Giants Alen Hanson Deep Waiver Wire Add
By Bill Pivetz
With the number of injuries this season, some fantasy owners need help fielding a roster. Alen Hanson is someone to target off the waiver wire.
The San Francisco Giants have been a middle-of-the-road team with a 19-18 record. With multiple injuries to their starting rotation, it’s a surprise they’re not in last place. One thing management has done is play Alen Hanson more. If you need a utility play, target him off the waiver wire.
Hanson has played in just 11 games and has accumulated 38 at-bats. In that small sample size, he’s hit .263 with two home runs, nine RBIs and five runs scored. Hanson’s also added two steals to his stat line.
When he does play, Hanson is hitting all over the batting order. He’s hit first twice, second once, seventh four times and eighth twice. While hitting towards the bottom results in fewer at-bats throughout the season, it gives him chances to drive in the base runners in front of him. However, hitting atop the lineup gives him more scoring opportunities, barring the batters behind him drive him in.
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Looking at how the current group of Giants leadoff hitters have produced (Austin Jackson, Gregor Blanco, Joe Panik and Gorkys Hernandez), I can see Hanson spending more time as the leadoff hitter.
They have combined for a .210/.266/.242 line with 14 runs scored, 41 strikeouts and 12 walks. Though, Panik has spent most of the season as the No. 2 hitter. If his numbers were removed, it would be a lot worse.
Hanson will get consistent playing time while Panik recovers from surgery to his sprained thumb. He is expected to miss six to eight weeks, retroactive to April 30. These next few weeks will be crucial to Hanson’s outlook for the rest of the season and his standing within the Giants organization.
If needed, the Giants could use him in the outfield, too. Hunter Pence is also dealing with a thumb injury and Jackson isn’t hitting that well. Hanson has some minor-league playing time at all three outfield positions.
Fantasy owners are already adding Hanson to their lineup. He’s been added in 23 percent of CBS leagues and 14.6 percent of ESPN leagues over the last week. Second base is not rife with talent, so Hanson will get a lot of attention.
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If you need a starting second baseman or a middle infielder, he is someone worth adding. While he may not have true power, he’ll get on base and score some runs. As a six-week rental, you can do a lot worse than Hanson.