Pick up George Springer and Asdrubal Cabrera to boost your runs scored
By Mike Marteny
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 installment will focus on the players that can help you in runs scored.
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, runs scored can be decided by one of two per week. These players can certainly help you out in weekly leagues more than roto leagues.
For players that can help you in batting average, go here.
May 14, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Cleveland Indians catcher Yan Gomes watches the flight of his three-run home run in the ninth inning against Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Catchers:
Standard:
Salvador Perez, Royals: The Royal offense is starting to pick up, and Perez’s runs scored reflect that. He has scored a run every two games for the last two weeks, doubling his season total. Pick him up if he is available.
Moderate:
Yan Gomes, Indians: Gomes has eight runs scored in his last ten games. That more than doubled his season total prior to this stretch. That kind of scoring potential and power potential is worth adding.
Deep:
John Jaso, Athletics: Jaso has scored eight runs in his last 35 at bats. He has seven in his first 60 of the season. Jaso is hitting so well that he might shed that platoon tag at some point. They may even DH him to keep the hot bat in the lineup. If you need runs, he is available in most leagues.
May 14, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros designated hitter Chris Carter (23) drives in a run with a single during the sixth inning against the Texas Rangers at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
First Basemen:
Standard:
Juan Francisco, Blue Jays: Francisco is averaging a run scored every five at-bats on the season. You can bet he won’t keep up that torrid pace. He is still worth rolling with while the hot streak continues. You know the Blue Jays will.
Moderate:
Justin Smoak, Mariners: He has gone largely unnoticed since his blistering start. He is starting to pick thing up again lately, crossing the plate eight times in the last two weeks. Everyone knows how hot he can be at times. This could be the beginning of another streak. It doesn’t hurt to find out.
Deep:
Chris Carter, Astros: Carter is finally starting to come around. He has a hit in seven of his last eight games, and scored four runs over that span.
May 13, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Chicago White Sox second baseman Gordon Beckham (15) in the Chicago dugout before the game against the Oakland Athletics at O.co Coliseum. Oakland won 11-0. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports
Second Basemen:
Standard:
Emilio Bonifacio, Cubs: Yes, Bonifacio has been cold for a while now, but he is still scoring runs. Seven in the last two weeks to be exact. If you can take the hit in average, he is worth a shot.
Moderate:
Dustin Ackley, Mariners: Ackley is picking it up as well. As long as he stays near the top of the Seattle lineup, he should score a decent number of runs.
Deep:
Gordon Beckham, White Sox: Beckham has scored nine runs in the last two weeks. He is capable of good production, so pick him up until he cools off.
Shortstops:
May 13, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Cleveland Indians shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera (13) runs to first base in a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Toronto Blue Jays won 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Standard:
Asdrubal Cabrera, Indians: Cabrera has scored 11 runs in his last ten games. The slow start is behind him. He should be picked in up any league he is still available in.
Moderate:
Brandon Crawford, Giants: Seven runs in the last two weeks makes him valuable in leagues where the 2B/SS slot is in play.
Deep:
Chris Owings, Diamondbacks: Owings is carving out a larger role by the day. With the increase in playing time has come an increase in runs scored. He is worth a shot in deep leagues.
May 14, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros third baseman Matt Dominguez (30) reacts after getting a game winning hit during the ninth inning as the Astros defeated the Texas Rangers 5-4 at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Third Basemen:
Standard:
Chase Headley, Padres: Headley has been cold since coming off of the DL, with just five hits. He does have as many runs scored as hits though. That has to count for something, right?
Moderate:
Chris Johnson, Braves: I mentioned Johnson’s hot streak in the average portion. With more hits comes more runs as well.
Deep:
Matt Dominguez, Astros: Dominguez has picked it up lately. His power is coming around, and he is not longer hurting you in average (.281 over the last two week. Of course the runs scored will go up as well.
May 7, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox right fielder Dayan Viciedo (24) during the fourth inning at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Outfielders:
Standard:
George Springer, Astros: He got off to a bit of a cold start after his call up, but he is starting to figure things out. Springe has scored eight runs in the last two weeks to go along with his .295 average over that span. If you were going to wait to pick him up, you can’t wait any longer. He will probably be 100 percent owned by the end of the week.
Carl Crawford, Dodgers: I mentioned Crawford’s hot streak yesterday as well. He is at the top of the lineup when he plays, and he is scoring. Seven runs in the last two weeks to go along with that .440 average makes him worth the add. Again.
Moderate:
Dayan Viciedo, White Sox: He isn’t setting the world afire with his average, but he is scoring runs. Nine in the last two weeks to be exact.
Seth Smith, Padres: Smith has been scorching hot for some time now. He is hitting .373 with 12 runs scored in the last month. He is worth adding everywhere by now.
Deep:
Collin Cowgill, Angels: Cowgill has fought his way into the lineup nearly full time now. He has responded with 11 runs scored in the last two weeks.
Michael Saunders, Mariners: Saunders has scored a run in three straight games, and has nine over the last two weeks. If you need runs in deep leagues, he is a great source.
Come back tomorrow for cheap home run options!
I realize that not everyone plays 5×5 leagues. If I don’t cover a category that you would like to see covered, leave something in the comments section and I will do that category after the standard ones are done.