Saturday's Third Baseman Value Rankings
Here are theScore's third baseman value rankings for Saturday, June 4 (all stats exclude Friday's games):
Value Rankings
C | 1B/DH | 2B | SS | 3B | OF | SP
Top Options
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Yunel Escobar (LAA) | at PIT | 10 |
| Manny Machado (BAL) | vs. NYY | 10 |
| Danny Valencia (OAK) | at HOU | 9 |
| Kris Bryant (CHC) | vs. ARI | 9 |
| Josh Donaldson (TOR) | at BOS | 9 |
| Matt Carpenter (STL) | vs. SF | 9 |
| Travis Shaw (BOS) | vs. TOR | 8 |
| Adrian Beltre (TEX) | vs. SEA | 8 |
Leading off in every game he's played in 2016, Escobar has slashed .333/.390/.389 over his past 10 games, yet his price is suppressed because of his weak counting stats. He only has three runs over that 10-game stretch despite his high on-base numbers; considering the righty has always hit lefties better in his career, he should return great value against LHP Jeff Locke.
Machado is still the man to beat, both at third base and at shortstop where he's now eligible. Though his price tag is elite, his .318 average and 1.002 OPS on the season is playable in all formats. Given his current pace, he should easily eclipse cash-game value while facing Ivan Nova on Saturday.
Mid-Tier Targets
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Nomar Mazara (TEX) | vs. SEA | 7 |
| Jose Ramirez (CLE) | vs. KC | 7 |
| Whit Merrifield (KC) | at CLE | 7 |
| Todd Frazier (CWS) | at DET | 7 |
| Nolan Arenado (COL) | at SD | 6 |
| Anthony Rendon (WAS) | at CIN | 6 |
| Aaron Hill (MIL) | at PHI | 6 |
| Derek Dietrich (MIA) | vs. NYM | 6 |
| Jung Ho Kang (PIT) | vs. LAA | 6 |
| Maikel Franco (PHI) | vs. MIL | 6 |
| Evan Longoria (TB) | at MIN | 5 |
| Kyle Seager (SEA) | at TEX | 5 |
| Matt Duffy (SF) | at STL | 5 |
| Yangervis Solarte (SD) | vs. LAD | 4 |
| Jake Lamb (ARI) | at CHC | 4 |
| Chase Headley (NYY) | at BAL | 4 |
Mazara and Merrifield have helped their teams stay afloat despite injuries to core players. Both have held their own, but the sample sizes of their short careers don't offer much by way of predictability. They could still have great nights, but an 0-for could also be in the cards for these rookies.
Forget Martin Prado; Dietrich is the Marlin to own where he's 3B-eligible. The utility man can't hit left-handed pitching to save his life, but he boasts a career .347 OBP against RHPs. Dietrich has had some bad luck of late, being on the receiving end of a line-drive into the Marlins' dugout, then getting hit by a pitch a few days later; perhaps it's time for a reversal of fortunes.
Nothing to See Here
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Justin Turner (LAD) | vs. ATL | 3 |
| Trevor Plouffe (MIN) | vs. TB | 3 |
| Luis Valbuena (HOU) | vs. OAK | 3 |
| Nick Castellanos (DET) | vs. CWS | 3 |
| Chase d'Arnaud (ATL) | at LAD | 2 |
| Eugenio Suarez (CIN) | vs. WAS | 1 |
Suarez has rewarded owners that picked him up during his hot start by hitting .182 over his last 10 games, bringing his overall average down to .232. His power is undeniable, but against an elite arm like Stephen Strasburg, his chance of a big game is limited.