Fantasy baseball managers who lost Jazz Chisholm are no doubt in need of a replacement at second base, one of the thinner positions for fantasy this season. Middle infielder Mauricio Dubon will lose every day playing time starting Friday night with Jose Altuve’s return, too. I have listed my two preferred options in today’s article in some depth, but also check for Paul DeJong, Kyle Farmer and Zach Neto.
In addition, there are two other hitters listed that should not remain on the waiver wire, whether you can start them or not. Remember, waiver wire isn’t just about offense – defense counts, too. What do I mean by that? Quite simply: Don’t let someone else in your league get Jake Burger.
More on that below and a starting pitcher who is worth consideration.
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Orlando Arcia, 2B/SS (ATL)
Despite missing time for a fractured wrist early in the season, Arcia is hitting .342 with four homers at 12 RBIs across 22 games played this year. His quality of contact has improved, and he has an everyday spot in a Braves lineup that has scored the fifth-most runs per game this season. Arcia qualifies at both second base and shortstop.
Luis Garcia, 2B (WSH)
Washington’s second baseman is going to help your batting average, with a strikeout rate in the sixth percentile of the league and an xBA of .284. He has some power, too, with three home runs and 17 RBIs this season. He also has a pair of stolen bases. Warning: Be sure you bid on the correct Luis Garcia. There are also two pitchers in the league with the same name.
Jake Burger, 3B (CHW)
It blows my mind that Jake Burger is still available in 95% of ESPN leagues. I usually don’t put someone in the waiver wire article more than once, but in this case I have to. Get Jake Burger. Listen to this: His max exit velocity is in the top 1% of the league (118.2). The only player that has a higher max exit velocity this season is Matt Chapman (118.9). But that’s not all. It’s not just that he hit a ball hard once; Burger has 10 home runs this season, and six of them have come across the last 10 games. He’s also hitting .277 and with Eloy Jiminez on the IL will have an everyday playing spot for the foreseeable future. Is it just a hot streak? Who cares?
Lane Thomas, OF (WSH)
A second Washington National makes the list today. The speedy outfielder has four stolen bases and he’s hitting .280 with five home runs this season. All five of those home runs have come during the month of May, in which he has been hitting .309. Thomas is especially dominant vs. lefties with a .362 batting average, .562 slugging, and three home runs.
Dane Dunning, SP (TEX)
Dunning has moved into the starting rotation for the Rangers who lead the AL West, and all three of his starts have been strong. In his most recent start, he held the Braves to only one run through six innings. With a strikeout rate in the bottom 12% of the league (he doesn’t get many whiffs) and a max exit velocity in the bottom 3%, it seems like he must be due for regression. However, so far so good. Dunning has an ERA of 1.69 this season and statcast says his xERA is 3.89. Even with regression, that’s a pitcher worth having on your roster.
