Chris Denorfia

Chris Denorfia

44-Year-Old OutfielderOF
 Free Agent  
2024 Fantasy Outlook
There was no outlook written for Chris Denorfia in 2024. Check out the latest news below for more on his current fantasy value.
$Signed a one-year, minor-league contract with the Rockies in January of 2017.
Cut loose Thursday
OFFree Agent  
June 2, 2017
Denorifa was released from Triple-A Albuquerque on Thursday.
ANALYSIS
He leaves the Rockies system after failing to make the big club out of spring training and going .275/.383/.353 in 61 plate appearances with the Isotopes. Denorfia can play all three outfield spots and has shown fleeting signs of utility in a major-league lineup, most notably in 2013 when he hit .279/.337./.395 with two home runs and 11 steals in 144 games for the Padres. Expect him to catch on with another organization before the season is done.
Read More News
Batting Stats
Loading Batting Stats...
Minor League Game Log
calculator icon
Calculate Stats Over Time
Just click on any two dates.
Loading Minor League Batting Game Log...
Advanced Batting Stats
Loading Advanced Batting Stats...
Additional Stats
Games By Position
Defensive Stats
Loading Games Played by Position...
Loading MLB Defensive Stats...
Batted Ball Stats
Loading Batted Ball Stats...
Stats Vs Upcoming Pitchers
Want more matchup stats?
Loading Matchup Stats...
Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Chris Denorfia See More
Weekly Hitter Rankings: Non-Problem Solved
August 1, 2015
Erik Siegrist ranks this week's hitting matchups, and -- surprise -- the Blue Jays, who were already strong at the plate, are on top with the newly acquired Troy Tulowitzki.
Weekly Hitter Rankings: Holding All The Cards
July 5, 2015
Erik Siegrist highlights the best matchups for hitters in weekly formats, including a rare eight-game period for Kolten Wong and the Cardinals
Regan's Rumblings: Potential Deep Sleepers
June 18, 2015
David Regan takes a look at some sleeper candidates in deeper leagues, including Matt Moore and his impending return from Tommy John surgery.
Monday Lineup Card: New Closer in the Emerald City?
June 7, 2015
The Houston Astros called up top prospect Carlos Correa on Sunday, but an AL West reliever deserves your attention as well.
Friday Lineup Card: The Butler Did It!
June 4, 2015
As Joey Butler continues to gain consistency with his at-bats, he proves that a 29-year old rookie can have value.
Past Fantasy Outlooks
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2009
2008
2007
2006
Denorfia spent a month on the DL with a hamstring injury last year, but the Cubs hardly missed him. The veteran, who has played on five teams in his decade in the majors, will be looking for his sixth this year, but he may find it tough sledding getting a decent gig. The 35-year-old outfielder had 10 home runs and 11 stolen bases as recently as 2013, but in 212 at-bats with the Cubs last year, he had three dingers and failed to steal a base for the first time since 2009 (when he had just two plate appearances). Even worse, his 15:56 BB:K was the worst of his career and his .353 BABIP led to just a .269 batting average. One wouldn't say he's fallen off a cliff, because he was never a big star, but the end appears to be in sight.
Denorfia joined the Mariners at the trade deadline last season but did next to nothing after leaving San Diego. He hit .195 with a .573 OPS with the Mariners and lost playing time down the stretch. He did even worse against left-handers, which was the point of acquiring the right-handed platoon bat. Denorfia will have a reserve role after signing with the Cubs and could work his way into a platoon role if he bounces back against lefties.
Beginning the season in a strict platoon in right field with Will Venable, Denorfia eventually filled in where needed in an outfield beset by injuries, racking up a career-high 473 at-bats in the process. He responded with a 10-homer, 11-steal campaign, as well as relatively-even splits against right- and left-handers, though nine of his long balls came against southpaws in nearly 100 fewer plate appearances. Three consecutive years with double-digit swipes should aid those in NL-only leagues, but in a completely-healthy outfield, Denorfia is slated to split reps in right with Venable once again.
Denorfia, at this point in his career, is best used as a right-handed bat that excels against lefty pitching. For his career he has hit .317/.381/.451 against southpaws. The Padres did not take advantage of this in 2012 as Denorfia saw almost equal plate appearances against righties as he did lefties. One area where he quietly helps owners is with his speed as Denorfia has stolen 24 bases over the last two seasons. In 2013, he'll likely be of most help to owners in deeper leagues or NL-only formats.
Denorfia is a solid bench player and makes for a good 4th outfielder on any major league roster. However, his upside in fantasy is very limited as he has neither the power nor the speed to make a significant impact. He's got only 23 stolen bases on the major league level, has a below-average .124 ISO, and a career slash line of .275/.342/.399. He could work his way into an outfield platoon in 2012, but with the acquisition of Carlos Quentin, he's going to have to wait for a significant injury before getting much of an opportunity.
Denorfia started 2010 at Triple-A Portland, where he put up good numbers (.306/.368/.504), before a series of injuries to the Padres' outfield corps landed him a starting job. From the start of July through the end of August, he was great, hitting nine homers with 25 RBI, four steals and a .291 batting average. After that, his production fell off as he dealt with hamstring and back issues. Overall, he can hit for decent average, but doesn't have much power or speed to speak of. With everyone back and healthy, it's uncertain what role Denorfia will have going into 2011.
Denorfia began the year in a platoon with Ryan Sweeney as the A's starting center fielder but a back injury sidelined him and resulted in spending most of the year at Triple-A Sacramento. He could re-emerge this spring as a platoon candidate with Sweeney again.
Denorfia missed the entire 2007 season due to a torn elbow ligament, but the A's traded for him in late April in hopes that he'll be a bench option in 2008. Given the A's outfield problems at times in 2007, Denorfia figures to get a look at occasional playing time at some point this season.
Denorfia clearly has nothing left to prove at the minor league level, but can he handle an everyday major league job? Until Ken Griffey Jr.'s next traumatic injury, Denorfia isn't going to get that shot. Even when Griffey and Ryan Freel were hurt last year, Denorfia still wasn't a lock to play, having to share time with the likes of Norris Hopper, Dewayne Wise and Todd Hollandsworth until the final two weeks of the season. Reds manager Jerry Narron has expressed his appreciation of Hopper's game over the offseason, so while statistically Denorfia seems to be the best fourth outfielder candidate, he's still going to have to beat out Hopper and now Bubba Crosby. If he were to get regular playing time, expect him to hit for average and contribute some speed, but not much power.
The Reds often compare Denorfia to Brady Clark, who came up through their system before eventually finding his way into the Brewers starting lineup. He had an awfully good year in the Reds farm system, hitting for average and a little power, stealing a few bags, all while playing good defense. He can play a credible center field, an important consideration given that as the fourth outfielder, he'll need to spell Ken Griffey Jr. occasionally.
More Fantasy News
Fails to make MLB roster
OFColorado Rockies  
March 31, 2017
Denorfia was reassigned to minor-league camp Friday.
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Vies for fourth outfielder role
OFColorado Rockies  
March 25, 2017
Denorfia is just 5-for-28 (.179) with five walks and three stolen bases in 12 Cactus League appearances, but he could still make the Rockies' Opening Day roster as a fourth outfielder.
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Lone right-handed hitter in outfield competition
OFColorado Rockies  
February 13, 2017
Denorfia could hold the upper hand in the competition for a major league roster spot because he's the only right-handed hitter in the pack, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Signs minor league deal with Rockies
OFColorado Rockies  
January 13, 2017
Denorfia agreed to a minor league contract with the Rockies on Thursday, Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports reports.
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
OFSan Francisco Giants  
June 9, 2016
Denorfia signed a minor league contract with the Giants on Thursday, the San Jose Mercury News' Andrew Baggarly reports.
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.