Avisail Garcia (OF, MIL) - Week 7 Waiver Wire Pickups

4 years ago by Doug Goldring

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BALLER MOVE: Add in 12-Team Leagues

ROSTERED IN: 20% of leagues

ANALYSIS: Avisail Garcia came into the season looking like the odd man out in a crowded Milwaukee Brewers outfield, especially after a down year in 2020 when he slashed .238/.333/.326 with an 82 wRC+. However, with early injuries to fellow outfielders Christian Yelich and Lorenzo Cain, Garcia has been in the lineup practically every day. He hasn't squandered the opportunity.

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Despite the fact that Garcia ended April with a .195/.280/.329 slash line, Garcia has been scalding the ball all season. According to Statcast, Garcia is in the 77th, 85th, and 78th percentiles in xwOBA, xBA, and xSLG, respectively. He's also in the 87th percentile for average exit velocity, and a staggering 93rd percentile for hard-hit rate. The results are finally coming around to match the underlying metrics, as Garcia has produced a .483/.531/.621 through his first ten games in May. There should be more positive regression to come, as Garcia's xwOBA of .367 still outpaces his wOBA by 38 points.

One notable contribution Garcia also makes is in the steals category. Garcia stole ten bases in 2019, and already has three swiped bags to start 2021. His 87th percentile sprint speed should mean he won't stop there, though he has shown a propensity to be caught, so Net Steals league managers should beware. With Yelich still on the shelf, there's no danger of Garcia losing playing time. Add him now for his all-around profile.

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