Thursday's Shortstop Value Rankings
Here are theScore's shortstop value rankings for Thursday, April 28:
Value Rankings
C | 1B/DH | 2B | SS | 3B | OF | SP
Top Options
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Aledmys Diaz (STL) | at ARI | 9 |
| J.J. Hardy (BAL) | vs. CWS | 8 |
| Manny Machado (BAL) | vs. CWS | 8 |
Diaz can be put into every lineup until his price begins to rise. The Cuban import is hitting .466 with three homers and 11 RBIs to begin his career. He's playing at the hitter-friendly Chase Field against a sub-par starter in Rubby De La Rosa.
Hardy is your ideal tournament shortstop. He has pop at a position that lacks power, he's cheap and he's a right-handed hitter facing a brutal lefty starter in John Danks. His teammate, Machado, hasn't hit lefties well this year, but expect that to change against Danks. He's hitting .342/.395/.671 overall to begin the year.
Mid-Tier Targets
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Xander Bogaerts (BOS) | vs. ATL | 7 |
| Jimmy Rollins (CWS) | at BAL | 7 |
| Daniel Castro (ATL) | at BOS | 7 |
| Trevor Story (COL) | vs. PIT | 6 |
| Addison Russell (CHC) | vs. MIL | 6 |
| Javier Baez (CHC) | vs. MIL | 6 |
| Corey Seager (LAD) | vs. MIA | 5 |
| Marcus Semien (OAK) | at DET | 5 |
| Jose Iglesias (DET) | vs. OAK | 5 |
Story is just 2-for-22 in his last five games (excluding Wednesday's game). That's not exactly what you want to be hearing considering he's the most expensive shortstop on the slate. However, the combination of Juan Nicasio as the opposing pitcher and hitter's paradise Coors Field as the game's setting could always lead to a historic chapter in the rookie's storybook season. Leave him out of cash game lineups.
Nothing to See Here
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Jordy Mercer (PIT) | at COL | 4 |
| Freddy Galvis (PHI) | at WAS | 4 |
| Erick Aybar (ATL) | at BOS | 3 |
| Jonathan Villar (MIL) | at CHC | 2 |
| Adeiny Hechavarria (MIA) | at LAD | 2 |
| Nick Ahmed (ARI) | vs. STL | 2 |
Mercer's price tag is sky high thanks to a .311 batting average and the fact that he's playing in Colorado. However, Mercer has an OBP of just .292 in his career against right-handed pitching. Don't be fooled by his hot start.