Sleeper of the Week

After nearly ten seasons in Colorado, Larry Walker has been dealt to the Cardinals, giving him the chance to play for a contender at last. Thanks to his seemingly unending list of injuries, Walker has been one of fantasy baseball’s most frustrating players in recent years, and his owners won’t receive the news that he’ll be leaving Coors Field with a smile, no matter how potent a lineup he now joins. However, there is a bright and shiny silver lining to this latest post-deadline trade. To paraphrase Madonna (or Esther, or whatever name she goes by these days): Holliday! Celebrate!

Following Walker’s departure, Matt Holliday should now receive the opportunity to play every day. Holliday’s overall numbers may not be terribly gaudy (.289 average, .352 OBP, 10 HR, 41 RBI in 287 at bats this season), but his home-raod splits are worth noting. In 49 games in the thin air of Denver, the young outfielder has hit opposing pitchers to the tune of a .338 average, with 7 HR, 27 RBI and a .995 OPS. Playing away from the Rocky Mountains, his OPS is a mere .642…

Exemplifying Holliday’s prowess at home and struggles on the road are his BB/K splits. While this ratio has been close to even in games at Colrado (17/23), on the road, where breaking pitches have considerably more movement, he has earned just eight free passes while striking out 41 times.

Thanks to these splits, Holliday should have considerable value down the stretch in any league that allows daily lineup changes. Simply set up a fantasy platoon, starting him at home while using another OF when the Rockies hit the road, and enjoy his production at Coors. Any hitter who can post an OPS of nearly 1.000 in half his games is well worth sacrificing a bench spot.