Pick up Chris Herrmann in your fantasy league

Who would have thought two months ago that Chris Herrmann would even make the Diamondbacks? Never mind become their hottest hitter.

Just under two months into the season, Herrmann has done just that. He’s batting .290/.342/.609 with five home runs and 19 RBI in 24 games this season, including 13 RBI in his last ten starts. Fantasy baseball owners have begun to take note, as he is now owned in 26 percent of Yahoo leagues and 13.5 percent ESPN fantasy leagues right now.

If you’re in a league where he isn’t owned, you should probably pick him up. Like, now.

Catcher is a tough position to find solid offensive production from, so any slugger at that position is at a premium. That’s why I reached to get Kyle Schwarber (sigh). Even if “Babe’s” production is just a passing fad, he can’t hurt as a bench pickup. He could also see more at-bats coming his way in the outfield, which makes him a viable fantasy play.

If Herrmann can keep this production up, we’re looking at an elite fantasy baseball– and real baseball– catcher. He doesn’t have enough at-bats to qualify for a batting title, but if he did his .290 mark would be the third-highest in amongst big-league catchers. He has the sixth-most RBI of all catchers this season despite having half as many at-bats as most regular starters. Herrmann has more home runs than either Derek Norris or Buster Posey do this season– once again, with far fewer at-bats. Things are looking up for “Babe.”

Not bad for someone who came into the year with a .181 lifetime average.