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Phillies: Cesar Hernandez is a solid second base option

By Bill Pivetz

Apr 15, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Cesar Hernandez hits a two run homer against the Washington Nationals during the eighth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 15, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Cesar Hernandez hits a two run homer against the Washington Nationals during the eighth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Phillies have a lot of fantasy relevant players available on the waiver wire. One of them is under-owned second baseman Cesar Hernandez.

The Philadelphia Phillies are at the bottom of the National League West. The closer situation is their biggest problem but there are some offensive players carrying this team. One of them is second baseman Cesar Hernandez. He is hitting for power and contact and will get even better.

Hernandez wasn’t drafted in most, if not all, of ESPN leagues. Now, his ownership percentage went up 21.8 percent over the last week. He’s been one of the more overall options at second base.

In 12 games, Hernandez is hitting .346 with three home runs, eight RBI and 13 runs scored. He also has a .393 on-base percentage and a steal. He didn’t have his first steal until April 16 but it will come throughout the year.

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Last year, he finished with six homers, 39 RBI, 67, 17 steals (out of 30 attempts) and a .294/.371/.393 line. Hernandez is already halfway to his 2016 home run total.

If he can be smarter on the base paths and pick his spots wisely, caught 13 times is not good, then he will be a top-15 second baseman.

Hernandez has hit leadoff in every game this season. He is doing well from this position (.393 OBP) and his teammates are doing their job by driving him home (13 runs). I don’t expect the Phillies to be a powerhouse offense so Hernandez’s run and RBI production could be streaky. If you need constant help there, I would look somewhere else.

However, if you are looking for someone with speed potential and good contact, Hernandez is a player to target.

The second base position, like other position, is dealing with some injuries. Trea Turner (yes, he is eligible there), Jean Segura and Jason Kipnis are all on the 10-day DL. There are a few more listed day-to-day. These injuries can affect your team early, so you need to stay ahead of them by adding Hernandez.

Next: Is this the real Chase Headley?

I had Hernandez as my No. 21 second baseman in the preseason. He is currently the best second baseman on the Player Rater, and that’s without the steals. If he can keep up this pace of production, then a top-five finish is likely.

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