RADIO
BALLER MOVE: Add in all leagues
OWNED IN: 29% of leagues
ANALYSIS: Lost in the shuffle of all the high-profile prospect call-ups over the past month, Cleveland outfield prospect Oscar Mercado has more than held his own since being called up May 13th, slashing .304/.385/.435 with a .358 wOBA over his first 52 PAs. While Mercado has only one stolen base so far, it's his speed that was the standout tool in the minors; he stole 210 bases in 624 games across all levels, including 51 in his 162 total games at the Triple-A level.
Along with his solid start at the plate, Mercado's value will rise even more now that Indians manager Terry Francona has batted him second in each of his last five starts after mostly hitting him out the nine-hole in Mercado's first six games. In his 26 plate appearances over those five starts, Mercado has responded by slashing .348/.423/.478 along with seven runs and two SB. Hitting in between Francisco Lindor and Carlos Santana, Mercado should continue to see RBI and run-scoring opportunities, and if he stays anywhere near that .423 OBP, then the stolen bases should start to come as well.
Still only 29% owned, that may change now that Mercado has seemingly settled in near the top of the Cleveland lineup. Mercado could not only be a season-changing asset with his speed but in the run department too, as he has seven runs scored in the past five games and 12 R overall. Pick up Mercado wherever available, because he likely won't be for long.
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