Cardinals: Jedd Gyorko Worth Adding to Your Team?

By Bill Pivetz | Jul 25, 2016

Jul 9, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Jedd Gyorko (3) drives in a run with a base hit in the eighth inning during the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /

Cardinals utility man Jedd Gyorko has been hitting well over the last couple of weeks. He can add depth to your roster as the playoffs are right around the corner.

The St. Louis Cardinals had a lot of questions in the middle infield at the beginning of the season. With injuries and performance issues, the Cardinals traded for middle infielder Jedd Gyorko in the offseason; and luckily they did. Now it’s time that you add him to your team.

The Cardinals began the season with shortstop Jhonny Peralta on the DL. He only returned on June 7, but is playing third base. Kolten Wong was slotted at second base, Matt Carpenter at third and Aledmys Diaz took over for Peralta at shortstop. Gyorko was a bench player, filling in on rest days for the infielders.

In the 67 games he’s played, Gyorko has only started 44 of them. However, he has been getting more playing time with the recent injury to Matt Carpenter. He has started the last six games at third base, including a double-header against the San Diego Padres. In those two games, he hit .571 with three home runs and five RBI.

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On the season, Gyorko has a .257/.315/.476 line with 12 home runs, 29 RBI and a 40:16 K:BB ratio. While those numbers obviously don’t jump off the page at you, considering he’s only played in 44 full games, that’s not too bad. He’s hitting better than Wong, who is splitting time with Greg Garcia at second base.

Until Carpenter comes back from injury, which looks like it’ll be the beginning of August, Gyorko has a starting job. I wouldn’t drop anyone valuable, but dumping your third bench guy or a middle relief pitcher for some extra hits and RBI isn’t a bad idea.

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Gyorko has been added in 16.7 percent of ESPN leagues over the last week, up from 1.3 percent. After all of the call ups and rookies heating up, Gyorko is the fifth-most added hitter. If you are looking for a hitter to give you an extra boost in your counting stats and to use as a fill in when your stars have an off day, Gyorko is the guy for you. He is eligible at second base, third base and shortstop, giving you plenty of flexbility in your lineup.

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