David Freese (3B, LAA) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in AL-Only and Very Deep Leagues

OWNED IN: 14% of Fleaflicker leagues.

ANALYSIS: David Freese has established himself as a staple for cheap power for fantasy baseball managers. So far this season, Freese has a solid 10 HR, and an average OPS of .703. Freese has a career OPS of .758, and his OPS got as high as .839 when he hit 2o HR in 2012 with the Cardinals. Why is Freese's OPS now sinking below his solid career average? This season Freese has a BABIP of .274. Throughout the other six years of Freese's career, his BABIP ranged from .320-.376. This season, Freese has been a bit unlucky on balls hit in play, so his OPS should be higher. A higher OPS from balls hit in play means a better BA and more opportunities for R and RBI (Freese has 28 R and 34 RBI on the season). It isn't just previous bad luck that gives Freese future upside, he has also improved his power hitting at the age of 32.

First off, Freese has already hit 10 HR which is the amount he hit in all of last season and half of what he hit in his All-Star 2012 season. The Angels are currently 41-38 and not half way through the season. Freese has also improved his HR% from last year (2% to 3.4%) and his XBH% (7.1% to 8.4%). In fact Freese's numbers are better than his 2012 numbers (2012: 3.5% HR%, 8.1% XBH%). Freese is especially good against LHP with a career OPS of .837 against them. Given that Freese is potentially having his best power season in his career, he has been unlucky on balls in play, and he is a good option against LHP, David Freese is a good cheap option for power hitting at 3B.