Can Jody Gerut tumble his way into some steals?

In this edition of Burning up the Bases, I wanted to continue my look into the under-appreciated and under-valued players that can have an impact on your fantasy roster. Whether it be to fill an injury void, a quick fix while you search for a valuable trade, or a recently productive player with one that has either dropped off the fantasy map or major league roster all together.

Take a look with me at the following six players and their “body of work” in the month of June.

Maicer Izturis, Second / Short, Los Angeles Angels – One of the hottest players in the American League right now, Izturis has capitalized on the absence of both Erick Aybar and Howie Kendrick’s stint on the disabled list. With the production he has had in the month of June alone, there is no doubt that manager Mike Scioscia will have a tough time holding Izturis out of the line-up. He has enough pop at the bat, speed at the plate, and defensive presence to warrant a start in any fantasy format that involves American League players, especially considering his multiple-position potential.

Elijah Dukes, Outfield, Washington Nationals – There has been plenty of off-the-field talk about this player since his arrival into the Major Leagues. With as much talent and promise as Dukes has, it is unfortunate to start off every commentary with this fact. The good news is that he has elevated his game on a team that desperately needs it. Dukes’ has seemed to come alive in the month of June, primarily on the base paths, were he has stolen three bases. Then, include the fact that eight runs and nine runs batted in with a .333 batting average has given the team the confidence to play him more as the season progresses.

Lastings Milledge, Outfield, Washington Nationals – Making his second trip to Burning up the Bases in as many weeks, Milledge joins fellow teammate Dukes in the list of players who are likely available on your waiver wire and can have an impact on every typical rotisserie category. Milledge continues to elevate his batting average, now .302 in June, as well as adding runs support (5 RBI, 8 R) and some power at the plate (2 HR). Of course, as far as this article is concerned, it is the two stolen bases that have allowed me to add him to the list of potential free agent pick-ups in your league. Look for Milledge to continue on an upward trend, prompting me to tell you to stop sitting on the fence and make your move.

Reed Johnson, Outfield, Chicago Cubs – With Alfonso Soriano on the disabled list, it is now a great opportunity to hope on the Reed Johnson bandwagon. Johnson is going to do what he has done for years in Toronto, give you enough statistical output in every category to make him a low-level outfielder on your fantasy team. He is a great player to plug in for those day to day line-up leagues where you are constantly rotating players in and out of your line-up based on available games and key match-ups. He may not help you in every category, but he certainly will not hurt you either.

Jody Gerut, Outfield, San Diego Padres – Remember when Jody Gerut was expected to be the next best thing in Cleveland? I certainly do. I can also say that he joins a long line of cast members that have had that stigma as they came and went through the Indian organization. Gerut sees limited time but makes the most of it as he has produced enough in every category throughout the month of June to warrant a look in the deeper mixed and NL only leagues. With limited at bats, Gerut has still produced four runs, six runs batted in, put one over the fence, and demonstrated enough speed to swipe two bags in as many weeks. With a June batting average of .378, he can only help in this category, even with limited hitting opportunities.

Brad Wilkerson, First Base, Toronto Blue Jays - I find Wilkerson to be a unique player. It seems he is always signed as a free agent, does poorly, is released, signed by another team, then has a fairly productive season from there onward. Wilkerson has come on as of late, producing five runs, two runs batted in, hit .303 at the plate, and shockingly stole two bases in the same calendar month. I am, by no means, saying that you should drop anyone for Wilkerson just yet, especially since the two stolen bases appear to be more fluke than fixture, but in AL-Only leagues, he has produced enough to warrant consideration in deeper leagues.