Indians Tyler Naquin: Deep Waiver Wire Add

The Indians have been on a roll since June 17. One reason is the success of rookie Tyler Naquin. He’s worth an add in deeper leagues.

The Cleveland Indians are currently in first place, mostly due to their recent 14-game win streak. While the games haven’t been blowouts, 11 runs is the largest margin of victory, the team as a whole is playing well. The hitters are making good contact and the pitchers have been lights out.

One player that has stepped up this month is rookie Tyler Naquin. If you are looking for a deep waiver add, he is someone worth picking up.

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Naquin started the season on the Indians roster, but didn’t play much in the first two months. In his first 27 games, 17 starts, he had a .317 average with two doubles, two triples and two RBI. He was sent back to Triple-A on May 18 and didn’t return until June 2.

The trip back to Columbus did him wonders because Tyler Naquin lit it up last month. He earned American League Rookie of the Month honors, with 12 runs, six home runs, 15 RBI and a .338/.434/.785 line.

On the season, he has a .319 average with six homers, 17 RBI and a 46:13 K:BB ratio.

The only question mark around his play is if the power will last. He hit 10 home runs between Single- and Double-A back in 2013, but hasn’t hit more than seven homers in a single season. Though the power isn’t why you would add Naquin, it’s a nice bonus.

Tyler Naquin has spent most of the season hitting in the bottom third of the Indians lineup, behind Lonnie Chisenhall and Juan Uribe. Yet, he is still able to score and drive in runs, which is rare from someone hitting in the eighth or ninth spots.

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Naquin is owned in just 10.2 percent of ESPN leagues. He doesn’t do enough to warrant an add in all leagues. But with the depth of players in deeper leagues, he can make a difference. The extra home run or few RBI can be enough to win a head-to-head matchup.

After the amazing month he had in June, I would jump on the bandwagon and hope for another just like it in July.