September 19, 2017

Daniel Burdeen recommends second basemen (2B) and shortstops (SS) who can be valuable waiver wire targets or adds to help fantasy owners for Week 25 of the 2017 MLB season.

There is only two weeks left of baseball so that means you are either in the final four or championship game. You've made it this far so you are doing something right!

As I normally mention, when it comes to the back-end of your rosters it is always worth riding guys who are on a hot streak versus a struggling big bat such as an Eric Thames or Mark Trumbo. You are fighting for everything and want all the help you can get. In this weeks column I have included five bats who are making a difference right now in the middle infield and worthy of being owned for the playoff run should you need the help.

What we won’t be changing is the Yahoo ownership cut off to get into this column. Players still need to be available in at least 70 percent of Yahoo leagues to be eligible for this column.

Week 25 Middle Infield (MI) Waiver Wire Targets

Asdrubal Cabrera (NYM, 2B/3B/SS): 25% owned

10-12 team leagues

Asdrubal Cabrera is a player I have mentioned in the past and deserves to be looked at. As you scrap together the final pieces of your roster for the championship run, a player like Cabrera who is eligible at second base, shortstop and third base is very useful.

Aside from his versatility, the shortstop has been hitting .352 over the past month including an absurd .513 batting average over the past weeks. Aside from hits and batting average, Cabrera has the ability to help with both home runs and RBI. He should not be overlooked as he is the number one option this week for available middle infielders.

As long as he keeps his hot streak going he is worthy of being owned and started in most leagues across the board.

Ozzie Albies (ATL, 2B/SS): 21% owned

10-12 team leagues 

Ozzie Albies is another youngster who I have mentioned time and time again in this segment. He remains available in 79% of Yahoo leagues and deserves some attention. At this point I’m not sure what Albies has to do to gain the attention of fantasy owners. Although he struggled initially out of the gate, Albies is showing he is all he was hyped up to be during his 12-game hit streak.

Not only does Albies hit for average at .282 on the season and .336 on the season, he has four home runs to go along with eight doubles and five triples. All of this has happened in just 163 at-bats. You couldn’t ask for a better option across the board to help you at either second base or shortstop than Albies at this point.

Ride him all the way to you championship game and don’t look back. You won’t regret it!

J.P. Crawford (Phi, 3B/SS): 4% owned

NL-Only Leagues, 12-14 team leagues

One of the top prospects over the past couple of years, J.P. Crawford finally got the call and has adjusted well to Major League pitching thus far. The Philadelphia Phillies are giving Crawford everyday at-bats in hopes it will parlay into him being their shortstop of the future starting next year.

Despite struggling in the minors in the first half, Crawford came out strong in the second half and that has continued into his big league debut. Over 40 at-bats since his arrival he has hit .275 with six RBI and five runs. The power hasn’t come yet, but you could do worse than giving Crawford a chance. He is worth a look immediately has he provides loads of potential but is also a guy to keep an eye for your future draft board and a must-own in dynasty leagues. It also doesn’t hurt that he recently gained eligibility at third base in addition to shortstop.

Amed Rosario (NYM, SS): 17% owned

NL-Only leagues, 12-14 team leagues

Continuing with the run of young prospects, what about New York Mets shortstop Amed Rosario? Rosario like Albies got off to a rough start but has shown growth and adjusted to Major League pitching. Over the past two weeks in an everyday role the Mets top prospect is hitting .364. Over the past month he has hit two home runs, driven in five runs and stole four bases. He is showing his worth across the board and should be looked at as there are not many options left on the waiver wire at shortstop. He is worth looking and starting in deeper leagues. In addition to looking at him for your playoff run he is another guy to keep an eye on going into next year’s draft.

Adeiny Hechavarria (TB, SS): 1% owned

AL-Only leagues

Digging very deep you’ll find defensive wizard Adeiny Hechavarria available in 99% of Yahoo leagues. Normally I wouldn’t recommend a player of his caliber but the shortstop is seeing the ball very well of late and at this point of the season you can’t be picky. Like I mention weekly, you always have to be on the lookout for players who are hitting well and ride them until their streak ends. This is the perfect example as Hechavarria is hitting .310 with five home runs over his past 87 at-bats. Not bad for a guy available in nearly every league. Last week alone he hit .409 with two home runs. He is worth a flier while he continues to hit everything coming at him.

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