Khris Davis: A Must-Own Outfielder in 2016
By Bill Pivetz
Every year, there are a handful of players that go undrafted, but should be on someone’s team. These players have the talent to give you the edge in one or two stats. Yet, even when the player breaks out, he still remains on the waiver wire. This is the exact case for Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Khris Davis. He had an amazing second half of the year, but still remained unowned. With this, he is someone to own heading into next season.
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After playing in just 56 games in his first season (11 HR, 27 RBI, .279 average), he showed what fans and owners can expect from him the following season. In 144 games, he had 122 hits, 22 HR, 69 RBI, 122 strikeouts and a .244 batting average. Any fantasy owner can appreciate the power numbers, especially from a No. 3 or 4 outfielder, but the high strikeout rate and low batting average are what kept fantasy owners away from Davis.
This season was more of the same. Khris Davis, in 121 games, had 97 hits, 27 HR, 66 RBI, 122 strikeouts and a .247 average. He hit five more homers in 23 fewer games. However, he did have the same amount of strikeouts. He began the season as a 23rd-round pick, 248 overall and 60th among outfielders.
As I mentioned, Davis had an amazing second half. From July 17 to Oct. 4, Davis hit 21 home runs, 48 RBI and .249/.317/.545. While he struck out 78 times in that span, those 21 homers in 71 games is what caught my attention. That was good enough to finish seventh among all hitters.
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I wrote about Khris Davis as a waiver-wire add in mid-August, when he had just six home runs. Surprisingly, fantasy owners didn’t listen. By the end of the season, he was still available in 38 percent of ESPN leagues. You cannot find that kind of production from just any waiver wire addition.
Khris Davis finished 185th among all players on the Player Rater. Based on that, he should be a 19th-round pick in standard leagues next year. However, I think he should be drafted a little earlier. A potential 30-10 season outweighs the low batting average.
He was the best power hitter on the Brewers, leading the team in home runs and slugging percentage. Miller Park is one of the most hitter-friendly parks based on 2015 stats. Khris Davis plays half of his games in Miller Park, which only increases his fantasy value.
I recommend drafting Davis as a top-150 player, and top-40 outfielder.
Projections: 125 hits, 30 HR, 72 RBI, 10 SB, .248 average
Draft: Round 15