Jason Heyward (OF, CHC) - Week 18 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues

OWNED IN: 30% of Yahoo! leagues

ANALYSIS: 

Heyward has leveled back off in July, after posting a .389 wOBA in June. He’s still worth an add, though, as he remains in the middle of the Cubs lineup and has posted a .366 wOBA against righties with 13 home runs and 26 XBH. He’s going to continue coming to the plate with runners on base and he’s known as one of the weaker hitting links on the team, so the pitches to hit are going nowhere. If Heyward can continue with the 20-30% launch angle that we rarely saw last season, the power and run production will continue.

If you’re looking for a negative, he can’t hit lefties. With that said, his defense keeps him in the lineup and he often will see two or three at-bats vs a righty out of the bullpen. His striking out just 19% of the time and walking over 10%. In 12+ team leagues, it’s time to wipe your memory of 2018 Jason Heyward and get exposure to this lethal Cubs offense for cheap. As for upcoming match-ups, they’ll see the Cardinals, Reds, Brewers, and A’s. The Cardinals entire staff struggles against lefties. The other three teams rank in the bottom 12 in terms of wOBA versus righties. Heyward is a solid for the short or long term.