Manuel Margot has had a great season at AAA for the San Diego Padres. Once presumably promoted in September, could he be a waiver wire gem?
Whether it helps or hinders will always be debated, but the ever controversial September call-ups are only days away. The fantasy playoffs begin around this same time as well, making the addition of some of the top young talent in the game, i.e. Manuel Margot, the evermore interesting.
The San Diego Padres are in the middle of a rebuild, so it has not be surprising to see them struggle most of the season. One area on their team that has morphed into a black hole, is the outfield. After trading away Melvin Upton Jr. and Matt Kemp, pretty much each spot in the Padres’ outfield has been in flux.
While the team cycles through countless options, Manuel Margot has done his best this season to solidify his role with the team moving forward. Margot was acquired by San Diego in the Craig Kimbrel deal, and he has not disappointed in his first year with the team. Not only showing that he is the starting CF of the future, but could even immediately become a contributor.
Margot is routinely ranked as one of the top-50 best prospects in the game, with some talent evaluators ranking him as high as 14th entering the season. Paired with fellow top Padres’ prospect Austin Renfroe, they have teamed up to become one of the most formidable duos in the minors.
At AAA this season, Margot has posted a, .307/6 HR/55 RBI/28 SB/.787 OPS line. Scouts are torn on how high his power ceiling is, but that is not the reason owners are going to want to add Margot. Margot rarely strikes out, only 59 K in 545 PA this season, allowing him the ability to run at will. He has 163 SB in only five years on minor league ball, a tremendous amount when taking into account he is only 21-years-old.
Even though the Padres outfield has been a revolving door, Alexi Ramierez was even forced to start in RF, Travis Jankowski has done a great job in center field. As fantasy owners know, Jankowski is running wild on the base paths, offering a glimpse into the potential value Margot could offer down the stretch.
A popular theme in fantasy this season, is that SB numbers are down and HR are up. There are only a few select speedsters left in the game, making owners have to search everywhere to find steals. Margot has the ability to be a true difference maker down the stretch as he can provide the speed numbers that owners will have to have in order to win in the fantasy playoffs.
Manuel Margot may not be in the Billy Hamilton category of speedsters, but he is fast to make a difference. The Padres will surely call him him up in September as it will serve as great experience for him heading into next season. Fantasy owners need to pay close attention to the waiver wire as September call-ups are upon us, too often than not a player added to a big league team in the coming days will be the difference between who fins fantasy gold or not.
Do not miss out.
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