Phillies: Is Peter Bourjos a Deep Waiver Wire Add?

Peter Bourjos has been a pleasant surprise for the Philadelphia Phillies in 2016. But, should fantasy owners now take notice of his hot stretch at the plate and make him a potential waiver wire add?

Peter Bourjos will never live up to the hype that surrounded him early in his career, but that does not mean that he can not be of some value. While being largely ignored in fantasy circles since 2012, Bourjos has emerged as the everyday right fielder for the Phillies. Entering July 17th, he in the midst of a 23 game on-base streak, and coming off the heels of a career high 14 game hitting streak. Should fantasy owners now take notice?

In his second season, Bourjos would go on to breakout, posting a, .271/12 HR/43 RBI/22 SB/.765 OPS line. While there were some concerns, such as his 124 K to only 32 BB, his offense finally seemed to catch up to his defensive prowess. But, things came crashing back to Earth in 2012, as he failed to bat over .220 during his encore season.

After two disastrous seasons with the Cardinals,he was released and it remained to be seen if Bourjos would even get another big league opportunity.

Bourjos was given one more chance though, as the Phillies took a flier on him heading in 2016. The Phillies’ outfield situation was in flux besides in center, offering Bourjos an opportunity to secure a role. He did not make things easy for himself though, nearly getting cut after getting out to a slow start the first two months of the season. Philadelphia could afford to remain patient though, and Bourjos has rewarded them for it.

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Things turned around for Bourjos in the month of June, as he posted a, .410/2 HR/8 RBI/1 SB/1.077 OPS line. He kept things going entering July, and he was one of those players that hated to see the break come. Thus, leaving Bourjos with a .269/4 HR/19 RBI/4 SB/.727 OPS seasonal line. It is admittedly pedestrian, but it is hard to find a hotter bat off the waiver wire in deeper leagues.

In terms of reasons to be optimistic that Bourjos can remain consistent, his peripheral stats are encouraging.  He already has 15 doubles this season, the highest total since his breakout in 2011, which have been a direct result of his 17.7% line drive rate and 24% hard contact rate. These two marked increases in his batted ball profile speak to the fact that he is simply hitting the ball harder this season.

His success has also seen him climb all the way to the two hole in the lineup, which has fueled his counting stats. He is approaching 30-years-old, so to see his speed dwindle like it has is concerning. But, there is still enough in his legs to eclipse 10 SB by season’s end.

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Bourjos is not a sexy addition by any means, but adding a potential, .265 AVG/10 HR/30 RBI/10 SB, type of player to finish the season, should not be discounted, Do not sleep on him moving forward.