Waiver Wire Week 19: Middle Infield Help

August 15, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop

(14) hits a three run home run in the second inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Last week, I posted an article on corner infielders and which players you should add. This week, it’s time for the middle infield to get their recognition. The middle infielders, second basemen and shortstops, are two of the most shallow positions in fantasy this season. Whether it was injuries or just lack of talent, owners had to dig deep in order to find a serviceable one. With just a few weeks left in the season, here are three middle infielders you should think about adding to your team.

Chase Utley, 2B

In the previous article, I recommended adding Ryan Howard. Yes, the Philadelphia Phillies have been horrible this season, but that has changed over the last month and a half. Between July and August, the Phillies have scored 170 runs. They scored the 11th-most runs in July. Since returning from the DL on August 7, Utley is hitting .500 with 13 hits (five doubles, one home run) and five RBI.

There are rumors that Utley will be traded soon. If so, this might improve his fantasy value, especially if he is traded to a team with a better offense. He has been added in six percent of ESPN.com leagues over the last seven days. A move to a contender could increase his ownership percentage even more. Using Utley at your middle infield position is the likely spot to put him.

Enrique Hernandez, 2B/SS

My colleague, Brad Kelly, wrote about Hernandez on Sunday. I’m here to back him up. Since August 8, nine games, Hernandez is hitting .387 with three home runs, six RBI and a 6:4 K:BB ratio. Because of this, Hernandez has separated himself from any other replacement the Los Angeles Dodgers had at second base and solidified himself a starting job. An added benefit is that Hernandez is eligible at both middle infield positions, giving you a little more flexibility in your lineup.

He is owned in just 9.9 percent of leagues.

Asdrubal Cabrera, SS

Cabrera is a long way away from his 2011 All-Star season. However, he is still a productive fantasy player. Since coming off the DL on July 27, Cabrera has three home runs, seven RBI, 10:5 K:BB ratio with a .475 batting average. Over his last five games, 18 at bats, Cabrera has nine hits. In those five games, he had three multi-hit games. There is no guarantee he will keep up this kind of production, but it gives us hope that he can still hit. He is doing a better job putting the bat to the ball than he did earlier in the season. Cabrera is the second-most middle infielder at 12.1 percent over the last week.

There are plenty of other middle infield options to choose from on the waiver wire. I believe that these three are the best options available in most leagues.