Will Middlebrooks (3B, SD) - Waiver Wire Pickups

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ANALYSIS: If you need a third basemen, or corner infielder, to provide some production in the coming weeks, take a look at the Padre’s Will Middlebrooks. Middlebrooks has been a valuable fantasy player at times throughout his short career but has also had long slumps and missed lots of games due to injury. So far in San Diego Middlebrooks is off to a solid hitting start which has him looking like the player that helped the Red Sox get to the World Series.

In 2013 he hit 17 HRs in just 94 games and began to look like a break out star. Middlebrooks fell off in 2014 when he played just 63, hitting .191 with 2 HRs. Sometimes a change of scenery can do wonders for a struggling young player. The Padre’s offense has been infused with talent this year and have gotten off to a red hot start. Middlebrooks is hitting 5th in a stacked lineup behind players like Matt Kemp and Justin Upton.

Middlebrooks has taken advantage of this position with 3 HRs, and 11 RBIs in just 54 ABs to begin his season. He is never going to be a .300 hitter but his value is clearly on the way up in this very productive lineup. Middlebrooks can be a useful addition to a team with an injured third basemen like David Wright, or a team looking for extra RBIs. Grab him off the waiver wire, ride the hot streak, and see if he can keep it up all season long.