RADIO
Baller Move: Add in 14+ team leagues
Owned in: 2% of Fleaflicker leagues
Analysis: Chase d'Arnaud, brother to Mets Catcher Travis d'Arnaud has made 13 starts at third base, 11 starts at shortstop, eight starts at second base and two starts in the outfield this season for the struggling Atlanta Braves. With a WAR of 1.0 in 35 games played, d'Arnaud has done a good job to cement his place on the field for Atlanta in their down season, which is something he has struggled to do for his MLB career. He is 29-years-old and debuted in the majors in 2011 with the Pirates, but has accumulated just 283 AB in those five years. 117 of those AB have come in 2016 where d'Arnaud has been very solid at the plate with a .299/.364/.393 slash line including four stolen bases. After most recently striking out in 38.9% of plate appearances with the Phillies he has lowered his K-rate to a reasonable 18.6% while raising his walk rate from a mediocre 5.6% to a solid 9.3%. D'Arnaud is putting the ball in play 72% of the time with a line drive rate of 31%, so his BA looks more than sustainable.
The emergent Brave lacks power in a big way, but he has big upside in speed. In 3029 minor league AB since 2008, d'Arnaud has 218 stolen bases. With his looming triple infield-eligibility, possible OF eligibility, improved plate discipline, and speed upside, Chase d'Arnaud should be on radars across deeper leagues.
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