Friday's Shortstop Value Rankings
Here are theScore's shortstop value rankings for Friday, May 27 (all stats exclude Thursday's games):
Value Rankings
C | 1B/DH | 2B | SS | 3B | OF | SP
Top Options
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Xander Bogaerts (BOS) | at TOR | 9 |
| Manny Machado (BAL) | at CLE | 8 |
| Ian Desmond (TEX) | vs. PIT | 8 |
Outside of these three players, specifically the scorching hot Bogaerts, it's really hit-and-miss at shortstop. The Red Sox' offense is one of the most lethal in the league at the moment, with Bogaerts near the top of the order. He's much cheaper than Crawford and Story's absurd DFS salaries and a much safer play.
Machado looks to have kicked his slump to the curb his past two games, with two hits which resulted in one homer and one double. Machado could reward DFS owners and their patience throughout his slump with a vast return against Trevor Bauer.
Mid-Tier Targets
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Trevor Story (COL) | vs. SF | 7 |
| Brandon Crawford (SF) | at COL | 7 |
| Zack Cozart (CIN) | at MIL | 7 |
| Eduardo Escobar (MIN) | at SEA | 7 |
| Carlos Correa (HOU) | at LAA | 7 |
| Marcus Semien (OAK) | vs. DET | 7 |
Both Crawford and Story have outrageously high DFS salaries, mainly due to the location at Coors Field and favorable pitching matchups. A multi-home run game is plausible for Story against Giants RHP Matt Cain, while Crawford and his bat could launch at least one ball into the cheap seats. Many DFS owners will fade both due to their high costs, which makes them perfect GPP plays.
Correa has been horrendous his last 10 contests, with only two taters, a .196 batting average and a whopping 14 strikeouts. His cost is far too high to take a chance on in cash games, so he's best suited for tournaments Friday.
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Corey Seager (LAD) | at NYM | 6 |
| Jordy Mercer (PIT) | at TEX | 6 |
| Elvis Andrus (TEX) | vs. PIT | 6 |
| Aledmys Diaz (STL) | at WAS | 6 |
| Jimmy Rollins (CWS) | at KC | 6 |
| Addison Russell (CHC) | vs. PHI | 6 |
Lindor went 3-for-5 with one run scored and one RBI Wednesday night. Unfortunately for him, all of his hits were singles. Next up for the switch-hitting shortstop is an intriguing date with Orioles RHP Mike Wright but with his sky-high price point and lack of power, his value takes a hit.
At a discounted price due to Nationals' ace Max Scherzer on the mound, Diaz and his ridiculous .919 OPS look tough to pass up. Although he's hitting just .200 in his past 10 contests, he supplies value in runs scored with six. He's worth a flier.
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Jonathan Villar (MIL) | vs. CIN | 5 |
| Adeiny Hechavarria (MIA) | at ATL | 5 |
| Brad Miller (TB) | vs. NYY | 5 |
| Alcides Escobar (KC) | vs. CWS | 5 |
| Jose Iglesias (DET) | at OAK | 5 |
| Asdrubal Cabrera (NYM) | vs. LAD | 5 |
| Alexei Ramirez (SD) | at ARI | 5 |
On DFS sites which count steals and on-base percentage, Villar is your guy. He has swiped 15 bags so far this season and four in his last 10 games. As stated earlier, he's sporting a tremendous .386 OBP but, like Lindor, lacks power. He has only one homer in 2016.
Nothing to See Here
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Troy Tulowitzki (TOR) | vs. BOS | 4 |
| Nick Ahmed (ARI) | vs. SD | 3 |
| Danny Espinosa (WAS) | vs. STL | 3 |
| Freddy Galvis (PHI) | at CHC | 3 |
A quadriceps injury has held Tulowitzki out of the Blue Jays' past two games and it's highly unlikely he will be active Friday. Even if he does play, he hasn't done much fantasy wise this season.