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Sure, you can make fun of his name because it resembles a popular breakfast cereal, but Coco Crisp doesn’t care. He’s too focused on starting off the 2013 campaign as one of the hottest players in baseball. Still, many people out there aren’t sold on the 33-year old as a legitimate fantasy superstar. So, that raises the question, is Crisp for real?
To put it simply, I am coo coo for Coco Crisp.
Through 18 contests this season, Crisp is batting an impressive .319 with five home runs, 11 RBI and seven stolen bases. He is doing a little bit of everything right now. Crisp also just recently passed Austin Jackson, another guy I am high on, for the AL lead in runs scored (20). Currently, in head to head leagues, Crisp is second among all fantasy players behind Justin Upton. In points leagues? You guessed it. He is first. Look, do I expect a 33-year old, injury prone outfielder to stay up there in the rankings? No, however, I do think if he can stay relatively healthy, he is poised for a stellar fantasy campaign.
That’s the real question. Can he stay healthy?
Throughout his career, Crisp has played less than 100 games in a season a few times and has never played more than 145 games in a year. Sure, fantasy owners should expect to miss Crisp for various stints at a time, but due to his start this season, you can’t ignore his production. The veteran is a smart batter, holding a strong strikeout-to-walk ratio, walking 13 times while only striking out six. Granted, the power won’t be there all year long, seeing as his career high in home runs is 16. But, if owners can get 15 home runs and 40 steals from Crisp (a realistic projection), I’m sure they will be more than content. Crisp won’t be a fantasy superstar by any means, but that’s not the question. Crisp, barring injury, will be a legitimate fantasy outfielder this season, finishing the season inside the top 20 at the position at least. Despite the age, the speed is certainly still there, he is a smart, patient hitter, and if the Athletics can continue scoring at their current pace (1st in league in runs with 119), Crisp will reap the fantasy benefits.
Adam Pfeifer is a featured fantasy sports columnist for Rant Sports.
You can follow him on Twitter @aPfeiferRS.
