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ANALYSIS: Mariners catcher Mike Zunino has tantalized fantasy owners for years now with his power potential, but his inability to make contact have led to extraordinary high strikeout totals, murdering his batting average and keeping him on the bus between the Mariners and Triple-A Tacoma. Zunino was sent down earlier this season after a dreadful start, but was recalled from Tacoma back on May 23 and has made a case to stay for good, having hit .306/.352/.633 since his return with four home runs and 15 RBI in just 49 at-bats. His 23 strikeouts are still a major concern, and his .478 BABIP in that time frame certainly won’t last, but Zunino’s power will keep him on fantasy radars, especially at a shallow position. Zunino’s 39.1% hard-hit rate and 23.2% line drive rate are both career highs, and his 13.8 HR/FB rate may increase (he has a career 14.3 mark). Keep in mind, he is still only 26 years old. Fantasy owners in 14-team formats and beyond should consider adding Zunino. If he starts to put the ball in play more, he can become a very valuable fantasy asset behind the plate.
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