Saturday's Shortstop Value Rankings
Here are theScore's shortstop 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Jonathan Villar (MIL) | at PHI | 9 |
| Corey Seager (LAD) | vs. ATL | 9 |
| Manny Machado (BAL) | vs. NYY | 8 |
| Xander Bogaerts (BOS) | vs. TOR | 8 |
| Eduardo Nunez (MIN) | vs. TB | 8 |
Ride the hot hands at shortstop. Villar hasn't slowed down a bit, and Phillies RHP Jeremy Hellickson, as good as he's been of late, is going to have a difficult time keeping the switch-hitter quiet. Seager is quietly hitting better lately and a matchup against Braves RHP Mike Foltynewicz is definitely in Seager's favor.
While both Machado and Bogaerts will have their occasionally quiet games, it's a rarity. Both players are absolute beasts at home, hitting .336 and .368, respectively. Machado's power and Bogaerts' overall excellence make them seemingly matchup-proof. Facing Yankees RHP Ivan Nova and Blue Jays RHP Marcus Stroman won't pose insurmountable obstacles, either.
Mid-Tier Targets
| Name | Opponent | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Carlos Correa (HOU) | vs. OAK | 7 |
| Brad Miller (TB) | at MIN | 7 |
| Asdrubal Cabrera (NYM) | at MIA | 7 |
| Francisco Lindor (CLE) | vs. KC | 6 |
| Brandon Crawford (SF) | at STL | 6 |
| Elvis Andrus (TEX) | vs. SEA | 6 |
Depending on where you look, Correa is either one of the more expensive options or, miraculously, less expensive than some otherwise mid-tier names. Admittedly, Correa has struggled but this could be a savvy play with Athletics RHP Kendall Graveman pitching on short rest with teammate Rich Hill getting scratched.
Cabrera is hitting near the top of the Mets order and has had solid numbers against lefties throughout his career (.282/.329/.421). Take him in cash games against Marlins LHP Justin Nicolino.
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Trevor Story (COL) | at SD | 5 |
| Trea Turner (WAS) | at CIN | 5 |
| Freddy Galvis (PHI) | vs. MIL | 5 |
| Alexei Ramirez (SD) | vs. COL | 5 |
| Jurickson Profar (TEX) | vs. SEA | 5 |
| Aledmys Diaz (STL) | vs. SF | 5 |
Story is still hitting for power, and has hit more home runs on the road, but he's striking out 33 percent of the time and isn't the consistent threat he was in the opening weeks of the season. Reserve him for GPPs. Profar has played quite well since his call-up with hits in all six games, with two hits on four separate occasions, already. If he keeps it up, he'll be a must-start in all formats soon.
Nothing to See Here
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Alcides Escobar (KC) | at CLE | 4 |
| Marcus Semien (OAK) | at HOU | 4 |
| Wilmer Flores (NYM) | at MIA | 3 |
| Zack Cozart (CIN) | vs. WAS | 3 |
| Jimmy Rollins (CWS) | at DET | 3 |
| Didi Gregorius (NYY) | at BAL | 3 |
| Addison Russell (CHC) | vs. ARI | 2 |
| Danny Espinosa (WAS) | at CIN | 2 |
Russell has 24 hits and 48 strikeouts in 170 career plate appearances against left-handed pitching. Even against a seemingly poor LHP like Diamondbacks SP Edwin Escobar, that is not a line that should inspire encouragement. Cozart may have gone yard Friday night, but he won't fare as well against Nationals RHP Stephen Strasburg.