Saturday's Catcher Value Rankings
Here are theScore's catcher value rankings for Saturday, May 14 (all stats exclude Friday's games):
Value Rankings
C | 1B/DH | 2B | SS | 3B | OF | SP
Top Options
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Buster Posey (SF) | at ARI | 10 |
| Yadier Molina (STL) | at LAD | 10 |
| Wilson Ramos (WAS) | vs. MIA | 9 |
| Welington Castillo (ARI) | vs. SF | 8 |
| J.T. Realmuto (MIA) | at WAS | 8 |
The fact that Posey -- the best offensive catcher in the game by a landslide -- isn't the most expensive catcher on the slate against a lefty is absurd. Posey has a career OPS of .949 against southpaws, compared to a .819 OPS versus right-handers. He will have high ownership, but he can still be drafted in any format.
For DFSers seeking a safe cash-game option, look no further than Molina. Yaddy usually hits fifth in St. Louis' lineup, giving him plenty of RBI chances. He comes very cheap, probably because he hasn't homered this year, but he has a .421 OBP on the season and has been scorching hot in his last 10 games. He's a great value play against struggling LHP Scott Kazmir.
Mid-Tier Targets
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Jonathan Lucroy (MIL) | vs. SD | 7 |
| Stephen Vogt (OAK) | at TB | 7 |
| Jason Castro (HOU) | at BOS | 7 |
| Kevin Plawecki (NYM) | at COL | 6 |
| Christian Vazquez (BOS) | vs. HOU | 6 |
| Dioner Navarro (CWS) | at NYY | 6 |
| Carlos Ruiz (PHI) | vs. CIN | 5 |
| Jarrod Saltalamacchia (DET) | at BAL | 5 |
| Brian McCann (NYY) | vs. CWS | 5 |
| Yasmani Grandal (LAD) | vs. STL | 5 |
Lucroy has posted a .942 OPS in his last 10 games and usually hits in the middle of Milwaukee's order. The only thing keeping him out of the top options is the presence of a right-hander on the hill, albeit a mediocre one. He has a solid career OPS of .755 versus righties, but it's nothing compared to his .827 OPS versus lefties.
Nothing to See Here
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| A.J. Pierzynski (ATL) | at KC | 4 |
| Matt Wieters (BAL) | vs. DET | 4 |
| Bobby Wilson (TEX) | vs. TOR | 3 |
| Derek Norris (SD) | at MIL | 3 |
| Russell Martin (TOR) | at TEX | 3 |
| Hank Conger (TB) | vs. OAK | 2 |
| Francisco Cervelli (PIT) | at CHC | 2 |
| Yan Gomes (CLE) | vs. MIN | 2 |
| Salvador Perez (KC) | vs. ATL | 2 |
| Kurt Suzuki (MIN) | at CLE | 1 |
Norris has never been able to hit right-handers in his career, as evidenced by his career .218 batting average against RHP. He's a valuable asset against lefties, but RHP Wily Peralta will take the mound for the Brew Crew.
Wilson has gone 7-for-18 (.389 average) as a member of the Texas Rangers this season, and his price has sky-rocketed because of it. DFSers still need to remember that this is a guy who flat out can't hit. He has a career .209 batting average in eight big league seasons. He will face RHP Marco Estrada, who held hitters to a .202 average in 2015 and a .196 average this season.