Dexter Fowler (OF, STL) - Week 3 Waiver Wire Pickup

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues

OWNED IN: 47% of Leagues

ANALYSIS: It makes me feel like an old fantasy player when Dexter Fowler has become a boring forgettable veteran. As a youngster in Colorado, Fowler's irresistible 20/20 potential never came to fruition, but now a 32-year-old in his 11th season, Fowler might just be bland enough to warrant a nameless bench spot. Amidst a .183/.265/.317 start, restless owners are doubtlessly abandoning the wagon.

Fowler's early-season woes narrow to one fact: his .200 BABIP is a full 136 points below his career average (.336). Incredibly, Fowler has never had a sub-.300 BABIP season aside from his 13-game debut in 2008. Consistency earns its merits. The switch-hitting Fowler has quietly hit double-digit homers in five of the past six seasons. He's gone yard twice in 68 PAs in 2018 which is ahead of his pace during that span. He also contributes adequately from both sides of the dish, holding a .821 OPS against LHP and .780 versus RHP. Fowler is entrenched as the Cardinal's leadoff hitter but will likely rest a day or two per week; durability has never been a strength. Regardless, with 500 PAs Fowler has a legitimate shot at 20 HRs, 130 runs+RBI and a decent average. Fowler's 22.0% K-rate isn't a risk, once those batted-balls find holes, he should regain his status as a reliable rotational outfielder on rosters.