Saturday's First Baseman/DH Value Rankings
Here are theScore's first baseman/DH value rankings for Saturday, April 23:
Value Rankings
C | 1B/DH | 2B | SS | 3B | OF | SP
Top Options
| Name | Opponent | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Adrian Gonzalez (LAD) | at COL | 8 |
| Lucas Duda (NYM) | at ATL | 8 |
| Anthony Rizzo (CHC) | at CIN | 8 |
Duda destroyed Philadelphia in their thee-game series collecting three homers and five RBI. His salary falls well-below the bigger name brands at first base.
Rizzo has three homers in three straight games and six RBI in that span. Though his salary is massive, so is his potential. Cincinnati Reds starter Dan Straily has only four starts since the beginning of the 2015 season and should be very afraid of the Chicago lineup.
Mid-Tier Targets
| Name | Opponent | Value |
|---|---|---|
| David Ortiz (BOS) | at HOU | 7 |
| Byung Ho Park (MIN) | at WAS | 7 |
| John Jaso (PIT) | at ARI | 7 |
| Paul Goldschmidt (ARI) | vs. PIT | 6 |
| Chris Davis (BAL) | at KC | 6 |
| Eric Hosmer (KC) | vs. BAL | 6 |
| Ben Paulsen (COL) | vs. LAD | 6 |
| Mitch Moreland (TEX) | at CWS | 6 |
| Ryan Howard (PHI) | at MIL | 6 |
| Jose Abreu (CWS) | vs. TEX | 6 |
| Mark Teixeira (NYY) | vs. TB | 6 |
| Kendrys Morales (KC) | vs. BAL | 6 |
| Hanley Ramirez (BOS) | at HOU | 6 |
| Prince Fielder (TEX) | at CWS | 6 |
| Miguel Cabrera (DET) | vs. CLE | 6 |
| Chris Carter (MIL) | vs. PHI | 6 |
Davis falls into the middle-of-the-pack due to a mediocre park setting and Kris Medlen's 6.5 percent HR/FB ratio against lefties.
Hosmer looks like a strong cash game play with hits in 11 straight games prior to Friday night. However, he only has one homer on the season and five RBI.
Fielder and Cabrera's salaries have both dropped so significantly it's hard not to roster one of them. However, their sub-.250 averages and combined three homers don't inspire the most confidence in either turning it around.
| Name | Opponent | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Joe Mauer (MIN) | at WAS | 5 |
| Mark Reynolds (COL) | vs. LAD | 5 |
| Alex Rodriguez (NYY) | vs. TB | 5 |
| Edwin Encarnacion (TOR) | vs. OAK | 5 |
| Wil Myers (SD) | vs. STL | 5 |
| Victor Martinez (DET) | vs. CLE | 5 |
| Ryan Zimmerman (WAS) | vs. MIN | 5 |
| Brandon Belt (SF) | vs. MIA | 5 |
| Carlos Santana (CLE) | at DET | 5 |
| Albert Pujols (LAA) | vs. SEA | 5 |
Edwin has just two homers on the season and has been striking out a 26.4 percent clip. Wait for him to turn it around before paying up for his big salary.
Martinez and Belt both draw tough pitching matchups in Corey Kluber and Jose Fernandez.
Nothing to See Here
| Name | Opponent | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Freddie Freeman (ATL) | vs. NYM | 4 |
| Mike Napoli (CLE) | at DET | 4 |
| Tyler White (HOU) | vs. BOS | 4 |
| C.J. Cron (LAA) | vs. SEA | 4 |
| Matt Holliday (STL) | at SD | 4 |
| Justin Smoak (TOR) | vs. OAK | 4 |
| Pedro Alvarez (BAL) | at KC | 3 |
| Logan Morrison (TB) | at NYY | 3 |
Freeman's early-season slash line of .163/.328/.245 is far from strong. He also doesn't get much support from his teammates as the Braves have scored 54 runs and are hitting .218 as a team through their first 15 games.