For some owners, the fantasy playoffs are here! For many of you the pressure is just picking up. If you’ve been in cruise control you have to start paying attention again, and if you’ve clawed your way into the postseason you need to maintain your diligence.

This edition of my weekly column is here to help you with your playoff squad. The players listed are all guys I think can be difference-makers in the race for the title. 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.

 

Second Base (2B) Waiver Wire Pickups

Martin Prado (MIA) - Owned in 32.6% of Fleaflicker leagues

From a counting stats perspective, Martin Prado has been disappointing in 2015. When you really think about it though, he’s pretty much done as much as possible given his lineup. The Marlins have been without Giancarlo Stanton for quite some time, limiting Prado’s run-scoring and driving-in abilities. Stanton should be back within the next week or two, which should provide a nice boost for Prado for the fantasy playoffs. He’s been especially hot lately too, hitting .327 with 10 RBIs and three homers in his last 15 games. He’ll be on the field every day, and he won’t strike out much. Prado is the unspectacular mainstay that might give you the edge.

Baller Move: Add in points leagues with 10+ teams/add in roto leagues with 10+ teams

 

Ryan Goins (TOR) - Owned in 3.4%% of Fleaflicker leagues

Goins has filled in admirably for the injured Devon Travis of late, and you’re adding him solely because he’s hot and in a fantastic lineup. In his last 15 games, he’s put up a .400 batting average with a shockingly high 1.018 OPS during that time frame. He hits in the bottom of the lineup, and has plenty of opportunities to score runs every night hitting ahead of Josh Donaldson, Jose Bautista, and Edwin Encarnacion. He could be a sneaky source of batting average and runs scored for the home stretch and perhaps even swipe a bag or two.

Baller Move: Add in points leagues with 10+ leagues/ add in roto leagues with 10+ teams

 

Shortstop (SS) Waiver Wire Pickups

Corey Seager (LAD) - Owned in 29.1% of Fleaflicker leagues

If you haven’t added him yet, stop reading this article and go do it now. One of baseball’s top three prospects, Seager was called up on Thursday and proceeded to deliver a great game, going 2-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBI. He boasts a potent combination of power and average and should be one of the top young shortstops in baseball next year. The only concern with Seager is whether or not he’ll have playing time in September. I’m fairly confident he will, otherwise the Dodgers wouldn’t have called him up. He could be an immediate upgrade over whomever you have in your middle infield spot, especially if you need a power boost on your squad.

Baller Move: Add in all points leagues/add in all roto leagues

 

Eduardo Escobar (MIN) - Owned in 37.9% of Fleaflicker leagues

I’ve been telling people to add him for weeks now, and his ownership percentage seems to show those people are catching on. Escobar has been positively dynamite in the last month, hitting .342 with a 1.042 OPS in his last 30 games. He hits at the top of a Twins lineup that is fighting hard for a playoff spot, and he’s been scoring runs at a great pace. He’s capable of flashing some power as well, with four of his eight home runs this season coming in August. I truly think that Escobar could be a great fantasy option in the playoffs, as he provides good production in several categories. It doesn’t hurt that he’s eligible at SS, 3B and OF, making him the ideal utility guy for your lineup.

Baller Move: Add in points leagues with 10+ teams/add in roto leagues with 10+ teams

 

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