George Springer (OF, HOU) - Waiver Wire Analysis

BALLER MOVE: Stash In Deep Leagues, Add in AL-Only Leagues

ANALYSIS: Many of us experts thought last season's minor league Mr. 37/45 was a sure bet to start the year with the Astros big boy squad, but according to the latest reports, he and his agent are disgruntled at the prospects of Houston doing the opposite and delaying his free agency clock by starting his 2014 season on the AAA rodeo. To add to the problem, the extraordinarily toolsy player has batted an anemic .162 thus far in the spring campaign and showed lackluster plate discipline by striking out over 160 times last year. Even with all that being said, this man is a stud through and through. The bottom line is this: don't draft Springer as one of your top 5 outfielders on draft day and expect all things to be in line for a 30/30 sleeper season. As it is, we think he may need a full year at the big league level to develop some more plate discipline with his raw power and speed to reach his potential. Springer should be viewed as a must own candidate in ALL keeper league formats, AL-Only leagues, and should be viewed as a solid waiver wire stash or late round flier in deeper mixed leagues.