Thursday's Outfielder Value Rankings
Here are theScore's outfielder value rankings for Thursday, April 14:
Value Rankings
C | 1B/DH | 2B | SS | 3B | OF | SP
Top Options
| Name | Opponent | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Bryce Harper (WAS) | vs. ATL | 9 |
| Ben Zobrist (CHC) | vs. CIN | 9 |
| Carlos Gonzalez (COL) | vs. SF | 8 |
| Hunter Pence (SF) | at COL | 8 |
| Yasiel Puig (LAD) | vs. ARI | 8 |
| Ben Paulsen (COL) | vs. SF | 8 |
Harper is the top option as his price is lower than those outfielders playing at Coors Field. He'll face a right-handed pitcher in Braves starter Julio Teheran, increasing his always lofty power threat. Gonzalez and Pence are safe options for some measure of production in Colorado's thin atmosphere. Favor Gonzalez against Giants RHP Matt Cain.
Mid-Tier Targets
| Name | Opponent | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Jeremy Hazelbaker (STL) | vs. MIL | 7 |
| Jason Heyward (CHC) | vs. CIN | 7 |
| Colby Rasmus (HOU) | vs. KC | 7 |
| Jose Bautista (TOR) | vs. NYY | 7 |
| Starling Marte (PIT) | vs. DET | 7 |
| Angel Pagan (SF) | at COL | 7 |
Hazelbaker continues to solidify his hold on consistent playing time, regardless of the platoon split. Rasmus has been on a power surge, and he faces another righty starter Thursday, in Royals RHP Ian Kennedy. Bautista's high on-base percentage will lead to runs scored if he can get continued support behind him in the Blue Jays' lineup.
| Name | Opponent | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Nomar Mazara (TEX) | vs. BAL | 6 |
| Justin Upton (DET) | at PIT | 6 |
| Ryan Braun (MIL) | at STL | 6 |
| George Springer (HOU) | vs. KC | 6 |
| Stephen Piscotty (STL) | vs. MIL | 6 |
| Jacoby Ellsbury (NYY) | at TOR | 6 |
| Michael Saunders (TOR) | vs. NYY | 6 |
Despite a strong start to his MLB career, Mazara is not yet a consistently safe option. Upton is coming off an excellent game, but he'll face a far more difficult pitching matchup Thursday. Springer had six hits in four games coming into Wednesday, but he has just one home run on the season.
| Name | Opponent | Value |
|---|---|---|
| J.D. Martinez (DET) | at PIT | 5 |
| Brett Gardner (NYY) | at TOR | 5 |
| Gregory Polanco (PIT) | vs. DET | 5 |
| Andrew McCutchen (PIT) | vs. DET | 5 |
| Adam Eaton (CWS) | at MIN | 5 |
Martinez has been much less effective than Upton. Gardner received another off day Wednesday against Blue Jays LHP J.A. Happ, but he'll re-enter the lineup against RHP Marcus Stroman. It's not an ideal matchup, he will be worth tournament consideration.
| Name | Opponent | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Jorge Soler (CHC) | vs. CIN | 4 |
| Alex Gordon (KC) | at HOU | 4 |
| Charlie Blackmon (COL) | vs. SF | 4 |
| Dexter Fowler (CHC) | vs. CIN | 4 |
| Jay Bruce (CIN) | at CHC | 4 |
Soler has a home run, but he's hitting just .130 with an OPS of just .453. He's purely a tournament option and needs to be avoided in all cash games.
Nothing to See Here
| Name | Opponent | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Wil Myers (SD) | at PHI | 3 |
| Carlos Gomez (HOU) | vs. KC | 3 |
| Matt Kemp (SD) | at PHI | 3 |
| Denard Span (SF) | at COL | 3 |
| Gerardo Parra (COL) | vs. SF | 2 |
| Lorenzo Cain (KC) | at HOU | 2 |
Despite playing in Coors Field, the prices are far too high for both Span and Parra, due to their lack of power potential. Gomez will break out of his slump at some point, but he's not worth the risk while buried in the Astros' lineup.