Middle Infield Waiver Wire Pickups

So how’d you do in week 6 and the first half of week 7? Not great if you owned Jose Fernandez, Martin Perez or Carlos Beltran.   Whether you came out of the gate strong or stumbled at the start or owned one of those players who get injured, 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 in the early goings—if they are available, snatch them up, or at the very least keep them on your radar…

Second Base (2B) Waiver Wire Pickups

Scooter Gennett (MIL) - owned in 5.3% of leagues

Scooter has done well as the starting second baseman for the Brew Crew. His play allowed him to steal the starting role away from the much higher-paid Rickie Weeks. As of right now, he’s hitting .282 with 12 runs scored, 10 RBIs, two bombs and three stolen bases. While not eye-popping, those numbers are pretty darn solid if you need to plug a hole. Gennet is seeing the great majority of his ABs come from the 2-hole, and with Ryan Braun back in the lineup and Aramis due back in a couple weeks at most, Gennet is primed for some nice productivity.

Baller Move: Add him in deep leagues

Brian Roberts (NYY) - owned in 3.7% of leagues

Feel like rollin’ the dice? This veteran second baseman is, in a word, fragile. However, the oft-injured Roberts is playing regularly in an ever-potent Yankees lineup, and is reaping the rewards—he’s already crossed the plate 16 times this year, and has four swiped bags to add in as well. Those numbers are coming with a subpar batting average, which means that if he heats up even a little bit he’ll be able to put up some solid counting stats.

Baller Move: Add if you’re desperate, monitor otherwise

Shortstop (SS) Waiver Wire Pickups

Brandon Crawford (SF) - owned in 10.4% of leagues

I know I’ve mentioned Crawford before, but he’s starting regularly and putting up very nice numbers (2 HR and 5 RBI over his last 7 games). The average is nothing to write home about at .258, but you’ll take the 5 jacks and 20 RBI out of the shortstop spot any day of the week. He doesn’t look like he’s going anywhere, and he’s been great in May so far. Moral of the story—ride this guy if you need a good fill-in and some power from your shortstop.

Baller Move: Add him in deeper leagues

Mike Aviles (CLE) - owned in 3.8% of leagues

In place of the injured Jason Kipnis, Aviles has quietly put up solid numbers—real solid. On the season as a whole, Aviles is hitting .312 with 13 runs scored and 11 RBI, with four stolen bases as a nice little cherry on top. I don’t see him slowing down any time soon, and Kipnis will be out at least another two weeks. The biggest knock on Aviles, as with many middle infielders, is that he's batting very low in the order, the 9-hole in this case.  Still, grab Aviles and reap the benefits while you’ve got the chance if you need a shortstop fill-in — trust me, I’m a doctor.

Baller Move: Add him in deeper leagues