Mike Zunino (C, SEA) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in all Standard/Deep Leagues/ AL-Only Leagues

OWNED IN: 46% Owned in Fleaflicker Leagues

ANALYSIS: In only his third major league season with the Seattle Mariners, Mike Zunino is starting to come alive as a full fledged contributor to a playoff contender. He showed promising power numbers in 2014, launching 22 HR and collecting 60 RBI. However his BA dipped below the Mendoza Line and he finished with a .199 BA. He even bottomed out with his discipline at the plate having an atrocious 9:1 K/BB ratio. This would show all the signs of a classic bust right?

Spring stats often have no bearing on a player's success going into that following seaso, but Zunino's numbers in 2015 might prove to many within the organization that his development is ready to turn the corner. This spring he sported a .352 BA with 7 HR and 14 RBI with a 2:1 K/BB ratio.

At only 24 years old, Zunino has a lot of time to refine himself as an all-around catcher defensively but his offense has to be ready to explode for the Mariners sooner rather than later. After being part of the team that barely missed the playoffs in 2014, Zunino has the opportunity to be a missing link with his improved plate discipline.

Zunino will have plenty of chances to produce even though he hits 7th in a loaded Mariners lineup. That means with a hot start in April he could see himself move out of the bottom third of the lineup and into a prime position for more HR, RBI and higher SLG % while slowly improving his BA and OBP.

For those fantasy owners searching for a replacement for a catcher on the DL such as Matt Wieters, adding Zunino is a no-brainer. Go pick him up now. For those looking for more upside than say a catcher like Miguel Montero or Kurt Suzuki, the same rules apply.

Catcher is not a deep position---go strike while the iron is hot and give Zunino a shot.