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.
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 updated daily. You can also download our free waiver wire iPhone app.
Second Base Waiver Wire Pickups
Alex Guerrero (2B/3B/OF, LAD)
Owned in 14% of Fleaflicker leagues
Free Alex Guerrero. Free Alex Guerrero. FREE ALEX GUERRERO.
It appears as though Don Mattingly has heard the cries of the masses, as he came out after Sunday’s game and said that Guerrero will see some time in left field, which is not his natural position. It’s the old baseball adage—if you can hit, they’ll find a place on the field for you. Boy, has Guerrero been hitting. In only 22 at-bats, Guerrero has 11 hits (five of which are homers), 13 RBIs, and five runs scored. No baseball manager worth his salt will keep a stick that hot on the bench for long, and Mattingly is no fool. Expect to see Guerrero in the Dodgers lineup more and more often, and he should be in your fantasy lineup accordingly.
Baller move: Add in all points leagues/add in all roto leagues
DJ LeMahieu (2B, COL)
Owned in 27% of Fleaflicker leagues
Quick, who’s leading the National League in qualified batting average? WRONG. It’s not Adrian Gonzalez, or Joey Votto, or Todd Frazier—it’s DJ LeMahieu. He’s been quietly clobbering for nearly a month, churning out 26 hits and 12 RBIs in his first 18 games. The reigning NL Gold Glove winner at the keystone isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, so you should feel confident starting him in any format, but especially if you’re looking for batting average in a roto league. He is known to chip in a homer or a steal every now and then as well, and hey—who doesn’t want a hitter who plays at Coors Field?
Baller Move: Add in all points leagues/add in all roto leagues
Shortstop Waiver Wire Pickups
Jed Lowrie (SS, HOU)
Owned in 17% of Fleaflicker leagues
The veteran Lowrie seems to be fitting in quite nicely back in Houston after his stint out west, and has so far rewarded fantasy owners who put their faith in him during the draft. He’s currently rocking a .281 batting average along with nine runs, nine RBIs, three homers and a steal. Assuming his health, you’ll end up with 20+ homers out of him at the end of the season, and he definitely shouldn’t kill you with his batting average either. Lowrie’s picture is next to the word “serviceable” in the dictionary, and should be treated as such in fantasy. Go look it up, seriously. I’ll wait.
Baller Move: Add in points leagues with 10+ teams/add in roto leagues with 10+ teams
Adeiny Hechavarria (SS, MIA)
Owned in 25% of ESPN leagues
If I told you the Marlins’ offensive MVP was anyone but Giancarlo Stanton, you’d probably fit me for a straitjacket. Alas, here we are. Hechavarria has come out of the gates firing on all cylinders, and is currently riding a nine-game hitting streak. I keep seeing the phrase “light-hitting” being thrown around when speaking of Hechavarria, but don’t tell him that. Through 19 games, he has an .855 OPS, and is producing runs at an extraordinary pace—how does 16 RBIs and 15 runs scored through 19 games sound? You can’t expect this sort of production to continue, but while it’s happening, you ride it. With Hechavarria, it’s an add, add, add, add world.
Baller Move: Add in all points leagues/add in all roto leagues
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