#Royals prospect Bobby Witt Jr. could help fantasy owners at second base

As any long-time fantasy baseball player will tell you, it has been ages since we have seen the middle infield so flush with talent. Recent ADP data shows you 16 middle infielders in the top 100 picks, but the depth is such that it still leaves big names like Carlos Correa, Dansby Swanson and Mike Moustakas available in rounds beyond the first 10.

Shortstop is reminiscent of the of A-Rod/Jeter/Nomar days and riddled with talent, but second base is extremely top-heavy and has a serious lack of talent in the later rounds. That is, of course, until recent spring training notes revealed some new options.

Top Royals prospect Bobby Witt Jr. has been tearing it up during spring training. Heading into the weekend, the 20-year-old, 2019 first-round pick was batting .289 with three home runs, seven RBIs and 10 runs scored. He not only has the respect of his teammates, but also he has the attention of manager Mike Matheny and general manager Dayton Moore.

Though Witt is a natural shortstop, Matheny has been using him at second base and batting him leadoff. Meanwhile, during a recent appearance on the “Fantasy Alarm Show” on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio, Moore stated, “I’m very open minded on him being on this team as we break camp.” Though Witt will open the season as a fantasy shortstop, a mere five games played at second will afford him the eligibility you need.

In Cincinnati, manager David Bell shook things up by moving third baseman Eugenio Suarez to shortstop and second baseman Mike Moustakas back to his natural position at third. Now, Bell is using 24-year-old, 2018 first-rounder Jonathan India at the keystone.

India has responded with a .370/.500/.704 slash line with two home runs, five RBIs, seven runs scored and a stolen base. Bell continues to use him in the middle of the order, though he may settle in around seventh. Still, at second base, a late-round grab of a guy hitting for power in a bandbox could be just the edge you need.

As you head into your drafts, keep the middle-infield depth in mind. There is nothing wrong with jumping early for a shortstop. There’s plenty in the top tier over there. But don’t panic when second base thins out early. You have some real nice upside picks to make late in your draft.

Howard Bender is the VP of operations and head of content at FantasyAlarm.com. Follow him on Twitter @rotobuzzguy and catch him on the award-winning “Fantasy Alarm Radio Show” on the SiriusXM fantasy sports channel weekdays from 6-8 p.m. Go to FantasyAlarm.com for all your fantasy baseball advice.

Second Baseman Rankings (by Jarad Wilk)

1. DJ LeMahieu, NYY
2. Keston Hiura, Mil
3. Ozzie Albies, Atl
4. Brandon Lowe, TB
5. Cavan Biggio, Tor
6. Ketel Marte, Ari
7. Jeff McNeil, NYM
8. Whit Merrifield, KC
9. Jose Altuve, Hou
10. Max Muncy, LAD
11. Mike Moustakas, Cin
12. Tommy Edman, StL
13. Jean Segura, Phi
14. Gavin Lux, LAD
15. Dylan Moore, Sea
16. Kolten Wong, StL
17. Nick Solak, Tex
18. Andres Gimenez, Cle
19. Nick Madrigal, CWS
20. Ty France, Sea
21. Garrett Hampson, Col
22. Jake Cronenworth, SD
23. Chris Taylor, LAD
24. Starlin Castro, Was
25. Ryan McMahon, Col
26. Mauricio Dubon, SF
27. David Fletcher, LAA
28. Tommy La Stella, SF
29. Scott Kingery, Phi
30. Jonathan Schoop, Det
31. Jurickson Profar, SD
32. Jon Berti, Mia
33. Cesar Hernandez, Cle
34. Brendan Rodgers, Col
35. Kevin Newman, Pit
36. Jonathan Villar, NYM
37. Joey Wendle, TB
38. Kiké Hernandez, Bos
39. Wilmer Flores, F
40. Luis Urias, Mil
41. Rougned Odor, Tex
42. Chad Pinder, Oak
43. Adam Frazier, Pit
44. Donovan Solano, SF
45. Marwin Gonzalez, Bos
46. Mike Brousseau, TB
47. Freddy Galvis, Bal
48. Nico Hoerner, ChC
49. Hanser Alberto, KC
50. Luis Garcia, Was