J.J. Hardy

Hardy extended his downward trajectory with an unproductive year at the plate that included a host of injuries. Shoulder, oblique, and groin injuries all hampered Hardy during the 2015 season. He failed to reach double-digit home runs for the second season in a row and saw his ISO fall to .092. His strikeout rate increased to 20.1 percent, the highest of his career, and he graded out as a replacement level player. Hardy's renaissance of three consecutive seasons with 22 home runs and a serviceable batting average is a thing of the past. His power has virtually disappeared, dropping from a .222 ISO in his 30-homer season of 2011 to just .092 in 2015. He is still a well above average fielder, but the door may have closed on Hardy's offensive production. It seems almost certain Hardy will still be the starter at shortstop on Opening Day, but his lack of production in 2015 could leave room for Ryan Flaherty to get in the picture if Hardy struggles to rebound.

Following a three-year stretch where he averaged more than 25 home runs annually, Hardy's 2014 power outage came as a big surprise. Although he didn't become more aggressive at the plate, Hardy's swinging-strike rate jumped to a career-high 7.3% and he became much less proficient at making contact on pitches outside the strike zone (63.6% contact rate on pitches outside the zone). A variety of injuries throughout the season may have been the culprit for his disappointing season, as back spasms, a hamstring strain, and a sprained thumb limited his contributions. Defensively, Hardy is still an elite option at his position, as he collected his third consecutive Gold Glove in 2014. After signing a three-year extension with the Orioles in October, it's reasonable to think that a healthy Hardy could provide double-digit home runs again with steady counting stats given the quality of the Baltimore lineup around him.

Hardy earned his second consecutive Gold Glove, tied for the home run lead at his position and pushed his batting average back in line with his career numbers. An 11.3% strikeout rate was his best mark since his rookie year, which may have aided in his effort to raise his average. Hardy has been a savior since being acquired by the Orioles three years ago and is at the height of his career. Free agency awaits at the end of the 2014 season, and he figures to cash in. The Orioles have several key players with expiring contracts over the next two years, and Hardy could be a trade target, if the team acknowledges that it cannot sign him to a long-term deal. Under that scenario, Manny Machado could potentially move back from third base to shortstop.

Hardy came off a career year in 2011 and was rewarded with a midseason extension that will keep him with the Orioles through 2014. Though he won the Gold Glove, Hardy's numbers at the plate took a sharp decline in 2012. He hit eight fewer home runs in 136 more at-bats in 2012, and his OPS was barely serviceable even at the shortstop position. Hardy suffered from a .253 BABIP, though he has only had one season above .300 BABIP. At 30 years old, the most likely scenario is that Hardy evens his numbers out between the last two seasons.

Hardy finally found a long-term home in Baltimore last season, as the Orioles inked him to a three-year deal. Look for him to make it worth their while again, though it's unlikely that he'll continue to be deployed as their leadoff man given his lack of speed and that his power would be better served farther down in the order. Hardy delivered a mammoth 30 home runs from the shortstop position in just 129 games and provided a solid .269 average, 76 runs and 80 RBI. His injuries have a tendency to linger, but even with the missed time he is one of the more reliable power sources at shortstop.

Hardy will be the starting shortstop for Baltimore after he was traded from Minnesota following an injury-plagued season. Hardy spent six weeks on the DL after hurting his left wrist while sliding in early May and it remained a problem all season. When healthy he was productive (.714 OPS) while putting up his usual strong defense (8.1 UZR last season). He also posted a .791 OPS in September when his wrist was finally close to full strength. Hardy has power and the move away from Target Field could make him a bargain, but he'll need to stay healthy.

Hardy suffered through his worst season in Milwaukee during 2009, hitting .229/.302/.357. The Brewers then traded him to Minnesota shortly after the season ended. His Gold Glove caliber defense makes him valuable to major league teams even if he doesn't hit very well, but it doesn't help his fantasy value. Hardy offers zero value in the stolen-base department so unless he's hitting for power, he doesn't have much to offer. It's possible that his perceived value will drop far enough during this offseason where he'll be a bargain in drafts and auctions. He's still just 27 years old so there is some upside here, just don't overpay for it.

Hardy solidified his spot as one of the top fantasy shortstops in 2008 by hitting .283/.343/.478 with 24 home runs. The only drawback to his numbers is that he doesn't steal any bases. There are rumors that he may need to move to third or second base to make way for top prospect Alcides Escobar, but it's doubtful that would happen in 2009. His .306 BABIP in 2008 was the highest of his career so there is some concern that his numbers will fall a little bit in 2009.

Hardy was healthy for the first time in a few years in 2007 and started out strong, hitting .280 with 18 home runs before the All-Star break. Things fell apart a bit in the second half, hitting .273 with eight home runs and a .305 OBP. The on-base percentage is the biggest hole in Hardy's game and he walked just 12 times in the second half of the season. That deficiency will likely knock him down in the batting order in 2008 and put a dent in his runs scored numbers. Hardy has no stolen base value and he's not likely to ever hit for a high average. There isn't a ton upside with Hardy and 2007 may end up being his best season. He still may be good for a .270 average and 15 to 20 home runs, but don't bid like there is anything more than that.

Hardy missed most of 2006 with an ankle injury that required surgery and has now missed significant time in two of the last three seasons. The Brewers are going to put him back in as the starting shortstop this spring and hope he can improve at the plate. He hit just .242 with five home runs in 35 games before the injury sidelined him for the remainder of the season. He has the potential to be an above-average fantasy shortstop with decent power, but has yet to develop any of that potential.

Hardy may surprise people in 2006. His overall stats aren't eye-catching, but at 22, he used his rookie year as a learning experience and improved to .308/.363/.503 after the All-Star break. Don't pass over him based on the full-year numbers.

Hardy missed almost all of 2004 after having surgery on his non throwing shoulder. Before the surgery it appeared that Hardy would be the starting SS in Milwaukee by the middle of the season. GM Doug Melvin said that the Brewers will give Hardy the chance to make the team this spring if his shoulder holds up. Hardy is major league ready with the glove but may need a few seasons to adjust at the plate. He is still a very good prospect and has the potential to be a top shortstop in the majors.

Hardy is the Brewers' shortstop of the future. He is a terrific defensive shortstop and only needs to work on his hitting to get to the majors. He was one of the youngest players in the Southern League in 2003 yet hit .279 and started to show a little power. There is an outside chance that the Brewers will give him a chance to win the starting shortstop job in spring training, but it's more likely he'll start the season in Triple-A and be called up later on in the year.