September 26, 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 26 of the 2017 MLB season.

Championship week is among us! If you have made it this far, you are certainly doing something right. With the final week among us I will be digging deep to find some hot bats to help you out in the final week. 

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. You are fighting for everything and want all the help you can get. This week’s column will feature five players who are widely available and have been swing a hot bat. Some names to consider that may be available in Yahoo leagues but not mentioned in this column are Tim Anderson (55 percent), Jorge Polanco (51 percent) and Yoan Moncada (58 percent). If any of these players should be available they are the preferred options over the names mentioned below. Digging deep in the final week can be tough, but it's time to find some diamonds in the rough.

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. Digging deep in the final week can be tough, but it's time to find some diamonds in the rough.

Week 26 Middle Infield (MI) Waiver Wire Targets

Jed Lowrie (Oak, 2B): 22% owned

10-12 team leagues

Jed Lowrie is a name I have mentioned a few times over the past weeks and he continues to hit the ball. In addition to hitting .337 over the past month he has chipped in with 17 runs and 22 RBI. Not bad for a middle infielder. The Athletics lineup has quietly been hitting well late in the season which only helps Lowrie.

Lowrie isn’t a big power hitter but has knocked 14 balls out of the park this year. For a second baseman available in 78% of Yahoo leagues and hitting this well in the most crucial stretch of the season, you can’t do much worse. I would recommend him across the boards in all leagues.

With seven games against the weak pitching Seattle Mariners and Texas Rangers you should have no hesitation in picking him up.

Cesar Hernandez (Phi, 2B): 25% owned

10-12 team leagues 

Cesar Hernandez is another veteran who I have mentioned in the past due to his ability to score plenty of runs with a high average. For the season, the second baseman has hit .296 with 82 runs, eight home runs and 14 stolen bases. Not bad numbers for a guy who missed part of the season on the disabled list.

It gets better though for Hernandez, as he has been hitting everything in sight over the past month. Backed by a .317 average, he has 18 runs scored over the past 30 days. Although he does not offer much to be giddy about across the board, his .471 batting average over his last seven games and .389 over the past 14 games should catch your attention.

As you know, every stat can impact your matchup and you can never have too many hits or a good average. He is worth firing up as he continues to tear the cover off the bat and score runs. He is my second option on the list and a must-add for those in need of runs, hits or batting average.

Yangervis Solarte (SD, 2B,3B/SS): 17% owned

12-14 team leagues

Looking for versatility? Look no further than San Diego Padres infielder Yangervis Solarte. Solarte is one of those players who has solid numbers at the end of the year, but it comes in bunches. Good thing for fantasy owners is that he has chosen the fantasy playoffs to turn his bat on.

With a .296 batting average over the past week things are looking up for the utility man. Solarte has driven in four runs including one home run over his past 27 at-bats. Digging this deep it’s hard to find a player who offers positional versatility as well as a player who can help with a handful of categories. He is not a must-add but available in 83% of Yahoo leagues he is worth running with if you need infield help.

Brad Miller (TB, 1B,2B, SS): 29% owned

AL-Only leagues, 12-14 team leagues

Brad Miller has been one of the bigger disappointments for fantasy owners this season. After hitting 30 home runs last season many owners had high hopes for the Rays infielder. Unfortunately Miller has battled injuries and is having a season he’d like to forget.

However, things have taken a turn over the past week for Miller where he hit .313 with five runs, one home run and five RBI. Miller is hard to trust but if you are looking for a cheap source of power, Miller could be your guy.

He is not someone I would recommend outside of very deep leagues, but is worth the gamble as he will have three games at Yankee Stadium which is very favorable towards left handed hitters. We sure hope his late season surge will carry over to next season, as does he.

Ryan Goins (Tor, SS): 1% owned

AL-Only leagues, 14-16 team leagues

Ryan Goins quietly has 59 RBI for the Blue Jays. Not bad for a guy who didn’t open the season as an everyday player. Goins has been under the radar and is available in 99% of Yahoo leagues. The big reason for that is that he does not hit for a high average, just .230 in 400 at-bats.

However he is hitting .270 over the past two weeks with two home runs and eight RBI. To be considering Goins you are probably going to have to be in a very deep league or AL-Only deep rostered league. Goins will face the Red Sox and Yankees this week so he does draw some tough assignments. Proceed with caution.

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