RADIO
Andrew Ericksen analyzes Cincinnati Reds 2B/3B/OF Josh VanMeter as a waiver wire pickup or add target for Week 21 of the 2019 fantasy baseball season. VanMeter has hit .293 on the year and has been hitting higher in the Reds lineup lately.
BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues
OWNED IN: 15% of Leagues
ANALYSIS: Cincinnati Reds infielder/outfielder Josh VanMeter entered Sunday's action on a six-game hitting streak. He's hit second in the lineup in three straight games after spending most of the year hitting in the middle-third or bottom-third of the order. As he's more of a contact hitter than a power hitter, the promotion in the order should help him both get more at-bats and allow him to score more runs going forward.
On the year, VanMeter is slashing .293/.383/.472 with 4 home runs, 13 RBI, 18 runs and 4 stolen bases over 58 games. VanMeter had proven to be a solid contact hitter over the course of his minor league career, but this year at triple-A, he had been showing hints of a power breakout with a 1.097 OPS and 14 home runs in 49 games. That power profile has yet to manifest itself in the majors, but if it does, VanMeter could become a must-add target.
VanMeter has triple eligibility at second base, third base and outfield, which makes him an attractive add from a versatility standpoint. Right now, he isn't excelling enough at one particular thing to demand an instant pickup, but he's still a worthy add in NL-only leagues and leagues of 12-teams or larger. In more shallow mixed leagues, keep him on your radar.
Check out RotoBaller's entire fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups and sleepers list, updated daily!
