Over the course of the season I’ll be giving you two players at second base and shortstop per week who I think can help your team. These players are usually widely available in any format, and should turn nice profits in the weeks to come.
As always, feel free to reach out to me directly @Roto_Dubs with any questions about the middle infield or fantasy baseball in general.
Editor’s Note: to read about even more waiver wire options, be sure to check out our famous waiver wire pickups list which is a running list that is updated daily. Prefer using your phone? Our free waiver wire app is available for download in the Apple & Android Stores.
Second Base (2B) Waiver Wire Pickups
Trea Turner (2B - WAS) - Owned in 33% of Fleaflicker leagues
This one is preemptive, but it's going to be worth it. I write about him now because it's very possible Turner will be called up within the next week. Players are eligible for free agency after six years of service, and technically a full season is considered 172 days. Turner accrued 45 days last season, and in order to keep him under the 172 mark--and give the Nationals another year of control--he had to stay in the majors until May 30th. It's now May 31st, and Turner has been absolutely destroying AAA pitching. He's currently slashing .321/.385/.489 and has 16 stolen bases in just 190 at bats. Danny Espinosa is the only one blocking Turner's path to a starting role, and he's been atrocious all year (.198/.298/.309). The Nationals have accomplished their shady control goals, so it's only a matter of time they promote Turner and give their lineup a real spark.
Gordon Beckham (2B, 3B - ATL) - Owned in 1% of Fleaflicker leagues
Yes, THAT Gordon Beckham. In a utility role for the Braves, the former White Sox mainstay has been producing well above his career averages in almost every offensive category. He's currently hitting .303 with 12 runs and 15 RBI in just 104 plate appearances, and given the lack of talent in the Braves lineup he should continue to start at one position or another in the near future. While I certainly expect him to come back to Earth, Beckham has shown legitimate improvement at the dish this season. His 10.6% K-rate is well below his 14.7% career mark, and his 11.5% walk-rate is almost double his career 6.8% career average. There's no way Beckham should be your long-term solution at any position, but if you've got an injury to deal with, why not add a hot bat?
Shortstop (SS) Waiver Wire Pickups
Ketel Marte (SS - SEA) - Owned in 24% of Fleaflicker leagues
This is another preemptive add. The switch-hitting Seattle speedster has been on the DL with a sprained thumb since May 22nd, but his injury has proven to be very minor--he'll return to the Mariners on June 6th when he is first eligible. After a very slow start, Marte turned things around in May, and he had raised his batting average all the way up to .276 before being sidelined. His best asset is his speed, and he should be a great source of stolen bases and runs scored once he returns. He's not a superstar by any means (yet), so many owners will have abandoned him thanks to the injury. Any owner would do well to snatch him up before he returns and reap the rewards in the coming months.
Chris Owings (2B, SS, OF - ARI) - Owned in 25% of Fleaflicker leagues
Quick, who's been the most consistent hitter for the Diamondbacks this year? It's not Paul Goldschmidt--it's Chris Owings. The former shortstop has been excellent at the plate in 2016, and has been converted to an outfielder thanks to A.J. Pollock's injury. He's currently slashing .292/.337/.441 and has been a stable presence in an extremely volatile Arizona lineup. He's going to continue to get at bats by hook or by crook, and there is no reason he can't hit .280 and chip in 20 stolen bases this season. He's an ideal plug-and-play utility man for fantasy purposes.
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