Sunday's Third Baseman Value Rankings
Here are theScore's third baseman value rankings for Sunday, June 5 (all stats exclude Saturday's games):
Value Rankings
C | 1B/DH | 2B | SS | 3B | OF | SP
Top Options
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Jose Ramirez (CLE) | vs. KC | 8 |
| Travis Shaw (BOS) | vs. TOR | 8 |
| Josh Donaldson (TOR) | at BOS | 7 |
| Luis Valbuena (HOU) | vs. OAK | 7 |
| Javier Baez (CHC) | vs. ARI | 7 |
The switch-hitting Ramirez has four straight multi-hit games and a very favorable matchup with hittable Royals righty Chris Young, who has given up a home run in all but one of his starts and owns a 5.95 ERA.
Shaw is one of the more affordable routes into Boston's offense, and he hits much better against right-handed pitchers, like the Blue Jays' Marco Estrada. In that same game, Donaldson against a lefty (Eduardo Rodriguez) in a hitter's park may be enticing, but monitor his health: Donaldson sat out Saturday with a jammed thumb.
Valbuena's recent power surge has tailed off, but his price has also dropped. He could be a sneaky option if the fresh-off-the-DL Sonny Gray isn't back in fine form.
While it's a small sample, Baez is hitting .450 against left-handers this season, and has three hits, a home run and five RBIs over his last two games.
Mid-Tier Targets
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Maikel Franco (PHI) | vs. MIL | 7 |
| Adrian Beltre (TEX) | vs. SEA | 7 |
| Evan Longoria (TB) | at MIN | 7 |
| Trevor Plouffe (MIN) | vs. TB | 7 |
| Todd Frazier (CWS) | at DET | 7 |
| Jung Ho Kang (PIT) | vs. LAA | 7 |
| Anthony Rendon (WAS) | at CIN | 7 |
| Danny Valencia (OAK) | at HOU | 7 |
| Manny Machado (BAL) | vs. NYY | 7 |
| Eugenio Suarez (CIN) | vs. WAS | 6 |
| Matt Carpenter (STL) | vs. SF | 6 |
| Kris Bryant (CHC) | vs. ARI | 6 |
| Kyle Seager (SEA) | at TEX | 6 |
| Chase Headley (NYY) | at BAL | 6 |
| Nick Castellanos (DET) | vs. CWS | 6 |
| Matt Duffy (SF) | at STL | 6 |
| Nolan Arenado (COL) | at SD | 5 |
| Adonis Garcia (ATL) | at LAD | 5 |
| Yangervis Solarte (SD) | vs. COL | 5 |
| Whit Merrifield (KC) | at CLE | 5 |
| Martin Prado (MIA) | vs. NYM | 5 |
| Yunel Escobar (LAA) | at PIT | 5 |
| Derek Dietrich (MIA) | vs. NYM | 5 |
CC Sabathia has been quietly solid, allowing just three earned runs over his last four starts, somewhat limiting Machado's appeal despite a discounted price.
Seager and the Seattle offense as a whole has been red hot of late, but it's tough to justify rostering him when he's the priciest option at the position and facing LHP Derek Holland. Seager has hit worse against lefties both this season and for his career.
Nothing to See Here
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Jake Lamb (ARI) | at CHC | 3 |
| Wilmer Flores (NYM) | at MIA | 3 |
| Justin Turner (LAD) | vs. ATL | 3 |
Unfortunately, Lamb and Flores, despite reasonable prices and power potential, are set to face Jake Arrieta and Jose Fernandez, respectively.