Dustin Ackley (2B / OF, SEA) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add In Very Deep Mixed and AL-Only Leagues

ANALYSIS: Since his rookie season in 2011, Dustin Ackley has done nothing but disappoint Mariners fans and fantasy owners. In 2012, he had still-standing career-highs in home runs, stolen bases and runs, but only managed a .294 OBP. For a guy with a .397 OBP over three years in the minors, he has simply not been able to hit consistently in the majors. This year, despite his OBP sitting at just .298, that number is .324 since the All-Star break, a huge increase from the putrid .225 OBP he posted before the break. According to manager Lloyd McClendon, Ackley's recent surge is a direct result of a confidence boost, and nothing else. The 26-year-old utility man may finally be on his way to reaching the potential that scouts saw in him back at the University of North Carolina. He very well might reach that ceiling, and soon, but as of now he has just not been able to put it all together. Until that happens, feel free to leave the former second overall pick alone in all but the deepest mixed leagues and AL-Only leagues.