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In a fantasy baseball draft, oftentimes some very solid players are to be had in the extreme late rounds who could help your team as starters or as great fill-in options. The owner who does not take insane gambles with their last few picks and chooses solid players who have good track-records will often be the owner you see competing for a championship. Perhaps no one is as interesting for late-round consideration in 2014 as the Cleveland Indians‘ Nick Swisher.
In 2013, Swisher played in a healthy 145 games batting a disappointing .246 with 22 HRs and 63 RBIs. His on-base percentage was an acceptable .341, as he drew 77 walks in 634 plate appearances. Of his 135 hits, 27 were doubles and two were triples, which gave him a total of 51 extra base hits when adding them to his aforementioned 22 HRs. Swisher’s season was a bit underrated and comparable to Miami Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton, who also finished the 2013 campaign with 51 extra-base hits.
Currently, Swisher is ranked as the 199th best overall option and carries an average draft position (ADP) of 204.6 across many fantasy baseball host sites according to the fantasypros.com charts; meaning he is being drafted in the late 20th or early 21st round in most drafts.
While Swisher is far from an overwhelming statistical offensive player, he has hit 20 HRs in nine straight seasons, and historically hovers around a .375 on base percentage. The outfielders eligibility at first-base also increases his value, as he can fill-in and start on a myriad of slots on your roster.
Swisher is currently sandwiched in between the Houston Astros‘ Chris Carter (204.2 ADP) and the Milwaukee Brewers‘ Khris Davis (206.4) as far as outfielder ranks. If you find yourself in the scenario to pick between the three, take Swisher, as he is on a better team who expects to contend after making the playoffs last season and has a far more proven track-record.
Timothy Downs is a fantasy sports writer for www.RantSports.com. You can add him on Google or follow on Twitter @Tidow1212.
