Mallex Smith (OF, TB) - Waiver Wire Pickups

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ANALYSIS: The Tampa Bay Rays’ outfield looked crowded at one point this season, but with injuries to Kevin Kiermaier and the recent loss of Colby Rasmus, Mallex Smith is now locked in as the Rays everyday centerfielder.

Smith’s fantasy appeal clearly comes from his ability to steal bases, as in just 108 career games he has 28 stolen bases in 40 opportunities. Despite this relative inefficiency, Smith appears to still have the green light on the basepaths as he has three steals on three attempts in July.

His numbers also suggest that he has made quite a jump in his ability to get on base this season as his average has jumped from .238 in 2016 to .325 this season. However, nearly all of that has come from his BABIP, which has jumped from .302 to .415. He is making less soft contact, so some of his growth in this area may stick, but don’t expect a .325 average or .399 on-base percentage moving forward.

Still, so long as fantasy owners are aware of Smith’s shortcomings, he is a strong add for teams in need of stolen bases thanks to his now certain playing time.