Sunday's Shortstop Value Rankings
Here are theScore's shortstop value rankings for Sunday, May 29 (all stats exclude Saturday's games):
Value Rankings
C | 1B/DH | 2B | SS | 3B | OF | SP
Top Options
| Name | Opponent | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Xander Bogaerts (BOS) | at TOR | 10 |
| Francisco Lindor (CLE) | vs. BAL | 9 |
| Trevor Story (COL) | vs. SF | 9 |
| Jonathan Villar (MIL) | vs. CIN | 9 |
| Manny Machado (BAL) | at CLE | 8 |
| Brandon Crawford (SF) | at COL | 8 |
Shortstop is top-heavy. Spend up to get the closest to a sure thing. Bogaerts is riding a 21-game hitting streak and isn't even the most expensive option on the board. Lindor and Villar are earning their keeps, perhaps Villar being the more surprising one as he's hit .350 over his last 10 games with six stolen bases to show for it.
Conversely, either shortstop in Colorado has enhanced upside and Crawford is hitting better than he had been earlier in the season.
Mid-Tier Targets
| Name | Opponent | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Jordy Mercer (PIT) | at TEX | 7 |
| Corey Seager (LAD) | at NYM | 6 |
| Elvis Andrus (TEX) | vs. PIT | 6 |
| Zack Cozart (CIN) | at MIL | 6 |
| Carlos Correa (HOU) | at LAA | 5 |
| Brad Miller (TB) | vs. NYY | 5 |
| Didi Gregorius (NYY) | at TB | 5 |
| Aledmys Diaz (STL) | vs. WAS | 5 |
Seager has better upside than Mercer, but Mercer has been the steadier option as he continues to hit over .300. Seager probably doesn't have much home run potential against Mets SP Bartolo Colon who has managed to avoid the long ball much of the season. He's been prone to the odd hit parade.
Miller, and, alternatively, teammate Taylor Motter, are in a platoon, but both could see time. Whoever starts is a risky speculative play, but Motter would come at a slight discount.
Nothing to See Here
| Name | Opponent | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Eduardo Nunez (MIN) | at SEA | 4 |
| Gregoro Petit (LAA) | vs. HOU | 4 |
| Jurickson Profar (TEX) | vs. PIT | 4 |
| Addison Russell (CHC) | vs. PHI | 3 |
| Jimmy Rollins (CWS) | at KC | 3 |
| Marcus Semien (OAK) | vs. DET | 3 |
Way past the top, most expensive options, we get the risks. Often they'll come with low, if any, rewards. Semien isn't hitting for power anymore, which was the only thing keeping his poor batting average afloat. Rollins will have occasional flourishes, but he's hitting under .200 over his last 10 games.
Again, it's best to spend for someone more consistent with better overall opportunities and skill sets to exploit.