Adam Frazier (2B/OF, PIT) - Week 1 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ team leagues

OWNED IN: 6% of leagues

ANALYSIS: Adam Frazier is 3-for-13 with two runs scored in his first three games of the 2019 campaign. The new second baseman for the Pittsburgh Pirates, the 27-year-old is also the leadoff hitter for an underrated Pirates lineup.

Frazier had a Jekyll-and-Hyde 2018 season but the latter half likely saved his career. Slashing just .239/.323/.355 on June 22, the Pirates opted to send the utility-man down to Triple-A in an effort to work on his swing and get comfortable at the plate again. Frazier made the necessary changes and was recalled on July 25. He had arguably the strongest second half of any Pirates hitter with 27 extra-base hits (seven HR + 20 doubles) and 27 runs batted over 196 plate appearances. His post All-Star Break ISO of .228 was the second highest among second baseman with 190+ PA. He also finished the year with a 30.7 Hard Hit %, the best of his career.

Moving from the team's "every man" role into the everyday second baseman shouldn't prove an issue after starting 115 games at the keystone prior to this year. In turn, if he can replicate his career xBA of .276 and xwOBA of .323, the leadoff spot should be fruitful for fantasy purposes as Starling Marte, Corey Dickerson, and Josh Bell all trail him in the Pirates' order. Add in his OF eligibility and Frazier makes an interesting bench option. If he can tap back into that power, to the tune of around a .160 ISO, and score 70+ runs, Frazier will be cheap value throughout the year.