Here are the MLB value rankings for Friday, April 8:
Catcher
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Yan Gomes (CLE) | at CWS | 9 |
| Nick Hundley (COL) | vs. SD | 9 |
| Devin Mesoraco (CIN) | vs. PIT | 8 |
Gomes has hit .500 off of John Danks in his career. Four of his six hits off Danks have gone for extra bases. The Brazillian is looking to regain his 2015 form where he hit 21 home runs. Draft him in any lineup.
For more catcher rankings, click here.
First Baseman/DH
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Freddie Freeman (ATL) | vs. STL | 9 |
| Jose Abreu (CWS) | vs. CLE | 9 |
| Chris Davis (BAL) | vs. TB | 9 |
Freeman has only seven at-bats against Jaime Garcia, but he's made the most of them: the slugger has four hits, including two home runs against the southpaw. He may get faded with the lefty-lefty matchup, so he makes for a great GPP option.
For more first baseman/DH rankings, click here.
Second Baseman
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Dustin Pedroia (BOS) | at TOR | 10 |
| Chase Utley (LAD) | at SF | 8 |
| Jason Kipnis (CLE) | at CWS | 8 |
Pedroia has the edge in the battle of diminutive superstars, as he's 4-for-7 in his career against Marcus Stroman. His high spot in the batting order gives him ample opportunity to return value. His nine career home runs at the Rogers Centre are the most he's hit at any visiting ballpark.
For more second baseman rankings, click here.
Shortstop
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Eduardo Escobar (MIN) | at KC | 9 |
| Trevor Story (COL) | vs. SD | 9 |
| Alexei Ramirez (SD) | at COL | 8 |
Escobar isn't quite known as a dangerous offensive threat, but he's had Yordano Ventura's number. The SS is 5-for-10 off of the flame thrower.
For more shortstop rankings, click here.
Third Baseman
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Evan Longoria (TB) | at BAL | 10 |
| Manny Machado (BAL) | vs. TB | 9 |
| Josh Donaldson (TOR) | vs. BOS | 8 |
A small sample size isn't a problem for Longoria versus Chris Tillman. Longoria has 49 at bats against the veteran, clocking six home runs to go with a .327 average.
For more third baseman rankings, click here.
Outfielder
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| George Springer (HOU) | at MIL | 10 |
| Nelson Cruz (SEA) | vs. OAK | 10 |
| Yasiel Puig (LAD) | at SF | 9 |
Springer is a .291 hitter on the road, and Miller Park is the type of hitter's haven that will make the Astros' slugger salivate. While he hasn't played in Milwaukee before, he has hit at least .360 in his career at comparable extreme hitter's parks in Colorado, Arizona and Toronto.
For more outfielder rankings, click here.
Starting Pitcher
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Francisco Liriano (PIT) | at CIN | 9 |
| Yordano Ventura (KC) | vs. MIN | 9 |
| Jacob deGrom (NYM) | vs. PHI | 9 |
The Reds send out one of the worst lineups in the National League. Their two best hitters, Joey Votto and Jay Bruce (both bat left), are a combined 9-for-48 against Liriano, a LHP.
For more starting pitcher rankings, click here.