Target Justin Morneau and Jed Lowrie in Points Leagues

I realize that up until now that I have done only drop/add columns, mostly on deeper leagues.  I decided to do something different for points league players simply because the big names are not always the big performers in those formats.  So instead of a drop/add for our points league players, I will present players to target.  Some of these guys may be available on waivers in your league.  If they are, good for you!  You don’t have to give up anything!

The point totals are based on ESPN standard points league scoring.  If you are in a custom points league, the value may be slightly different.  For example, my league counts five points for a quality start, and minus 5 for a blown saves.  Stolen bases are also worth two instead of one.  Most leagues will have some sort of quirk like this, so you might have to adjust accordingly.

This piece will focus on the right side of the infield.  The outfielders and catchers are here.  We will cover the left side tomorrow and the pitchers on Friday.

May 1, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies first baseman Justin Morneau (33) runs to third base during the fifth inning against the New York Mets at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

First Base:

Target Players:

Justin Morneau, Rockies:  Morneau may not be putting up his MVP numbers of 2006, but he is still putting together a nice season so far.  His average sits at .333 with 7 homers.  Good numbers, but you can do better in H2H in category leagues.  In points leagues, Morneau is fourth among first basemen in points.  This is largely due to the number of doubles he hits, and the number of runs he has scored in that potent Rockies lineup.

James Loney, Rays: Loney is the typical example of a player that is vastly overlooked in points leagues.  He has just one home run after all.  But he gets on base.  A lot.  That makes him very valuable, and a top ten option in points leagues.  Add to that the fact that he has struck out just ten times on the season (Starling Marte does that in a week!), and you have a perfect points league guy.  He can be had for super cheap from most owners.

Adam LaRoche, Nationals: He is having a solid year, but what puts him in the top ten of first basemen in points leagues is his high walk total.  In standard leagues, he is nice to own, but is a middle of the pack player.  Try and find an owner in your points league that views him as such and reap the rewards.

Apr 29, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard (6) at bat in the ninth inning of the game against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park. The New York Mets won the game 6-1. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports

Big Name Bait:

Matt Adams, Cardinals: Yes, I know he is hitting .328.  A great number, I won’t argue that.  What keeps bringing Adams down is his free swinging ways.  Which if it was resulting in increased home run totals, you could stomach it. Adams has only two homers, single digit RBI, and 27 strikeouts to just three walks.  He is more of an anchor than an asset in points leauges.

Ryan Howard, Phillies: While Howard has rebounded some, he is not an MVP caliber player anymore.  His average is low (.237).  The power potential is nice, and has resulted in a respectable six home runs.  The problem is that he has struck out 38 times already.  That takes away all the points from his homers and runs scored.  You don’t have to hang on to that downside.  Trade him for any of the players above, and you might even be able to snag a slight upgrade elsewhere.

Brandon Belt, Giants: He has turned some heads with his eight home runs, and that makes him a nice asset in standard leagues.  In points leagues those homers are overshadowed by his 36 strikeouts and only three doubles.  It’s either a single, a homer, or a strikeout.  I don’t want that headache in a points league.  Try to use his high dinger total to pimp him out in your points league.

Apr 30, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Twins second baseman Brian Dozier (2) attempts to field a ground ball in the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Second Base:

Target Players:

Brian Dozier, Twins: His eight homers and 11 steals are valuable in any format.  However, his value is tempered in standard leagues by the low batting average.  He counteracts that in points leagues with his impressive 24 walks.  He is the top scoring second basemen in points leagues so far.  Try to pry him away from someone who is put off by his low batting average.

Jed Lowrie, Athletics: Lowrie is decent in standard leagues.  He is a top ten points league player because of stats that don’t count in standard leagues.  He has ten doubles, 20 walks, and only 15 strikeouts.  You can live with the low home run total with numbers like that.

Anthony Rendon, Nationals: 17 of Rendon’s 38 hits have gone for extra bases, and he is showing good plate discipline this season.  The lowered strikeout total and all of those extra bases can really add up in a points league.

May 4, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips (4) fields a ball during the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Rob Leifheit-USA TODAY Sports

Big Name Bait:

Brandon Phillips, Reds: He has shown signs of coming out of his funk, which may prompt people to try and get him on the cheap.  I’m not buying yet.  The 26 strikeouts to just four walks still make him an unnecessary risk in points leagues.

Martin Prado, Diamondbacks: His poor start is a pretty big reason for this.  I am troubled by his lack of power.  Just seven of his 33 hits have gone for extra bases, and none have cleared the wall.  His 3:1 strikeout to walk ratio is also a reason that I’m not quite willing to wait for him to turn it around.

Matt Carpenter, Cardinals: Carp is having a pretty solid year, but he has mananged only one homer and one steal.  Still his 24 runs scored should still make him sneaky in points leagues, right?  It would if his strikeouts weren’t so high.  He has whiffed 32 times, and in redraft point leagues, I would trade him while his other numbers are still nice.