TAP FOR 6 MONTHS OF PREMIUM FREE 💰
X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

Overrated/Underrated Week 21: Second Basemen

You made it. Or, you're close to making it. The playoffs are here, or they're almost here. Every roster decision matters. Whether it's daily or weekly, there's no longer a point to holding on to guys with microscopic chances of helping your fantasy team. Think Giancarlo Stanton, who may not return until the end of September, or Gerrit Cole, who is now plagued by bone spurs in his throwing elbow and may miss at least the next couple of starts.

In redraft leagues, don't be afraid to drop guys like them. Every roster spot is precious, especially if there's a player on the waiver wire who can help you now. Here are three second basemen who can help you amid your playoff push.

Editor's Note: Purchase a full season NFL Premium Pass (including Draft Kit + DFS Premium), and also get MLB Premium + DFS for free through October. Premium DFS lineup picks, expert lineups, tools and more - seven days a week. You can see screenshots of our NFL Premium and MLB Premium and DFS tools. What are you waiting for?


Past editions: Week 1 (OF/SP) | Week 2 (OF/SP) | Week 3 (SS) | Week 4 (1B) | Week 6 (SP) | Week 7 (2B) | Week 8 (SP) | Week 9 (C) | Week 12 (OF) | Week 14 (SP) | All-Star Break (3B) | Week 15 (SS) | Week 18 (1B) | Week 20 (SP)

 

Underrated Second Basemen

Dee Gordon, MIA

77% owned, via Fleaflicker

Public Service Announcement: Dee Gordon was a 2nd-round draft pick this season. A few missed months and now he's barely a top-10 second basemen by ownership. That's a testament to how high the offensive bar has been set at a once-anemic offensive position, but it also attests to owners' perception of his talents. I don't want to speculate on the effect PEDs have on certain players, but let's just say Gordon already had elite speed, was never known for power, and has decent-enough contact skills to propel him to solid batting averages.

Again, the elevated baseline for offensive performance makes Gordon significantly less valuable than he was to begin the season. But the 10 or 12 stolen bases he can chip in for your team along with 15 runs, 10 RBI, .280 batting average? The offensive landscape of baseball has changed, but only for one category; the glut of home runs has only further exacerbated the paucity of stolen bases and the select few players who can provide them in spades. Gordon is one of those players. Be wary to underrate him.

 

Brad Miller, TBR

39% owned, via Fleaflicker

Finally. Finally. We're now a few years removed from Miller's somewhat prodigious showing in the Mariners' minor league system, exhibiting plus plate discipline with legitimate 20/20 power and speed. To attest: across Double-A and Triple-A in 2013, Miller slashed .319/.399/.521 while hitting 12 home runs and stealing six bases in 68 games, good for a roughly 25-homer, 12-steal pace in full-season play. And, hey, guess what Miller is finally doing?

It's a shame that Miller's solid plate discipline has yet to, and probably never will, translate to the majors. In that regard, he'll likely always hit for a league-average batting average. But Miller is optimizing his swing the best he can -- he's pulling the ball more frequently than ever before and making more frequent hard contact to boot.

There are red flags to note here. Despite these optimizations, Miller isn't far different from the hitter he was prior to last year. Yet, for whatever reason, his HR/FB has more than doubled since his promising first years with the Mariners in 2013 and 2014. Regression lurks in the horizon. Let's hope not this season. For now, years of waiting have finally been validated: Miller has the chops to be a bona fide major league slugger.

 

Trea Turner, WAS

36% owned, via Fleaflicker

Turner hit his 5th home run yesterday. In a full season, Turner's current line paces out to 18 home runs and 60 stolen bases. I hope this is blowing your mind.

A lot of his currently insane production stems from opportunity: he's running a .417 batting average on balls in play (BABIP), a mostly impossible feat to accomplish in a full season. When the on-base percentage (OBP) slips, so, too, will the stolen base opportunities, as well as the rest of the counting stats. The plate discipline also raises cause for concern: he has struck out seven times more often than he is walked. In more abstract terms: he currently has as many triples (6) as he does walks. He's an incredible talent, but he could be a volatile and frustrating one.

If there's anything to know: the speed is very, very legit, grading out at plus-plus and already ranking him among the game's elite baserunners. The power, at this point, is gravy. I anticipate his power pace slows a bit, but he should be good for 15 home runs in his prime, although, at 23, he still has plenty of room for growth.

The hot hand can fizzle out at any moment, but if you're looking for keeper or dynasty pickups, make Turner a top priority in the middle infield. And, now, even if his batting average screeches to a halt, the stolen bases should loft his value, perhaps making him more valuable than the aforementioned Gordon.

 

Devon Travis, TOR

19% owned, via Fleaflicker

Travis is my homie. I have hyped him since last season, and I made a bold prediction about his performance this season that seems poignant now. August Fagerstrom at FanGraphs further contextualizes his incredibly solid production, in case you need more reasons to salivate. That he's only 19% owned baffles me.

What might be most impressive his how consistent he has been between his debut in 2015 and this season. His batted ball skills make batting average his bread and butter, so the .300 average he'll give you from here on out will be his greatest contribution to your team. But the additional five home runs and couple of stolen bases he'll chip in through the end of September will be much-appreciated -- as long as you have him rostered, that is. It seems like most don't.

 

Live Expert Q&A Chats - Every Weekday @ 1 PM and 6 PM EST (DFS)

Fantasy Baseball Chat Room

[iflychat_embed id="c-55" hide_user_list="yes" hide_popup_chat="no" height="400px"]


Check out RotoBaller's entire fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups and sleepers list, updated daily!




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Norman Powell

in Danger of Missing Third Consecutive Game
Tyler Herro

Misses 11th Straight Game
Michael Porter Jr.

Available Against Lakers
Jalen Green

Iffy for Tuesday Night
Devin Booker

Won't Play Tuesday
Deni Avdija

Doubtful Tuesday
Hagen Smith

to Compete for Early Promotion to Triple-A?
Parker Messick

a Name to Watch in Spring Training
Yohandy Morales

in the Mix for Starting First Base Role
Harry Ford

to Compete for Starting Job?
Moisés Ballesteros

Moises Ballesteros Will See Time as a Catcher in Camp
Kevin Alcántara

Kevin Alcantara to Compete for Spot on Opening Day Roster
Kyle Tucker

Offers Outstanding Consistency at the Plate
Max Fried

Brings Continued Stability to Yankees' Rotation
Will Smith

Remains a Top Catcher in Elite Dodgers Lineup
Taylor Ward

Bat Should Play in Baltimore
Robbie Ray

Looking to Build Off Healthy Season
Andrés Muñoz

Andres Munoz a Top-Five Fantasy Closer After Another Dominant Season
Ronald Acuña Jr.

The Reward is Worth the Risk With Ronald Acuna Jr.
Joel Embiid

Officially Active on Monday
Onyeka Okongwu

Not Ready to Return on Tuesday Evening
Kevin Durant

Rockets Hoping Kevin Durant Can Return After Missing One Game
Kristaps Porzingis

Might Return on Tuesday
Emerson Hancock

to Enter Spring Training as a Starter
Vinny Nittoli

Red Sox Agree to Minor-League Deal With Vinny Nittoli
Valente Bellozo

Signs Minor-League Deal With Rockies
Luke Raley

Should Start Regularly Against Right-Handed Pitchers
Victor Robles

Appears Headed for Short-Sided Platoon Role
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Considered Questionable for Tuesday
Colton Ledbetter

Traded From Rays to Cardinals
Tai Peete

Cardinals Acquire Tai Peete in Three-Team Deal on Monday
St. Louis Cardinals

Cardinals Land Pitching Prospect Jurrangelo Cijntje
P.J. Washington

Sidelined for Tuesday
Julius Randle

Available Against Grizzlies
Anthony Edwards

Cleared for Action Versus Memphis
Alexandre Sarr

Active for Tuesday
Josh Giddey

Out Again on Tuesday Evening
Brad Marchand

Anton Lundell Remain Out Monday
Morgan Rielly

Out Through Olympic Break
Jusuf Nurkić

Jusuf Nurkic Resting Versus Indiana
Stephen Curry

Ruled Out for Tuesday's Matchup With Sixers
Keyonte George

Remains Out on Tuesday
Jonathan Drouin

Available Against Capitals
Logan Thompson

Expected to Return Thursday
Matthew Stafford

Doesn't Need Offseason Back Surgery
Matt Roy

Rejoins Capitals Lineup Monday
Devon Toews

Back for Avalanche Monday
Martin Necas

Remains Out Monday
James Harden

Won't Play Monday
Jake Neighbours

Available Monday
CFB

Joey Aguilar Files New Lawsuit Against NCAA Seeking Sixth Year of Eligibility
Austin Reaves

Could Return Tuesday Against Nets
Davante Adams

Expected to Return to Rams in 2026
Los Angeles Rams

Rams Sign Sean McVay, Les Snead to Contract Extensions
Diego Lopes

Outclassed At UFC 325
Alexander Volkanovski

Dominates Diego Lopes
Dan Hooker

Stopped In The Second Round
Benoît Saint Denis

Benoit Saint Denis Extends His Win Streak
Rafael Fiziev

Suffers Second-Round TKO Loss
MMA

Maurício Ruffy Gets Back In The Win Column
Morgan Geekie

Extends Point Streak to Seven Games With Big Performance
Nikita Kucherov

Tallies Four Points in Stadium Series Win
Chris Kreider

Pots Two Goals in Sunday's Win
Brandon Bussi

Makes History With Another Win
Shayne Gostisbehere

Sets Up Two Goals Sunday
Mikey Anderson

Hurt Versus Hurricanes
Anthony Cirelli

Fails to Finish Stadium Series Matchup
San Francisco 49ers

49ers Set to Name Raheem Morris Their Defensive Coordinator
Las Vegas Raiders

Raiders Close to Naming Klint Kubiak the Next Head Coach
Arizona Cardinals

Cardinals Finalizing Deal to Make Mike LaFleur the Next Head Coach
CFB

Gus Malzahn Retiring from Coaching
Breece Hall

Jets Want to Re-Sign Breece Hall, Could Use Franchise Tag
Troy Terry

Ready to Return Sunday
Victor Hedman

Set to Return Sunday
Connor McMichael

Out Week-to-Week
Kris Letang

Out for Four Weeks
Nico Hischier

a Game-Time Call Saturday
Jack Hughes

Won't Play Saturday
Diego Lopes

An Underdog At UFC 325
Alexander Volkanovski

Set For UFC 325 Main Event
Benoît Saint Denis

Benoit Saint Denis Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Dan Hooker

Set For UFC 325 Co-Main Event
Mauricio Ruffy

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Rafael Fiziev

Returns At UFC 325
CFB

Texas Lands Wake Forest Transfer Sterling Berkhalter
Kirk Cousins

Falcons Expected to Release Kirk Cousins
Chase Brown

Working on Extension With Bengals
Michael Penix Jr.

Hopes to be Ready for Week 1
Dalton Kincaid

Doesn't Need Offseason Surgery
Josh Allen

Undergoes Foot Surgery
Josh Allen

on Crutches, Wearing Walking Boot
CFB

Michigan RB Bryson Kuzdzal Withdrawing from Transfer Portal
Bo Nix

Expected to Resume Training in 4-6 Weeks
Michael Penix Jr.

Thinks he'll be Ready by April
Cleveland Browns

Browns Hiring Todd Monken as Next Head Coach
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF