Wednesday's Third Baseman Value Rankings
Here are theScore's third baseman value rankings for Wednesday, June 15 (all stats exclude Tuesday's games):
Value Rankings
C | 1B/DH | 2B | SS | 3B | OF | SP
Top Options
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Danny Valencia (OAK) | vs. TEX | 10 |
| Matt Carpenter (STL) | vs. HOU | 10 |
| Luis Valbuena (HOU) | at STL | 9 |
| Evan Longoria (TB) | vs. SEA | 9 |
| Wilmer Flores (NYM) | vs. PIT | 8 |
| Nolan Arenado (COL) | vs. NYY | 8 |
Valencia has always been a lefty-masher throughout his career, and this season is no different. He is hitting .419/.468/.837 against southpaws, with five of his 10 homers coming against left-handed pitchers. He also happens to be riding a hot-streak, and will face LHP Derek Holland, who has a 4.87 ERA and has surrendered six homers over his last four starts. It's a perfect storm.
Carpenter has shifted from the hot corner to second base, but most DFS sites still list him as a three-bagger. He seems to have enjoyed the move, as he is hitting .475/.553/.850 in his last 10 games. His opposing pitcher, RHP Collin McHugh has been awful this season, posting a 5.22 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP. He has allowed eight runs in nine innings over his last two starts.
Valbuena is a cheap tournament option with plenty of upside. He slugged out 25 big flies last year and has seven this season. His .408 OBP since May 24 would indicate he's seeing the ball well lately. He is 9-for-22 with six extra-base hits against RHP Adam Wainwright in his career.
Mid-Tier Targets
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Josh Donaldson (TOR) | at PHI | 7 |
| Martin Prado (MIA) | at SD | 7 |
| Jung Ho Kang (PIT) | at NYM | 7 |
| Manny Machado (BAL) | at BOS | 6 |
| Todd Frazier (CWS) | vs. DET | 6 |
| Anthony Rendon (WAS) | vs. CHC | 6 |
| Yunel Escobar (LAA) | vs. MIN | 6 |
| Jurickson Profar (TEX) | at OAK | 6 |
| Trevor Plouffe (MIN) | at LAA | 5 |
| Matt Duffy (SF) | vs. MIL | 5 |
| Kris Bryant (CHC) | at WAS | 5 |
| Chase Headley (NYY) | at COL | 5 |
Kang's price is significantly low with RHP Noah Syndergaard on the hill for the Mets, and rightly so. Thor lives up to the status of being nicknamed after a Greek God. However, Kang has been white-hot lately, and also has eight homers in just 99 at-bats this season. He's worth being drafted in tournaments as a contrarian.
Nothing to See Here
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Eugenio Suarez (CIN) | at ATL | 4 |
| Justin Turner (LAD) | at ARI | 4 |
| Kyle Seager (SEA) | at TB | 3 |
| Yangervis Solarte (SD) | vs. MIA | 3 |
| Jose Ramirez (CLE) | at KC | 2 |
| Nick Castellanos (DET) | at CWS | 2 |
| Travis Shaw (BOS) | vs. BAL | 2 |
| Jake Lamb (ARI) | vs. LAD | 1 |
| Alex Rodriguez (NYY) | at COL | 1 |
Castellanos has on OBP of just .234 in his last 15 games. He isn't worth drafting in any format against LHP Chris Sale, who has struck out Castellanos 10 times in 19 at-bats while limiting the young third baseman to just one hit.
With no DH in an NL stadium, A-Rod rode pine Tuesday night in Colorado, until being used as a pinch-hitter in the sixth inning. Manager Joe Girardi usually uses trips to the National League as rest for his 40-year-old slugger. Expect the same Wednesday.