Denard Span

2013

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2012

Span looked on track to bounce back from a disappointing 2010 season before his year was ruined due to injury. He was hitting .300/.367/.392 before suffering a concussion on June 3. He tried to stay in the lineup, but had a setback and played just 14 games after June 6. He did return for the last week of September and finished the season without any issues and reports on his health have been good in the offseason. It sounds like he'll be ready for the start of spring training. Before the concussion, it looked like he was back to drawing walks at the high rate he had before 2010 and his slugging percentage was close to the .400 level that's likely needed to maintain a starting job. When healthy, Span has a good eye at the plate and a high contact rate while offering speed on the bases. If healthy, he'll return as Minnesota's starting center fielder.

2011

Span disappointed at the plate last season in his first full season as Minnesota's center fielder after rotating outfield positions the previous two years. In Span's first two seasons he showed a strong ability to get on base, but hit just .264 with a .331 OBP last season. He also saw a dramatic drop in power as he slugged just .348. While he drew fewer walks last season, he still had a good eye at the plate by walking nine percent of the time and had a good contact rate (60:74 K:BB rate). He also may have been a victim of bad luck with a BABIP (.295) well below his career average. And he did play with a sore shoulder after June. He improved his proficiency on the basepaths (20-of-30 in stolen base attempts, though he was picked off nine times), and his speed boosts his fantasy value. He also has upside in the runs category since he'll hit leadoff again ahead of Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau. Several defensive metrics showed Span held his own in center field, but opinions were mixed on his range. He'll begin the season as Minnesota's starting center fielder, and there are reasons to believe he's a bounce-back candidate, but his defense and power are not strong enough for him to keep his starting job if his ability to get on base doesn't return to 2009 levels.

2010

Span showed his unexpected rookie success was no fluke and he enters 2010 as Minnesota's starting center fielder after the trade of Carlos Gomez to Milwaukee. Span has shown strong plate discipline (70:89 K:BB rate) and a good contact rate in the majors that's likely to continue to result in a .300 batting average. He also helps fantasy owners with speed on basepaths (23 steals) and could score 100 runs with his on-base skills and batting ahead of Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau. Span rotated among all three outfield positions last season, but will take over everyday duty in center field in 2010. Some defensive metrics showed he was a below average center fielder, but he was above average in the Metrodome's expansive left field and has the speed and instincts to perform well in center field. Either way, he'll be a much needed source of OBP as Minnesota's leadoff hitter and could help fantasy owners in four or five major categories.

2009

Span established himself as an everyday outfielder and leadoff hitter last year in a surprise breakout season. Span showed little power or plate discipline in the minors, failing to slug over .355 at Double-A or Triple-A. Span completely turned his game around once the Twins told him getting on base was the key to winning a job in spring training. Span started to take more pitches and became a walk machine, first at Triple-A and then when called up when Michael Cuddyer got hurt. The only question for 2009 is where he'll play. The Twins have four spots for five regular players between the outfield and DH with Cuddyer expected back from injury. He could start in right field again or also split time at DH or center field. Either way, if he continues to defy his minor league track record, he could develop into a fantasy star with strong plate discipline and good speed on the bases.

2008

The 20th overall pick in 2002 was once thought to be the heir to Torii Hunter. His defense has lived up to the billing, but his bat indicates he'll be nothing more than a reserve outfielder in the majors. He hasn't slugged over .355 at Double-A or Triple-A the last two seasons, which shows he'd have a hard time staying in a major league lineup. His speed would make him valuable as a reserve if he does get called up at some point in 2008.

2007

Span may be the best athlete and defensive outfielder in the Minnesota system, but his development at the plate stalled last season with a slugging average of just .349. He's been called the heir to Torii Hunter in center field, but that now looks questionable. If the toolsy 20th overall pick in 2002 is going to make an impact in the majors, he'll need to rebound in 2007 with a big season and make the jump to Triple-A.

2006

Span had a breakout season in 2005 that had him quickly climb the list of the best hitting prospects in the Minnesota organization. The toolsy 20th overall pick in 2002 showed his strong second half in 2004 signaled a turnaround to his career. He gets on base at a good rate, plays strong defense and has speed, but needs to reduce his caught stealings to become a base stealer at the major league level. A strong 2006 season could make him a factor with the big league club in 2007. Some are calling him Torii Hunter's eventual replacement in centerfield, but we wouldn't go that far yet.

2004

Span, Minnesota's 2002 first-round draft pick, hit .273/.343/.319 with 34 runs scored and 14 stolen bases in 50 games for the Elizabethton Twins in the Appalachian Rookie League. He's Minnesota's leadoff hitter of the future but is several years away.