With Washington third baseman Ryan Zimmerman on the 15 day disabled list with an abdominal strain it’s time to look for his fantasy replacment, Alberto Callaspo.
Analysis: Alberto Callaspo has been one of the most underrated fantasy infielders over the last two years. Callaspo is a career .280 hitter just now entering his power prime and chip in second base eligibility in some fantasy leagues and you have a winner. Callaspo strikes out less than ten percent of the time for his career and he only swings and misses at strikes at a 3.7% clip. Thus far this year Callaspo is hitting .324 with two bombs and five runs batted in. He’s a fine replacement for Ryan Zimmerman for the time being and if this is his breakout power year then you have some trade bait down the road. Callaspo is a very underrated third basmean especially in roto leagues where his batting average is consistently good and yet he still puts up the counting stats hitting in the middle of that Angels order. Callaspo does have the potential to hit well over .300 this year as he sports a career .290 BABIP which is bound to come up.
Projection: Expect at least a .290 batting average with 14 home runs and 70 RBI. This isn’t a guy who should be available on the wire yet he’s available in over sixty percent of fantasy leagues nationwide. This just may be the year Callaspo breaks out but even if he doesn’t he will quietly produce.