Coco Crisp

2013

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2012

Crisp battled a litany of leg-related injuries again in 2011, though he stayed on the field for more than 130 games for the first time since 2007. While his overall OPS dropped nearly 100 points to a very pedestrian .693 (including a woeful .314 OBP), Crisp provided plenty of rotisserie value with 49 steals, eight homers and 54 RBI. Look for Crisp to deliver similar production after returning to the A's with a two-year deal as a free agent.

2011

Crisp battled a litany of injuries in 2010, including two separate stints on the DL with a fractured finger that delayed his season debut until late May and ended his season in mid-September. He was a roto monster in between, swatting eight homers, driving in 38 runs, scoring 51 times and swiping 32 bases in 75 games. That's a 16-76-102 and 64 steals season prorated out to 150 games to give you an idea on the type of production we're talking about. Staying healthy has long been a problem for Crisp, and the A's aren't exactly known for staying healthy as a club in recent years either, but there's a ton of upside here with the team's offseason additions given their propensity to run under Bob Geren.

2010

Crisp was suppose to be the leadoff hitter that the Royals lacked entering 2009 after being obtained in a trade from the Red Sox last winter. However, Crisp's season was cut short as he underwent rotator cuff surgery on his throwing shoulder after appearing in only 49 games. With Crisp's health uncertain, the Royals declined his 2010 option making him a free agent. Crisp lacks the high OBP coveted in a leadoff hitter, but he's blessed with superb speed and great plate discipline. Prior to his injury, Crisp was thought of as an above-average defensive outfielder. He likely enters 2010 as a backup at all three outfield spots after signing with the A's. Given Oakland's lack of offensive production in the outfield in 2009, there's a good chance he'll collect 350-plus at-bats if he's healthy.

2009

Crisp was not supposed to begin the season in Boston after being dangled in trade talks during the offseason and spring training. It's a good thing for Boston that he wasn't traded as Jacoby Ellsbury had long stretches of futility and the Red Sox endured some injuries. He never really produced with the bat in his three seasons in Boston, but he remains an elite defender while being a stolen base threat. The Red Sox eventually traded Crisp during the offseason to Kansas City for reliever Ramon Ramirez. He's not much of an OBP guy, but Crisp should 600 at-bats as the Royals starting center fielder and leadoff man.

2008

Crisp was very ordinary at the plate, but was a defensive marvel in 2007. Even in a down season, Crisp had 28 steals, giving him some fantasy value. He appeared to have lost the center field job to Jacoby Ellsbury in the postseason, and Crisp's affordable contract makes him an attractive trade commodity. If he and Ellsbury are on the team to start the season, Crisp may be the fourth outfielder with reduced at-bats.

2007

When listing disappointments for the 2006 Red Sox, Crisp's poor season has to rank at or near the top. Hailed as the heir apparent to Johnny Damon, Crisp broke his left index finger early in the season and never really recovered. He would later suffer from kidney stones, an injured shoulder and a re-injury to his left index finger, which eventually had a pin placed in it. Given this litany of injuries, it's completely reasonable to write off Crisp's poor 2006 performance as injury-related. When healthy, he's a solid base-stealing threat who can hit around .300, especially in Boston's loaded lineup. However, be aware that Crisp doesn't walk much. He's expected to hit down in the batting order, where the Red Sox are more likely to take advantage of his speed on the base paths.

2006

A move from center to left makes him more valuable, as he was only adequate in center but has nice range in left. Increased command of the strike zone and continued success at getting the most out of his ability could push his home run totals over 20 as he reaches his prime years.

2005

Crisp had a fine first full year in the major leagues, holding down center field for much of the year after getting off to a slow start. A contact-hitting leadoff man, Crisp has good speed, but is still learning pitchers and he needs to draw more walks. He has hit markedly better as a left fielder than as a center fielder in both 2003 and 2004, suggesting a pattern. Grady Sizemore is the Indians' center fielder of the future, but Crisp is more polished at this point. Crisp has a good future with the Indians and could steal 30 bases and score 100 runs for them in 2005.

2004

Crisp is the rabbit of Cleveland's lineup, if he's given the at-bats. He will be a decent source of speed, but will need to improve his ability to get on base to provide anything more. Crisp will be in the hunt for a roster/lineup spot with Matt Lawton, Alex Escobar, and Ryan Ludwick, all the while looking over his shoulder as Grady Sizemore races through the Tribe's farm system. He's likely Cleveland's fifth outfielder.

2003

Once touted by Baseball America as the best hitting prospect in the Carolina League (St Louis minor league POY in 2001), "Coco" was a Linda Cohn favorite in 2002. Crisp was a free swinger at the major league level (.314 OB in 127 at-bats) but demonstrated decent plate discipline at the minor league level. He projects as a 4th or 5th outfielder who could prove to be a cheap source of steals if he gets any semblance of playing time.