Melky Cabrera 2015 Projection

Jul 18, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays left fielder Melky Cabrera (53) hits a single in the sixth inning in a game against the Texas Rangers at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

One of the bigger moves of the offseason was Melky Cabrera leaving the Toronto Blue Jays in favor of the Chicago White Sox. Still playing in a hitter-friendly park, what are Cabrera’s projections as we head into the 2015 season?

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While he was with the New York Yankees, Cabrera was not much of a power hitter. It wasn’t until his final season in 2009 that he cracked over 10 home runs, 13 to be exact. He struggled the following season, but quickly bounced back in 2011. He played well in 2012 and had two remarkable seasons with the Toronto. With the lineup protection he had with the Blue Jays, namely Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion, I was surprised that he left.

But, with the White Sox, Cabrera has some of that same protection. He is likely to bat second, behind Adam Eaton and ahead of 2014 superstar Jose Abreu and veteran Adam LaRoche. Abreu and LaRoche clobbered 62 combined home runs in 2014. With those two players behind you, Cabrera should get his fair share of pitches to hit.

Cabrera has become more of a power hitter and less of a get-on-base kind of guy. He could easily hit .300, but his OBP would not be too much higher. Expect an 0-for-4 outing every now and again, but the possibility of a two-home run, 4 RBI game is worth the risk.

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The park factor also plays into the upside of Cabrera in 2015. U.S Cellular Field ranked 13th in home runs and seventh in runs scored per hitter in 2014. Rogers Centre ranked third and ninth, respectively. He will still be able to put up his power numbers in Chicago.

Despite entering the 2015 season at the age of 30, Melky will be two years removed from his spinal injury. A healthy Cabrera can only mean big things for him and his fantasy owners. With an ADP of 156.2, a .280 hitter with the possibility of 15 home runs and 70 RBI will be hard to come by that late.

If you are in need for a fourth outfielder, Cabrera should be the guy you target.

Projection: 14 HR, 63 RBI, .287 AVG, .342 OBP. Drafted in Round 15.