Lewis Brinson (OF, MIA) - Week 1 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues

OWNED IN: 33% of leagues

ANALYSIS: There’s little doubting Brinson is a talented player, but I understand why a 24-year-old that looked over his head during his cup of coffee last year is being shied away from. We can’t ignore that being Miami depresses value as well, but I hold that being on a team that doesn’t even have any pride to lose, helps Brinson. They should let him run (he swiped 11 bases in 340 Triple-A PAs last year) and he has fantasy-viable power (13 HRs in the same sample), which puts both 15-20 HRs and SBs each on the table.

His counting stats may sag around 130 R+RBI as a result of his supporting cast and most project him for an average around the .240s despite hitting a combined .343 over 388 Triple-A at-bats. His power and speed outpace his contact, but he’s improved since hitting .237 for the Rangers’ Double-A affiliate and a 20/20/.275 year is possible. Plus, any rookie doing well makes for a solid trade chip in most leagues.