Kevin Newman (2B/SS, PIT) - Week 19 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues

OWNED IN: 24% of leagues

ANALYSIS: Kevin Newman has been a pleasant surprise in a challenging season for the Pittsburgh Pirates. The rookie shortstop slumped a bit at the plate in July, but is still hitting .312/.352/.430 overall with six home runs and nine stolen bases in 80 games. While his season-long run production doesn't jump out, that's partly attributable to spending the first two months at the bottom of the punchless Pirates lineup; he's posted respectable runs scored and RBI totals since ascending to primary leadoff man.

Newman is an above-average runner who stole 28 bases at Triple-A last season. After swiping just one bag in his first 37 games with the big club this year, he's tallied eight thefts in the last 43 contests, including three this week. The 25-year-old could be a sneaky-great pickup for owners scrounging for steals as we enter the stretch run, and is available for free in three-quarters of Yahoo leagues.