Deep Fantasy League Fishing: Rangers Willie Calhoun
By Brad Kelly
Willie Calhoun came to the Rangers last season in the Yu Darvish deal. But, could Calhoun already be the most intriguing fantasy player involved?
The Texas Rangers had a mediocre 2017 season, that saw them finish fourth in the uber-competitive AL West. They were sellers at the trade deadline, yet netted one of the more intriguing prospects in the game in Willie Calhoun.
Could Calhoun already be on fantasy sleeper lists?
Calhoun was universally ranked as one of top-100 prospects in baseball last season. He further cemented his case with a dynamite .300/31 HR/93 RBI/.927 OPS across AAA.
He is an interesting fantasy option for many reasons. For one, he is built like a fire hydrant and displays his power with ease. His bat speed is off the charts, and his lofty lefty stroke looks perfectly suited for the jet stream in right field at Arlington.
Diving deeper into his batted ball profile, Calhoun’s patience at the plate is another check mark. Over 534 at-bats at AAA in 2017, he notched 61 K to 42 BB.
He notched a 15% LD rate, but offset that with a 46% FB rate. In a day and age where launch angles are a hot topic, Calhoun’s profile suggests he can mash.
The power was not a fluke either last season, if not for a ridiculously low .242 BABIP in 2016, his .254/27 HR/84 RBI/.788 OPS line would be all the more impressive. The power is legit.
Now there is the question of where he fits defensively. He wont be able to handle second base with his stature, and with Rougned Odor in town. He is slated to begin the year as the team’s left fielder, giving hin steady at-bats in what should be a solid batting order.
There are some prospects who just seem too perfect of a fit for a designation, and Calhoun on the Rangers is certainly an example. With his raw power, solid plate discipline, great loft and bat speed though, fantasy owners could have a 25+ HR candidate largely being overlooked.
Next: Angels Albert Pujols: Not as bad as you think
Do not make that mistake.