Fantasy Baseball: Is Nick Swisher Safe to Use Again?

After a brilliant 2010 season that saw Swisher hit .288 with 29 home runs and 89 RBI Swisher was a hot commodity heading into the year.

He began the year hitting .204 through May 25th, making his dreadful 2008 season (.219 average) look decent. At least he was hitting a home run every 20.7 at bats that season. He only had two in his first 152 at bats (76 AB/HR).

Since then, Swisher has gone 22-for-72 (.306) with five home runs, which is good for a HR every 14.4 at bats. His hot streak brings his AB/HR rate up to 32.0 for the season. He’s not likely to continue his hot clip, as he averaged 18.3 ABs/HR over the past two years, but it’s a good sign nonetheless.

As is his competence at the plate. Hitting around the Mendoza Line made him too big of a risk. It’s one thing if he was putting up power numbers like Mark Reynolds or Carlos Pena, which could offset his brutal average, but the lack of power only compounded the problem.

Part of his turnaround can be attributed to better luck. After posting BABIPs of .257 and .254 in March/April and May, Swisher is at .310 for June. It’s still a far cry from his .335 mark last year, but it’s still a solid number.

Swisher is still struggling against righties hitting .187 vs. .348 against lefties. He’ll obviously face more righties, so you’ll be limited if you only use him against lefties. If you have the bench depth to do so it’s not a bad plan. Otherwise just sit him against the upper-echelon righties.

What are your thoughts on Nick Swisher?

Also check out:

• The Cutter: Why Dominance Is Shifting from Plate to Mound
• The Need For Speed
• Is A.J. Burnett Due for a Crash?
• Can Nick Markakis Turn His Season Around?
• Fantasy Baseball Free Agent Pool – 2011 Run Scorers Vol. 5