Kolten Wong (2B, STL) - Week 20 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in Deep Leagues

OWNED IN: 31% of Leagues

ANALYSIS: Wong's ownership is extremely low for such a complete player. This season, Wong is on pace for his most plate appearances since 2015. He's already matched last season's PA numbers and is improving each and every one of his stats. He's walking more (from 7.6 to 8.9 BB%), striking out less (10.7 to 14.0 K%), and slashing .267/.350/.392 (all of them marking improvements over his last season).

What caught my attention about Wong's performance, though, is how he's been all over the board in fantasy categories. He's producing value in every 5x5 standard stat. He's already hit eight home runs, has 40 R, 42 RBI, and most of all 15 SB. That last number is what makes Wong shine the most. The average qualified hitter has stolen a bit under six bases (5.8) this year. Add that to his overall production and he becomes a way-overlooked infielder. Although his splits against righties are not as good (.712 OPS, compared to .831 against lefties) and he's normally slotted back in the order (in the last third of the lineup), he's still been able to provide runs and bat runners in constantly.

Let's be clear: Wong is not a star, but he can be a valuable piece of your lineup in deep leagues. Entering this week you could even take advantage of his little early-August slump (6-of-21, no HR, no SB) and pick him on the low as he's bound to rebound. He looks like a no-brainer addition in 12+ team leagues and also in smaller ones if you have a deep hole at 2B.