Neal Walker (2B, PIT) - Waiver Wire Analysis

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OWNED IN: 65% of Fleaflicker leagues

ANALYSIS: Neil Walker has been on a tear recently, hitting .600 in the month of July. Overall, however, Walker is actually just shy of his career norms. His current triple slash line is .278/.344/.419 with 6 HR, still solid production from a middle infielder. His K rate is up this season - 19.1% compared to just 15.4% last season. His walk rate is also slightly down, but neither is supported by a substantial change in swing or contact rates (SwStr% up 1%, 8.8% to last year's 7.8%). His RBI and R totals are also down, but that has more to do with a slumping Pirate attack than anything Walker is directly responsible for.

Walker has a BABIP of .332 this season, slightly higher than his career .310 career mark. Fantasy owners do not look for Walker to hit for average, of course, as he is a power option at a position where power is usually lacking. His current 7.3% HR/FB is south of his career 9.8% figure, and fantasy owners would be happy to trade a few points of average for more pop. Walker's recent hot streak is merely the beginning of regression to the mean, and should not impact how Walker is seen for the rest of the year.

Walker still hits in run producing slots in the batting order more often than not while providing above average power for his position. He should be owned in nearly all formats, preferably on a roster that does not need speed production from its 2B or MI slots.