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For the most part, our pre-season middle infield studs have performed similarly to how we expected them to perform. Hanley Ramirez is on fire over the last month with 11 home runs (20 total), Jose Reyes leads all MLB middle infielders with 28 stolen bases, and Chase Utley leads all of MLB with 23 home runs. These were all solid 1st round fantasy baseball pickups.

However, it’s not just the household names that have shined at the MI position, especially over the past month. There are some veteran players and some newcomers who are causing fantasy GM’s to take note.

Orlando Cabrera | Chicago White Sox - Cabrera, over the last month, is batting .336 with 17 runs scored, 3 home runs, 18 RBI, and 3 stolen bases. He’s doubled his home run total for the season in June alone, and his 18 RBI in June are twice what he posted in May and 54% of his season total. Ride Cabrera while he’s hot, but be wary of his batting average spike as it might be aided by a 35% hit rate in the month if June. If his hit rate comes down, expect his batting average to as well. But, if his new power sticks around, Cabrera could still be valuable.

Alexi Casilla | Minnesota Twins - Casilla made it to the big leagues on his speed. He’s averaged 33.6 stolen bases over the last 5 seasons (MLB & MiLB combined) and had 49 in 2005 and 50 in 2006. However, in his 2007 stint for the Twins, his .222 batting average over 189 at-bats left a sour taste in the mouths of the Twins front office. 2008 has turned out differently. In 156 at-bats this season, Casilla is batting .327 with 25 runs scored, 4 home runs, 31 RBI, and 4 stolen bases. He is even 5th on the Twins in RBI, even though he’s only played in half of his teams’ games. If Casilla can keep the average up, and the RBI’s flowing, he’ll remain valuable to fantasy owners. If he starts getting the green light more on the base paths and his stolen base totals increase like we’ve seen in his minor league career, he pushes his way towards the upper tier of middle infielders.

Mike Aviles | Kansas City Royals - Aviles, a 7th round pick in the 2003 draft, is making the most of his call-up and rookie season for the Royals. He’s batting .303/.333/.505 with 17 runs scored, 3 home runs, 15 RBI and 2 stolen bases in 99 at-bats. Aviles was called up in May after hitting .336 with 10 home runs in 51 games at AAA Omaha. He also hit 17 home runs last season at Omaha in 133 games while hitting .296. His 33% hit rate so far in Kansas City is right in line with MiLB numbers, but there isn’t enough data to determine whether or not his hit rate will effect his batting average. Even though we might not have enough data yet, Aviles has entrenched himself as the Royals leadoff hitter, and should easily have a spot in AL-only and most mixed leagues, as well.