Friday's First Baseman/DH Value Rankings
Here are theScore's first baseman/DH value rankings for Friday, June 3 (all stats exclude Thursday's games):
Value Rankings
C | 1B/DH | 2B | SS | 3B | OF | SP
Top Options
| Name | Opponent | Value |
|---|---|---|
| David Ortiz (BOS) | vs. TOR | 9 |
Though Ortiz is the most expensive option at first base, there are just too many reasons to select him. Big Papi has been a monster at home this year slashing .383/.482/.602 while also knocking 19 doubles at Fenway. The Red Sox legend has also gone deep four times in his last six games, and sits tied for fourth with 15 bombs on the season.
Mid-Tier Targets
| Name | Opponent | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Wil Myers (SD) | vs. COL | 7 |
| Victor Martinez (DET) | vs. CWS | 7 |
| Logan Morrison (TB) | at MIN | 7 |
| Brandon Belt (SF) | at STL | 7 |
| Joe Mauer (MIN) | vs. TB | 6 |
| Adrian Gonzalez (LAD) | vs. ATL | 6 |
| Mike Napoli (CLE) | vs. KC | 6 |
| Alex Rodriguez (NYY) | at BAL | 6 |
| Eric Hosmer (KC) | at CLE | 6 |
| Miguel Cabrera (DET) | vs. CWS | 6 |
| Edwin Encarnacion (TOR) | at BOS | 6 |
| Matt Adams (STL) | vs. SF | 6 |
| Chris Davis (BAL) | vs. NYY | 6 |
| Adam Lind (SEA) | at TEX | 6 |
| Travis Shaw (BOS) | vs. TOR | 6 |
| Albert Pujols (LAA) | at PIT | 6 |
Morrison is a nice value play in cash games; the Rays first baseman has hit .417 with a 1.018 OPS through his last 10. But with just three homers and 11 RBI thus far, Morrison's appeal dwindles in tournament play.
It is a small sample size, but A-rod has taken Baltimore SP Chris Tillman deep four times in 16 career at-bats. Employ the Yankee veteran in tournaments only.
Napoli continues to mash with four homers in his past six games. His 35.1 percent K rate is another astonishing mark as well.
Davis makes for a nice contrarian pick as New York SP Nathan Eovaldi is susceptible to left-handed bats. For his career, the Yankee hurler has allowed lefties to hit .292 and slug .423.
| Name | Opponent | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Steve Pearce (TB) | at MIN | 5 |
| C.J. Cron (LAA) | at PIT | 5 |
| Chris Carter (MIL) | at PHI | 5 |
| Joey Votto (CIN) | vs. WAS | 5 |
| Jose Abreu (CWS) | at DET | 5 |
| Mark Reynolds (COL) | at SD | 5 |
| Brandon Moss (STL) | vs. SF | 5 |
| Carlos Santana (CLE) | vs. KC | 5 |
| Freddie Freeman (ATL) | at LAD | 5 |
| Jefry Marte (LAA) | at PIT | 5 |
| John Jaso (PIT) | vs. LAA | 5 |
| Hanley Ramirez (BOS) | vs. TOR | 5 |
| Pedro Alvarez (BAL) | vs. NYY | 4 |
| Ryan Rua (TEX) | vs. SEA | 4 |
| Justin Smoak (TOR) | at BOS | 4 |
| Kendrys Morales (KC) | at CLE | 4 |
| Mitch Moreland (TEX) | vs. SEA | 4 |
| Tyler White (HOU) | vs. OAK | 4 |
| Justin Bour (MIA) | vs. NYM | 4 |
Carter has failed to go deep in 10 straight contests. Vince Velasquez, however, provides a bit more promise as the Philadelphia starter has been taken yard five times in his past two starts. As per usual, reserve Carter for tournament play only.
Abreu continues to struggle this year with just six homers and a .242 batting average. Detroit SP Jordan Zimmermann probably isn't the man for him to bump his slump against.
Cron has collected multi-hit games in three of his past seven outings and comes at a cheap price. A matchup against LHP Francisco Liriano, however, pulls down his value as Cron struggles against southpaws.
Nothing to See Here
| Name | Opponent | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Marwin Gonzalez (HOU) | vs. OAK | 3 |
| Byung Ho Park (MIN) | vs. TB | 3 |
| Prince Fielder (TEX) | vs. SEA | 3 |
| Brett Wallace (SD) | vs. COL | 3 |
| Tommy Joseph (PHI) | vs. MIL | 3 |
| James Loney (NYM) | at MIA | 3 |
| Yonder Alonso (OAK) | at HOU | 3 |
| Dae-Ho Lee (SEA) | at TEX | 2 |
| Wilmer Flores (NYM) | at MIA | 2 |
| Ryan Howard (PHI) | vs. MIL | 2 |
| Mark Teixeira (NYY) | at BAL | 2 |
| Billy Butler (OAK) | at HOU | 2 |
| Ryan Zimmerman (WAS) | at CIN | 1 |
Fielder has hits in six of his last 10 yet is still hitting .154 over that stretch. The time to abandon any hope for the rest of the season is looming.
Teixeira has been even worse than Fielder this season with a .185 average, and an awful .088 average in his last 10 games. Though Teixeira has hit .360 against Tillman in 25 career at-bats, now is not the time to roster him.
Zimmerman was placed on paternity leave and will not be in the lineup Friday.