Fantasy Spotlight: Randal Grichuk

Throughout the month of March, theScore examines hitters who represent their team's most intriguing fantasy plays. This edition focuses on St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Randal Grichuk.

2015 in Review: 350 PA, .276/.329/.548, 49 R, 17 HR, 47 RBI, 4 SB

The Good: Despite only 103 games and 350 plate appearances, Grichuk put up solid power numbers, and his .329 OBP was respectable considering his high strikeout rate. His hard-hit ball rate of 36.9 per cent, as tracked by FanGraphs, ranked him 25th among hitters with at least 350 PA.

His 2015 rate stats were much improved from the marks he registered during his 47-game MLB debut in 2014 (.245 BA, .278 OBP).

The Bad: Grichuk struck out in 31.4 per cent of his at-bats, or just over once per game. His batting average was helped by a BABIP of .365, so if he isn't quite as fortunate on balls in play in 2015, his rate stats could suffer. His ability to hit the ball hard should help to produce a higher than normal BABIP, though.

Two separate spells on the 15-day disabled list cut into his season, and Grichuk has been plagued by injuries at different points in his pro career.

Best Comparison: Astros OF Colby Rasmus

What's in Store: Grichuk is penciled into the everyday CF role and should also bat cleanup in a lineup that is somewhat weakened by the loss of Jason Heyward. He may struggle to reproduce last season's 1:19 AB:HR ratio, but is still in a good position to put up reasonable power numbers.

Draft Outlook: Grichuk will be a mid-round selection in most standard leagues, though concerns over his rate stats and durability could drop him further. Raw power at the expense of batting average and OBP can always be found at the end of a draft, but Grichuk has enough upside early in his career that he'll be chosen well ahead of the likes of Mark Trumbo and Chris Carter.