Leury Garcia (2B/SS/OF, CHW) - Week 3 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues

OWNED IN: 28% of leagues

ANALYSIS: 

With both Tim Anderson and Nick Madrigal on the shelf, Garcia is getting every day playing time at shortstop for the White Sox. Anderson should be back next week, but Garcia can slide over to the keystone and continue as a full-timer. Garcia’s been smoking the ball too, with a .300/.352/.500 triple slash in 54 PA. The 29-year-old utilityman has cut back on strikeouts in a big way this year, striking out just 13% of the time compared to a 24.5% rate prior to 2020. Putting the ball in play is key for a speedster like Garcia, who can leg out grounders with the best of them. The strikeout improvements coupled with a career-best 7.7-degree average launch angle could have Garcia, a steady .270-.280 hitter over the past few years, keep his batting average around the .290-.300 range instead.

Garcia’s power numbers thus far are certainly a fluke; he has a 23.1% HR/FB ratio and .200 ISO despite an 86.2 MPH average exit velocity, but Garcia should be able to provide a decent batting average and moderate speed as a volume play. He’s especially good in daily lineups leagues, as his triple eligibility means you can rotate him between spots as needed and keep up on volume. Garcia’s not sexy, but he’s got value in 12+ team leagues.