FanPost

"40 in 40" - Youkilis, Kevin

Kevin Youkilis - #20 (1B/3B)

Bats: Right, Throws: Right

Age: 32, Size: 6'1" 220lbs

Acquired: Drafted in the 8th round of the 2001 amateur draft

Contract: $12,000,000 (2012-12 mil, 2013-13 mil TO or 1 mil buyout)

Comments: Youkilis came up in the Sox organization riding the moniker 'The Greek God of Walks" thanks to Moneyball and his proficiency for getting on base. Youk has added to his on-base ability and become one of the better hitters in the game and one of the most underrated players. You very seldom hear Youk mentioned among the best players but as you will see in the Unique Stats section, his numbers speak for themselves. In 2010 Youkilis was firing on all cylinders and on his way to possibly his best season to date when injuries cut short his season. Even so, in 435 PAs he managed a 0.307/0.411/0.564 slash-line and 19 HR. This marked the third season in a row of 0.900+ OPS ball for Youkilis. He has developed into a 25-100 RBI man from the middle of the Sox order who gets on base 40% of the time. Not too shabby for an 8th round pick.

Career Stats:

PA: 3292

BA: 0.294

OBP: 0.394

SLG: 0.497

OPS: 0.891

wOBA: 0.386

wRC+: 132

ISO: 0.203

HR/SB: 112/23

Unique Stats: Using the past 4 years (2007-2010) Youk ranks are as follows: 13th in overall WAR with 19.5, T-5th in wOBA (w/Hanley Ramirez) at 0.400 (This is above the following: Ultey, Fielder, Teixeira, Braun, Dunn, Wright, Mauer, Werth, etc.). 5th in OBP at 0.400 (one of only 5 players with a better than 40% on-base percentage). According to wOBA/wRC+ he is the 3rd best hitting 1B in the majors over the past 4 years (behind only Pujols and Cabrera)

Analysis: Youkilis moves back across the diamond where he started his Sox career to accomodate Adrian Gonzalez. His overall defensive value may take a bit of a hit while manning the hot corner, but he should be adequate if not above-average. He should team with Gonzalez in the middle of the potent Sox lineup and assuming he stays healthy should be a lock for 20-25 HR, 100 RBI and potentially 100 Runs.

Projection: 0.298/0.394/0.507 - wOBA - 0.391 25 HR 103 RBI

This ends the "40-in-40". What started 42 days ago - way back on December 16th has been fun and although I missed a day and the Okajima/Ramirez/Fox scramble required an extra post, I was able to keep pretty much on par. Hope you enjoyed the series - unitl next year

-BZ