Erick Aybar (SS, LAA) - Waiver Wire Analysis

BALLER MOVE: Add in Deeper Leagues

OWNED IN: 50% of Fleaflicker leagues

ANALYSIS: Once upon a time, Aybar was a contributor to a lot of fantasy titles. You could draft elite hitters regardless of position early in the draft, and then count on .280 with 20 SB and a bunch of runs scored from your SS or MI slot. Sadly, those times are mostly in the past. Aybar is but a shell of his former self, hitting .269/.309/.308 on the season. The fact that his OBP is higher than his slugging percentage tells you all you need to know about Aybar's startling lack of power. Once a speed option, Aybar also has yet to pilfer a bag in 2015 - though he does have 2 CS. The lack of speed is really inexcusable, as its not like he can't steal because he is standing on second after a double.

Worse still, Aybar has actually been lucky to put up these mediocre numbers. Fueled by an elevated .396 BABIP in May, the Angels shortstop has posted a .339 average this month after hitting just .246 in April. Despite the good fortune, he's still not moving the needle in fantasy - the .339 batting average is sure to regress, and even with all of the time on first base he hasn't swiped a bag. The average actually figures to drop going forward as his strikeout rate is up to 14.4% (from 9.7%). For some odd reason, the Angels are hitting him fifth or sixth in the order on most nights, but that does not mean your fantasy team should follow their idiotic example.

While he is no longer a viable fantasy option in most leagues, and I wouldn't recommend him as a viable waiver wire option, he can be a fill-in middle infield option in deeper leagues while he's hot.