Will Venable

2013

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2012

Until he learns to make the necessary adjustments to his plate discipline and hit better against left-handed pitching, Venable will probably never be more than just a platooning outfielder in 2012. He swings at far too many pitches outside the zone and has posted a career 12.0 swinging-strike percentage over a four-year span. His contact rate improved slightly in 2011, but between a 22.4 percent strikeout rate and a walk rate of just 7.5 percent, his OBP dropped to a career-worst .310. His biggest asset right now is his speed, having swiped 55 bases with an 84.6 percent success rate, but without any real power or decent on-base skills, his fantasy upside becomes limited.

2011

Venable had a very useful 2010 season for fantasy owners. The speed that he showed in Single-A and Double-A resurfaced as he stole 29 bases. That speed came at a price as he hit for a .245 batting average and struck out in nearly one-third of his at-bats. He also managed to hit 13 homers, which was in line with the power he had shown before. If he learned some plate discipline, Venable could become someone that owners could count on to do a little bit of everything. As is, he probably belongs in a platoon against tough righties (.259/.331/.451 career).

2010

Venable was exposed a bit as a regular last season, with his strikeout rate spiking as his walk rate plummeted. With an idea at the plate, decent power and enough speed to get by, he's a classic fourth outfielder, and might even have an argument as a platoon cornerman: career .258/.327/.477 vs. RHP in a pitchers' home park. Look for him to play a bit more this season and produce slightly better numbers.

2009

The athletic Venable was called up in late August and made his major league debut for the Padres. He has the tools to be a reserve outfielder, though he did not run as much in 2008 as he did in 2007. His speed and defensive ability will get him more looks in the majors, but his marginal power will restrict him to mostly utility duty.

2008

Venable could win a reserve outfield job with the Padres in 2008. More likely, he will spend the year at Triple-A Portland. Venable's best attribute is his speed (21 steals in 23 chances at Double-A in 2007). He hits for a decent average and can fill the gaps, although he doesn't have much power. Venable is still a raw talent with little organized baseball experience. He could continue to grow, but at this point, his ceiling appears to be a backup role.

2007

Venable will probably begin 2007 in High-A or Double-A. He led the 2006-07 Hawaiian Winter League with a .330 average. Venable did not fully shift his focus from basketball to baseball until 2006, so he is a raw talent with a lot of potential. Venable possesses gap-to-gap power and has good speed.