Fantasy Baseball Fix : 2011 Kendrys Morales Projections

If you missed the previous entries of the Fantasy Fix click below.

• No. 12 Peter Bourjos
• No. 11 Erick Aybar
• No. 10 Fernando Rodney
• No. 9  Joel Pineiro
• No. 8 Bobby Abreu
• No. 7  Howie Kendrick
• No. 6 Ervin Santana

We reach the top 5 in our countdown of the most fantasy relevant Angels with Kendrys Morales. The artist formerly known as Kendry was ticketed to be the # 1 Angel on this list in the interest of full disclosure. I expected Kendry to return back from that awful broken leg last season  and regain the form that saw him burst onto the scene in 2009. However recent developments have  put Kendrys’ return and season debut in doubt. He could be out for at least the first month of the season. With that ominous cloud hanging over his helmet we had no choice but to bump K-Mo to the number 5 spot.

Lets take a look at what Fantasy Owners should expect from a healthy Morales.

Kendrys Morales had his 2010 season cut short by the infamous walk off plate jump. Unfortunately that same mishap not only appears to be jeopardizing Kendrys effectiveness for 2011 but it also hurts his fantasy value.  Kendrys will start 2011 on the disabled list and could be out until May. Needless to say Morales is attempting to return from a significant injury. While he is undoubtedly a great talent, there is no guarantee he returns to form. The legs and lower half are such a key part of any hitters swing and Morales will have a difficult route back. He’ll need to regain his timing and trust that leg/ankle to handle the torque from his swing. Morales has tremendous bat speed and that should return to him once fully healthy making him an impact player yet again.

The Hangout View:  Kendrys should be moved back a few rounds on draft day and selected in the middle rounds. Most owners will likely move Morales way down their board or take him off  entirely. Lets not forget in his first full season (2009) Morales posted the following totals: .306, 34 HR, 108 RBI, 86 Runs. Although his 2010 season was cut short Kendrys was posting a career high 21% line drive rate at the time of his injury. He is a supreme talent who should not be neglected on draft day. The injury concern is legit but right now its a question of when not if  he’ll return. Fantasy owners can load up on pitching or middle infield help and wait for Kendrys to fall in their lap. Once healthy look for Morales to post the following line:

• .292/.358/.478/ 24 Home Runs, 89 RBI’s , 62 Runs