Greg Bird (1B, NYY) - Week 18 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues

OWNED IN: 46% of leagues

ANALYSIS: New York Yankees first baseman Greg Bird has cooled off a bit after a torrid start to July, but is still slashing .261/.333/.449 this month. He has a hit in five of the last six games and has a double in two of those games, scoring two runs and driving in three. Bird has also had opportunities to hit near the middle of the lineup (usually 5th, 6th, and 7th), a good thing considering that the Yankees are one of the better scoring offenses in baseball.

Bird also has a 44.2% hard hit ball rate and 23.5% line drive rate since the beginning of July and has only hit 29.4% ground balls, showing that he is driving the ball and hitting well. His contact rate of 76.9% is also a bit better than his 76.6% rate for the season and seven of his 19 extra base hits this season have come this month.

The Yankees will continue to give Bird the majority of the time share at first base (although Neil Walker will get some reps as well), making him a solid addition in deeper leagues. Those looking for some power in a solid lineup, Bird may be the best addition.