Week 20 Free Agent Profiles: Hitters

Entering Thursday, the Washington Nationals were 34 games under .500 and ranked last in baseball in runs scored and batting average, yet two of their outfielders made our list of top free agents available in at least 50 percent of leagues.

A pennant race seems to have energized the bat and 38 year-old legs of Jim Edmonds, while youngsters Denard Span and Jed Lowrie are proving that the futures of the Red Sox and Twins are in good hands.

Marlon Byrd, OF, Texas Rangers
Status: Earning an everyday role
Key Stats: Hitting .618 with 7 RBIs in last 7 games
What to Watch For: Leveling out of recent gaudy numbers
Other Notes: Has multiple hits in 7 of last 8 games

Ty Wigginton, 3B, Houston Astros
Status: On hot streak for struggling Astros
Key Stats: .429 average, 4 HR, 11 RBIs during 10 game hit streak
What to Watch For: If power accompanies base hits
Other Notes: 7 RBIs and 2 multi-hit games in last 4 contests

Denard Span, OF, Minnesota Twins
Status: Thriving since Michael Cuddyer injury
Key Stats: .333 average, 6 RBIs, 3 SBs last 7 games
What to Watch For: More stolen bases as he gets comfortable
Other Notes: Hitting .304 in August

Jed Lowrie, SS, Boston Red Sox
Status: Looking more like Red Sox SS of the future – and present
Key Stats: .320 average, 8 RBIs in last 7 games
What to Watch For: How a healthy Julio Lugo affects playing time
Other Notes: .305 average, 14 RBIs at Fenway Park

Lastings Milledge, OF, Washington Nationals
Status: Proving he belongs in big leagues
Key Stats: .375 average, 5 HRs, 10 RBIs during 14 game hit streak
What to Watch For: How he responds as Nats continue downward spiral
Other Notes: Hitting .392 with 5 HRs in August

Rod Barajas, C, Texas Rangers
Status: Benefitting from powerful offensive supporting cast
Key Stats: Hit safely in 14 of last 18 games
What to Watch For: If catching rigors affect swing in last 2 months
Other Notes: Hitting .290 with 28 RBIs with RISP

Willie Harris, OF, Washington Nationals
Status: Set to see everyday time in depleted Nationals OF
Key Stats: Batting .299 with 4 HRs since All-Star break
What to Watch For: Not as many home runs, but higher average down the stretch
Other Notes: Hitting only .248, but with 4 home runs at Nationals Park

Jim Edmonds, OF, Chicago Cubs
Status: Heating up again for NL best Cubs
Key Stats: 3 HRs, 6 RBIs last 5 games
What to Watch For: Will be energized by pennant race
Other Notes: 9 home runs, 23 RBIs at Wrigley Field

Akinori Iwamura, 2B, Tampa Bay Rays
Status: Continues to set table for Rays offense
Key Stats: Multiple hits in 3 of last 7 games
What to Watch For: More power with Crawford and Longoria out
Other Notes: Hitting .305 with 18 HRs at Tropicana Field

Fernando Tatis, 3B, New York Mets
Status: Earning everyday time in Mets outfield
Key Stats: Hitting .339 with 6 home runs at Shea Stadium
What to Watch For: How playing time is affected after return of Ryan Church
Other Notes: .357 average, 3 home runs, 23 RBIs with RISP

Dave DeIuliis will be a senior at Penn State’s School of Journalism. He can be reached at dmd5042@psu.edu.