Scott Hatteberg

2013

There was no outlook written for Scott Hatteberg.

2008

We said last year that 2006 was as good as it gets for Hatteberg - we were wrong. Hatteberg set career highs in OPS (.868) and slugging percentage (.474) while getting on base at a superlative .394 rate. The Reds did a nice job of making sure he didn't face left-handed pitching, getting just 39 at-bats against them. Despite his excellent season, he could be chained to the bench in 2008 should the Reds follow through with their commitment to play Joey Votto. Then again, either he or Votto could be used as a bargaining chip to land a pitcher. Either way, expect Hatteberg's playing time to be limited, particularly early in the season.

2007

What Hatteberg did for the Reds in 2006 is as good as it gets for him. He'll get on base at a good rate against right-handers, while providing only middling power for a first baseman. Against lefties he's nearly helpless (.231/.333/.346). With only 41 strikeouts in 456 at-bats, he's unique on the team in that regard, but that's about the extent of his value. The Reds will find a platoon-mate for him, and it's possible we could see Joey Votto playing first for the Reds by August.

2006

The infatuation, and subsequent long-term contract, for Hatteberg on the part of the cash-strapped A's was never fully understood by those not named Billy Beane and the four-year relationship ended on a sour note: Giving Hatteberg 464 AB of .343 slugging helped sink the A's offense. No matter how many pitches you see per plate appearance, you still have to hit the ones right down the middle. The A's declined a contract option, making Hatteberg a free agent. Peanut vendor seems the only role he could fill for an AL club.

2005

Hatteberg improved on some rather ghastly 2003 numbers (.383 slugging anyone?) but even with the bump, a .787 OPS from an AL first baseman isn't helping a team struggling to score runs. He'll figure in the mix at 1B and DH again this season.

2004

An AL team struggling to score runs needs more than a .383 slugging percentage from their first baseman, no matter how good his approach at the plate might be. The A's locked him up mid-season to a contract that runs through the 2005 season in one of the more curious moves of the Billy Beane Era. Wasn't the whole point of un-earthing Hatteberg to prove you could find useful players without having to pay them big bucks? First basemen who hit .270 with 12 HRs aren't a hot commodity in roto ball. They're J.T Snow, in a good year.

2003

Now that he's exhausted his catcher eligibility, he joins the ranks of lower-tier first basemen from a fantasy standpoint. With the talk of Oakland wanting to add at least one more bat to its lineup, Hatteberg could find himself back to his typical part-time role. His four home runs in the second half put to rest any hopes of a 20-HR season. Was a fine roto catcher last year in many leagues. Don't look for a repeat performance.