Monday's First Baseman/DH Value Rankings
Here are theScore's first baseman/DH value rankings for Monday, August 15 (all stats exclude Sunday's games):
Value Rankings
C | 1B/DH | 2B | SS | 3B | OF | SP
Top Options
| NAME | VALUE | OPPONENT |
|---|---|---|
| Wil Myers (SD) | at TB | 10 |
| Miguel Cabrera (DET) | vs. KC | 9 |
| David Freese (PIT) | at SF | 8 |
Myers has been a lefty-killer this season, slashing .343/.420/.626 with eight home runs and four steals in only 112 plate appearances against southpaws. He's priced below the elite tier of 1Bs, but could easily be one of the top performers on the slate; few combine Myers' dynamic athleticism (23 HRs, 21 SBs) with ability to send LHPs to the showers early.
Freese is similarly gifted when it comes to LHPs, posting a .432 OBP in 81 plate appearances. He doesn't have the same home run potential, but his on-base skills and lower price point make him a good fit for cash game lineups. He typically hits fifth, but sometimes moves up the order when the Pirates face a lefty, which can only add to his floor.
Mid-Tier Targets
| NAME | VALUE | OPPONENT |
|---|---|---|
| Joey Votto (CIN) | vs. MIA | 7 |
| Mitch Moreland (TEX) | vs. OAK | 6 |
| Billy Butler (OAK) | at TEX | 5 |
Though he arguably possesses the best eye in the baseball over the past decade, Votto doesn't have the same ceiling as similarly priced players. He will likely grind down the opposition with a buffet of singles and walks rather than swing for the fences. He's well-suited to cash games; the only certainties in life are death, taxes and Joey Votto getting on base at an unbelievable clip.
Butler is hitting .474 with a 1.223 OPS over his last 11 games. Prior to July 24, he had hit .250 with just two home runs. The smart money is on swift regression but a game in Texas against Martin Perez could still yield a pair of hits and some RBIs.
Nothing to See Here
| NAME | VALUE | OPPONENT |
|---|---|---|
| Kendrys Morales (KC) | at DET | 4 |
| Albert Pujols (LAA) | vs. SEA | 3 |
| Eric Hosmer (KC) | at DET | 2 |
Pujols has 60 career at-bats against Felix Hernandez -- and has a .183/.246/.317 line to show for it. Pujols is clearly on the downside of his career, and though King Felix seems to be heading into his post-prime phase as well, the latter has the upper hand here. If you absolutely need to roster an Angel, Jefry Marte bats high in the order, has hit well, and is quite cheap.