WAVE Batting Leaders

Using the WAVE projections for batters, here are the top 25 players in batting average, ranked in order.

RANK	PLAYER	AVG	RANK	PLAYER	AVG
1	Howie Kendrick	.347	14	David Wright	.319
2	Matt Diaz	.344	15	Placido Polanco	.319
3	Hanley Ramirez	.335	16	Joe Mauer	.318
4	Ichiro Suzuki	.334	17	BJ Upton	.318
5	Matt Holliday	.333	18	Todd Helton	.318
6	Chipper Jones	.332	19	Robinson Cano	.317
7	Albert Pujols	.330	20	Michael Young	.317
8	Dustin Pedroia	.326	21	Ryan Garko	.316
9	Vladimir Guerrero	.325	22	Magglio Ordonez	.316
10	Miguel Cabrera	.325	23	Freddy Sanchez	.315
11	Moises Alou	.325	24	Curtis Granderson	.314
12	Derek Jeter	.324	25	David Ortiz	.313
13	Delmon Young	.324

Analysis:

• Matt Diaz, the NL Batting Champ? As I mentioned in his write up, he's been a consistent high AVG hitter both in AAA, and in the Majors. He hit .318 against RHP in 2007, and is in line for a full time job in 2008. Even if a .344 seems high, with an ADP of 304.3, Diaz can be had cheaply, and late, in most drafts. He's an asset for any team in need of a high AVG, and a good guy to pair up with an Adam Dunn or Jack Cust type.
• Howie Kendrick, the AL Batting Champ? At 24, and with plenty of upside, Kendrick won't come cheaply. However, most projection systems aren't calling for such a major hike in batting average. If you draft him at a .315 hitter's dollar value, and he turns in a .347 season for your fantasy team, you've still netted yourself quite the bargain. Also, the news that Howie will run more in 2008, with manager Mike Scoscia indicating that he thinks Kendrick could steal 30 bases, gives a boost to his value. Kendrick is currently the 10th second baseman to go off the board according to ADP, but I would be comfortable taking him 5th.
• Moises Alou's value is limited, as he's likely to miss 4-6 weeks due to a hernia.
• Delmon Young batted only .288 in his rookie season in '07, but WAVE is projecting a massive hike of .036 points up to a .324 AVG in 2008. Much like Kendrick, he's too young and has too much upside to come cheaply, but if others in your pool are convinced he's a .290 hitter, it will be worth going the extra dollar for.
• Nobody seems to notice, but Placido Polanco consistently hits for good averages, and should come relatively cheaply.
• Many point to BJ Upton's huge K totals and assume the average will decline. It's possible, but I point out his good walk rate, and young age, as indicators of potential growth. CBS has Upton projected at a .279 AVG, compared to WAVE's .318. He's a 23 year old potential 30/30 man with second base eligibility, being drafted as late as the 5th round in some leagues.
• WAVE has Ryan Garko projected at a .316 AVG, good enough for 21st in the Big Leagues. He's a sleeper at first base, with the potential for 30 HR, and an ADP of 203.4. I wouldn't draft Todd Helton (ADP - 144.96), Kevin Youkilis (ADP - 178.11) or Carlos Delgado (ADP - 189.89) ahead of him.