Welcome to the penultimate 2016 edition of this feature. It seems like just yesterday that we were trying not to overreact to unsustainable starts by nondescript players. Like Tyler White. Remember that guy?
With the finish line in sight, we’re taking the exact opposite approach. Now is the time to throw caution to the wind and invest in any hitter currently getting the job done. As always, in addition to this week’s corner infield adds, we’ve got you covered with even more advice and analysis through our Waiver Wire Wizard tool.
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Week 25 Corner Infield Waiver Wire Targets
Brandon Drury, 2B/3B/OF, Arizona Diamondbacks (35 percent owned)
Drury has swung a red-hot bat in recent weeks, slashing .439/.507/.742 with five homers and 30 R+RBI in his last 17 games. He’s recorded multiple hits in nine of those contests. The 24 year old was briefly in vogue with fantasy owners after a torrid stretch early this year, and he’s heated up again at the perfect time. As you might expect given the aforementioned production, he’s the most popular add over the last week on both Yahoo and ESPN’s platforms.
Ryon Healy, 3B, Oakland Athletrics (25 percent)
The second-most added player in Yahoo and ESPN leagues over the last week? That’d be Healy, who we also highlighted in this space last week. Since then, he’s logged multiple hits in six of seven, hitting .467/.529/.800 with a pair of homers and 16 R+RBI. Overall, he’s up to .313/.349/.525 with 10 homers in 59 games.
Cesar Hernandez, 2B/3B/SS, Philadelphia Phillies (25 percent)
Hernandez hasn’t run as much as we might like – he’s just 2-for-4 on stolen base attempts this month, and 17-for-29 on the season – but he’s been a boon to anyone in need of batting average or OBP. Since being moved into the Phillies’ leadoff spot on July 24, he’s hit .305/.418/.433, walking nearly as often as he strikes out. How many times he has he failed to reach base in a game during that eight-week span? Twice – and for one of those, he only came up as a pinch-hitter.
C.J. Cron, 1B, Los Angeles Angels (22 percent)
Over the last three weeks, Cron is hitting .311/.33/.581 with five homers and 22 R+RBI. He’s improved his batting average, OBP, and strikeout and walk rates each of his three seasons in the majors, and might have enjoyed a true breakout season if a broken hand hadn’t robbed him of nearly two months of action. Of course, that’s also kept his ownership rate on the low side, which could be a benefit to you down the stretch. Power’s not as scarce as it was in the last few years, but it’s not easy to find a guy who offers both pop and average on the wire at this stage.
Sean Rodriguez, 1B/2B/3B/SS/OF, Pittsburgh Pirates (9 percent)
Josh Harrison’s season-ending injury opened the door for Rodriguez to get regular playing time, and he’s certainly taken advantage. He’s been one of the hottest hitters in baseball, with five home runs over the last week. In September, he’s put together an insane .350/.400/.750 line. This sizzling stretch will likely prove too late to resuscitate the Pirates’ fading wild card hopes, but it can certainly help them to their fourth straight winning season since ending their record 20-year run of futility on that front. And with eligibility at every position save catcher, Rodriguez can help your fantasy squad.
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