Steve Pearce (1B/2B/OF, TB) - Waiver Wire Pickups

Baller Move: Add in 12+ team leagues

Owned in: 49% of Fleaflicker leagues

Analysis: 33-year-old Steve Pearce has had an up and down 10 year MLB career that has only seen him hit his stride in 2014 and 2015 with the Orioles as he flashed skill in all areas with the bat. In 632 AB in those two seasons in Baltimore he hit 36 HR and in 2014 he produced a stellar slash line of .293/.373/.556. In the last two seasons he had fantastic isolated power figures of .263 and .204. This season, Pearce has put it all together to be the complete package in Tampa. He currently has nine home runs, a slash line of .329/.401/.553, and an isolated power figure of .224 in 170 AB with the Rays. He is hitting a solid 16% of fly balls as HR and has a 4.7% HR percentage for his plate appearances which is nearly twice the MLB average. Pearce has greatly improved his plate discipline as well. After strikeout and walk percentages of 21.2% and 7.1% in 2015, Pearce has 2016 strikeout and walk rates of 16.7% and 10.4%. Pearce has always profiled as a power-hitter, and he makes himself a much more attractive acquisition when he is eligible at three positions and is striking out way less while walking way more.