Casey McGehee (3B, SF) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Pick Up in 14+ Team Leagues Only

OWNED IN: 12% of Yahoo Leagues; 14% Owned in Fleaflicker

ANALYSIS: Since finishing fifth in the 2009 RoY voting, Casey McGehee has experienced a gradual decline into mediocrity. Four years after swatting 23 HR with 104 RBI in 2010, McGehee underachieved with a paltry .712 OPS and only 4 HR in his last campaign. Although he hit for a decent .287 AVG, there were few counting stat-related accolades of which to speak. Still, knowing what he's been capable of in the past, McGehee presents a high-upside option heading forward.

In the first few games of 2015 with San Francisco (his sixth team in seven years), McGehee is 5 for 21 with 1 HR and a .701 OPS. Of course, this is an incredibly small sample size; but, there are other reasons to like this guy in 2015. First, he usually hits for solid average - that can't be overlooked. His role as a starter is sound, which already makes him more valuable than some of the platoon guys sitting on your bench four days per week. Also, there's reason to believe that there will be an increase in HR power this year. His 2.5% HR/FB (home run to fly ball ratio) in 2014 was horrendous and well below his career average. The odds predict he will enjoy a regression to the mean this year and perhaps resemble his 2009-2010 form.

It may be a bit bold to claim McGehee will hit 20 HR this year, but he certainly has an opportunity to compete for a decent RBI count. His 76 RBI in 2014 were his most since 2010. Those numbers came while playing for a subpar team in Miami. Now, united with the defending champion Giants, McGehee will likely have some good opportunities batting in the sixth spot. Behind guys like Angel Pagan, Buster Posey, and a healthy Hunter Pence, the hard-hitting third baseman could better his total from 2014 and enjoy a powerful resurgence in 2015.