Why Doesn't Anyone Own Luke Scott?

I've been a Luke Scott fan since 2008, the season after he was traded to the Orioles in a trade for Miguel Tejada. I hated seeing Tejada go but the trade looked better and better with every home run that came off Scott's bat. In his first three season with the O's, from 2008-2010, Scott showed a lot of improvement. He hit increased his home run total from 23 in 2008 to 25 in 2009 and 27 in 2010. His walk rate increased in each of those years as well, as did his average and isolated slugging percentage. Then, in 2011, Scott was unable to stay on the field due to shoulder injuries and the Orioles did not offer him a contract for the 2012 season.

The Rays signed Scott for $5 million for 2012 but the contract failed to prove as money well spent. Scott once again missed much of the season due to injury and the Rays declined to pick up his option. However, they resigned Scott for $2.75 million for 2013 in hopes that he could stay healthy solidify their DH spot. He's already dealt with some injury issues, starting the year on the DL with a strained calf. But what about that "solidifying the DH spot" thing? And, more importantly, what is his fantasy value?

** DISCLAIMER: Obligatory mention of small sample size - The phrase applies here**

Since returning from the DL and with 18 games played, Scott has hit .300/.431/.500 with 3 home runs and 12 RBIs. Scott is a career .260 hitter with a career BABIP of .291. His BABIP currently sits at .324 so it may come down a bit and bring his average with it, however, Scott currently boasts a LD% of 20.5%. If he can keep his LD% above 20%, something he's only done once before, he may be able to hit in the .280 range. Scott has always been a patient hitter, but a hitter who goes to the plate looking to hit, limiting two strike counts. He's striking out at the exact same rate that he's walking (18.5%) and a power hitter who can limit strikeouts is a valuable player. He's actually hitting left-handed pitchers very well has not shown a major platoon split throughout his career, so he will get the majority of the at bats at DH.

At 35, Scott may not have many productive years left and the injury problems will probably only get worse. For 2013, though, I believe Luke Scott can help your team. He's owned in less than 1% of ESPN leagues, 6% in CBS Sports leagues and 2% in Yahoo! Sports leagues. Understand that most of these leagues are 10 team, 5x5 leagues which do not account for some of the categories in which Scott adds value. In deeper 5x5 leagues, Scott can be a good source of power and RBIs without killing your average. But he gets a boost in leagues that count on base percentage as well as leagues that value extra base hits whether it be total bases, slugging percentage or extra base hits themselves. Scott is also valuable in points leagues where walks count for a point and strikeouts are negatives. If Scott can stay healthy, I think he finishes the year with an average that won't kill you, close to 20 home runs and decent runs and RBI totals. Going forward, I think el monstruo de cuadrangular (dubbed "the home run monster" while playing in the Venezuelan Winter League) will be a good fantasy option in most formats and is worthy of a speculative add in all but the shallowest of leagues.