Thursday's Catcher Value Rankings
Here are theScore's catcher value rankings for Thursday, May 19 (all stats exclude Wednesday's games):
Value Rankings
C | 1B/DH | 2B | SS | 3B | OF | SP
Top Options
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Yadier Molina (STL) | vs. COL | 9 |
| Jonathan Lucroy (MIL) | vs. CHC | 8 |
| Stephen Vogt (OAK) | vs. NYY | 8 |
| Alex Avila (CWS) | at HOU | 8 |
Molina lacks home run upside, but he offers plenty of stability with his .366 batting average off righties. He has 12 doubles in total and had a hit in eight of his past 10 games coming into Wednesday. Lucroy has a tougher pitching matchup than Molina, but he had homered in three consecutive games prior to Wednesday. The time to buy low is long past.
Avila will catch White Sox LHP Chris Sale, and he's a strong option to provide some offense against Astros RHP Collin McHugh.
Mid-Tier Targets
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Brian McCann (NYY) | at OAK | 7 |
| Francisco Cervelli (PIT) | vs. ATL | 7 |
| Buster Posey (SF) | at SD | 6 |
| Caleb Joseph (BAL) | vs. SEA | 6 |
| Yasmani Grandal (LAD) | at LAA | 6 |
| Miguel Montero (CHC) | at MIL | 6 |
McCann's power potential is limited in Oakland but the Yankees lefty-loaded offense could string some hits together against Athletics RHP Kendall Graveman. Cervelli continues to hit for average, putting him in position to score some runs against inexperienced Braves starter Mike Foltynewicz.
Joseph should replace Matt Wieters Thursday, and he's a more than adequate punt play against Mariners RHP Nathan Karns. Montero has a good slump-busting matchup against Brewers RHP Junior Guerra.
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Wilson Ramos (WAS) | at NYM | 5 |
| Tony Wolters (COL) | at STL | 5 |
| Tucker Barnhart (CIN) | vs. CLE | 4 |
| Yan Gomes (CLE) | at CIN | 4 |
| Tyler Flowers (ATL) | at PIT | 4 |
| Kurt Suzuki (MIN) | vs. TOR | 4 |
Ramos has less upside than usual in another daunting pitching matchup against the Mets. Wolters hasn't performed nearly as well without the magic of Coors Field, and he's still without a homer. Barnhart hits .310 at home and holds his own against righties, despite favoring lefties.
Nothing to See Here
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Russell Martin (TOR) | at MIN | 3 |
| Kevin Plawecki (NYM) | vs. WAS | 2 |
| Steve Clevenger (SEA) | at BAL | 2 |
| Derek Norris (SD) | vs. SF | 2 |
Clevenger is the expected starting catcher for Seattle Thursday, but none of the three in their rotation warrants consideration. Norris has been baffled by righty pitchers this season, and he has nothing to offer fantasy owners.
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