Phillip Ervin (OF, CIN) - Week 22 Waiver Wire Pickups

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OWNED IN: 4% of leagues

ANALYSIS: Cincinnati Reds outfielder Phillip Ervin has made the most of Jesse Winker's injury and is now getting solid playing time for the Reds. Ervin has hits in eight of the last nine games, including three multi-hit games, and has two doubles and two home runs in the same time period. Since the beginning of August, Ervin has a .313/.373/.547 slash line, posting seven extra-base hits and 26 R+BI.

In tandem with his solid slash line, Ervin has also stolen three bases without being caught. All of this comes after Ervin posted a slash line of .287/.373/.491 with with five home runs and 10 stolen bases for Triple-A Louisville. Ervin has shown a combination of power and speed, with decent plate discipline, showing why the Reds picked him in the first round of the 2013 draft.

While the Reds' season is mostly lost, Ervin has routinely been hitting either fifth or sixth in the lineup and has become a viable option in deeper fantasy leagues. Those in keeper and dynasty leagues should own Ervin as well, with this performance in a small sample of 2018 only showing his long-term value.