Statistical fantasy baseball offers more optimism than playing for points, but can be overwhelmingly frustrating in certain categories.
If you don’t draft stolen bases, then you’re mostly out of luck. Of all the categories in fantasy baseball, stolen bases is the most elusive.
And it can be costly for your overall team production. Finding stolen bases is a give and take, since most of the time, the speedster available on the waiver wire is going to be atrocious in other categories.
If you’re missing that one piece to your fantasy baseball team and in search of a stolen base or two in the coming weeks, here’s two options to consider on the week 10 fantasy baseball waiver wire.
Mallex Smith, OF, Tampa Bay Rays
Smith has plenty of upside, especially with the trade of Denard Span.
Without Span in the lineup, expect Smith to start garnering more looks as the leadoff hitter, making him even more valuable than he previously was while sitting on the waiver wire.
He’s owned in just 25 percent of leagues on ESPN.com, and that’s a bit surprising, since he has a .279 batting average to go along with 11 stolen bases, tied for 10th-best in Major League Baseball.
What’s great about Smith is that he isn’t going to bog down your lineup in batting average, much like Billy Hamilton and other stolen base aficionados do. In limited action last year, Smith registered a respectable .270 batting average.
He has 17 runs this season to go along with 12 RBI, which aren’t great, but at least serviceable to go along with his stolen bases. With little attention, Smith offers hope in the stolen bases category and has plenty of upside as the season continues.
Jose Peraza, SS/2B, Cincinnati Reds
Peraza is another young guy, but he’s already shown a consistent ability to swipe bases in his career.
In two previous seasons in Major League Baseball, he has a combined 44 stolen bases. He’s on pace to continue that trend this season with nine stolen bases this season.
What’s nice about Peraza, too, is that he’s not going to be terrible in other categories. He’s not great, but not terrible. He has a career batting average of .272 (not horrible) to go along with 30 runs already this season, a solid number for being a dual position player.
He’s not going to contribute in RBI or home runs, but he’s a solid value in runs and stolen bases. If you’re looking to upgrade the stolen bases category, give Peraza a chance.
