Randal Grichuk (OF, STL) – Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues

OWNED IN: 29% of Yahoo! Leagues  

ANALYSIS: Randal Grichuk is perceived as a streaky hitter, and while his production does come in bunches he has shown an ability to contribute regularly. For example, his average has fallen below .240 just one month this season, and his slugging percentage has remained well above .500 in the months of June, July, and August.

Grichuk has been especially good of late. Despite hitting only two home runs to this point in August, he has nine RBI and scored 10 runs to go along with a .288 average. His 27% strikeout rate does raise some concern about his ability to maintain these numbers, but with many fantasy teams facing elimination on a weekly basis in head-to-head leagues, Grichuk is a perfect player to add in the short-term. In fact, he has had a few stretches this season where he has proven capable of carrying fantasy teams, most notable of which was a stretch from July 6 to July 24 in which he mashed six home runs.

Given Grichuk’s ability to post gaudy power numbers in a short amount of time, he is an interesting fantasy option and well worth an add, either in an attempt to take over a head-to-head matchup or to make a last-minute push in counting stats in roto leagues.