Fantasy Baseball 2018: Niko Goodrum is a good second-half stash

By Bill Pivetz | Jul 10, 2018

DETROIT, MI - JUNE 26: Shortstop Niko Goodrum #28 of the Detroit Tigers turns the ball after getting a force out on Marcus Semien of the Oakland Athletics at second base during the seventh inning at Comerica Park on June 26, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. Matt Joyce of the Oakland Athletics hit into the play and was safe at first base. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /

Second baseman Niko Goodrum is making a case for himself to be added in all league formats for the second half.

The Detroit Tigers are 11 games back in the American League Central, yet somehow not in last place. They have some good pieces on the team but need a lot of improvements if they want to compete. A position they don’t need to improve at is second base. With Niko Goodrum playing as well as he is, you should pick him up for the second half.

Goodrum is hitting well so far in July. In those nine games, he has a .421 batting average with a home run, five RBIs, eight runs and one steal. Goodrum has four multi-hit games in that span, including two 4-for-4 games. He is hitting .253 for the season so he’s heating up at the right time.

According to the ESPN Player Rater, Goodrum has ranked as the 15th-best second baseman over the last 15 days. With players like Starlin Castro and Goodrum heating up, the second base position has developed some depth for fantasy owners.

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The Tigers started the season with Dixon Machado at second base but at the end of May, he was hitting .209 with one home run and 18 RBIs. So, obviously, the switch was made. The Tigers have Nick Castellanos, Leonys Martin (when healthy) and Jose Iglesias propping up the offense.

Goodrum can also help fantasy owners with his position eligibility. In ESPN leagues, he’s eligible at second base, first base and outfield. I like having some multi-position eligible players on my roster. I can move some players around when others have off days in order to have a full roster of players accumulating stats.

While June 1 is usually the first time fantasy owners look to make improvements to their starting roster, the All-Star break is a chance at redemption. If you missed out on some of the breakout players, you can build depth by adding players like Goodrum.

They aren’t going to move the needle like a Mike Trout would but could be the boost you need in your head-to-head matchup or help you move up a point or two in your Roto league.

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Goodrum is owned in just 9.1 percent of ESPN leagues. If you need a new starting second baseman or just want depth at the position, Goodrum is a good second-half option. He can help you with batting average, hits and on-base percentage.

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