You made it. Or, you're close to making it. The playoffs are here, or they're almost here. Every roster decision matters. Whether it's daily or weekly, there's no longer a point to holding on to guys with microscopic chances of helping your fantasy team. Think Giancarlo Stanton, who may not return until the end of September, or Gerrit Cole, who is now plagued by bone spurs in his throwing elbow and may miss at least the next couple of starts.
In redraft leagues, don't be afraid to drop guys like them. Every roster spot is precious, especially if there's a player on the waiver wire who can help you now. Here are three second basemen who can help you amid your playoff push.
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Underrated Second Basemen
Dee Gordon, MIA
77% owned, via Fleaflicker
Public Service Announcement: Dee Gordon was a 2nd-round draft pick this season. A few missed months and now he's barely a top-10 second basemen by ownership. That's a testament to how high the offensive bar has been set at a once-anemic offensive position, but it also attests to owners' perception of his talents. I don't want to speculate on the effect PEDs have on certain players, but let's just say Gordon already had elite speed, was never known for power, and has decent-enough contact skills to propel him to solid batting averages.
Again, the elevated baseline for offensive performance makes Gordon significantly less valuable than he was to begin the season. But the 10 or 12 stolen bases he can chip in for your team along with 15 runs, 10 RBI, .280 batting average? The offensive landscape of baseball has changed, but only for one category; the glut of home runs has only further exacerbated the paucity of stolen bases and the select few players who can provide them in spades. Gordon is one of those players. Be wary to underrate him.
Brad Miller, TBR
39% owned, via Fleaflicker
Finally. Finally. We're now a few years removed from Miller's somewhat prodigious showing in the Mariners' minor league system, exhibiting plus plate discipline with legitimate 20/20 power and speed. To attest: across Double-A and Triple-A in 2013, Miller slashed .319/.399/.521 while hitting 12 home runs and stealing six bases in 68 games, good for a roughly 25-homer, 12-steal pace in full-season play. And, hey, guess what Miller is finally doing?
It's a shame that Miller's solid plate discipline has yet to, and probably never will, translate to the majors. In that regard, he'll likely always hit for a league-average batting average. But Miller is optimizing his swing the best he can -- he's pulling the ball more frequently than ever before and making more frequent hard contact to boot.
There are red flags to note here. Despite these optimizations, Miller isn't far different from the hitter he was prior to last year. Yet, for whatever reason, his HR/FB has more than doubled since his promising first years with the Mariners in 2013 and 2014. Regression lurks in the horizon. Let's hope not this season. For now, years of waiting have finally been validated: Miller has the chops to be a bona fide major league slugger.
Trea Turner, WAS
36% owned, via Fleaflicker
Turner hit his 5th home run yesterday. In a full season, Turner's current line paces out to 18 home runs and 60 stolen bases. I hope this is blowing your mind.
A lot of his currently insane production stems from opportunity: he's running a .417 batting average on balls in play (BABIP), a mostly impossible feat to accomplish in a full season. When the on-base percentage (OBP) slips, so, too, will the stolen base opportunities, as well as the rest of the counting stats. The plate discipline also raises cause for concern: he has struck out seven times more often than he is walked. In more abstract terms: he currently has as many triples (6) as he does walks. He's an incredible talent, but he could be a volatile and frustrating one.
If there's anything to know: the speed is very, very legit, grading out at plus-plus and already ranking him among the game's elite baserunners. The power, at this point, is gravy. I anticipate his power pace slows a bit, but he should be good for 15 home runs in his prime, although, at 23, he still has plenty of room for growth.
The hot hand can fizzle out at any moment, but if you're looking for keeper or dynasty pickups, make Turner a top priority in the middle infield. And, now, even if his batting average screeches to a halt, the stolen bases should loft his value, perhaps making him more valuable than the aforementioned Gordon.
Devon Travis, TOR
19% owned, via Fleaflicker
Travis is my homie. I have hyped him since last season, and I made a bold prediction about his performance this season that seems poignant now. August Fagerstrom at FanGraphs further contextualizes his incredibly solid production, in case you need more reasons to salivate. That he's only 19% owned baffles me.
What might be most impressive his how consistent he has been between his debut in 2015 and this season. His batted ball skills make batting average his bread and butter, so the .300 average he'll give you from here on out will be his greatest contribution to your team. But the additional five home runs and couple of stolen bases he'll chip in through the end of September will be much-appreciated -- as long as you have him rostered, that is. It seems like most don't.
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