Waiver Wire: Middle Infield

May 2, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Baltimore Orioles designated hitter Jimmy Paredes (38) singles during the third inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Throughout the season, we will often come to the point where we look at the waiver wire and think, “Man, there is no one out here!” This can be one of the more frustrating things in fantasy sports as in season roster additions and subtractions vital to your team’s success.

For most fantasy owners, I think it is safe to say that trying to find infield help is one of the more challenging things as it seems as though there is a clear drop-off when trying to fill nearly every position, especially second base and shortstop.

More from FanSided

• Joe Burrow owes Justin Herbert a thank you note after new contract
• Chiefs gamble at wide receiver could already be biting them back
• Braves-Red Sox start time: Braves rain delay in Boston on July 25
• Yankees: Aaron Boone gives optimistic return date for Aaron Judge
• MLB Rumors: Yankees-Phillies trade showdown, Mariners swoop, India goes to Seattle

Therefore, astute fantasy owners have to on top of infielders that are trending upwards or on the verge on a possible breakout that could carry your team for multiple weeks.  This brings me to two guys that can very easily step into one of your needed spots and maybe even produce enough to stick around long-term.

The first Waiver Wire candidate is Jimmy Paredes. Paredes started off a nice utility guy for the Astros and then bounced around the league finding himself last year between Kansas City and eventually Baltimore.

Paredes has certainly found his role with the Orioles as he has shown to be one of their bright sports on offense this year. His role was unclear to begin the season, but once Jonathan Schoop went down, it was clear that Paredes had the inside track on taking over that spot at least in the lineup.

Jimmy Paredes has found himself at DH and getting some starts at 2B, which speaks to the fact that Showalter wants to make sure his stick is in the lineup.

I am not saying that he is even in the same universe as him, but Jimmy Paredes’ swing mirrors that of Robinson Cano, which tells me that he has certainly made it a focal point to adapt a line drive centric approach at the plate.

Over the last two weeks Paredes has posted a .293 average with 2 HR’s, 6 RBI’s, and a .863 OPS.  That is certainly worth your attention as a possible waiver wire gem. The bottom line is that Paredes is getting the at-bats atop what should be a decent offense, and he has shown that he will certainly stay in the lineup as one of hotter infielders in the league.

The second candidate is someone we all should be familiar with in Aaron Hill. Hill certainly has the track record of a quality IF producer, but over the last few years and the beginning of this year, his production has really slowed down. 

More from Fantasy Baseball

• 5 fantasy baseball waiver wire pivots to replace Triston McKenzie
• Fantasy baseball mock draft 2023, 12-team: Aaron Judge over Trea Turner?
• 3 fantasy baseball sleepers being drafted too late
• NBA DFS picks December 25: Merry Bucking Christmas
• Fantasy Baseball: Hot pitchers worthy of starting this weekend

Hill came of the gates this year dreadfully slow, and it seemed as though he may be even on the cusp of getting let go by the team. I contribute his struggles largely to the fact that the D’Backs had put him in more of utility role and he just was not getting enough AB’s to really get into the swing of things.

But over the these last few weeks, coincidentally with him getting more starts, he has shown some of the flashes that we all remember seeing not too long ago. He may not get back to hitting 20 bombs like he used to, but at this point in the season he serves as a quality pickup if your team needs some help up the middle.

Over the last two weeks Hill has put up a .462 average with 3 HR’s, 7 RBI’s and a 1.363OPS, which cannot be ignored. Outside of Paul Goldschmidt, the Diamondbacks infield has struggled mightily offensively, and Hill should easily find himself in the lineup as he has started to kill the ball. As long as keeps showing signs of life he should get the AB’s to warrant a pickup.