Troy Glaus 3B/SS, Toronto Blue Jays

July 27, 2006 @ 16:00:00

By Kostas Bolos
Edited by Ryan Dodson

The shortstop position has taken its lumps from fantasy owners of late due to a significant drop in production offensively, most notably in the home run department.

Long gone are the days when the likes of New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez and shortstop Derek Jeter, Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Nomar Garciaparra and Baltimore Orioles shortstop Miguel Tejada ruled the landscape and helped evolve the shortstop as more than just someone who could flash a little leather, but instead compliment stellar defense with the ability to hit 25, 30, or in some cases, 40-plus home runs and drive in anywhere between 80-120 RBI per season. Thanks to injury, position switches and decreased production, “The Big Four” has essentially been reduced - at least as far as power statistics are concerned - to Tejada, who is hitting .326 this season, and is on pace to hit roughly 30 home runs with 110 RBI and possibly score 110 runs. 

With the exception of Tejada and Milwaukee Brewers infielder Bill Hall (who has filled in at shortstop in place of the injured J.J. Hardy), shortstops have struggled to deliver the long ball on a consistent basis. Only Hall has surpassed the 20-home run mark with 23 home runs, with Tejada and his 18 homers a not-too-distant second. After that, there is a rather significant drop-off, as San Diego's Khalil Greene is next with 14 home runs, followed by Chicago's Juan Uribe with 13. Texas' Michael Young, who had a nice power season in 2005 with 24 home runs, has struggled so far in 2006 with only eight, while Oakland's Bobby Crosby hasn't quite exploded onto the scene this season as anticipated. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim's Orlando Cabrera, who has flashed some decent power production in the past, has seven homers. Jeter, though he is hitting .347 with 59 RBI, has only six home runs. 

In other words, it's been slim pickings for fantasy owners when it comes to power-hitting shortstops. 

Having said that, one name to keep in mind as we head into the stretch run that can likely solve your fantasy woes at the shortstop slot is Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Troy Glaus. 

Although Glaus is the everyday third baseman in Toronto, he now has shortstop eligibility in fantasy leagues, as he has started eight games at the position this season, thanks in large part to interleague play, where Glaus has made the majority of his starts. With the Blue Jays frantically looking to upgrade the position prior to the trade deadline (light-hitting utility infielder John McDonald is currently the starter), Glaus may or may not see more time at short this season. But in the fantasy game, as you all well know, eligibility is the key, and with the power Glaus has showcased at the plate this season, he is instantly a fantasy upgrade over most shortstops.

Glaus doesn't hit for a high average (currently batting .256, which is only slightly above his career mark of .253), but his 26 home runs and 72 RBI would rank atop all major league shortstops at this point while his .539 slugging percentage would rank second in the majors at the position. Glaus' 186 total bases would rank him in the top five, as would his 68 runs scored. Glaus'.355 on-base percentage would tie him for seventh among shortstops.  

While Glaus has had a knack of getting off to quick starts throughout his career, as he did with Toronto this season, his second half production, when healthy, has been noteworthy. 

Outside of the 2003 and 2004 seasons when Glaus had only 16 and 99 at-bats, respectively, due to injury, he has averaged 19 home runs, 48 RBI and 46 runs scored post All-Star break since 2000. In other words, should Glaus receive roughly 256 at-bats in the second half this season, as he has had the last four healthy seasons, Glaus would be projected to hit roughly 40 home runs, 110 RBI and score 105 runs by season's end – numbers that would rank him favorably with Tejada, fantasy's top rated shortstop. 

Injuries are always a concern with Glaus, and although he has missed a handful of games this season with right knee tendonitis, Glaus has not had to sit out huge stretches of games, usually returning to the lineup the day after missing a game. Expect Glaus to miss a few select games from now until the end of the season, especially with surging utility infielder/outfielder Eric Hinske likely to see more playing time. But it's not enough to scare off owners from attempting to trade for him if not already on your roster. 

Glaus' fantasy value is the highest it's ever been because his eight games at shortstop makes him eligible at the position in most leagues. Glaus' power at the shortstop position is unrivaled, and he's likely to be eligible at the position again next season. This makes him a great keeper option. But if you own him in non-keeper leagues and you already have a good shortstop like New York Mets phenom Jose Reyes, Tejada or Young, you should trade Glaus. His increased value should bring a lot back in return. If you need him however, he is a good source of power for the rest of the year.

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Kostas Bolos
Bolos has been a KFFL Hot Off the Wire Analyst and contributor since 2006.

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