Fantasy baseball infielder grab bag: Roster depth around the horn in Boston, Chicago and Toronto

Jul 15, 2023; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Whit Merrifield (15) turns second base during the second inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-USA TODAY Sports

Whit Merrifield, Toronto Blue Jays, 2B

The Toronto Blue Jays may have the very first “Whit” in major league history and they’re sure glad they do as the 34-year-old second baseman, who also plays both in the outfield, has reached back in time to do all he can to help the Blue Jays make a run for the postseason. Merrifield’s numbers on the season are reminiscent of his early years in Kansas City where he was a .300 hitter towards the end of last decade. Heading into a huge series with the Red Sox, Merrifield is hitting .299 with nine home runs, 50 RBI and 21 stolen bases. After leveling off a bit in May (.267) and June (.280) after hitting .333 in April, Merrifield bounced back in July hitting .356 with a .997 OPS. Merrifield recently had an eight-game hitting streak snapped and closed out July hitting safely in 16 of the month’s last 18 games.

Like I mentioned, Merrifield plays as much left field as he does second base with a few games in right field sprinkled in. He’s as steady at the plate when at second or in left, hitting .295 and .302 respectively.

The Blue Jays have a tough series in Fenway this weekend then head out to Cleveland before returning to the Great White North to host the Cubs. Merrifield is a .338 hitter in 19 games at Fenway Park, but just a .241 hitter at Progressive field in 53 games. Long-term for both Toronto and fantasy owners, Merrifield is a career .289 hitter in August and a .295 hitter in September/October. Merrifield has posted the most home runs (23) of his career in August out of any other month in the season. The guy likes those late summer nights. Can you blame him?