
2005	22	79	.239	.304	.437	23	44	94	214

Morneau has been more selective at the plate. Note his 48-point increase in OBP and only 19 fewer walks thus far in 2006 than he had all of 2005. Morneau still has only taken a walk every 13.2 at bats so far this season. He is at or near most of his numbers from all of 2005 so far in 2006. Morneau still strikes out a little too often, every 5.2 at bats in 2005 and every 5.5 at bats so far in 2006, but that’s a product of being confident and aggressive at the plate. High strikeout totals are common to most power hitters.

At just 25 years old, Morneau should be able to keep putting up good numbers for years to come. He has the ability to hit the ball to all fields, which speaks well for not getting into extended slumps. As long as the lineup around him remains solid, and possibly regardless if it does or not, Morneau should be a solid fantasy first baseman the rest of 2006 and into the future.

His fantasy value is as high as it has ever been, so it's probably not real wise to acquire him right now. However, if you can find an owner who doesn't believe, then he's a nice pickup for the stretch run.

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Brad Berreman
Brad Berreman has been a KFFL contributor since 2004.

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