Willy Adames (2B/SS, TBR) - Week 23 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues

OWNED IN: 32% of leagues

ANALYSIS: Tampa Bay Rays infielder Willy Adames was the key piece of the trade that sent David Price from Tampa to Detroit and he is starting to show why the Rays valued him so much. There are still issues with Adames, starting with his 30.7% strikeout rate for the season, but he has been much better in August. The 22-year-old posted a .318/.384/.523 slash line last month, hitting five home runs and stealing five bases.

Whiffs are still an issue for Adames, but a 25% strikeout rate is better than a 30.7% strikeout rate and his 9% walk rate is not terrible considering his inexperience. Adames only has hits in two of his last five outings, but he has gotten opportunities to hit near the top of the order (led off on August 29) and he closed August with 31 R+BI. A .390 BABIP for August shows some signs for regression, even with a 40% hard hit ball rate, as he had a 56.3% ground ball rate.

Considering that he has contributed with speed, power, and average, Adames is a suggested addition in most leagues. It is also a good thing that he is able to play both second and short, only further boosting his fantasy value.