Impact Analysis: Coco Crisp, Kansas City Royals

February 10, 2009 @ 01:00:00

By Eric McClung
Edited by Tim Heaney

Over the last several seasons, Kansas City Royals outfielder Coco Crisp has lost playing time due to several misfortunes. He has suffered a fractured finger, a broken toe and kidney stones. He was even nearly taken out by an ATV driven by the Seattle Mariners mascot.

In need of defensive help and a veteran presence, the Royals traded relief pitcher Ramon Ramirez Nov. 19 to the Boston Red Sox, who replaced Crisp in favor of 2008 rookie outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury.

Hot Coco

At the plate, it's easy to tell when the 29-year-old switch-hitter is up. Crisp has a uniquely funky batting stance, chokes up high on the bat and is one of a handful of players not wearing batting gloves. Crisp is a mediocre line-drive hitter with gap power and can spray the ball to all fields.

Although his skill set suggests Crisp should hit elsewhere, he has been discussed as the opening day leadoff hitter by manager Trey Hillman. When used the top of the order, Crisp has had mixed results, hitting .262 with just a .312 on-base percentage in 1,117 career at-bats.

He likes to swing early in the count and has a mediocre strikeout rate - 16 percent or higher in three straight seasons. Also, Crisp does not take many walks but over the last six seasons has been improving slightly in base on balls percentage. However, one thing working in his favor is his season average contact rate of 84.9 percent in the last four seasons.

Crisp is an above-average performer in runs and stolen bases. In each of the three seasons with more than 490 at-bats, he has scored an average of 83 runs. Crisp also comes into this season with 15 or more stolen bases in six consecutive seasons. He has recently set a personal goal of 40 swipes for 2009. Crisp would need to vastly improve upon his lifetime stolen base percentage of 73 percent to make that a reality.

Coming around in 2008

While battling for time with Ellsbury last season, Crisp struggled in the first half with a .259-5-22 line, but he stole 13 bags. He went through a 0-for-23 skid while also fighting hamstring and thumb injuries.

One positive for Crisp was his improved health - reports said Crisp's left index finger, originally broken in the 2006 season, was completely healed by the end of last season. This probably had something to do with his turnaround after the All-Star break - a .315 clip, including a combined .341 in August and September.

Kansas City, here I come

He will use his speed to attempt a drag bunt on occasion. Averaging just seven home runs over the last three seasons, the impact of moving from Fenway Park, a hitters' park, to Kauffman Stadium, a slightly pitcher-friendly park, should be minimal. Kauffman generally hinders power, not average. Crisp has a lifetime .267 batting average in Kauffman. Of his 35 career hits there, six were triples - the most Crisp has anywhere other than Fenway.

Infielder Mike Aviles is likely to remain hitting second. Aviles is coming off an impressive rookie season highlighted by a .325 batting average. Outfielder David DeJesus, endorsed as the No. 3 hitter, is considered the best pure hitter on the team by Hillman. The logical cleanup hitter is outfielder Jose Guillen, who has driven in 97 or more runs in back-to-back seasons.

The rest of the lineup is cloudy but contains some promise. Their young corner infielders and top hitting prospects, Billy Butler and Alex Gordon, are still adjusting to big-league pitching.

Outfielder Mark Teahen has struggled in recent seasons since being moved from third to begin 2007. After playing five positions last season, Teahen could settle in at second base.

The Royals needed a slugger, so first baseman Mike Jacobs was acquired via trade from the Florida Marlins Oct. 30. Jacobs is coming off a career-high 32 home runs and 93 RBIs but also a personal-worst .247 batting average and 119 strikeouts.

Fantasy baseball outlook

Crisp could be a serviceable No. 4 or ideal No. 5 outfielder. His spot atop the order should help him with scoring runs, especially if the Royals lineup gels. Since Crisp is the most successful veteran on the club, you probably won't have to worry about him losing much time outside of injury. His commitment to stealing more bases is a great sign that Crisp will be playing with a chip on his shoulder.

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Eric McClung

Eric McClung is a FSWA member and has been a KFFL contributor in addition to fantasy NASCAR consultant since 2008. His work has been published on several prominent NASCAR websites, and McClung is one of KFFL's featured fantasy NASCAR experts.

He can be followed on Twitter @ericmcclung

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