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The 2015 season is well underway, but it’s never too early to start trying to improve your team. Over the course of the season I’ll be giving you two players at second base and shortstop per week who I think can help your team, and below are some options to consider for Week 9.
These players are usually widely available in any format, and should turn nice profits in the weeks to come. 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.
Week 9 Waiver Wire Pickups For Second Base (2B)
Matt Duffy (2B/3B/SS, SF) - Owned in 10.3% of Fleaflicker leagues
Duff Man, oh yeah! Since Bruce Bochy decided to give the 24-year-old infielder the starting job at third base, he’s been producing. He should continue to do so in a suddenly very good Giants lineup. I imagine that he’ll have a rather long leash given that he’s already doing well (hitting .321 with two homers, five runs scored and six RBIs in his last seven games). A word of caution for those in points leagues—he does strike out at a decent clip, so be careful when deploying him if K’s count for -1. It’s too early to tell if this kind of production is sustainable, but for now ride him while he’s hot.
Baller Move: Add in points leagues with 10+ teams/add in roto leagues with 10+ teams
Chase Utley (2B, PHI) - Owned in 42.7% of Fleaflicker leagues
Given his abominable start to the season, Utley might be available in your league, regardless of format. Take a flier on him if you’re really desperate in the middle infield or if you’ve got an injured player to replace, because he has slowly been turning it around. He’s raised his batting average almost 100 points in the last three weeks, hitting .349 in his last 15 games. His days of 30+ homers are well behind him, but he could end up with 15 and perhaps a .270 batting average come September. Give the much-maligned veteran a shot—better days are coming.
Baller Move: Add in points leagues with 10+ leagues/add in roto leagues with 10+ teams
Week 9 Waiver Wire Pickups For Shortstop (SS)
Wilmer Flores (SS/2B, NYM) - Owned in 13.1% of Fleaflicker leagues
I’ve advised adding Flores before, and I think the time is right to do it again. Flores simply isn’t going away, and he’s contributing enough to be rostered in any format. His batting average is modest (at .245 on the season), but it’s certainly not bad enough where it’ll hurt you. He also strikes out at a much lower rate that one would think for a shortstop with solid pop. The seven home runs so far are really nice if you play in a roto league, and the 21 RBIs and 19 runs scored help in any league. You can add him in any mixed league and feel good about his 15+ homer upside.
Baller Move: Add in points leagues with 10+ teams/add in roto leagues with 10+ teams
Jung Ho Kang (SS/3B, PIT) - Owned in 23.5% of Fleaflicker leagues
It looks like the Pirates are wising up a bit, as Kang has been finding his way into the lineup much more consistently over the last couple weeks. It’s a similar situation to what the Dodgers faced with Alex Guerrero earlier in the season—you can’t bench a player that’s producing. Kang’s average is holding steady, now at .308 on the year. His 11 runs scored, 17 RBIs, three homers, and three stolen bases are useful in any format. He’s certainly not showing any signs of slowing down. Add him and reap the rewards of a potential 15/15 shortstop.
Baller Move: Add in all points leagues/add in all roto leagues
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