Friday's Third Baseman Value Rankings
Here are theScore's third baseman 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Nolan Arenado (COL) | vs. SF | 10 |
| Adrian Beltre (TEX) | vs. PIT | 9 |
| Jung Ho Kang (PIT) | at TEX | 8 |
| Travis Shaw (BOS) | at TOR | 8 |
| Yunel Escobar (LAA) | vs. HOU | 8 |
Even with his Coors Field price boost, Arenado is safely the top option against Giants RHP Matt Cain. Cain owns a delectable 40.2 percent fly ball rate and a 11.8 percent home run to fly ball ratio. Beltre will face Pirates LHP Jonathon Niese, and he's hitting .327 against lefties this season.
Kang is hitting .364 against lefties, making him an elite option despite the tough matchup against Rangers LHP Cole Hamels. Escobar lacks tournament upside, but he's a top cash-game option with eight hits over his past five games.
Mid-Tier Targets
| Name | Opponent | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Yangervis Solarte (SD) | at ARI | 7 |
| Manny Machado (BAL) | at CLE | 7 |
| Brandon Drury (ARI) | vs. SD | 7 |
| Martin Prado (MIA) | at ATL | 7 |
| Derek Dietrich (MIA) | at ATL | 7 |
| Eduardo Nunez (MIN) | at SEA | 6 |
| Jose Ramirez (CLE) | vs. BAL | 6 |
| Nick Castellanos (DET) | at OAK | 6 |
| Kris Bryant (CHC) | vs. PHI | 6 |
| Chase Headley (NYY) | at TB | 6 |
| Anthony Rendon (WAS) | vs. STL | 6 |
Solarte has two doubles, one home run and a single in eight at-bats against LHPs this year. He's walked thrice and hasn't struck out. Machado continues to favor right-handed pitching in both average and power, and Indians RHP Trevor Bauer allows opposing right-handed hitters to hit for a .281 wOBA. The switch-hitting Ramirez is hitting .292 with all three of his home runs coming off righties.
Bryant has struggled both at home and against LHPs this season. Both trends should eventually correct, but they currently cause hesitation. Rendon hits .267 off lefties, but he hasn't hit a home run, and he'll have a tough matchup against Cardinals LHP Jaime Garcia.
| Name | Opponent | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Evan Longoria (TB) | vs. NYY | 5 |
| Todd Frazier (CWS) | at KC | 5 |
| Chase d'Arnaud (ATL) | vs. MIA | 5 |
| Aaron Hill (MIL) | vs. CIN | 5 |
| Luis Valbuena (HOU) | at LAA | 5 |
| Maikel Franco (PHI) | at CHC | 4 |
| Justin Turner (LAD) | at NYM | 4 |
| Jake Lamb (ARI) | vs. SD | 4 |
| David Wright (NYM) | vs. LAD | 4 |
| Eric Campbell (NYM) | vs. LAD | 4 |
| Alex Rodriguez (NYY) | at TB | 4 |
Longoria is hitting .250 with just 15 extra-base hits off RHPs. He has a tough night ahead against Yankees RHP Masahiro Tanaka and the sizzling New York bullpen. d'Arnaud is hitting .273 against lefties, but six of his eight hits have been of the extra-base variety. Lamb's season numbers have been excellent, but he's struggled both at home and against lefties.
Nothing to See Here
| Name | Opponent | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Danny Valencia (OAK) | vs. DET | 3 |
| Josh Donaldson (TOR) | vs. BOS | 3 |
| Kyle Seager (SEA) | vs. MIN | 3 |
| Matt Duffy (SF) | at COL | 3 |
| Eugenio Suarez (CIN) | at MIL | 2 |
Valencia has greatly improved his batting average off righties, but he still struggles to hit for power. Donaldson remains mired in a slump which has him hitting just .193 in May. Suarez has been worse, with a .181 average. Don't be attracted by his four home runs this month.