Fantasy Information Central - MLB Player Spotlights: D'Angelo Jimenez (2B), CWS

D'Angelo Jimenez (2B), CWS

April 27, 2003

D'ANGELO JIMENEZ - CHICAGO WHITE SOX
Secondbase/Thirdbase
Age: 25 (December 21, 1977)
Height: 6-0 Weight: 195
Throws: Right Bats: Both

Season	TM	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
1999	NYY	7	20	3	8	2	0	0	4	3	4	0	0	0.400	0.478	0.500	0.978
2001	SD	86	308	45	85	19	0	3	33	39	68	2	3	0.276	0.355	0.367	0.722
2002	CWS	27	108	22	31	4	3	1	11	16	10	2	1	0.287	0.384	0.407	0.791
2002	SD	87	321	39	77	11	4	3	33	34	63	4	2	0.240	0.311	0.327	0.638
2002	--	114	429	61	108	15	7	4	44	50	73	6	3	0.252	0.330	0.347	0.677
2003	CWS	22	87	14	27	6	4	3	10	15	13	2	2	0.310	0.412	0.575	0.987
Total	--	229	844	123	228	42	11	10	91	107	158	10	8	0.270	0.351	0.382	0.733

History
At the age of 17, D'Angelo Jimenez was signed in August of 1994 as a non-drafted free agent by the New York Yankees. He quickly ascended through the minors showing 5-tool capabilities over the long term. Once a higher rated prospect than Alfonso Soriano, Jimenez had his best year in the minors in 1999 at Triple-A Columbus hitting .327 with 32 doubles, 15 homers, 88 RBI and 26 steals. However, in the winter of 1999, Jimenez was involved in a near fatal car crash (broken bone in neck) that cost him nearly all of 2000 to rehabilitation.

Jimenez slowly returned to form in 2001. The Yanks dealt him to the Expos for Ugueth Urbina; however Urbina failed his physical; so the Yanks then dealt Jimenez to the Padres for Jay Witasick. Jimenez started at shortstop for the Padres but didn't show the power, speed or plate discipline that he before his neck injury.

The Padres moved Jimenez to second base in 2002 after he posted the NLs worst fielding percentage in 2001. He struggled out of the gate once again and was dealt mid-season to the White Sox for 2 minor leaguers. Jimenez got his opportunity when Tony Graffanino went on the DL. He didn't disappoint as he hit .287 with a .384 OBP and .407 SLG out of the leadoff spot.

2003 Outlook
Jimenez has exploded out of the gates hitting .310 with 13 extra-base hits and a .412 OBP. He has more power from the left-side of the plate in a division that features virtually all right-handers. He finally looks healthy and is showing the batting eye that he's always had in the minor leagues. Jimenez looks to be entrenching himself at the top of the powerful White Sox order and he should remain among the top 10 fantasy second basemen for 2003.

The naysayers may point to the fact that the Sox have only played the Indians, Royals, Orioles and Twins so far; but the Royals have the best team ERA in AL and the rest of those team rank in the middle of the pack. I expect Jimenez to finish the year hitting around .280 with low-teens power, 100+ runs scored, 50-60 RBI and double-digit steals.