RADIO
BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues
OWNED IN: 40% of leagues
ANALYSIS: The Texas Rangers were one of the more active teams at the deadline, trading away pitchers Cole Hamels, Keone Kela and Jake Diekman. With essentially every team in the AL West outside of the Rangers set up for success in the immediate future, it looks as if Texas could be headed towards a lengthy rebuild. With their future murky, the Rangers can at least be thankful that they are getting a positive season out of catcher Robinson Chirinos.
Chirinos is hitting .223 with 14 home runs, 45 RBI and 36 runs scored this season. While his batting average is sluggish, Chirinos ranks tied for fourth in home runs, seventh in RBI and tied for eighth in runs scored among catchers. You are not going to find catchers in the top 10 in three of the most important fantasy categories on the waiver wire.
The Rangers' backstop has been especially on fire over the past month. In his last 15 games, Chirinos is hitting .273 with three home runs, 10 RBI and 10 runs scored. His three home runs in the month of July ranked tied for sixth among catchers in the league.
Texas is not the best team for fantasy purposes right now, but Chirinos has been swinging a hot bat and is one of the better power hitting catchers in the league. While you cannot count on him for batting average, there is a good chance he reaches 20+ home runs and 55+ RBI on the season, making him a worthy addition in 12-man leagues.
Check out RotoBaller's entire fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups and sleepers list, updated daily!
