This week’s fantasy baseball shortstops review will help you identify shortstops available in 50% or more of Yahoo! fantasy baseball leagues. For deep league players, the third is available in 85% or more of Yahoo! leagues.
Didi Gregorius, Yankees (34% owned)
Fantasy baseball players forgot about Gregorius during draft season, as an injury promised to cost him at least a month of the season. His shoulder injury fulfilled its promise and Gregorius missed most of April. Since his return, he’s been on fire, slashing .329/.360/.429 with a stolen base and a home run in seventeen games. The young Yankees offense is humming, and Gregorius promises to fit right in. He has a great amount of run and RBI potential production in that lineup, as well.
Tim Beckham, Tampa Bay (34% owned)
Beckham’s consistent production hasn’t resulted in fantasy baseball respect, it seems. He’s the #4 shortstop over the last 30 days, and #7 over the last couple of weeks. He has come seemingly out of nowhere, but has consistently produced. His multi-position eligibilty make him even more valuable considering the rash of DL stints this year (up 50% per Fangraphs.com’s Eno Sarris). He has a good average, decent pop and some speed. You’ll turn around and Beckham will have 20-15 with a .275 average and 60/60 in the runs & RBI department. He deserves to be owned in more leagues, especially given the flexibility he gives you. He’s come seemingly out of nowhere, bnut he never got a real shot before this year. Last season’s 215 plate appearances was a career high for the 27 year old.
Chris Taylor, Dodgers (15% owned)
Taylor had a hot Cactus League and many, myself included, thought he would crack the roster when camps opened. His .370 average wasn’t enough to make the Opening Day roster. The Logan Forsythe injury gave the Dodgers an opportunity tobring up one of their minor league super-utility players in Chris Taylor. Taylor has taken advantage of the opportunity, hitting .338, with four home runs and 14 RBI. Conventional wisdom says he will head back to the minors once Forsythe returns, which means fantasy baseball owners aren’t rushing out to get him. However, the snake bit Dodgers are unlikely to look a gift horse in the mouth, and will find room to keep Taylor around. Forsythe is due back at the end of next week, so you could at least get some short-term value out of Taylor.