James McCann (C, DET) - Week 9 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ team leagues

OWNED IN: 25% of leagues

ANALYSIS:  The state of the catcher’s union is not strong this year, as Gary Sanchez is the class of the position with a .228 batting average. All that is to say, with this position, an owner can get value from many places, and the hot hand is worth a shot. Enter Tigers catcher James McCann. So far in 2018, a slash line of .271/.327/.389 keeps him as the starter without much question the rest of the season. Add to that marked improvements in BB and K rates from last year, and this seems like a lock as the backstop in Comerica.

Not just the playing time should interest owners, as that .271 AVG plays at catcher, and might actually end of as one of the top bats at the position. He will not slug like Sanchez, but three homers and 15 RBI are not something to ignore either. Playing in a good hitter's park also keeps the floor relatively high, and so far McCann is eighth on the Tigers in terms of runs scored. Keeping in mind that he plays less due to the position, this puts into perspective how valuable to the team he is.