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Reds Jesse Winker living up to the hype: Waiver Wire Add?

By Brad Kelly

CINCINNATI, OH - SEPTEMBER 22: Jesse Winker #33 of the Cincinnati Reds bats during a game against the Boston Red Sox at Great American Ball Park on September 22, 2017 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Red Sox defeated the Reds 5-4. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH - SEPTEMBER 22: Jesse Winker #33 of the Cincinnati Reds bats during a game against the Boston Red Sox at Great American Ball Park on September 22, 2017 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Red Sox defeated the Reds 5-4. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Jesse Winker is finally being slotted as the leadoff man for the Reds. With his early success, is it about time he becomes a must-add off the waiver-wire?

The Reds knew they were in for a rough season, but many did not think that their offense would scuffle so much in the first month of the season. Joey Votto’s slow start and Eugenio Suarez’s absence certainly do not help, yet there have been few other candidates to step up and produce.

Enter in, Jesse Winker.

Earlier this offseason, we pegged Jesse Winker as a potential value pick in drafts thanks to his skill set and fantasy-friendly situation.  There were some questions about playing time,  yet Winker has established himself enough to the Reds’ new leadoff man.

On the season, Winker holds a .299/9 RBI/.415 OBP/8 R line over 25 games. On the surface, the line looks somewhat pedestrian to fantasy owners. However, the Reds have been searching for a true leadoff man for years now, and Winker’s skill set fits what they need a top the order.

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Winker has struck out 17 times compared to drawing 15 walks. More impressively, he holds stellar 33% LD, 49% Med, and 36% Hard contact rates. It is simply bad luck that Winker has not left the yard this season, he homered seven times during his 2017 debut but has notched six doubles already in 2018.

For fantasy owners, Winker offers interesting value in the short and long-term. Currently, he is slashing the ball and picking up solid counting stats. Long term, the homers will come and the AVG should never be an issue. Plus, the likes of Votto and Suarez will not struggle all season, offering even more counting stat potential.

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Jesse Winker’s on-base ability is what put him on the fast track to the majors. He is a plug and play type of waiver wire OF that will do enough each week not to hurt you but also has clear upside moving forward.

Add him.

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