Jason Kipnis (2B/OF, CLE) - Week 22 Waiver Wire Pickups

Nicklaus Gaut profiles Cleveland second baseman Jason Kipnis as a waiver wire pickup or add target for Week 22 of the 2019 fantasy baseball season as the veteran second baseman has started to heat up since the All-Star break.

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ANALYSIS: After two completely mediocre seasons, Cleveland Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis is having a bit of a mini-renaissance as of late, seemingly drawing upon the last well of his old-man strength. After hitting .230 for the previous two years, with an 89 and 83 wRC+, respectively, Kipnis gave fantasy players more of the same for the first half of 2019, with a .240 AVG and 73 wRC+, with seven home runs and 35 RBI in his 290 plate appearances prior to the All-Star break. But after starting to heat up following the mid-season festivities, Kipnis has really turned it on since August began, slashing .288/.333/.563 with five home runs, 16 RBI and two stolen bases in just 88 PA.

In Week 22, Kipnis and the Indians go on the road, first heading to Detroit for three games before heading south to Tampa Bay for another three. While the left-handed Kipnis doesn't have dramatic splits, he does have more prodigious power versus righties, with only two of his 13 HR this year coming versus left-handers. He won't have much of that issue this week, as Detroit will be throwing three righties, while Tampa will start one for sure, with the other two starters not yet being announced. At a thin position, feel free to ride Kipnis for as long as this rejuvenation lasts.