Shin-Soo Choo (OF, TEX) - Week 5 Waiver Wire Pick-Ups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues

OWNED IN: 48% of leagues

ANALYSIS: One of the most helpful things about fantasy baseball is that owners can afford to roster a player who is way overpaid, without having to worry about writing those checks themselves. Is Shin-Soo Choo a $20 million player? No. Is he a useful OF3? This season it seems so. In 2018 Choo is hitting .242 with five jacks and 15 total runs. With an OBP of .321 Choo has quietly put up solid production in a weak roster, and should expect to keep playing with injuries and slumps around the Texas outfield.

Why should owners trust Choo this year when having been burned in the past? First, the primary reason for a past drop in production has been injuries. Choo has played in over 125 games twice in the last four seasons, with his best season coming in 2015 when he batted .276 with 22 HR in 149 games. Last season, the trend continued with a .261 AVG and 22 HR in 149 games. If he gets hurt, he is a natural drop. If he stays healthy, a solid 20+ HR and AVG produced. Second, Choo is swinging at fewer pitches this season.  Thorugh the first 25 games of 2018, Choo has a career low at a swing rate of 38.6%. Also, Choo is posting a career-low O-Swing% at 18.1% and increased O-Contact at 61.9%. More selective hitter, healthy, early power surge? Seems to be a productive add in most rosters.