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Bill Dubiel's week 4 fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups and sleepers for second base (2B) and shortstop (SS). Read his MLB middle infield analysis and advice.
So how’d you do in Week 3? 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. I will be analyzing potential SS and 2B sleepers off the waiver wire all year long, for different league formats including AL-Only and NL-Only leagues. Here’s a look at some middle infielders who could be useful in the early goings—if they are still available, consider snatching them up. At the very least, keep them on your radar…
Second Base (2B) Waiver Wire Pickups
Neil Walker (PIT) - Owned in 79% of leagues
![By dbking on Flickr (Original version) UCinternational (Crop) [CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons](http://www.rotoballer.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Neil-Walker-MLB-Fantasy-Baseball-2B-150x150.png)
At 79% owned already, he may not be available in your league. But if he is, snatch him up. My dude is red-hot right now, with six jacks in only 81 at-bats this season. He’s also got 12 RBI already, along with 12 R and a very respectable .275 batting average. These numbers are of course not sustainable, but he’s a very solid option at a very thin position for the as long as he keeps clubbin’. Grab the coattails and ride as long as you can.
Baller Move: Add him in mixed leagues
DJ LeMahieu (COL) - Owned in 3.3% of leagues
How high are your expectations from the second base slot? If you’re okay with a solid yet unglamorous output, DJ is your guy. He’s a great contact hitter, currently sitting at .283 on the young season. You’re not going to get much out of him in any other categories, though—he’s got virtually no power, and little speed to speak of. However, he’ll be towards the end of the Colorado lineup, which means the team’s better hitters will be on base for him. Like I said: solid but unglamorous.
Baller Move: Add him in deeper leagues
Shortstop (SS) Waiver Wire Pickups
Alcides Escobar (KC) - Owned in 8.3% of leagues
![By Keith Allison [CC-BY-SA-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons](http://www.rotoballer.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Alcides-Escobar-MLB-Fantasy-Baseball-SS-150x150.png)
Escobar has come out of the gate as a very nice option at shortstop, hitting .305 so far in 2014. He won't wow you in any power categories, but if he gets on base, watch out. Escobar could swipe 30+ bags if he gets his OBP up around the .300 mark, and if he keeps hitting like he currently is, that is definitely within the realm of possibility. If you’ve got an ailing shortstop, you could do much worse than Escobar.
Baller Move: Add him in deeper leagues
Chris Owings (ARI) - Owned in 8.9% of leagues
This one is a bit more of a stretch, but again if you’re really hurting at shortstop there are definitely worse options. Owings is hitting .290 so far, which isn’t too shabby for the shortstop position. More importantly, he’s stolen four bases already, and as long as he keeps getting on base, he’ll keep thieving those bags. I wouldn’t drop a solid shortstop for Owings, but if you’re desperate, give him a look.
Baller Move: Keep an eye on him
