Kyle Lewis (OF, SEA) - Week 2 Waiver Wire Pickups

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OWNED IN: 34% of leagues

ANALYSIS: Between Evan White, Shed Long, Justin Dunn, Justus Sheffield, J.P. Crawford, Tim Lopes, and Jake Fraley, it seems that the Seattle Mariners are navigating a sea of young talent all over the field, but 25-year-old Kyle Lewis has already set himself apart from the pack in this limited sample of the abbreviated 2020 MLB campaign. Lewis has been a highly anticipated outfield prospect since Seattle drafted him from Mercer University in the first round back in 2016, and he appears to be the kind of gamer that enjoys adjusting to the toughest levels of competition.

Lewis hasn't taken a single AB at the Triple-A level, and in his 589 AB for Double-A Arkansas through 2018 and 2019, he was able to produce 50 XBH (33 doubles, two triples, 15 homers) and a .253/.335/.392 slash. A well-rounded showing, if not leaving a bit to be desired in the slugging department. Then, when he made his MLB debut, something major seemed to click. In 71 AB for the Mariners last season, Lewis knocked five doubles, six HR, and netted a .268/.293/.592 slash with a .324 ISO.

This season, he picked up right where he left off, so far notching six hits (two dingers), a .400 BA, and a .500 OBP through 15 AB while going 2-4 against the Angels on Tuesday night. Lewis' success at the big league plate derives from his low rate of soft contact on batted balls (15.1%) with a solid line drive rate of 18.9%, and although he hits for a lot of grounders (47.2%), his absurd HR/FB ratio of 44.4% ensures that he makes the most of every fly ball. As demonstrated by his 6.2% walk rate and 39.2% strikeout rate, there is still plenty of room for improvement. Regardless, Kyle Lewis is swinging a destructive bat right now, and the season is far too short to stand around and admire the handy work.