Scott Kingery (OF/SS/2B/3B, PHI) - Week 12 Waiver Wire Pickups

June 17, 2018

Sean Scampton profiles utility player Scott Kingery as a waiver wire pickup and add in Week 12 of the 2018 MLB season for his positional eligibility.

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues

OWNED IN: 22% of leagues

ANALYSIS: Philadelphia Phillies utility man Scott Kingery is eligible all over the diamond, making him a valuable player to pick up. Kingery was waaaay overvalued entering the season thanks to a good performance in the spring and the always popular prospect effect. After a good stretch to open the season, Kingery’s value hit a Bitcoin-level fever pitch, one that he could have never hoped to live up to. Taken altogether, the last calendar month has been brutal, with just a single home run and stolen base to show for it with a .610 OPS.

However, the last week has been different. In fact, it has been Kingery’s best week since the start of the season. Over the last 22 plate appearances, the rookie has replicated the home run and steals output with a near even BB/K rate. His .294/.409/.471 is solid for a player of his caliber, although the slugging and ISO of .176 are propped up by the home run. The most important metric here is that his line drive rate is spiking, which leads to more hits and gives Kingery a chance to use his speed to create extra bases.

Truthfully, Kingery’s value is unlikely to provide much pop this season. His power spiked in the minors last year, but it is still unclear if that power will ever translate, as his hard hit rate of 25.8% this season leaves a lot to be desired. Kingery’s approach is more contact over hit and is better geared to line drives than home runs. He is a much better asset in dynasty and keeper leagues where owners will have a chance to see if the power ever comes around, but players this season would be better off hoping for .280/.325/.360 type line with a bunch of runs and some steals. If you can add him off the wire, he is a good mid-ceiling option with positional flexibility.