At shortstop, the Los Angeles Dodgers feature one of their best all-around players in Rafael Furcal.
Last season, Dodgers GM Ned Coletti was heavily criticized for giving Furcal a $39 million dollar deal. However, Furcal surprised many critics by playing much better than he was expected to.
One year later, it appears that Colletti got a bargain. Furcal proved to be a major asset for the Dodgers, as he emerged as the most consistent offensive player on the team. He hit .300, provided significant power leading off with 15 homers and scored 113 runs, the most for a Dodgers leadoff hitter since Maury Wills scored 130 in 1962.
Despite a solid year, Furcal will be intensly watched this spring. A year ago, he showed up noticeably flabby following knee surgery performed shortly after signing his contract. His lack of conditioning resulted in shoulder and back problems, leading to an April in which he batted just .198, had a .306 on-base percentage and notched only two of his 63 RBIs. The Dodgers would surely benefit from a faster start.
Overal Grade: A-. Furcal remains one of the best Dodgers in regards to hitting.
Filed under: Dodgers
