Oscar Mercado (OF, CLE) - Week 22 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues

OWNED IN: 34% of leagues

ANALYSIS: Since being promoted to the major leagues in mid-May, Oscar Mercado has compiled roughly a half-season's worth of plate appearances. With the usual caveat that we can't simply extrapolate that sample over a full season, what he has done in that time is worthy of ownership in more than a mere third of fantasy leagues. The rookie has hit .280 with 53 runs scored, 10 home runs, and 11 stolen bases, pacing toward the kind of four-category production offered by universally owned players like Whit Merrifield, Ozzie Albies, and Tommy Pham.

Whatever the reason for the lack of appreciation from fantasy owners, Mercado is an excellent pickup in almost any format.