Thursday's Outfielder Value Rankings
Here are theScore's outfielder value ranking for Thursday, June 2 (all stats exclude Wednesday's games):
Value Rankings
C | 1B/DH | 2B | SS | 3B | OF | SP
Top Options
| Name | Opponent | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Carlos Gonzalez (COL) | vs. CIN | 9 |
| Charlie Blackmon (COL) | vs. CIN | 9 |
| Adam Duvall (CIN) | at COL | 8 |
| Jay Bruce (CIN) | at COL | 8 |
| Mookie Betts (BOS) | at BAL | 8 |
| Robbie Grossman (MIN) | vs. TB | 8 |
| Norichika Aoki (SEA) | at SD | 8 |
| George Springer (HOU) | vs. ARI | 7 |
The Coors Field factor is firmly in play, with Gonzalez homering in four straight games in the thin air. Blackmon (three homers in two games), Bruce (two in three) and Duvall (four in five) have also been hot.
Aoki has embraced life atop the Seattle order, collecting multi-hit games in four of his last seven games, while scoring six runs. The Mariners' lefty-heavy lineup could make life rough on RHP Colin Rea.
The red-hot Betts, on a home run binge, requires little justification for his inclusion. Grossman is available at the minimum price despite steady production since his recent call-up.
Mid-Tier Targets
| Name | Opponent | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Gerardo Parra (COL) | vs. CIN | 7 |
| Carlos Beltran (NYY) | at DET | 7 |
| Ichiro Suzuki (MIA) | vs. PIT | 7 |
| Hyun Soo Kim (BAL) | vs. BOS | 7 |
| Jake Marisnick (HOU) | vs. ARI | 7 |
| Gregor Blanco (SF) | at ATL | 7 |
| Jose Ramirez (CLE) | vs. KC | 7 |
| Denard Span (SF) | at ATL | 7 |
| Odubel Herrera (PHI) | vs. MIL | 7 |
| Seth Smith (SEA) | at SD | 7 |
| Matt Kemp (SD) | vs. SEA | 7 |
| J.D. Martinez (DET) | vs. NYY | 7 |
| Starling Marte (PIT) | at MIA | 7 |
| Nelson Cruz (SEA) | at SD | 7 |
| Hunter Pence (SF) | at ATL | 7 |
Parra offers some salary relief compared to his teammates, though doesn't have the same power threat.
Assuming he's in the lineup, Ichiro provides solid value, but the Marlins' outfield is getting healthier. Against RHP Juan Nicasio, he could find his way back in.
Marisnick has been hot from the bottom of the Houston order, stringing together seven hits and six runs scored over his last four games. He's cheap enough to take a chance on despite an encounter with Zack Greinke.
All six of Smith's home runs have come against right-handed pitching, including two on Tuesday.
| Name | Opponent | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Billy Hamilton (CIN) | at COL | 6 |
| Lorenzo Cain (KC) | at CLE | 6 |
| Dexter Fowler (CHC) | vs. LAD | 6 |
| Andrew McCutchen (PIT) | at MIA | 6 |
| Mark Trumbo (BAL) | vs. BOS | 6 |
| Jason Heyward (CHC) | vs. LAD | 6 |
| Corey Dickerson (TB) | at MIN | 6 |
| Ryan Braun (MIL) | at PHI | 6 |
| Paulo Orlando (KC) | at CLE | 6 |
| Brandon Guyer (TB) | at MIN | 6 |
| Lonnie Chisenhall (CLE) | vs. KC | 6 |
| Adam Jones (BAL) | vs. BOS | 6 |
| Jarrod Dyson (KC) | at CLE | 6 |
| Rajai Davis (CLE) | vs. KC | 6 |
| Cameron Maybin (DET) | vs. NYY | 6 |
| Melvin Upton Jr. (SD) | vs. SEA | 6 |
| Steven Souza (TB) | at MIN | 6 |
| Marcell Ozuna (MIA) | vs. PIT | 6 |
| Jeff Francoeur (ATL) | vs. SF | 5 |
| Colby Rasmus (HOU) | vs. ARI | 5 |
| Joc Pederson (LAD) | at CHC | 5 |
| Christian Yelich (MIA) | vs. PIT | 5 |
Hamilton is slightly too pricey for such a weak hitter, but the Coors Field bump and a recent hot streak (four hits, three runs scored and a stolen base in his last two games) are the reasons why.
Francoeur has an RBI in three straight games to go with eight hits in his last four - add a near-minimum price and a handedness advantage against LHP Madison Bumgarner and he's maybe worthy of a flier.
Nothing to See Here
| Name | Opponent | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Giancarlo Stanton (MIA) | vs. PIT | 4 |
| Byron Buxton (MIN) | vs. TB | 4 |
| Brett Gardner (NYY) | at DET | 3 |
Having returned to the lineup on Wednesday, Stanton is a pricey risk to roster until he regains his form.
Buxton has potential, but hasn't yet shown it. He'll likely be in the lineup against LHP Matt Moore, though. Gardner struggles against left-handed pitching, and will likely find himself on the bench.