Willie Calhoun (OF/2B, TEX) - Week 12 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues

OWNED IN: 10% of leagues

ANALYSIS: Texas Rangers second baseman/outfielder Willie Calhoun is field away in the “guys that you’re not sure when they’re going to help you” category, but it is high time that Mighty Mouse was mentioned here. The Rangers’ top prospect has really turned in on in recent weeks, hitting .424 over his last 33 at-bats while flashing the huge power that we came into the season expecting to be on display in Arlington. He finally looks like the player that made Texas pull the trigger on trading away Yu Darvish.

With the improvement at the plate, it’s less a question of “if” Calhoun will contribute, and more a matter of “when”. Rangers management has been oddly resistant to giving their stud hitter a shot with the big club, even when it seemed like every player that could play infield in their entire system was hurt at the same time. However, we are inching closer and closer to the July “Super Two” mark, meaning that Texas will have successfully delayed Calhoun’s service time long enough that there will be few reasons to keep him with Triple-A. The closer we get to July, the higher his ownership rate will move. If you are in need of power in the outfield and have a roster spot for a prospect, there are few better suited for the rest of the season than Calhoun.