A Closer Look: Cubs Third Baseman Aramis Ramirez

Coming into the 2010 season, I ranked Aramis Ramirez as the #6 fantasy third baseman due to his solid power and batting average. To say that he has been a disappointment this season is an understatement. Not only has he missed about 40 games due to injury, he has not hit for a high BA. As of this writing, he is hitting a measly .232-.290-.431 with 17 HRs and 56 RBIs in 332 at bats.

Ramirez has provided decent power numbers this season, as his ISO is .199, which is the same as his ISO for 2009. His BABIP of .237 is well below his career BABIP of .288 and is a career low. Injuries appear to have affected his batting average more than his power.

Ramirez's batted ball data, per Fangraphs, shows that he is hitting less line drives than in 2009-17% vs 21% in 2009, and his FB% has increased from 44% to 56%. Fantasy owners would prefer to see his LD% around the 20% range, because a hitter's batting average tends to be highest on line drives vs ground balls and fly balls. So, in addition to injuries, his reduced LD% has contributed to his lower BA in 2010.

One other stat tha jumps out at me is his strikeout rate. Ramirez is striking out in 20% of his at bats, vs a career average of 15.5%. His BB% is right around his career rate of 7%, so that is a positive.

But, there is reason for optimism, as Ramirez has hit well since the All-Star break. Since the ASB, he is hitting .295-.343-.558 with 7 HRs and 24 RBIs on a bad Cubs team.

Going into 2011 drafts, I think Ramirez will again be one of the top 5-7 third baseman taken in fantasy drafts, as long as he can stay healthy in the offseason and in spring training. But fantasy owners know that he comes with some risk, as he missed alot of time in 2009, garnering only 342 at bats, and again in 2010.