Wednesday's Third Baseman Value Rankings
Here are theScore's third baseman value rankings for Wednesday, June 29 (all stats exclude Tuesday's games):
Value Rankings
C | 1B/DH | 2B | SS | 3B | OF | SP
Top Options
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Luis Valbuena (HOU) | at LAA | 10 |
| Javier Baez (CHC) | at CIN | 9 |
| David Freese (PIT) | at SEA | 9 |
| Nick Castellanos (DET) | vs. MIA | 8 |
| Josh Donaldson (TOR) | at COL | 8 |
| Manny Machado (BAL) | at SD | 8 |
| Jake Lamb (ARI) | vs. PHI | 8 |
| Matt Carpenter (STL) | vs. KC | 8 |
| Justin Turner (LAD) | at MIL | 8 |
Valbuena is slashing .386/.478/.614 since June 5 - a stretch of 67 plate appearances. Despite the hot streak and his home run power, the left-handed hitter is very under priced. Especially considering the fact he is facing RHP Jered Weaver, who has surrendered 10 homers to lefties this season and has an ERA of 5.24.
Freese has only played periodically since 3B/SS Jung Ho Kang returned to the team, but the former World Series hero will likely be in the lineup since the Pirates are playing in an AL ballpark. Freese has hit .340 with a .954 OPS against left-handed pitchers this season and will face mediocre southpaw Wade Miley.
Donaldson - hitting .457 with a 1.350 OPS in his last 12 games - is a player you can build your lineup around, despite his lofty salary. Opposing pitcher, LHP Tyler Anderson, can't really afford to pitch around last year's AL MVP with the red-hot 1B Edwin Encarnacion hitting right behind him. This is trouble for Anderson, because Donaldson is hitting .338/.461/.549 against southpaws.
Mid-Tier Targets
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Kris Bryant (CHC) | at CIN | 7 |
| Trevor Plouffe (MIN) | at CWS | 7 |
| Jose Ramirez (CLE) | at ATL | 7 |
| Martin Prado (MIA) | at DET | 7 |
| Jurickson Profar (TEX) | at NYY | 7 |
| Danny Valencia (OAK) | vs. SF | 6 |
| Aaron Hill (MIL) | vs. LAD | 6 |
| Nolan Arenado (COL) | vs. TOR | 6 |
| Yangervis Solarte (SD) | vs. BAL | 6 |
| Chris Johnson (MIA) | at DET | 6 |
| Adonis Garcia (ATL) | vs. CLE | 6 |
| Evan Longoria (TB) | vs. BOS | 6 |
| Alex Rodriguez (NYY) | vs. TEX | 5 |
| Adrian Beltre (TEX) | at NYY | 5 |
| Chase Headley (NYY) | vs. TEX | 5 |
| Eduardo Nunez (MIN) | at CWS | 5 |
| Jung Ho Kang (PIT) | at SEA | 5 |
| Maikel Franco (PHI) | at ARI | 5 |
Prado is slumping right now but expect him to snap out of it against lefty Daniel Norris, who will be making his second start of the season. Prado has hit .359 with a .432 OBP against left-handers this year.
Nothing to See Here
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Todd Frazier (CWS) | at MIN | 4 |
| Kyle Seager (SEA) | vs. PIT | 4 |
| Eugenio Suarez (CIN) | vs. CHC | 3 |
| Jhonny Peralta (STL) | vs. KC | 3 |
| Travis Shaw (BOS) | at TB | 2 |
| Jefry Marte (LAA) | vs. HOU | 1 |
Peralta is hitting just .221 with a .254 OBP after missing the first two months of the season due to injury. He clearly hasn't found his stroke yet, and should be left alone until he does or his price decreases.