Monday's Second Baseman Value Rankings
Here are theScore's second baseman 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Neil Walker (NYM) | at ARI | 9 |
| Daniel Murphy (WAS) | at COL | 9 |
| Devon Travis (TOR) | at NYY | 8 |
Walker has the full package: solid on-base kills (.500 OBP over his last 10 games), good power for his position (20 home runs), a great match-up (lefty Robbie Ray, who has a 5.40 ERA at home in 11 starts), and a perfect venue for offense (Arizona's Chase Field). The only thing preventing Walker from being ranked higher is his understandably-high salary. He's a great GPP option.
The lefty-on-lefty matchup with Jorge De La Rosa shouldn't impact Murphy; he still has a .922 OPS vs. LHPs. Because the Nationals are playing in Colorado, Murphy's DFS salary is as high as it's ever been, leaving little margin for error in case he has an off-night at the dish. For that reason, lean towards putting him in GPP lineups, though he can still be used for cash games.
Mid-Tier Targets
| NAME | VALUE | OPPONENT |
|---|---|---|
| Ian Kinsler (DET) | vs. KC | 7 |
| Jean Segura (ARI) | vs. NYM | 6 |
| Robinson Cano (SEA) | at LAA | 6 |
While his splits are much better when facing a lefty, Kinsler still presents plenty of upside against the Royals' Ian Kennedy, who has allowed 27 home runs this season -- tied for first in the majors. Kinsler has been hitting .333 with a .922 OPS over his last 10 games and has plenty of exposure in the lineup to sluggers Miguel Cabrera and Victor Martinez.
Nothing to See Here
| NAME | VALUE | OPPONENT |
|---|---|---|
| Joe Panik (SF) | vs. PIT | 4 |
| Rougned Odor (TEX) | vs. OAK | 3 |
| Derek Dietrich (MIA) | at CIN | 2 |
Odor's flashed his extra-base pop over his recent stretch, tallying a homer, a triple and five doubles since August 4. Despite those big hits, his on-base percentage is only .289 in that time, which isn't the floor you want to see given Odor's high salary. With a lefty on the mound, the lefty-batting Odor should be skipped over for a steadier option.
The Marlins have been able to keep Dietrich's breakout bat in the lineup despite the return of Dee Gordon by playing Dietrich at first base. That doesn't mean his approach to lefties has improved at all. He's still hitting just .213 against LHPs, so you can throw his .560 OBP from his last 10 games out the window as Miami heads to Cincinnati to take on southpaw Brandon Finnegan.