Fantasy Baseball: Five Most Disappointing Hitters

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May 29, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Washington Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond (20) throws his helmet after striking out in the eighth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. The Reds won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports

It’s hard to believe, but by weekend’s end, most MLB teams will have fewer than 100 games remaining in the 2015 season.

There have been plenty of fantasy baseball surprises and plenty of disappointments.

If fantasy owners have those disappointing players, it is certainly frustrating. It is hard to drop or even trade a struggling top pick because if they turn it around, those owners would never be able to forgive themselves for giving up on their star. So in many cases, these non-producing studs continue to be in fantasy lineups.

Here are the five most disappointing fantasy baseball hitters through the first 60 games.

Jun 5, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners second baseman Robinson Cano (22) reacts to grounding out with the bases loaded to end the seventh inning as Tampa Bay Rays catcher Bobby Wilson (46) looks on at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports

2B Robinson Cano, Seattle Mariners

With a 15.3 average ADP in drafts this spring according to Fantasy Pros, Cano has to be the most disappointing hitter in fantasy.

Seattle signed outfielder Nelson Cruz to protect Cano and provide more depth, but ironically, Cruz is the one excelling and Cano is struggling mightily. The second baseman is slashing .239/.280/.328 with just two home runs and 19 RBI in 238 at-bats.

Cano only has 16 home runs in 216 games with the Mariners. Owners can blame the pitcher-friendly Safeco Field all they want for the lack of power, but that batting average isn’t acceptable in any park.

Jun 6, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond (20) reacts after striking out to end the seventh inning against the Chicago Cubs at Nationals Park. The Chicago Cubs won 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

SS Ian Desmond, Washington Nationals

After three straight years of 20-plus home runs and 91 RBI in 2014, Desmond was a third-round pick in 10-team leagues.

The shortstop, however, is only on pace for 12 home runs and is hitting a career low .233. He is also only on pace for 43 RBI. Part of the problem is the inconsistent Nationals offense, but plenty of blame can be given to Desmond as well.

To make matters worse, Desmond was a 20-base stealer the last four years, yet this season, he has just one stolen base through 61 games.

May 8, 2015; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury (22) runs to third base after a double by left fielder Brett Gardner (not pictured) in the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

CF Jacoby Ellsbury, New York Yankees

Ellsbury makes our list just based on the fact he can’t stay healthy. When on the field, he was having a nice season, slashing .324/.412/372, but Ellsbury hasn’t played since May 19.

Fantasy owners also wish Ellsbury would hit for more power. He has just five extra-base hits, including one home run and six RBI. It’s hard to justify a third-round pick on a guy who doesn’t contribute more in those categories.

Then, it’s made even worse when the star misses a month.

Apr 24, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers designated hitter Victor Martinez (41) is hit by a pitch in the first inning against the Cleveland Indians at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

DH Victor Martinez, Detroit Tigers

Just like Ellsbury, Martinez hasn’t been healthy, so it is hard to blame him for his lack of production.

Nevertheless, Martinez had a 59.0 ADP in drafts according to Fantasy Pros, so owners who took him late in the sixth round in 10-team leagues have to be disappointed.

Martinez had a career-year last season, slashing .335/.409/.565 with 32 home runs and 103 RBI. He led the league in on-base percentage and OPS (.974).

This year has been a different story. In 130 at-bats, Martinez is hitting .216/.308/.270 with just one homer. Hopefully, he can return healthy and turn his season around.

May 29, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz (34) before the game against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

DH David Ortiz

Another aging designated hitter, Ortiz seems to be close to the end of the road.

The 39-year-old is hitting just .225 with seven home runs and 24 RBI in 231 at-bats. Ortiz hit his seventh homer on Thursday, which was his first bomb in nearly a month.

His .690 OPS is by far a career-low and is almost 200 points below his 2014 OPS.

Not good for a player who had a 72.3 ADP before the season.

Next: Detroit Tigers: J.D. Feeling the Pressure with V-Mart Out

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