Tampa Bay Rays Steven Souza: Waiver Wire Target
By Brad Kelly
Steven Souza has always been lauded for his raw tools, but he has yet to put it all together over one season. After his hot start to begin the season, could this be the year Souza reaffirms their beliefs?
One of the more popular fantasy terms thrown around when it comes to evaluating a player is something called the, “post-hype” label . A label that basically classifies a player that still possess all the tools necessary to excel, but has failed to live to expectations. A perfect example of this is Tampa Bay Rays outfielder, Steven Souza.
Souza has been routinely praised throughout out his career for his raw tools and dynamic power/speed skill set. But, he has failed to put it all together over the course of one season due to injuries and simply having no avenue to the majors during his time with the Washington Nationals.
Last season after coming over to Tampa, Steven Souza was making the rounds of being considered a sleeper thanks to his tools and the fact that Tampa would offer him consistent playing time. He played in a career high 110 games, but did miss time again due to injury. His 2015 season line, .225 AVG/16 HR/40 RBI/12 SB/.717 OPS, certainly has its fair share of positives and negatives.
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The clear negatives were his brutal .225 AVG, 144 K, and .717 OPS. Souza’s swing does tend to get long and as he handicaps himself by forming the habit of chasing breaking balls. This offseason and through the spring, it seemed as though he has made the effort to shorten his swing and is trying to utilize the right side of the field more.
The positives of last season were the 16 HR and 12 SB over only 110 games. He has 20 HR/15 SB upside and is widely still on the waiver wire even after his early success already this season. So far this season, the Rays could not have asked more from Souza. He has 3 HR, is batting .400 over 15 plate appearances, and put them the team ahead against the Blue Jays in yesterday’s game with a clutch three run 8th inning homer.
What has been the most impressive feat for Stev Souza this season though, is that each of his three homers have gone to different parts of the ballpark. His power is legit and he has the tools to be a power source, which is something fantasy owners are always in search of. He does have 5 SO as well, so he is not completely cured of his woes, but the talent is still enticing.
He has been slotted into the sixth spot of the lineup, offering him a decent source of RBI chances with an improved Rays lineup. His home ballpark does him no favors power wise, but the A.L. East has plenty of hitter’s havens that he can take advantage of.
Next: MLB Week 1 Injury Report
Injuries are impossible to predict and Steven Souza has had his fair share of issues, so the risk still looms over him. But, his potential makes for the perfect waiver wire gamble and with his early success, owners may regret not grabbing him now. Snag him off the waiver wire and at least try to ride him while he is hot, with the hopes that maybe this could by the season he breaks out.