Reynolds' production may increase if traded
NBC Sports EDGE's Drew Silva thinks Pittsburgh Pirates OF Bryan Reynold's numbers could see a boost if he is traded to a contender before the deadline.
Video Transcript
DREW SILVA: Pirates outfielder Bryan Reynolds was sort of a forgotten man on the fantasy landscape this past spring after he batted just 189 with a 632 OPS over 208 plate appearances during the pandemic shortened 2020 season. His average draft position in Yahoo league sat above 350. That's a little strange, given how well he played as a rookie in 2019. Made all the more strange in retrospect by what he's done so far in 2021.
Reynolds, as of mid-June, has a batting average up near 300 and an OPS within range of 900. He hit only seven total home runs in 55 games last year, but locked in a double digit home run just 59 games into the 2021 regular season, which thankfully will run the full 162 games. His more teammate dependent counting stats like RBIs and runs scored have been somewhat underwhelming relative to his overall slash line. But the projections on those numbers could see a sudden uptick later this summer if the rebuilding Bucs find a willing trade partner and Reynolds winds up high in the lineup on a contending team.