Adam LaRoche (1B, WAS) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add Immediately in All Leagues

ANALYSIS: Since 2008, Adam LaRoche has 25 or more homers in every year except 2011 - and he was hurt that year. So what is LaRoche doing being owned in only 66 % of Yahoo-leagues? That is just craziness, and he could even be labeled right now as one of those post-hype sleepers who isn't getting nearly enough love in the fantasy baseball community. I know he comes with the stigma of striking out a ton, but even that is not the case this year. LaRoche is striking out 18.4% of the time compared to his career rate of 22.0%. His walk rate is also up to 15.6% as compared to a career norm of 10.2%. Clearly this is LaRoche 2.0, who is a bit more of a patient hitter than in years past. His .395 OBP, 12 HR, 45 RBI and 39 Runs are showing that the results are there as well.

But LaRoche 2.0 does come with some downside as well. His ISO on the year is down 20 points from his career rates, and his BABIP is way above career norms which suggest some regression in his AVG may be coming. However, even if his AVG does regress a bit, LaRoche is still a very valuable commodity in any league for his power numbers alone. Home runs are more of a rare commodity this year than they have been in years past, and with his average not killing you this year now is the time to pick up LaRoche before other owners wise up to the fact that he's having a career year. If he's still somehow available in your league, find a way to add him asap.