RADIO
Kevin Kiermaier 2020 Outlook: Power-Speed Combo Later in Drafts
5 years agoKevin Kiermaier has not topped 500 plate appearances since 2015, although his 480 last year was his personal high in that span. Despite the injuries, he has stolen 16+ bases in four of the previous five seasons. His 29.4 MPH average sprint speed ranked 23rd in all of baseball last year. So you know the wheels still work, but you can add in that he is good for some power too. He’s hit 14-15 HRs in the last two seasons that he reached 420+ plate appearances (2019, 2015). And more could potentially be on the horizon if he remains healthy. His 33 percent hard-hit rate in 2019 was a career-best. Ideally, he would lift the ball more, as his fly-ball rate has dipped in each of the last three seasons, which does cap his HR upside. Still, he has the rare power-speed combo that you usually have to pay up for, but due to the health concerns tied into his value, he has an ADP of 343.6. Steamer projects him for 17 homers and 18 stolen bases, albeit in 555 plate appearances. I will take the under on PA, but performance in the range of 15-15 is possible. Imagine the upside if he can ever stay healthy for a season. You can see why it can be tough to quit this guy, right?
