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2015 Fantasy Baseball Sleeper: C Wilin Rosario

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By @bradberreman24

Wilin Rosario, Fantasy Baseball, Colorado Rockies

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Colorado Rockies catcher Wilin Rosario had a down season in 2014, hitting .267 with 13 home runs and 54 RBI over 382 at-bats. He missed time with a left wrist issue and a viral infection, but his poor surface numbers helped bury improved contact (82 percent) and walk (5.6 percent) rates.

Rosario topped 20 home runs in both 2012 (28) and 2013 (21), so better health brings hope for a rebound in his age-26 season. Should fantasy baseball owners be optimistic about Rosario in 2015?

The Rockies were reportedly thinking about trading Rosario earlier in the offseason, but that talk has cooled off and he has reportedly been working out at first base and in the outfield recently. Staying in Colorado is obviously good news for Rosario’s offense, as he posted a slash-line of .343/.387/.540 at Coors Field last season, versus .185/.212/.321 on the road.

Rosario’s platoon splits were also fairly dramatic in 2014, with a .317/.346/.644 slash-line against left-handers and a dismal .249/.290/.359 slash-line against right-handed pitchers. Rosario did hit five of his 13 home runs in 2014 against right-handers, but otherwise the imbalance in his numbers is a concern.

Rosario did play four games (three starts) at first base last season, but in most fantasy leagues he will only enter the season with eligibility at catcher. If he does see enough action in the outfield (10 games in most leagues) and obviously sees the requisite time at first base, Rosario could be eligible at three positions fairly quickly.

Under the assumption of a fully healthy season, and playing other positions putting him in the lineup virtually every day, Rosario is an easy bet to hit 20 home runs again in 2015. He has averaged 29 home runs and 95 RBI per 162 games played thus far in his career, with a home run every 19.7 at-bats.

Rosario should be a draft day value after his struggles last year, and he still offers upside that is rare to find behind the plate. If he finishes 2015 as a top-10 fantasy catcher, I will not be surprised.

Wilin Rosario 2015 Fantasy Projection: .270 batting average, 23 home runs, 65 RBI, 59 runs scored

Brad Berreman is a Columnist/Senior Writer at Rant Sports.com. Connect with him on Twitter or Google +.

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