Jerry Hairston Jr.

2013

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2012

Hairston hit .274/.348/.379 after coming to Milwaukee in a July trade. He then went on to have a stellar postseason at the plate. The Dodgers invested in him with a two-year deal in December where he'll almost certainly be deployed in a typical utility role. He's been pretty predictable at the plate over the years, so don't be fooled by what you saw in October.

2011

Hairston collected 430 at-bats in 2010, his highest total since 2001, but he really wasn't that productive for fantasy owners. Speed is still his primary asset, but it never really surfaced last season as he battled through shin splints. His batting average was poor and he had trouble getting on base, so it's unlikely that even if he was healthy the entire time, he would have produced better results. One of his most attractive features coming into 2010 was his eligibility at almost any position, but going into 2011, he'll only be eligible in the middle infield. That fact, coupled with his age, make Hairston someone most owners will only look to when injuries hit.

2010

Hairston dodged the injury bug last season on his way to playing 131 games, his highest total since 2001. Unfortunately, the extra playing time didn't translate statistically, as his steals decreased by more than half from the previous year despite his 130 additional plate appearances to work with. Perhaps a change of scenery will liven him up on the basepaths, because if he's not stealing bases, his minimal power abilities won't be enough to keep fantasy owners interested.

2009

Hairston had his most productive season in terms of his rate stats, but made three separate trips to the DL, limiting him to 80 games. He'll qualify at both shortstop and the outfield in most leagues, and his speed is enticing for fantasy owners. The Reds may regret penciling Hairston in as a leadoff hitter - his .361 BABIP inflated both his batting average and his OBP; his walk percentage was only .08, less than most of the better leadoff hitters. He needs to hit for a high average to help his team, given the minimal power output.

2008

Hairston battled numerous injuries in 2007, and will likely not return to Texas after he wasn't offered arbitration.

2007

Hairston saw his playing time evaporate following a mid-season trade to Texas. He's not running as often or as well as he did when he came up with Baltimore, which makes his roto value marginal at best. Designated for assignment, he'll have to look elsewhere to land a utility role.

2006

Hairston's per at-bat numbers were almost exactly in line with his career averages, and that's not a good thing, especially now that he doesn't run quite as well as he used to. Assuming Todd Walker is dealt, and manager Dusty Baker lets Ronny Cedeno have a fair shake, look for Hairston to compete with Neifi Perez for at-bats at second base and also serve as the team's fourth outfielder.

2005

Hairston has the capacity to lead off for the Cubs given his improving on-base skills and good speed, but he's sorely lacking in power for a corner outfielder. He'll compete for time in left field, and he could also see some at-bats filling in at second base for Todd Walker occasionally.

2004

Hairston missed most of 2003 after sustaining a foot injury in May that ruined a promising season. He came back in September, but the rust showed and the foot didn't appear fully healed. He'll be a key returnee, starting at second base, but with the signing of Miguel Tejada at shortstop, Hairston will be pushed for playing time by Brian Roberts, so a quick start will be vital to secure his playing time.

2003

Hairston did nothing with leadoff spot last season, eventually losing it, and his second base job in May. He recovered nicely in the second half (.291 AVG, .355 OBP with 12 steals), in part because he was willing to walk more. He'll begin the season as the club's leadoff hitter and starting second baseman, but we want to see a higher OBP to warrant spending good money on him.