Cleveland Indians Lonnie Chisenhall: Deep Waiver Wire Add
By Brad Kelly
Lonnie Chisenhall is on fire at the plate over the last seven games for the Cleveland Indians. Should fantasy owners give the former top prospect another look off the waiver wire?
With the sudden rash of injuries to outfielders such as Miguel Sano and Hunter Pence, fantasy owners have to be on the lookout for potential replacements. Thus, making Lonnie Chisenhall and his current hot streak at the dish, something worth noticing.
Chisenhall was once thought to be the third basemen of the future for the Tribe, but due to injury and inconsistency, he has never lived up to the hype. Now that he is 27-years-old and primarily an outfielder, his ceiling is not what it once was. But, that does not mean he can not provide fantasy value.
The Indians have been forced to work around Micheal Brantley’s absence for pretty much the entire season, and with the recent news that Marlon Byrd is still trying to cheat, they are once again forced to look internally for production.
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Chisenhall is more than likely going to be entrenched as the Indians right fielder moving forward. He will lose some starts to the likes of Tyler Naquin or Rajai Davis, but the team will look to him and his lefty bat to continue to hit.
Chisenhall’s recent stretch at the plate offers us a glimpse into the talent that he was long lauded for. Over the last seven games he has posted a, .438/1 HR/4 RBI/1 SB/1.221 OPS, line. His LD% is up as well, so even though the power is missing, he is hitting the ball hard.
His counting stat total is solid, but lacks upside as he is normally slotted towards the bottom of the lineup. However, with the way he is swinging it and the Tribe’s need for offense, he should find himself rising in the order.
Form a fantasy perspective, Chisenhall offers at worse AVG help and solid counting stats. He has more pop than what he has shown this season and with the rise in his LD%, he should eventually chip in more than a handful of homers.
Next: Hunter Pence: Injury Fallout
He may not be a long term fix, but he is a decent temporary addition that can soften the blow of some of the recent injuries to fantasy outfielders. It serves as a low risk/medium reward move, yet still a move worth considering.