2K17: Delino Deshields

[Teenwolf]

Spring training "best shape of my life story" fully in tact, and I'm buying...

The story: after a great 2015 rookie season, he decided that he wanted to muscle up over the offseason and try to hit for more power. This is evident in the results of his 2016, higher K rate, lower BB rate, 4 HR in 182 AB compared to the prior year's 2 HR in 425 AB... Whoopty-woo, that doesn't do much for fantasy owners when his SB goes down from 25 to 8.

This spring, he decided to slim down to regain his 65-70 grade speed. Early results are extremely promising.

Spring 2011-2016: 149 AB, 11 SB, 7 CS
Spring 2017: 51 AB, 11 SB, 0 CS

I think this rabbit just found another gear, and he's going to attempt to lock-down the leadoff spot with Texas this year... even if his bat struggles a bit at times, I can still see his increased speed resulting in 30-40 SB if he's able to lock down 450-ish PA.

I bring him up because I've read almost zero hype about him elsewhere, and I want to get the credit.

[Hornsby]

Spring training "best shape of my life story" fully in tact, and I'm buying...

The story: after a great 2015 rookie season, he decided that he wanted to muscle up over the offseason and try to hit for more power. This is evident in the results of his 2016, higher K rate, lower BB rate, 4 HR in 182 AB compared to the prior year's 2 HR in 425 AB... Whoopty-woo, that doesn't do much for fantasy owners when his SB goes down from 25 to 8.

This spring, he decided to slim down to regain his 65-70 grade speed. Early results are extremely promising.

Spring 2011-2016: 149 AB, 11 SB, 7 CS
Spring 2017: 51 AB, 11 SB, 0 CS

I think this rabbit just found another gear, and he's going to attempt to lock-down the leadoff spot with Texas this year... even if his bat struggles a bit at times, I can still see his increased speed resulting in 30-40 SB if he's able to lock down 450-ish PA.

I bring him up because I've read almost zero hype about him elsewhere, and I want to get the credit.

And the blame as well, I assume?

[joncarlos]

But where is he going to play? Assuming they keep Choo at DH, then LF is wide open, but they've got to play Profar somewhere.

[bryanbutler]

But where is he going to play? Assuming they keep Choo at DH, then LF is wide open, but they've got to play Profar somewhere.

wait for the go-go implosion. (and i thought profar *was* playing LF?)

[Moonlight J]

But where is he going to play? Assuming they keep Choo at DH, then LF is wide open, but they've got to play Profar somewhere.

How much does he need to play to have value with his speed potential? In AL Only, where speed is so suppressed, I was targeting him Saturday but ran out of funds

[onejayhawk]

But where is he going to play? Assuming they keep Choo at DH, then LF is wide open, but they've got to play Profar somewhere.

A platoon is certainly possible.

By keep Choo at DH, do you mean off DL? That has been the real challenge.

J

[chancellor]

There's a long list of opportunities - Profar, Rua, and DeShields will all be in line for the LF role, plus the injury risk for Choo, the potential for regressive suckage for Carlos Gomez, and he can play 2B in the much less likely event Odor gets hurt. Worst case scenario is he plays the role Jarrod Dyson did for a number of years in KC - play 1-2 games a week, pinch run 2-3 times a week, and lands 20-25 SBs in that role. Best case is poor play and/or suckage puts him in a full-time role, he hits acceptably, stays healthy and steals a gajillion bases.

[joncarlos]

There's a long list of opportunities - Profar, Rua, and DeShields will all be in line for the LF role, plus the injury risk for Choo, the potential for regressive suckage for Carlos Gomez, and he can play 2B in the much less likely event Odor gets hurt. Worst case scenario is he plays the role Jarrod Dyson did for a number of years in KC - play 1-2 games a week, pinch run 2-3 times a week, and lands 20-25 SBs in that role. Best case is poor play and/or suckage puts him in a full-time role, he hits acceptably, stays healthy and steals a gajillion bases.

True. The good news for Deshields is that any injury to a non-catcher probably helps him, because if Andrus/Odor/Beltre/Napoli get hurt, Profar probably fills in there and opens up LF.

[cavebird]

True. The good news for Deshields is that any injury to a non-catcher probably helps him, because if Andrus/Odor/Beltre/Napoli get hurt, Profar probably fills in there and opens up LF.

This is the key--while DeShields was once a 2B, they certainly wouldn't play him there with Profar (who is a perfectly adequate shortstop) hanging around, but it does still open up a spot, at least a platoon one. And, I imagine he plays 2-3 games a week anyway, as Profar will spell just about anyone on the field and he'll get the starts against righties in left.

[kawaise]

Whew .... one week, 3 PA, 2 ABs.

It's a long season, but gotta suspect there are some frustrated Deshields owners right now.

[Hornsby]

Whew .... one week, 3 PA, 2 ABs.

It's a long season, but gotta suspect there are some frustrated Deshields owners right now.

Bottom line is that he's simply not very good. He had one weird season in the bigs, sank back down to AAA, and is lucky to be where he is right now. IF he stays on the roster, he'll somehow get 20 steals, but he'll do little else for you. I wouldn't be surprised if Gallo stays and plays super sub along with Profar when Beltre comes back...