Philadelphia Phillies Tommy Joseph: Deep Waiver Wire Add
By Brad Kelly
Tommy Joseph has finally been handed the starting job at first base for the Philadelphia Phillies. Should fantasy owners add him off the waiver wire during his current hot streak?
Tommy Joseph has taken an interesting path to the majors, but he has finally arrived and has shown some promise.
The 24-year-old was once a highly touted catching prospect for the San Francisco Giants, and came to Philly in the Hunter Pence deal in 2012. After mashing 35+ homers during his first two minor league seasons, a concussion and an eye condition, cost him nearly three years of his career.
He was permanently transitioned to first base, and the Phillies have patiently waited for him to return to form. He started this season in the minors, but with the Phillies in a rebuild year and needing offense, he was promoted rather quickly.
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The Ryan Howard dilemma has taken an ugly turn the last two seasons. Howard is on fumes and has never been the same since tearing his Achilles. But, he was instrumental in the Phills recent tittle runs and even if he is vastly overpaid, he still deserves better treatment than what he has gotten.
With that aside, Joseph was finally named the starting first basemen last week, after going on a torrid stretch the last fourteen games. Over that span he has posted a, .316/4 HR/7 RBI/.991 OPS, line. The power display is a welcome sight since he has struggled to refine his power stroke since 2011. He is seeing the ball well and his health, has anchored his success this season.
He currently sits with a, .301/7 HR/12 RBI/.928 OPS, season line over 73 at bats. He does have some swing and miss tendencies, he has a 27% K rate, but his nine extra base hits are a welcome trade. Owners should not believe in the .300+ AVG based on his K rate, but the power is legit.
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Playing in Citizens Bank will surely help his counting stats and with Odubel Herrera and Maikel Franco hitting in front of him, the counting stats should be there. Owners should expect between 15-20 HR and maybe 40 RBI moving forward, which serves as a welcome addition as a CI or UTIL addition. Make the move.