Tigers Alex Avila: Deep Waiver Add for Catcher Depth

With the struggles of some of the top catchers, others are making a name for themselves. Tigers catcher Alex Aliva is quietly posting top-10 numbers.

The Detroit Tigers, when all healthy, have one of the best offenses in the league. With the power behind the heart of their order, they can put up double-digit scores. One of the players gaining interest from fantasy owners and posting good numbers is catcher Alex Avila.

Avila already matched his 2016 home run total and has a batting average 100 points higher. Granted, he played in just 57 games last year with the Chicago White Sox and 67 games in 2015 back with the Tigers.

In 35 games, Avila has seven home runs, 21 RBI and a .313 average. He is also showing good plate discipline with 21 walks, 37 strikeouts and a .433 on-base percentage.

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The Tigers other catcher, James McCann, was placed on the 10-day DL with a laceration on his left hand. With the way Avila has been playing, I don’t think McCann will get much playing time when he’s healthy.

Avila was hitting in the bottom of the Tigers lineup for the first six weeks of the season.

Over the last two, however, Avila moved up to the No. 2 spot, ahead of Miguel Cabrera, Victor Martinez and the returning J.D. Martinez.With those three power hitters ahead of him, Avila will have plenty of opportunities to get on base and score runs.

With those three power hitters ahead of him, Avila will have plenty of opportunities to get on base and score runs.

In order to see the full potential of this lineup, we have to wait for Ian Kinsler to return from his hamstring injury in a couple of weeks.

Fantasy owners who drafted Gary Sanchez or Jonathan Lucroy early are possibly regretting it and looking for someone to fill in the gaps. Avila, especially with his recent power, is someone to target.

I added Avila on Wednesday but unfortunately, it was too late that I did not get credit for his home run. I dropped Wellington Castillo, who was just placed on the 10-day DL. Avila is a great AL-only or deep league option.

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Avila is owned in just 32.6 percent of ESPN leagues. His ownership percentage went up 6.5 percent over the last week. This has been a year of injuries and catcher is not safe. Add him as a starter or a potential backup barring injury.