Luis Urias (2B, SD) - Week 11 Waiver Wire Pickups

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ANALYSIS: Those fantasy managers looking for the next big name rookie to get called up should focus their attention to Padres second baseman, Luis Urias. The 22-year-old debuted briefly already this season, and those who remember this nearly two-week stretch at the beginning of April are trying to get it eradicated from their mind. Urias went just 2-for-24 with a pair of runs in this 11-game stretch striking out an atrocious 37.9% of the time. It certainly didn’t help this number that he struck out in three of his four pinch-hit appearances, but it was enough for the Padres to send him back down to El Paso, where he’s flourished since.

In 45 games at the Triple-A level, Urias has smacked 14 homers with 34 RBI, 43 runs, and five stolen bases while slashing a spectacular .363/.455/.715. The youngster has also reduced his K-rate in the minors to 18.7%, a number which is much more comparable to his 19.5% career Triple-A clip. Standing at a compact 5’9”, it’s easy to compare Urias to Jose Altuve in stature, but he also has a similar batting profile. He makes excellent, solid contact with a disciplined approach at the plate, the necessary tools to produce a high-average bat. The power numbers aren’t likely to translate to the majors immediately, but he has double-digit pop with a stolen base total that can easily match.

With San Diego rolling out an underwhelming Ian Kinsler/Greg Garcia combo at the keystone, a Urias call-up is imminent. With nothing left to prove in the minors, that phone call might happen sooner than we think especially with the Padres sporting a .214/.298/.360 slash line with nine home runs out of the second base position so far this season. You’ll want to be the person in your league holding Urias when the phone rings as he has the makings to contribute handsomely in the average and steal columns specifically.