With Matt Holliday wearing an Oakland A’s uniform, Todd Helton a shell of his former self, Garrett Atkins' power declining and Troy Tulowitzki needing to prove that 2007 wasn’t a complete fluke, who will drive in runs in Coors Field in 2009?
 

Brad Hawpe, that’s who. Brad Hawpe, forgotten man and bona fide 2009 Hidden Value. 

 

Hawpe has been remarkably consistent over the last three years. Check out his stat lines:

Hawpe’s slightly disappointing 2008 due to missing time with a hamstring injury actually works to your benefit in 2009. The further he slips in drafts, the better his value gets. Hawpe may have been overrated in 2008, but 2009 represents a real buying opportunity. 

 

SPLITS
 

The major knock on Hawpe was his difficulty with left-handers and the fact that this could lead to a platoon situation or decreased playing time. Hawpe improved against lefties in 2008, hitting .282 against them, an encouraging sign that he’s overcoming this deficiency in his game. 
 

His performance against lefties in 2008 almost ensures that he won't be faced with a platoon situation. The Rockies need him to be stable with the other question marks and young players they have patrolling the OF, and will give him every opportunity to play 150+ games in right field, where he also has one of the best arms in the league, despite being a converted first baseman who’s been known to make his share of errors.
 

Hawpe’s home/road splits were also startlingly similar in 2008, destroying the conventional wisdom that he’s a product of his environment. Hawpe actually hit for a higher average on the road, though he still hits for better power in the friendly confines of Coors Field. 

 

NEW ROLES, NEW RESPONSIBILITIES
 

Hawpe, along with Chris Iannetta, will play for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic. Just like young players entering their third year who improve in part due to the confidence that they belong in the big leagues, Hawpe will likely benefit from being acknowledged by his peers on such a high level, on a world stage. Such a boost cannot be underestimated. 
 

The WBC acknowledgment also accompanies a change in team role. The Rockies expect Hawpe to step into the cleanup role and fill the void left by Holliday, as he’s likely their best source of raw power. Hitting cleanup will also create more RBI opportunities, which in turn increases his fantasy value. Colorado will lean on Hawpe more than ever in 2009, and if the cast around him improves he could be in for a monster year. 
 

Hawpe’s .301 BA and .901 OPS in the second half of 2008 give fantasy owners a glimpse of his potential over the course of a full campaign. Hawpe still doesn’t make enough contact to equal Holliday’s high batting average, but his impressive walk rate, consistently in the mid-teens, will ensure he gets on base. Hawpe also turns 30 in June, an age that often represents a power peak for hitters. In the barren NL West, Hawpe could be a top-5 bat. 

 

WHERE YOU CAN DRAFT HAWPE
 

In 2008, when Hawpe was a 7th rounder, overpaying for him seemed silly. In 2009 mock drafts, however, Hawpe’s ADP currently sits at 134 overall, or 11th round in a 12-team league, after guys like Nelson Cruz, Milton Bradley, and Johnny Damon. 

 

In the FantasyPros911 mixed-league OF rankings, Hawpe ranks 34th, behind Andre Ethier, Jayson Werth and Lastings Milledge. Hawpe’s boasts a track record longer than these three hitters combined, and still has upside. 

 

Before you buy into off-season hype, ask yourself: who would you rather pick, a 29 year old unproven career minor leaguer like Nelson Cruz, or a consistent big-league run producer like Hawpe?

 

 

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Tags: Brad Hawpe  2009 drafts  Hidden Values  Matt Holliday  Colorado Rockies  Troy Tulowitzki  Garrett Atkins  Todd Helton  Nelson Cruz  Johnny Damon  Milton Bradley  Lastings Milledge  Andre Ethier  Jayson Werth  outfielders  Chris Iannetta  World Baseball Classic  Coors Field  Gabriel Lundeen  Oakland Athletics