Every year it seems that one of the hardest roster positions to fill in deep-leagues is the middle infield spot. While the talent pool has deepened over the last few years, it’s quickly been thinned out again by injuries already this season. Though, if this situation applies to you, good news is here with several viable deep league waiver wire target options this week. In addition, there are other exciting prospects making there debuts soon.
Deep League Waiver Wire Targets for Week 11
15-Team Mixed League Targets
1. Miguel Andujar, OF, Athletics
Way back in 2018, the biggest breakout performance of the year was from New York Yankees’ rookie Miguel Andujar. Over the course of the season, he batted .297 and swatted an impressive 27 home runs. However, that version of Andujar had mysteriously disappeared in the last five seasons as he struggled to reach a .250 batting average. However, renewed health and playing time has allowed him to start showing flashes of his past success. In just his first 38 at-bats this season Andujar is batting .368 with 12 RBI. While that pace is not likely to hold, the underlying metrics show it isn’t a fluke. In fact, the 30.6% line drive rate and minuscule 7.7% strikeout rate show just why the consistent approach at the plate is paying off.
Miguel Andujar been instant offense for the A's this season đź’Şpic.twitter.com/Ri9RN1r0Jo
— The Rickey Henderson of Blogs (@RickeyBlog) June 1, 2024
2. Donovan Solano, 1B/2B, Padres
Probably the least recognized batting average specialist in baseball is Donovan Solano. While he is far from the astronomical levels that Luis Arraez has reached in the last few years, he isn’t that far behind. In fact, Solano has batted .280 or better each of the five years! So far this year he is keeping that momentum going with a .339 batting average in 20 games. While the power and speed have historically limited his fantasy upside, the batting average for a middle infielder should prove valuable in all deep fantasy baseball leagues. Especially considering the far lower-than-normal league-wide batting average so far this season.
Since Xander Bogaerts went down…
Donovan Solano: 12-for-28 (.429), 1.091 OPS
Luis Arraez: .440 avg
— Nick Lee (@NickLee51) June 3, 2024
AL-Only League Targets
1. Corey Julks, OF, White Sox
One of the downsides of having a championship roster for the Astros is the lack of available roster spots for top prospects in the farm system. While that’s a tradeoff any team would gladly take, it does mean that player investments in the minor leagues are often unrealized in the majors. That was definitely the case with Corey Julks who only saw partial playing time in his rookie season with the Astros last season. As a result, he was traded to the White Sox where he is finally receiving a shot as an everyday outfielder the last few weeks. In this new situation, Julks is thriving early on with a .315 batting average in his first 16 games. After a 31-HR and 22-SB season at AAA in 2022, it will be interesting to see how soon those skills may be unlocked at the big league level.
Corey Julks robs a home run! pic.twitter.com/uTbulmszfx
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) May 19, 2024
2. Joey Estes, SP, Athletics
Yet another new addition to the Oakland Athletics starting rotation is rookie Joey Estes. While his entrance into the big leagues was pretty shaky to start, primarily an eight-run outing in his second start, Estes has seemingly found his groove as of late. In his last two starts, he has only allowed one run with a 10:2 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Limiting walks has been the key to Estes’ minor league career as well. He doesn’t have the stuff to make for a top-of-the-rotation pitcher but he could materialize into a steady back of the rotation arm. For AL-only fantasy managers, there’s a definite opportunity to grab Estes for minimal cost to see if he can continue with the strong outings.
Joey Estes flirts with perfection and leads the @Athletics to the win over Seattle. pic.twitter.com/5TuTJcUJip
— MLB (@MLB) June 6, 2024
NL-Only League Targets
1. Ildemaro Vargas, 2B, Nationals
It’s never too late for a breakout late in a player’s career, it’s just a lot less common. Though, at the ripe age of 32, journeyman infielder Ildemaro Vargas is proving that exact point. While he doesn’t do anything spectacularly, Vargas has done all the little things at the plate and in the field to earn consistent playing time this season for the Nationals. Most important is the consistent production at the plate where he is batting .274 on the season with an impressive .348 OBP. In addition, he has chipped in five steals to date. For NL-only leaguers seeking consistency in hitting ratios from a middle infield spot, Vargas is worthy of your consideration.
Hustle play from #Nationals Ildemaro Vargas extends the inning and changes everything.
From an inning ending double play to extending the inning Joey Gallo to hit a go ahead, 2-run HR the very next at-bat that gave the Nationals the lead
A rare slide at 1B that actually worked… pic.twitter.com/SEJ1xBxHQQ
— Mike Kurland (@Mike_Kurland) June 4, 2024
2. Otto Lopez, 2B/OF, Marlins
One of the hottest hitters over the last month is likely one of the least known in Otto Lopez. The 25-year-old second baseman for the Marlins is still just under 50 games played at the MLB level and is more than holding his own. So far this season he as a .295 batting average with three home runs and four stolen bases. More impressive is the .360 batting average over the last three games. It’s as if he’s figured out major league pitchers before they have figured him out. Now getting the majority of the playing time at second base for the Marlins Otto Lopez should be an immediate add in NL-only leagues.
Otto Lopez follows Sánchez's double with a single through the infield to bring the #Marlins deficit down to one. Lopez's batting average is up to .304. pic.twitter.com/swgMhacObu
— Nate Karzmer (@NateKarzmer) June 5, 2024
Got a few deep league waiver wire targets of your own? Don’t be greedy! Drop some names in the comments below.