Jake Marisnick

Marisnick will end up on a major-league roster because he has pinch-running skills and grades out well enough as a defense replacement in the outfield who can play all three positions if needed. What he should not do is play every day, or even every other day. That infamous 2017 season in Houston really stands out as an outlier on his career line, doesn't it? Marisnick still has the speed to steal bases, but he is not a good hitter. His career platoon splits are horrendous against righties and not even league average against lefties, so a short-side platoon option is not even a guaranteed path forward. In deeper single-league formats, the numbers could come in handy from your reserve list. That isn't much to bang, uh, bank on.

Marisnick is one of the best at what he does. The problem is, unless you play in a sim league where defense matters, he's not fantasy-friendly. Marisnick remains a plus defender, playing exclusively center field the past couple of seasons though he could excel at either corner if needed. To his credit, at the dish, Marisnick shaved a few points off his strikeout rate, though it was still 29.9%. The fly-chaser managed 10 homers with the same number of steals, but his playing time was too irregular for him to be a viable fantasy option in mixed leagues. He was traded to the Mets this offseason for two low-level prospects and figures to reprise his part-time role from 2019 with his new club. Look for Marisnick to occupy the short side of a center-field platoon with Brandon Nimmo while also getting time as a late-game defensive replacement.

Marisnick is an accomplished defender who can play all three outfield spots. He has also been able to provide some homers and steals in a reserve role for AL-only owners. That said, that is the limit of his value, as his flaws prevent him from getting increased playing time. He has a long swing that leads to a high number of strikeouts -- that problem has gotten progressively worse the past few seasons (35.7 K% in 2018). There really is no other path forward for Marisnick because the more he plays, the more his flaws stand out and his numbers suffer. In deep single-league formats, Marisnick has a shred of appeal because he can still pop double-digit homers and may steal that many bases. In mixed leagues, he's not a viable consideration.

For a part-time player, Marisnick made quite an impact in the fantasy game in 2017. He hit for more power than ever before, more than tripling his 2016 home-run total in 12 fewer games, while also chipping in a useful stolen-base total. However, he sold out for the power, posting a strikeout rate just south of 35 percent (up from 26.7 percent), and his 24.6 percent HR/FB rate (11 percent for career) suggests that level of power will be difficult to sustain. Marisnick lifted his walk rate to a more respectable level (7.7 percent), resulting in an 86-point spike in wOBA to .343. Even so, he had a sub-.300 OBP against righties and Marisnick also graded out as a net negative in the field for the first time in his career. It's hard to imagine Marisnick will slide into a more prominent role in 2018 barring a trade or multiple injuries in the outfield.

Marisnick has compiled 1,038 plate appearances as a big leaguer, and it's rather clear what he is. He has the walk rate and the strikeout rate of an impatient slugger, but he doesn't offer much power, and his average leaves plenty to be desired. What he can do is run and play defense, so that will at least keep him in the big leagues on the short side of a platoon with Josh Reddick (and maybe Norichika Aoki). While Marisnick is split-neutral, he is still not a good hitter. One could say he is a poor man's Rajai Davis, but it would be more accurate to say he is a garbage picker's Rajai Davis. Marisnick can swipe steals even in limited playing time, but he kills fantasy owners everywhere else. There are better speed plays out there, and Marisnick simply is a better asset in reality than fantasy.

Houston's offseason acquisitions of Colby Rasmus and Evan Gattis pushed Marisnick to reserve outfielder duties on the team depth chart prior to last season, but the 24-year-old defied the odds and landed the starting job in center field to open 2015. Marisnick got off to a blistering start at the plate, hitting .379/.422/.621 with two homers, 10 RBI and eight steals during the month of April. Unfortunately, he hit .206 the rest of the way to finish with a .236 average, nine homers, 36 RBI and 24 stolen bases over 339 at-bats. While Marisnick's bat is still a work in progress, his excellent defense will earn him plenty of playing time, as he's quietly considered the best defender among Houston's outfielders. His fantasy value in 2016 will be tied to the Astros' plans in free agency, as the team extended a qualifying offer to Colby Rasmus that was accepted. Marisnick has modest pop, but speed is his best asset.

Acquired by the Astros in the trade that sent Jarred Cosart to Miami, Marisnick immediately assumed center field duties for Houston with Dexter Fowler and George Springer on the DL. In 51 games with his new club, he hit .272/.299/.370 with three home runs, 19 RBI and six steals while playing excellent defense. The 23-year-old struck out 28.3% of the time against only a 3.4% walk rate, but Marisnick has the power and speed combination that makes him intriguing in fantasy with the benefit of regular playing time. While that's not assured with the Astros going into 2015, Marisnick is the favorite to beat out Robbie Grossman, Alex Presley and L.J. Hoes for a starting spot alongside Dexter Fowler and George Springer.

Marisnick was one of the prized pieces acquired by Miami during the blockbuster Jose Reyes swap with Toronto last offseason. Upon arrival in the Marlins' organization, he paired up with fellow top-prospect Christian Yelich and formed one of the most exciting tandems of outfield prospects in baseball. He arrived in the majors shortly after the All-Star break, but was unable to carry a strong performance at Double-A Jacksonville to the big club. Marisnick put on a nice display of power and speed, knocking 12 home runs and swiping 11 bases in the minors while carrying a .289/.350/.489 line over 330 plate appearances. His time with the Marlins did not go as well and the 22-year-old rookie registered a disappointing .183/.231/.248 line in 40 games and wrapped up his first stint in the majors needing arthroscopic surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee. With a four-to-six week recovery timetable from the October procedure, Marisnick will have plenty of time to put in a full offseason of work prior to spring training. Overwhelmed during his debut this past summer, Marisnick will need to earn an Opening Day roster spot -- and improving upon an ugly 22.8% strikeout rate would be a good place to start. Regardless, the athletic 6-foot-3, 225-pound outfielder offers the raw skill to perennially provide double-digit home runs and steals. Even if he begins the season back down on the farm, Marisnick does not appear to be far from becoming an impact bat at the major league level.

Marisnick has the athletic ability to be a star; unfortunately it didn't translate to the field in 2012. Over two minor league levels, Marisnick hit .249 with eight home runs and 24 stolen bases. His defense is legit, and maybe his quickest tool to the majors, but even with his trade to Miami he will likely have another year in the minors to see if the bat can catch up. The Marlins are expected to continue his development by returning him to Double-A to begin the season.

Marisnick was a third-round pick for the Jays in the 2009 draft and really took off for Low-A Lansing last season, in his first full professional season. He made major improvements with his batting eye and his defense, all while hitting for power and average. His 37 stolen bases indicate a good amount of athleticism, so he'll be able to stick as a corner outfielder and maybe as a center fielder if Anthony Gose doesn't work out there. One cautionary note is that he had a .371 BABIP and now presumably will hit in a much tougher park at High-A Dunedin to begin 2012. Marisnick is probably two years-plus away from getting the call, but if you're looking to replenish your farm system in a deep keeper league, he's worth a look.