Minnesota Twins Kurt Suzuki: Deep Waiver Wire Add

By Brad Kelly | Jun 30, 2016

Mar 29, 2016; Fort Myers, FL, USA; Minnesota Twins catcher Kurt Suzuki (8) connects for a solo home run during the fourth inning against the Boston Red Sox at CenturyLink Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

Kurt Suzuki has been on fire at the plate for the Minnesota Twins over the last month. Should owners now give him a closer look off the waiver wire?

Not much has gone right for the Twins this season. They have struggled since the get go, and it seems as though things are not going to change, at least in 2016. But, over the last month or so, Kurt Suzuki has appeared as a bright spot.

Suzuki is already in his eighth big league season, and while he is a former All-Star, he has never been a fantasy juggernaut. He is usually lauded for his defense and durability, but over the last few seasons, his offense has nearly disappeared.

The Twins brought him in 2014, after his career seemingly was on its last legs, but he rewarded the Twins with a .288 AVG in his first season with club. In 2015 though, things went south, as Suzuki’s offense was well below AVG. He ended 2015 with a brutal, .240/5 HR/50 RBI/.610 OPS season line, forcing the Twins to look elsewhere for a replacement.

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During this offseason, the Twins made the decision to trade for John Ryan Murphy from the Yankees, meaning Suzuki was knee-deep in a competition for his job. Unfortunately for Twins fans, the competition eventually turned into who could suck less between the two, and eventually Suzuki survived.

Over the first two months of the season, Suzuki once again struggled to hit his weight and it looked as though he was finally done. But, since the beginning of June, he has been a man possessed at the plate. In June he was able to post a, .379/3 HR/14 RBI/1.018 OPS line, showing some semblance of offensive life.

Some pundits will point to his .462 BABIP in June as the root of his success, and it is impossible to downplay the luck factor. But, while owners should certainly expect that number to drop, his peripheral numbers appear to show he will not hit rock bottom either. His 27% LD rate and 30.2% Hard Contact Rate, are both the highest of his career. So there is some optimism here.

The fantasy upside is not terribly high and the supporting class around Suzuki remains weak. But, as the C spot is still one of the weakest fantasy positions, someone this hot at the plate offers value. Owners looking for immediate help should give Suzuki a look, he is batting .429 with 9 RBI over the last two weeks after all, so do not ignore him any longer.

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