Carl Crawford (OF, LAD) - Waiver Wire Pickups

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ANALYSIS: Since 2010, there have been 22 instances of a player hitting .300 while swiping at least 23 bags on the base paths; Carl Crawford accomplished this feat last season in just 343 AB. Crawford also added a solid 8 HR, 46 RBI, and 56 R. Prorated to a 500 AB season Crawford's line from his 2014 campaign would look like a .300 AVG with 12 HR, 67 RBI, 82 R, 34 SB. To put it in perspective, only Jacoby Ellsbury, Matt Kemp, Mike Trout, and Crawford himself (in 2010) have reached those thresholds in a single season this decade.

Crawford is a career .292 hitter and his BABIP (Batting Average on Balls in Play) was only slightly above his career average last season (.335 vs .328) so expect the average to stay in the .290-.300 range. Crawford is projected by many to hit 2nd in a loaded Dodgers lineup, which should be a good position for him to rack up plenty of runs and stolen bases as he tries to set the table for the heart of the lineup. The Dodgers had Crawford attempt 29 steals last season, and with stolen base specialist Dee Gordon traded to Miami in the offseason Crawford may be asked to run even more this year.

At this point in Crawford's career, injuries are always something to worry about, but assuming Crawford stays healthy, a 500 AB season as mentioned above isn't out of the question. He won't produce at the same pace as last season, but if he gets the at-bats, he is going to rack up some very valuable numbers. If he's still available on your league's waiver wire, go ahead a pick him up. My Projection: 440 AB, .295 AVG, 10 HR, 55 RBI, 70 R, 25 SB.