I can’t believe I’m doing this, but I’m telling you to pick up Pirates third baseman Pedro Alvarez.  Call me crazy, but the way he’s playing now makes me hope he can be of benefit to your fantasy team.  Plus, if you’re currently a cellar dweller, what do you have to lose?

Alvarez got off to a very slow start this season, but, unusually, has gotten out of his slump.  He now has 12 HR and 34 RBI on the season.  He has more homers than guys like Hanley Ramirez, Alex Rodriguez, David Wright, Aramis Ramirez, and Mark Reynolds.

He’s not one of the guys you think about when it comes to elite fantasy third basemen, but he’s probably the best available hot corner guy in your league.

Currently, Alvarez is owned in just 15.3 percent of ESPN fantasy leagues and 17 percent of Yahoo! fantasy leagues.

The way he’s been swinging the bat of late, he at least deserves a look in your lineup.