Waiver Wire Pickups for Second Base (2B) & Shortstop (SS)

April 11, 2014

Bill Dubiel provides his fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups and sleepers for second base (2B) and shortstop (SS). Read his sleepers analysis and advice for Week 2 of MLB.

So how’d you do in Week 1 of fantasy baseball action? Whether you came out of the gate strong or stumbled at the start, your team can always use a shot in the arm…or in this case, the roster. Here’s a look at some middle infielders who could be useful sleepers in the early goings — if they are available, snatch them up off the waiver wire. At the very least keep them on your waiver wire radar. 
 

Second Base (2B) & Shortstop (SS) Waiver Wire Pickups

All ownership %s from Yahoo! fantasy baseball:
 

Kolten Wong (2B, STL) - 29% Owned

ANALYSIS: Wong has had a solid start to the season, hitting .280 over his first 25 at-bats and already swiping three bags. The Hawaiian speedster seems like a good bet to bat out of the second spot for most of the season, provided his bat stays sharp. This puts him at the top of what is still a very solid lineup, meaning that he will score runs. I think you can expect at least .275 out of Wong the rest of the way, with an OBP over .350. The speed is also an important factor. Steals are always a commodity for rotisserie leagues, and you could certainly do worse than Wong if you’re looking for a source of steals that won’t completely kill you in every other category. 30+ on the season is a very real possibility here.

Baller Move: Add him in deeper leagues

Dustin Ackley (2B, SEA) - 36% Owned

ANALYSIS: Yes I understand that the Mariners have another second baseman who’s okay, I guess. If you’re into that. However, Ackley should still have 2B eligibility in your league despite the fact that he’s currently a starting outfielder.  Ackley carried over a solid spring into the first week of the season, already popping his first home run (a feat that took him more than a month to accomplish last year). He is a middling five-tool player—the fact that he’s on this list does not mean I think he’s going to be a break-out superstar. I do believe that he can be a productive 2B/SS if you’re in a pinch, and it’s not out of the realm of possibility to get a .270 season out of him with 15 jacks and a nice handful of steals thrown into the mix.

Baller Move: Add him in deeper leagues
 

Dee Gordon (SS, LAD) - 65% Owned

ANALYSIS: This light-hitting speedster had a very productive first 10 days, betting .394 with 4 steals, a HR, and even 5 RBI already. Let’s be honest, Gordon’s main weapon is his speed. I’d be astonished if he hits more than .280 over the course of the season, but hitting anywhere in the Dodgers lineup will lead to runs scored when he does in fact get on base. This is a case of riding a player while he’s hot, but if you’re lucky he could turn into much more than that.

Baller Move: Add in 12-team leagues

Jonathan Villar (SS, HOU) - 51% Owned

ANALYSIS: Villar is strikingly similar to Dee Gordon—another player whose main weapon is his speed. His first week and a half was impressive, particularly as he filled in at leadoff for the Astros while Dexter Fowler was out with a stomach virus. He’s already got a two home runs, but don’t get used to it. If you’re going to add a player like Villar, you need to temper your expectations a bit. There’s a lot of potential here, and he WILL provide you with a healthy amount of steals, but his BA won't be as good as Gordon's, and batting at the bottom of the Astros' order won't do him any favors.

Baller Move: Add him in deeper leagues