Pick up Jhonny Peralta and Carl Crawford to boost your batting average.

Over the next ten days, we will be taking a look at players that can help you in each individual category for those of you that play in roto or H2H category leagues.  This first installment will focus on the players that can help you in batting average.

I will provide three players for each position.  One for standard leagues, one for moderate leagues, and one for deep leagues.

Keep in mind that a lot of these players will be one category wonders.  For those of you in weekly category leagues, batting average can often come down to a couple of hits.  These players can certainly help you out in weekly leagues more than roto leagues.

Apr 25, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Cincinnati Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco (39) limps across home plate to score a run against the Atlanta Braves in the seventh inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Catchers:

Standard:

Devin Mesoraco, Reds:  He’s baaaaaack.  The hottest hitting catcher in baseball this season is still available in almost half of ESPN leagues.  His name will pop up on my lists quite often until others catch on or start listening.  He is hitting .460 with four homers, 16 RBI, and 11 runs scored.  That is great production for any position.

Moderate:

Kurt Suzuki, Twins: Suzuki is hitting .353 over the last two weeks, raising his season average to .322.  He has been incredibly consistent so far this year.

Deep:

John Jaso, Athletics: Jaso only plays against righties, but he has produced a .382 average over 34 at bats over the last two weeks.  On the bright side, you always know when he is going to play.

May 10, 2014; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Rays first baseman James Loney (21) hits a RBI single during the fifth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

First Basemen:

Standard:

James Loney, Rays:  This guy has always been gold for batting average chasers.  He is at it again, hitting .311 on the season.  If average is all you need, go get him.

Moderate:

C.J. Cron, Angels:  He is hitting .353 since his call up.  Ride him until he cools off.

Deep:

Ike Davis, Pirates: No, this is not a typo.  Ike is hitting .353 over the last two weeks since the Pirates have him playing exclusively against righties.  Their utilization techniques suggest that he might just be able to keep this up.  If not?  Well, you’re not out anything, since he is owned in less than two percent of leagues.

May 13, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners left fielder Dustin Ackley (13) hits a single against the Tampa Bay Rays during the seventh inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

Second Basemen:

Standard:

Neil Walker, Pirates: Surprisingly enough, he is no longer owned in 100 percent of leagues.  If he is available, go get him.  He is hitting .306 over the last two weeks to bring his season average up to .265.

Moderate:

Dustin Ackley, Mariners: Ackley is starting to pick things up here lately.  He is hitting .282 over the last two weeks while earning regular playing time again.  He is worth playing unless he goes cold again.

Deep:

Mike Aviles, Indians: Aviles is guaranteed playing time with Jason Kipnis on the DL.  He has made the most of it so far, hitting .357 with Kipnis out.  Pick him up until he gets demoted.

May 13, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Jhonny Peralta (27) hits a one run single off of Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Wesley Wright (not pictured) during the sixth inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

Shortstops:

Standard:

Jhonny Peralta, Cardinals: Peralta is smoking over the last two weeks, racking up a .360 average.  Playing in a good lineup won’t hurt either.

Moderate:

Eduardo Escobar, Twins: Escobar was called up to provide depth.  Instead, he has hit .378 and forced his way into an everyday job with the Twins.  Possibly for you as well

Deep:

Yunel Escobar, Rays: Yuni is hitting .349 over the last couple of weeks, and is finally getting comfortable at the plate.

May 13, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter Juan Francisco (47) hits a home run during the fifth inning in a game against the Cleveland Indians at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

Third Basemen:

Standard:

Juan Francisco, Blue Jays: Not only is he providing nice power numbers, he is hitting .289 as well.  He is helping in four categories right now!

Moderate:

Chris Johnson, Braves: He is about the only Atlanta player that is not struggling right now.  Johnson is hitting .360 over the last two weeks, and has been about the only bright spot for the Braves lately.

Deep:

Conor Gillaspie, White Sox: He has a hit in all but one game since returning from the DL, racking up a .440 average in that span.  He was hitting well before he went on the shelf, so this could keep going.

May 9, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres left fielder Seth Smith (12) at third base after a triple during the third inning against the Miami Marlins at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Outfielders:

Standard:

Carl Crawford, Dodgers: Crawford has been on fire of late.  He has a blistering .432 average.  Just watch out for days off in the revolving door that is the Dodger outfield.

Marlon Byrd, Phillies: Byrd has been a nice find for the Phils so far.  Especially lately.  He is hitting .306 over the last two weeks.

Moderate:

Seth Smith, Padres: Smith has hit so well, that he seems to have shed the platoon tag in San Diego.  He is blistering hot right now, carrying a .455 average over the last two weeks.  He isn’t showing any signs of slowing down either.

Gerardo Parra, Diamondbacks: Parra has played in all but two games this season.  Mostly because Arizona can’t afford to not have him in the lineup with his .271 average, and .304 over the last two weeks.

Deep:

Drew Stubbs, Rockies: Unfortunately for Stubbs, most of the rest of the Colorado outfield is also on fire.  That makes his playing time somewhat sporadic.  That said, for those of you in daily transaction leagues, he is worth playing when he is in the lineup, as evident by his .371 average over the last two weeks.  It likely won’t last, but enjoy it while it does!

David DeJesus, Rays: The veteran has put together a nice fortnight for the Rays, hitting at a .341 clip.  They will keep playing him until he cools off or gets hurt.

Come back tomorrow for Runs!

If there are any non-standard 5×5 categories that you would like me to cover, just let me know by leaving a comment.  I will get to them after the 5×5 cats are done.  We aim to please!