Thursday's Third Baseman Value Rankings
Here are theScore's third baseman value rankings for Thursday, June 9 (all stats exclude Wednesday's games):
Value Rankings
C | 1B/DH | 2B | SS | 3B | OF | SP
Top Options
| Name | Opponent | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Kyle Seager (SEA) | vs. CLE | 10 |
| Josh Donaldson (TOR) | vs. BAL | 10 |
| Todd Frazier (CWS) | vs. WAS | 9 |
| Nolan Arenado (COL) | vs. PIT | 8 |
| Anthony Rendon (WAS) | at CWS | 8 |
Because of the Coors Field bump on some sites, Seager comes in at a relative bargain for a third baseman. He's slashing .395/.452/.632 over his last 10 games, further proving he was BABIP'd to death for the early parts of the season. As long as he's not facing a lefty, he needs to be considered and against Indians RHP Josh Tomlin, he needs to be rostered.
Donaldson and Frazier are a bit pricier, and other than batting averages they are both in productive modes. Donaldson is getting on base even when he doesn't manage hits, but he shouldn't be held out of the hit column with Orioles SP Tyler Wilson on the hill. Five of Frazier's six hits over his last 10 games have been long balls, making him more of GPP flier.
Arenado will potentially break the bank, but he's hit 10 home runs at Coors already this season and has feasted on left-handed pitching. Pirates SP Jeff Locke is not in a good position.
Mid-Tier Targets
| Name | Opponent | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Derek Dietrich (MIA) | at MIN | 7 |
| Adrian Beltre (TEX) | vs. HOU | 6 |
| Eduardo Nunez (MIN) | vs. MIA | 6 |
| Jung Ho Kang (PIT) | at COL | 6 |
| Aaron Hill (MIL) | vs. NYM | 6 |
| Alex Rodriguez (NYY) | vs. LAA | 6 |
| Matt Carpenter (STL) | at CIN | 5 |
| Manny Machado (BAL) | at TOR | 5 |
| Jose Ramirez (CLE) | at SEA | 5 |
Kang has been an excellent choice night-in, night-out - provided he plays - and traveling to Colorado will push him out of any cash game price range. Obviously the hitter-friendly confines make him tempting, but he will need a multi-hit game with preferably a home run with runners on base to really return tournament value.
Nunez's salary is finally reaching his production and it's time to possibly drift away. The two home runs his cranked on Tuesday are unlikely to happen again any time soon. If he's among the priciest, look elsewhere. Carpenter is also too expensive despite his consistency. He doesn't hit LHPs nearly as well as righties, so think about fading him against Reds LHP Brandon Finnegan.
Nothing to See Here
| Name | Opponent | Value |
|---|---|---|
| David Freese (PIT) | at COL | 4 |
| Yunel Escobar (LAA) | at NYY | 4 |
| Chase Headley (NYY) | vs. LAA | 3 |
| Marwin Gonzalez (HOU) | at TEX | 3 |
| Sean Rodriguez (PIT) | at COL | 3 |
| Eugenio Suarez (CIN) | vs. STL | 3 |
| Wilmer Flores (NYM) | at MIL | 2 |
| Martin Prado (MIA) | at MIN | 2 |
| Trevor Plouffe (MIN) | vs. MIA | 2 |
Freese and Rodriguez will both see salaries jump higher than they should with action moving to Colorado. Stay away. Suarez has hit only .208 against right-handers this season and while Cardinals RHP Adam Wainwright has struggled, don't anticipate Suarez to turn on one against him.
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