Mallex Smith (OF, TB) - Week 6 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues

OWNED IN: 27% of leagues

ANALYSIS: Mallex Smith is getting regular playing time for the first time in his career, and those in deeper leagues should be taking notice.  He has played in 29 of 34 games this year, and has an excellent chance to retain his spot in the Rays outfield for the remainder of the season. Smith's baseline stats are nice, as he's hitting for an eye-popping .326 AVG, chipping in five RBI, 11 R, and eight SB.  He is getting more chances to steal as well, with 12 attempts already compared to just 21 in all of 2017.  Although some of his advanced hitting metrics aren't favorable (83.6% AVG Exit Velocity, 350th in MLB and 0.9 Barrels/PA, 338th in MLB), he does have an elite 28% line drive rate, is striking out less at just 17.1%, and is walking more at 9.5%.  He is also sporting a very solid .413 OBP and .831 OPS, though peripheral numbers show these are likely to come down a bit.

Take a chance on him if you need the steals, but don't expect the AVG to stay anywhere close to where it currently stands as his .411 BABIP and career .254 MLB BA prior to 2018 suggests some regression is coming.  And again, don't expect his power numbers (.095 ISO, .421 SLG, 0 HR) to improve much at all.  Smith is currently projected to finish in the 25-30 SB range, so it's conceivable that the young speedster could give you the boost you need to win that category on a weekly basis.