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Andrew Ericksen analyzes Los Angeles Angels outfielder Kole Calhoun as a waiver wire pickup or add target for Week 13 of the 2019 fantasy baseball season. He's on a career-best power pace this year.
BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues
OWNED IN: 21% of Leagues
ANALYSIS: There’ve been some encouraging signs from Los Angeles Angels outfielder Kole Calhoun this year. While Calhoun has mostly been a fringe waiver wire guy the past couple years, this year there’s been an uptick in his power numbers thanks to a new approach at the plate, making him a potential add for anyone in need of outfield help.
Through 73 games this year, Calhoun is slashing .229/.324/.470 with 16 home runs, 38 RBI and 45 runs. While the batting average is certainly lower than you’d hope for from a .251 career hitter, it’s the 16 home runs that show Calhoun has been a different type of hitter. He hasn’t topped 20 home runs since 2015, but appears well on the verge of 20+ this year.
Calhoun has increased his barrel rate from 9.3% in 2018 to 12% this year and his launch angle has increased from 12.0 to 16.4. While his batting average has dipped, his .246 xBA suggests that he could end up closer to his career batting average the rest of the season.
Calhoun isn’t the type of player who is going to carry your offense and he doesn’t have the high upside that some recent prospect call-up outfielders like Yordan Alvarez or Bobby Bradley have, but he’s a great fill-in outfielder if you have a hole to fill. He’s a worthy add in 12+ team leagues and AL-only leagues. In more shallow leagues, he can remain on waivers.
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