Franklin Gutierrez: After a hot start, 7 home runs and 4 doubles in his first 103 AB, Gutierrez has gone into a power slump, 1 extra-base hit in his last 34 AB. He is still showing a nice power/speed package, a perfect 6 for 6 on the basepaths. A low Ct% of 69% and poor batting eye of .19, combined with a lucky BHIP% of .317 points to some serious downside in his .277 batting average. He is just 24 years old, so his power is still growing, but the inflated batting average and crowded Indians outfield makes him more of one to watch for next year rather than now.
Akinori Iwamura: Iwamura's power is well below league average, 3 home runs in 307 AB, and is certainly not the kind of power numbers a team looks for in a third baseman. Although he does have some speed, 6 triples, he has been a poor basestealer, 5 caught steals in 13 attempts. Once his .305 BHIP% normalizes, he won't even contribute in batting average. With hot prospect Evan Longoria waiting in the wings, Iwamura's days as a starting third baseman are numbered.
Mark Kotsay: From 2000 to 2005 Kotsay was good for batting average, some pop, and a few stolen bases, although he was always a poor percentage runner. Chronic back problems have sapped his power, 7 home runs in 128 AB in 2006 and just 1 home run in 190 AB this year, and he no longer runs on the basepaths, 1 for 2 in 2007. Even though it is not reflecting in his current batting average of .226, he still maintains an excellent approach at the plate, 91% Ct% and a 1.06 BB/K. A .177 BHIP% is causing the low batting average. AL-only players looking for batting average help could pick up Kotsay and ride the upside, just don't expect help in other categories.
Nick Punto: Brian Buscher's injury could open up an opportunity for Nick Punto to reclaim the third base job. He completely lacks power, 1 home run and 13 doubles in 343 AB, which would make him at best a temporary solution. Speed is his main asset and he takes advantage of it by working counts, 11.4% BB%, to get on base, but without the power, he should be making better Ct%, 82%. A .207 BHIP% is depressing his .210 batting average, so if you are desperate for steals, pick up Punto and as a bonus you may get some batting average help.
Chone Figgins: With his blazing speed, 31 steals, and high batting average of .340, Figgins has more than made up for missing the first month of the season with a broken finger and his horrible month of May, .156 batting average. At some point, his .345 BHIP% will normalize, and without much power combined with an average approach at the plate, 85% Ct% and a .66 BB/K, his batting average should come down. However, if healthy, he will continue to provide plenty of steals.
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