Tyler Stephenson (C/1B, CIN) - Week 21 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues

ROSTERED IN: 24% of leagues

ANALYSIS: Early in the campaign the Reds boasted a pair of bona fide potential MVP contenders in Nick Castellanos and Jesse Winker, but as the seasoned pushed deeper into summer, it became clear that a pair of NL ROY contenders had also emerged for the Reds in Jonathan India and Tyler Stephenson. Stephenson has needed to be really good in a year where Tucker Barnhart has improved tremendously. In 261 AB at catcher and first base, the 6'4, 225-lb. blue chip has clubbed 24 XBH (nine HR, 15 doubles) with a .291/.376/.452 slash, sitting pretty with a 1.8 oWAR. The 25-year-old former 11th overall pick has been toned down his power approach as evidenced by his reduced hard hit rate and exit velocity in conjunction with more grounders in lieu of fly balls, but that combination of factors has been excellent for occasional power-hitting with a great addition of doubles.

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His maintenance of a fantastic walk rate and a massive reduction in strikeout frequency to 18.2% has manifested in one of the best well-rounded offensive skillsets at the position in 2021. He is currently tied for sixth in the league among catchers with 48 runs, he has still provided nine dingers and 38 RBI, his .291 BA ranks third in the league behind only Omar Narvaez and Buster Posey among catchers with at least 200 AB, and his .376 OBP is just straight-up unusual for the catcher position. The power is coming along too. From June to the present, Stephenson collected seven of his homers, nine of his doubles, and 27 of his RBI in the electric Cincinnati offense. If they gave an award for NL Rookie Tandem of the Year, it would be a tight race between India/Stephenson and Trevor Rogers/Jazz Chisholm. As far as managing your team for the postseason, if Tyler Stephenson is available in your league, that's a no-brainer add at the rate he's heating up.

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