RADIO
Joc Pederson is a fantasy baseball waiver wire pickup for Week 18 of the 2021 MLB season. Consider adding the 1B and OF if he's free agent in your leagues.
BALLER MOVE: Add in leagues of 10+ teams
ROSTERED IN: 39% of leagues
ANALYSIS: Pederson seems to like his new digs now that he's with the Braves. His numbers looked better before his disappointing 0-for-5 performance in Thursday's win over the Phillies so he's now slashing .227/.261/.364 with a double, a home run, and four RBI over the last six games with his new team. On the plus side, he's led off every game in which he's started since joining them. The Braves play eight games next week so volume is the name of the game with Pederson as they visit the Mets for a five-game set, which includes a doubleheader on Monday (7/26), before heading back to Truist Park for a three-game series with the Brewers.
His expected stats mirror his actual numbers quite closely with a .235 xBA, .324 xwOBA, and .424 xSLG so you get what you get with Pederson. Surprisingly, he's struggled against right-handed pitching this season with a .216/.280/.428 batting line compared to a .236/.342/.493 triple-slash line for his career. 20 of his 26 extra-base hits, including 11 home runs, have come against righties, however. He's made great strides vs. left-handers, which has always been a struggle for him and the main reason why he was often platooned when he was with the Dodgers. He's got a .292/.370/.415 batting line in 73 plate appearances against southpaws.
This is important because it assures Pederson will remain in the lineup, regardless of opponent. The Braves are slated to face seven right-handed starters next week, many of which rely on their fastball offerings (four-seam, sinker, cutter) and Pederson is batting .271 with a .494 xSLG against said pitches this year. Tylor Megill (58.2% fastball usage), Marcus Stroman (63.8%), Taijuan Walker (57.3%), Freddy Peralta (52.8%), and Corbin Burnes (54%) all rely on some combination of their fastball over 50% of the time. The 29-year-old has a low floor but he's got a fair shot to go yard next week and will get plenty of opportunities to do so.
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