Mallex Smith (OF, ATL) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in NL-only leagues

OWNED IN: 6% of Fleaflicker leagues

ANALYSIS: Mallex Smith is gradually adjusting to big league pitching and it is reflecting in his stats. Given the chance to start early in the year due to Ender Inciarte's hamstring injury, Smith has held down center field ever since. At the end of April, he was hitting .188 and had been caught stealing twice as often as he was successful (4-2). May has been a different story, as the rookie has raised his average to .239 with six successful steals. He still leads the majors in CS, but experience seems to be helping solve those issues. Smith's fantasy value lies with his speed. Think of him as an NL version of Jarrod Dyson. His superb fielding and the confidence of manager Fredi Gonzalez will keep him on the field for the foreseeable future. His overall performance doesn't warrant ownership in mixed leagues, but NL-only managers could receive a boost in the stolen base category by playing Smith.