The 2015 season is well underway, but it’s never too early to start trying to improve your team. 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, and below are some options to consider for Week 8.
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 for second base and shortstop, be sure to check out our famous waiver wire pickups list which is a running list that is updated daily.
Week 8 Second Base (2B) Waiver Wire Pickups
Danny Espinosa (2B/SS, WSH) - Owned in 12% of Fleaflicker leagues
Espinosa is playing regularly at second base for the Nationals, and as the team has heated up so has he. In his last 15 games, he’s hitting .317 with eight RBIs and a whopping 13 runs scored. He does still strike out at an above-average rate, so he’s not as useful in leagues that aware -1 for a K. The run-scoring and RBI totals make him quite useful in roto leagues however, and he’s not without value in points leagues. I would add him now while he’s hot, and ride the Nationals offense for a while longer.
Baller move: Add in points leagues with 10+ teams/add in all roto leagues
Omar Infante (2B, KC) - Owned in 5% of Fleaflicker leagues
This veteran infielder got off to an incredibly slow start to the season, and as a result his overall season numbers don’t look good. He’s been on a tear in the last week or so though, gathering eight hits in his last seven games to go along with four runs scored and three RBIs. His .298 BABIP this season dictates that this sort of production will be typical, as does his history - he’s a career .276 hitter. He makes contact often though, and his bat will come around even more as the season progresses.
Baller Move: Add in points leagues with 10+ leagues/add in roto leagues with 10+ teams
Week 8 Shortstop (SS) Waiver Wire Pickups
Brad Miller (SS/2B, SEA) - Owned in 13% of Fleaflicker leagues
Brad Miller has been one of the hottest shortstops in baseball in May. In his last 15 games, he’s hit .310 to go along with four long balls and a handful of RBIs and runs scored. He’s more of a middle infielder for fantasy purposes (as opposed to an everyday shortstop), but he does have decent pop for his position. I don’t expect him to keep hitting at a clip above .300, but the power should linger to some extent, and he won’t kill you when it comes to strikeouts either.
Baller Move: Add in points leagues with 10+ teams/add in roto leagues with 10+ teams
Chris Owings (SS/2B, ARI) - Owned in 9% of Fleaflicker leagues
Speaking of hot shortstops, Chris Owings has turned things around significantly in May. In his last 15 games he’s hitting .327, and while his position at the bottom of the Diamondbacks lineup doesn’t yield many RBI opportunities, he scored 11 runs in that time span. He’s another guy whose season stats thus far don’t reflect his talent level, and I fully expect him to post a .280 average come September assuming he continues to start at short. Enjoy the batting average and runs scored as they pick up with the warmer months.
Baller Move: Add in points leagues with 10+ leagues/add in roto leagues with 10+ teams
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