Thursday's First Baseman/DH Value Rankings
Here are theScore's first baseman/DH value rankings for Thursday, July 21 (all stats exclude Wednesday's games):
Value Rankings
C | 1B/DH | 2B | SS | 3B | OF | SP
Top Options
| Name | Opponent | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Ryon Healy (OAK) | vs. TB | 8 |
| Steve Pearce (TB) | at OAK | 8 |
| Kennys Vargas (MIN) | at BOS | 8 |
The bargain-priced Healy continues to hit - six in his first five games, including two doubles and a home run. The right-handed batter will likely remain in the lineup to face lefty Matt Moore.
Though perhaps aided by Coors Field, Pearce had a home run and another hit in his Tuesday return from the disabled list. He's still cheap enough to recommend for a trip to Oakland to face shaky Athletics right-hander Sonny Gray.
Vargas is still hitting well after 10 games, with a .344 average and four home runs. He's still affordable heading into hitter-friendly Fenway Park, and Boston knuckleballer Steven Wright has allowed three homers and 21 runs (though only 15 were earned) over his last four starts.
Mid-Tier Targets
| Name | Opponent | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Victor Martinez (DET) | at CWS | 7 |
| David Ortiz (BOS) | vs. MIN | 6 |
| Freddie Freeman (ATL) | at COL | 6 |
Neither Martinez nor first base partner Miguel Cabrera has been hitting well of late, but with the lower price of the two, he offers less risk for a potential rebound against homer-prone James Shields.
Ortiz and Freeman are certainly capable of huge games, and need to justify their price points. Both have favorable matchups, but their recent outputs have been inconsistent.
Nothing to See Here
| Name | Opponent | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Wil Myers (SD) | at STL | 4 |
| Logan Morrison (TB) | at OAK | 3 |
| Pedro Alvarez (BAL) | at NYY | 3 |
Morrison may play at first base with the versatile Pearce elsewhere, but he's been struggling, with just seven hits in his last 10 games and a solo home run representing his lone RBI in the stretch.
For his career, Alvarez is hitting just .201 against fellow lefties, with that mark dropping to .143 this season, with no home runs. Though CC Sabathia has allowed five or more runs in five straight outings, Alvarez's splits suggest he won't be able to take advantage of the veteran's struggles.