David DeJesus - Fantasy News & Updates
David DeJesus - Fantasy News & Updates
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DeJesus wasn't able to build on his career year of 2008, leaving him on the waiver wire in many leagues before an ankle injury and a bout with the flu ended his ‘09 campaign early. With his 30th birthday approaching in December, time is running out for DeJesus to establish himself as something more than a middle outfielder.
DeJesus ends the season with a .281 batting average, 13 home runs, 71 RBIs, 74 runs and four steals. Although these are solid figures for an AL-only option, DeJesus disappointed with a decrease from his .307 batting average and 11 stolen bases that he produced in '08. The 29-year-old looks set to return to the left field spot for the Royals next year.
DeJesus, who is ill, remained in Kansas City and missed his fourth straight game. "He's still sick, that's all I can tell you," Hillman said. "I know he's still running a fever. Beyond that I don't know what his travel plans are, and I can't give you any updates I don't have. I don't know when we can expect to see him." Stay tuned.
With rain soaking the field in Kansas City on Monday afternoon, manager Trey Hillman decided to give the two players the night off. Of the two, DeJesus is the closest to returning. "If it was dry, [DeJesus] could probably push it a little bit and go, but it's still a little sore," Hillman said.
No word on the severity of either injury so stay tuned. Willie Bloomquist took over in right field as Mitch Maier switched to left field in place of DeJesus. John Buck took over behind the plate for Olivo.
DeJesus' game was on full display Sunday as he slapped out a trio of singles and put himself in position to score a run. The scrappy outfielder has enjoyed his typically solid campaign in '09, hitting .280 with 12 homers and 67 RBIs.
It's been a solid yet unspectacular streak for DeJesus, who is hitting .307 during that span. Coming off an impressive August in which he batted .324 with five homers and 17 RBIs, the Royals left fielder has yet to get it going in September. Time is ticking for him to prove he deserves an everyday job.
DeJesus has shown an unusual bit of power during a 12-game streak in which he's hit safely 11 times. The left fielder has gone yard four times during that span to help supplement a .380 batting average.
It's shaping up to be another classically Dejusian year for the Royals leadoff man. DeJesus has struggled a bit on the basepaths this season, getting thrown out seven out of 11 times, but he's still managed to cross home 62 times and jack 11 dingers. His next long ball will tie his career-high of 12 that he set last year.
As disappointing as DeJesus has been in the average department (.268), his power numbers are picking up speed. The veteran left fielder has laced two homers and a triple in his last three games, putting him on track for career highs in both categories. He's already matched one high-water mark with nine triples and needs only two dingers to reach his previous high of 12.
Not that you should rely on DeJesus for his home runs, but understand that when he does go deep it'll likely be off a righty. Of his 22 home runs from 2008-09, 21 have come against right-handers. His lone homer off a southpaw during the two-season span came last year. Given that he's also hitting .280 vs. righties against a .236 batting average off left-handers, it's safe to platoon the outfielder depending on the starter he faces.
The long ball ended a 15-game power outage for DeJesus. Despite his minimal pop, he hasn’t gone more than two games between hits since the end of June, and is batting .302 with 13 extra-base hits and 21 RBIs over the last 42 games. While the 29-year-old left fielder doesn’t offer a whole lot to owners outside of AL-only formats, he has been a great source of triples, as he’s legged out eight three-baggers to pace the AL.
DeJesus struggled to get his average above .250 during the first half of the season, but surprised many with an uncharacteristic display of pop, sending seven balls out of the yard before the break. Since the mid-season intermission, DeJesus has undergone a complete reversal, ripping better than .300 in July and August but with only a single home run to his credit. If the veteran can regain his power stroke, he'd make a fine option for deep mixed leagues down the stretch.
After a mediocre first half by his standards, DeJesus has started to hit with some consistency since the All-Star break, batting .302 with 13 RBIs and 10 runs in 23 tilts. Owners in deeper mixed leagues who are thin in their outfields may want to monitor the 29-year-old left fielder going forward.
DeJesus has been fantasy's quintessential fourth outfielder for a few years running, thanks to his consistent – yet hardly spectacular – production across the board. This year has been no different as the 29-year-old has put up .263 average with 53 RBIs and 46 runs scored.
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