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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. 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, be sure to check out our famous waiver wire pickups list which is a running list that is updated daily. Prefer using your phone? Our free waiver wire app is available for download in the Apple & Android Stores.
Second Base (2B) Waiver Wire Pickups
Johnny Giavotella (2B - LAA) - Owned in 1% of Fleaflicker leagues
Just when it seemed like Giavotella was losing his grip on the starting second base job in LA, he's come roaring back to life. He's currently riding a three-game multi-hit streak, and is 9-for-23 over his last seven games (.391). While he does not excel in any counting stat category, Giavotella can act as a serviceable replacement player for someone who is injured--if you just lost Logan Forsythe, for example. He can hit .275 with 50 runs and 50 RBI if he keeps starting, and is worth a look in deeper leagues at a very thin position.
Chris Owings (2B, SS, OF - ARI) - Owned in 18% of Fleaflicker leagues
If you've read any of my weekly columns before, you know I dig multi-positional eligibility, especially in roto formats. Owings has that, and a hot bat right now. The super-utility man has been filling in in the outfield since A.J. Pollock's injury, and he should continue to collect at-bats with David Peralta also sidelined with a wrist issue. Owings hit .357 over the last week to bring his average up to a stellar .284 on the season. He's also chipped in six stolen bases, and is capable of 20-25 if he continues to receive consistent playing time.
Shortstop (SS) Waiver Wire Pickups
Eduardo Nunez (SS, OF - MIN) - Owned in 29% of Fleaflicker leagues
I'm not sure how Nunez's ownership percentage is still this low. He's gotten off to a blistering start in 2016, hitting .330 with 14 runs scored, 13 RBI, two jacks and six stolen bases. Nunez is locked in as an everyday starter for Minnesota, and while the shoddy lineup around him won't yield much in the way of RBI, hitting in front of Miguel Sano, Byung-ho Park and Oswaldo Arcia should lead to plenty of runs scored. Nunez is also capable of a 20-steal season, and the two homers already are an encouraging sign that he might be able to approach 10 on the year (not an impressive number in itself, but hey, this is the shortstop section).
Jose Ramirez (SS, 2B, 3B, OF - CLE) - Owned in 4% of Fleaflicker leagues
Yayyyyyy positional flexibility! With Michael Brantley back on the DL, Ramirez should be starting at either third base or left field for the foreseeable future. He has certainly earned it--through 89 at-bats, Ramirez is hitting .315 with 11 runs scored and 13 RBI. There is absolutely no wow factor here--I would not roster him unless you're filling an injury or looking for a plug-and-play guy in everyday leagues--but hey, any guy who hits .300 with only an 8.9% K-rate is useful, right?
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