Howie Kendrick (2B, LAD) - 2016 Fantasy Baseball Sleepers

BALLER MOVE: Target ~240

ADP: 258

ANALYSIS: Howie Kendrick has always been able to produce an above-average batting average for his fantasy owners, as evidenced by his career .293 average. As a young man, his game also featured speed and double digit power, giving him value to spare. As a veteran, those homers and steals have begun to fade away, but that batting average keeps staying in the .290s. Last year was no different, as Kendrick hit .295 with nine home runs and six stolen bases in 464 at-bats, driving in 54 runs in the process.

Kendrick's second year in Dodger blue should be very similar to the one he had last year. Over the past three seasons, he has averaged around 10 home runs, 61 RBI and nine stolen bases, all while hitting .295. That is, if he can stay healthy. This spring, a calf injury has slowed Kendrick down, keeping his stats slightly (.261 average, one home run, zero stolen base attempts) while shedding doubt over his regular season availability.

But with Kendrick's injury a minor one, one that he is currently working through in minor league camp, fantasy owners should take advantage of any fellow owners scared off by injury concerns. Word that he could start the season on the DL will only further drive down the asking price for our experts' 20th-ranked second baseman, making Kendrick a wonderful choice for a late round IF/MI target and batting average boost.