After contracting baseball's worst case of Valley Fever, Conor Jackson logged his worst performance in the majors.   Jackson has been hyped for years and displays the batting eye and skills to be a steady .300 hitter. That has not happened and his power has yet to develop.  His career high is 15 home runs and many speculated that he'd finally top that last year.  The end result leaves a big question mark for what to expect in 2010. 

Here are three reasons why Jackson could be a comeback fantasy player in 2010:

o              Has the potential to maintain a .300 batting average;

o              In only 99 at-bats he stole five bases last season and stole 10 the year before; and

o              He'll bat in a meaningful spot in the order so the runs and RBIs will flow even if the power doesn't come

Most projections show Jackson topping out at 15 home runs and a .280 or so batting average.  Jackson has consistently demonstrated a strikeout rate on the fringe of elite, while better against lefties he handles righties well and has a career OBP 80 points higher than his batting average.  He has a great batting eye and has often out performed his projected batting average.  These numbers have upsides that could easily see a .300 batting average and 20-25 home runs.  The sneaky values that stabilize his skill set are the stolen bases, runs and RBIs.  The FREE FantasyPros911 Draft Guide projects 7 steals, 85 runs and 75 RBIs but if the power and average head north so will these stats.

Jackson's current ADP is an incredibly low 318, making him the 77th outfielder taken.  Jackson's upside makes him a better later round pick than bigger names like Magglio Ordonez, J.D. Drew, and Melky Cabrera.  His stock should rise between now and draft day, especially if he has a solid Spring Training. Jackson has risk, with upside but also a stable floor.  Given his draft position, he should be a great value to add to your bench with a speculative pick in the later rounds of your fantasy baseball draft.  

For more help with your 2010 fantasy baseball season download a FREE copy of the 2010 Fantasy Baseball Draft Guide and sign up for the Fantasy Pros 911 Premium site!

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Steals and HRs
written by Greg Marta, February 07, 2010

I'm a little more bullish on the steals than our projections. 10-12 looks like a safe bet.

One stat I look at is HR+SB. In a deep format like the NFBC guys around 25 start to become pretty interesting. In my deeper auction league it takes 30+ HR+SB to catch my eye.

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written by Neil, February 07, 2010

He stole 10 bases in 2008 and was on pace for 20 in 2009. But you only think he will steal 7 in 2010? Add the 7 steals to 12-15 HR and you get a total of 19-22 HR plus steals, or a 10-10 guy. That's pretty terrible, although the AVG will be nice.

I like him for .290, 13 HR, 13 steals, with runs/RBI depending on playing time/health. I will be targeting him toward the end of my draft, but his upside reminds me of Loney, with a bit more speed.

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