Quick Fantasy Baseball Prospect Report: Michael Saunders

Michael Saunders 2009 Triple-A Statistics

248 At-Bats

.310 Batting Average (77 Hits)

13 Home Runs

32 RBI

58 Runs

6 Stolen Bases

.378 On-Base Percentage

.544 Slugging Percentage

.342 Batting Average on Balls in Play

What you need to know

In 122 AB in MLB, he hit .221 with zero HR, four RBI, 13 R and four SB.

He showed improved strikeout rates at Triple-A, with a 19.4 percent mark, but it ballooned back up in the Majors (32.8 percent in 122 AB).  Considering he has struck out 28.0 percent of the time for his entire minor league career (1,630 AB), that number is very believable.

Ranked by Baseball America as the Mariners No. 2 prospect heading into 2010.  They cite his strikeout problems saying, “because he works deep counts, Saunders likely will continue to strike out at a healthy pace.”  That’s going to make it nearly impossible for him to hit for a solid average.

He has some speed, having stolen 29 bases back in 2007, but he hasn’t really shown it the past two seasons (a combined 22 stolen bases). 

He’s likely ticketed back to Triple-A to start the season, with Franklin Gutierrez, Milton Bradley, and Ichiro Suzuki slotted to open the year in the outfield.  If Ken Griffey Jr. struggles in the DH spot, however, Saunders should get an opportunity.

He has some pop, but over his minor league career, he’s posted a flyball rate of 34.6 percent.  In the major leagues, he was at 38.7 percent.

It’s hard to imagine huge home run totals with that type of mark, considering there were 80 players last season with a 38.0 percent mark or better.  It’s easy to point to Alex Rodriguez (37.7 percent) and Miguel Cabrera (36.8 percent) as a few examples with lower flyball marks, but they had HR/FB of 22.7 percent and 18.3 percent, respectively.  You can’t expect that type of mark from Saunders.

It’s hard to imagine him being a very usable option in 2010.  The strikeouts alone make him tough to lean on because how can you expect him to post a halfway decent average?

What are your thoughts on him?

What type of upside do you see for Saunders?

Do you see any way he’s worth using in 2010?

Make sure to order your copy of the Rotoprofessor 2010 Fantasy Baseball Draft Guide, selling for just $5, by clicking here.

You can read other recent Prospect Reports including:

• J.P. Arencibia
• Jake Arrieta
• Phillippe Aumont
• Jason Castro
• Allen Craig
• Aaron Crow
• Kyle Drabek
• Todd Frazier
• Christian Friedrich
• Jeremy Hellickson
• Daniel Hudson
• Jay Jackson
• Carlos Santana

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