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Chris Zolli profiles outfielder Steven Souza Jr. as a waiver wire pickup and add in Week 21 of the 2018 MLB season.
BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues
OWNED IN: 25% of leagues
ANALYSIS: Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Steven Souza Jr. appears to be turning the corner and turning into the 30 home run/16 stolen base player that they traded for this spring. Unfortunately, Souza suffered a pectoral muscle strain in spring training that kept him out for most of the first half (he initially came back in May, but played poorly and landed back on the disabled list with the same injury a few weeks later). No matter his issues early on, he has hits in seven of his last eight games, including two multi-hit games, and also has 10 R+RBI in the same time period.
Since returning to the lineup on July 5, Souza has hit .280/.353/.486 with 20 RBI and, while only one of those RBI have come in the last five games, has become a solid part of the Diamondbacks attack. He also has three home runs (a part of 14 extra base hits) in this time period and is 3-for-3 on stolen bases. This hot streak has brought his seasonal slash to .247/.319/.400, but he still only has three home runs and four stolen bases in 42 games.
Considering that Souza has had double digit stolen bases and home runs in basically every season that he has been a professional, fantasy owners should bet on him turning it on as the season continues. This may be just the time to buy Souza in all leagues, as he still has OF3 upside.
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