With eight hits in his last five games, Raul Ibanez’s availability on the waiver wire is decreasing rapidly.
Analysis: The thirty-nine year old was having a dreadful season until the last few weeks. Ibanez has been on fire with four home runs and fourteen RBI over the last nine games. Ibanez also has six multi hit games in that span to bring his batting average up to a somewhat respectable .246. He’s averaged twenty-five home runs a year with the Phils and despite his slow start is still on pace for 20-25 bombs. In roto leagues he provides the pop, RBI and a solid run total to go along with a batting average that should not hurt you from here on out. Ibanez is still available in about twenty percent of leagues nationwide and now is the time to pick up the veteran. Power like his isn’t widely available and as many trade deadlines approach in fantasy leagues Ibanez may be of use. At the very least Raul provides power depth in your outfield and with so many injuries around the league he won’t be available for long.
Projection: Expect around ten homers and up to forty RBI in Raul’s remaining games.