Manuel Margot (OF, SDP) – Waiver Wire Pickups

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ANALYSIS: Coming up through the minors, Manuel Margot was profiled as a top of the order base stealer. Of late however, he has shown some surprising power that includes a current stretch of four home runs in his past seven games. Given that Margot has hit atop the Padres’ order for nearly all of his at-bats this season, there is potential for Margot to be a four-category contributor the remainder of the season.

Margot has not had the opportunity to steal many bases in August as he has eight hits on the month, four of which have been home runs. However, he has displayed the ability to steal bases in bunches with four in both April and July. Encouragingly, his efficiency has improved as the season has worn on as he was caught five times in his first 10 attempts but is 6-for-7 in stolen base attempts since then. There is also run scoring upside for Margot as he scored 14 runs in April despite having just a .293 OBP. With a strikeout rate around 20%, Margot should have little problem keeping his average respectable, which leaves a clear path for him to be contributor in three categories.

More excitement for Margot comes from his recent rash of power output, which is backed up by a surprising 50% flyball rate and outstanding 38.2% hard contact rate in August. This new profile may not be the reality for the long-term, but he is a high-upside add for the stretch run this season.