Padres: Should Alex Dickerson be a Waiver Wire Add?
By Brad Kelly
Alex Dickerson has been on a torrid stretch at the plate for the San Diego Padres. Should fantasy owners now look to him off the wavier wire as a potential add?
The San Diego Padres entered the 2016 season knowing that they were in the middle of a rebuild after their disastrous 2015 flop. While there have not been too many bright spots this season, their recent homer barrage has been entertaining. One of the players that has spearheaded the attack is, Alex Dickerson.
Alex Dickerson was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2011 and was dealt to the Padres in an innocuous trade in 2013. While he has never been lauded as a top prospect, Dickerson has always hit at the minor league levels. He has never hit below .290, and his gap to gap approach has continually played well.
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Dickerson is 26-years-old, so in terms of upside, there may not be a tremendous ceiling left for him to reach. But, after the trade of Melvin Upton Jr., the Padres have shown the willingness to finally see what he can do at the major league level as a starter. Over the last 14 games, he has posted a, .286/4 HR/8 RBI/1 SB/.937 OPS line. His four homers have come in consecutive games as well, setting a Padres rookie record.
He can not get much hotter at the plate than he is right now, and for those who may have been able to watch him these last few games, he has seemingly squared every ball up. In Toronto, one of his homers even reached the fifth deck, making him one of only 16 players in MLB history to do so. Not too bad for a “gap-to-gap” hitter, huh?
Alex Dickerson’s career high in homers in the minors was 17, so he may be able to flirt with the double digit mark down the stretch. The Padres lineup also happens to be in a groove right now, allowing him plenty of counting stat opportunities. Dickerson does not strike out a ton either, his career high is 96 K, further highlighting that he can make continual contact and maintain weekly production.
Playing in Petco will not help his power totals any, but fantasy owners should give him a closer look off the waiver wire, partly based on his upcoming schedule as well. The next three series that the Padres have come against the Reds, Brewers, and Phillies. Those three opponents have their fair share of pitching woes, only increasing the chance that Dickerson can keep producing. All arrows seem to pointing up, making Dickerson a quality waiver add option.