Jason Heyward (OF, CHC) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues

OWNED IN: 18% of leagues

ANALYSIS: It may seem like Chicago Cubs outfielder Jason Heyward has been in the league forever, but in fact, he's just 28-years-old.  Now playing in his 9th MLB season, Heyward is having a very serviceable year. He seems to have lost a lot of his power and stolen base upside that was present earlier in his career (six home runs and one stolen base in 2018), but a .287/.350/.426 batting line is solid and he's also chipped in 43 RBI and 50 runs scored.

Additionally, Heyward is posting career-bests in strikeout rate (10.9%), K/BB ratio (.80), and contact rate (88%).  Even more encouraging is that he has secured an everyday role hitting in the middle of the potent Cubs lineup, and that fact alone will lend itself to fantasy production more often than not.  Again, Heyward's lack of power (.143 ISO) and diminished speed (1-for-2 on stolen base attempts) hurt his fantasy outlook, but his ability to get on base for an elite offense will continue to prove valuable throughout the remainder of the year.

Currently, projection sites have him pegged for a .270/.344/.418 rest-of-season slash line, adding five homers, 27 runs scored, 25 RBI, and two stolen bases.  Pickup Heyward up in 12+ team leagues, especially if you need help with batting average, on-base percentage, and runs scored.