Fantasy 40/40: 2011 Fantasy Baseball Sleepers: Kila Ka’aihue
Kila Ka’aihue 1B, KC
Caught up in the prospect swirl, Ka’aihue is being given the opportunity at first base before young stud Eric Hosmer is ready. K2 is coming off a year where he played at AAA, going for .322-24-78-67-2 in 94 games.
Before that, Ka’aihue put up years of 17, 11 and 26 HR while posting an OPS of over a 1.000 in two of the last three years. You read that right. He’s recorded more walks than strikeouts the last three years in the minors displaying his mature batting eye.
The Hawaiian born slugger is in line to receive a significant amount of playing time this season. He’s scheduled to split time with teammate Billy Butler at first base as well as see time at the DH spot. He’s 26 (turns 27 later this month), about 6′4”/235 and should be a late round power sleeper source for all mixed leagues. Mahalo!
2011 Projections:
- ESPN – .246-23-63-60-0
- FANGRAPHS – .263-20-78-74-1
- BASEBALL PROSPECTUS - .260-27-73-80-1
