Bruce Maxwell (C, OAK) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in Two-Catcher Leagues

OWNED IN: 2% of Yahoo! Leagues

ANALYSIS: The youth movement is on in Oakland and it starts behind the dish with Bruce Maxwell, who has taken over the starting duties after the A’s DFA’d team leader Stephen Vogt last month. Maxwell, 26, was hitting very well down in Triple-A and has continued his hot hitting at the major league level. His 63 at-bat sample size is small, but on the season Maxwell is slashing .302/.405/.397 with eight runs scored, one home run and six RBI. Most impressive is his 11 walks compared to just 18 strikeouts. Maxwell has a great eye at the plate, which makes him a hot commodity in deep leagues that count OBP.

His .409 BABIP is certain to come down, dragging his average down with it, but Maxwell does a good job of hitting to all fields (26.7% Pulled balls, 37.8% up the middle, 35.6% opposite field) which will help keep his average from tanking too much, as teams will have a harder time shifting on him.

Maxwell will cool off, but a starting catcher with a good eye and the ability to hit to all fields merits consideration in two catcher leagues, and in OBP leagues he should be given consideration in 12 and 14-team formats as well.