Pavin Smith (1B, OF, ARI) - Week 5 Waiver Wire Pickups

4 years ago by Mike Schwarzenbach

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ANALYSIS: Pavin Smith should be getting more attention from fans and fantasy managers alike for what he's doing as the leadoff hitter for a surging Diamondbacks offense. Arizona has won nine of its last 11 games and, coincidentally or not, that streak started the same day Smith was moved up in the batting order. He's batted first or second in every game since April 18 and is batting .280 with a .500 slugging percentage in that time. He's scored eight runs as he's been the spark the DBacks needed atop the order, sporting a .350 wOBA and a 121 wRC+ as the snakes have averaged 5.7 runs-per-game with Smith setting the table.

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A look at his Statcast data backs up what Smith is doing. In fact, his .311 xBA implies he's been unlucky to be batting only .265. He's making hard contact 54.7 percent of the time and striking out under 20 percent of the time. Simply put, Smith has been outstanding in his first extended look in the Majors. The one black cloud over Smith's head as a fantasy asset is the possibility he loses at-bats - or at least gets dropped in the batting order - when the D-Backs get some regular starters back from the injured list. While that is possible, Smith is forcing his way into the lineup and plays first base as well as three outfield positions so his versatility should keep him on the field. Being left-handed also helps if a platoon situation arises.

The last thing helping Smith's case is his prospect pedigree, at least within the D-Backs organization. He hasn't been on the national radar, but Smith is a top-15 prospect in Arizona and was the seventh-overall pick after a decorated career at the University of Virginia. He never played above Double-A because of the coronavirus pandemic, but he raked in 2019 at that level and spent most of 2020 at the alternate-training site. This isn't an out-of-nowhere hot streak from a journeyman prospect. Smith needs to be on your radar. In fantasy leagues large enough, he should be on your roster.

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