Tuesday's Shortstop Value Rankings
Here are theScore's shortstop value rankings for Tuesday, May 30 (all stats exclude Monday's games):
Value Rankings
C | 1B/DH | 2B | SS | 3B | OF | SP
Top Options
| Name | Opponent | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Eduardo Nunez (MIN) | at OAK | 9 |
| Manny Machado (BAL) | vs. BOS | 9 |
| Francisco Lindor (CLE) | vs. TEX | 8 |
| Xander Bogaerts (BOS) | at BAL | 8 |
| Jonathan Villar (MIL) | vs. STL | 8 |
Nunez has cemented himself atop Minnesota's lineup and has been one of the Twins' most reliable hitters not named Joe Mauer. Heading into Monday, Nunez was 11-for-19 over his previous four games with a pair of home runs and five runs scored. He's cheaper than the usual suspects, but there's cause in consistency when selecting players like Machado and Bogaerts.
Villar is 15-for-39 over his last 10 games with five stolen bases and nine runs scored. The power hasn't fully formed, but he's always threat to steal with 18 swipes on the season.
Mid-Tier Targets
| Name | Opponent | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Trevor Story (COL) | vs. CIN | 7 |
| Brandon Crawford (SF) | at ATL | 6 |
| Alcides Escobar (KC) | vs. TB | 6 |
| Freddy Galvis (PHI) | vs. WAS | 6 |
| Brad Miller (TB) | at KC | 5 |
| Asdrubal Cabrera (NYM) | vs. CWS | 5 |
| Corey Seager (LAD) | at CHC | 5 |
| Elvis Andrus (TEX) | at CLE | 5 |
| Tyler Saladino (CWS) | at NYM | 5 |
Shortstop is the most top-heavy position in terms of pricing. It's difficult to find legitimate bargains. Instead, pay for Story or roll the dice with a reduced salary in Crawford. He's hitting better over the last couple weeks, but isn't hitting for much power. His 28 RBIs heading into Monday are second best on the Giants, aided by the OBP prowess of Hunter Pence, Buster Posey and Brandon Belt.
Escobar being atop the Royals lineup should give him consistent opportunities to score, but his .299 OBP attached to a .268 batting average limits this. He has scored six times over his last 10 games, but his stolen base numbers are invisible over that time.
Nothing to See Here
| Name | Opponent | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Carlos Correa (HOU) | at ARI | 4 |
| Jose Iglesias (DET) | at LAA | 4 |
| Didi Gregorius (NYY) | at TOR | 4 |
| Zack Cozart (CIN) | at COL | 3 |
| Jimmy Rollins (CWS) | at NYM | 3 |
| Marcus Semien (OAK) | vs. MIN | 3 |
| Ivan De Jesus (CIN) | at COL | 2 |
| Addison Russell (CHC) | vs. LAD | 2 |
| Aledmys Diaz (STL) | at MIL | 2 |
Until Correa can string together a run of solid games, don't pay up for him. His salary is too high and predicated more on name than on current results. Even in Coors Field, it's better to avoid Cincinnati's shortstops entirely as they're ice cold. Diaz's overall numbers look good, but he has fallen on hard times in recent weeks and is not likely long for the starting job in St. Louis.