Alex Verdugo (OF, LAD) - Week 5 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues

OWNED IN: 20% of Yahoo! leagues

ANALYSIS: Verdugo has long been one of baseball's top prospects, but a crowded outfield in Los Angeles prevented him from having fantasy value outside of deep leagues. However, Verdugo has started four of the last five for the Dodgers, and today's announcement that A.J Pollock is headed to the injured list with an elbow infection is only good news for the 20% of you who are already holding onto the five-tool outfielder.

So far on the young season, Verdugo is slashing .333/.352/.623 with four home runs, 16 RBI and eight runs scored. He's not drawing a ton of walks, but he's not striking out either, and his 42.6% hard-hit rate is solidly above average.

As long as Verdugo is playing every day, he is worth a roster spot in 12-teamers and deeper. If he continues to hit well, he could hold down an everyday job even when Pollock returns.