James Loney

2013

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2012

Just looking at Loney's raw numbers, it's pretty easy to say that he's a first baseman who will hit in the .280s with below average power, a solid RBI count and a good glove. The key question for the free agent-to-be is this: is his 2011 second half - .320/.380/.534 - for real? Hard to say, though we do know that in each of Loney's four full big league seasons that he's yet to top 13 home runs. Loney doesn't strike out a lot and the swing is looks nice, but can he be a 25-homer type guy? The Dodgers are bringing him back for another year in the hopes that he is, but the questions remain.

2011

Loney continues to earn points for consistency, but he's also showing no signs of being an average or better offensive first baseman. In each of his three full big league seasons, Loney has yet to top 13 home runs (10 in 2010), and though he did rack up a career-high 41 doubles last year, he also finished with just a .267 average. Since 2008, Loney has an .820 OPS with runners in scoring position, allowing him to finish with impressive RBI totals, but fantasy owners can do better at a position with plenty of power-hitting depth on draft day.

2010

Loney finished with a .281/.357/.399 line, including 13 homers and 90 RBI. The homers and RBI were identical to the marks Loney recorded in 2008. Four of Loney's home runs came in the month of September, giving us at least some hope of a mini power surge next year. The lack of home-run power is the only thing standing in the way of Loney being a viable fantasy option in shallower leagues, but the ability is already there for him to be an annual .300 hitter.

2009

Loney hit .289/.338/.434 in 595 at-bats, driving in 90 runs and stealing seven bases in his first full season as the club's first baseman. It was a step back from the .919 OPS in 344 at-bats in 2007, and Loney's long-term power potential continues to be in question. The guess here is that he'll settle in as a 20-homer guy, but .300 seasons should quickly become the norm. Look for slightly better numbers in 2009.

2008

It took them awhile, but on Jun. 10, with Nomar Garciaparra hitting .274 with just one home run, the Dodgers turned to their future at first base. Loney proceeded to exceed expectations, batting .331/.381/.538 in 344 at-bats. After hitting just one home run in 233 at-bats in Triple-A, Loney's 15 (eight in September) were a pleasant surprise. We're not expecting quite the same production in his first full year in 2008, but something along the lines of a .300 average, 20 home runs, and 90 RBI should be attainable.

2007

Loney, long touted as a top prospect, has battled injuries and high expectations ever since his selection as the team's first-round pick in 2002, but it appeared to all come together for him in 2006. Loney led all minor league hitters with a .380 average, but even more important, he at least did a little to allieviate concerns about his lack of power, improving his extra-base hit total from 44 to 58 in 2006 in fewer at-bats. The negative: by re-signing Nomar Garciaparra and inking Luis Gonzalez to play outfield, Loney has no spot open for him in 2007. Sure, there will be injuries, but barring a trade, Loney looks to be an in-year fantasy addition in most leagues.

2006

Loney had a relatively disappointing season at Double-A Jacksonville last year, hitting .284/.357/.419 with only 11 homers and 44 extra-base hits. We've been waiting for him to grow into his power for a while now, and at some point it'll have to be asked whether it's ever coming.

2005

Loney is considered one of the top prospects in the Dodgers farm system. He impressed in spring training in 2004 but then broke a finger early in the minor league season, causing him to miss five weeks. His poor numbers indicate that the injury affected him for much of the season. However, his strong showing in the Arizona Fall League indicates he is healthy again. Loney has yet to produce the kind of power numbers expected of him but as a 21-year-old at Double-A there is time for that to develop.

2004

Loney is one of the few legitimate offensive prospects in the Dodgers' minor league system, performing well in low Single-A in 2003. His likely arrival would come in 2006, but he needs to turn some of his doubles into home runs before that happens.

2003

Dodgers 1st round pick in 2002 draft. A broken wrist during the last month of season ended his season prematurely and prevented him from playing fall baseball. Loney showed impressive on-base skills in a limited stint with Class A Vero Beach.