Pick up Josh Reddick and Juan Francisco if you need RBI help
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 RBI.
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. Only you can decide what is truly the right fit for your team. This is merely a place to get started.
For players that can help in batting average, go here. For runs scored, go here. For home runs, go here.
May 6, 2014; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Miguel Montero (26) reacts after striking out with the bases loaded during the ninth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Catchers:
Standard:
Miguel Montero, Diamondbacks: Montero is second among catchers with 24 RBI in the season. A third of those have come in the past two weeks. He won’t do much else for you, but he also won’t hurt that precious batting average. It’s a win-win!
Moderate:
Jason Castro, Astros: Castro has driven in 22 runs on the season, but his average sits at .225. It is marginally better over the last couple of weeks, but let’s face it. The only place Castro will help you is RBI.
Deep:
Kurt Suzuki, Twins: Suzuki is near the form that made him an all-star in Oakland. He doesn’t provide much power (only one home run on the season), but he does have a .312 batting average and is leading all catchers with 26 RBI on the season. Yes, he has more than Buster Posey, Yadier Molina, and Evan Gattis. The Twins are going to keep starting him, so you probably should as well.
May 20, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs infielder Mike Olt hits a RBI single against the New York Yankees during the fourth inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
First Basemen:
Standard:
Casey McGehee, Marlins: McGehee has 28 RBI on the season, which puts him in the top ten at the position. And he is eligible at third base as well. He won’t hit for power, but the average is good, and so is the production.
Moderate:
Justin Smoak, Mariners: Smoak has driven in ten runs in the last two weeks. An accomplishment that has gone largely unnoticed in fantasy land. He is now up to 27 on the year. His hot start helped pad those numbers, but he is not the waiver fodder in moderate sized leagues that owners have made him. He can still help you out.
Deep:
Mike Olt, Cubs: Well, if you have five homers over the last two weeks, you have to have piled up some RBI in the process, right? Olt has nine RBI in that span, but he does play for the Cubs. RBI is a stat that is dependent on people in front of you getting on base. Whether the Cubs can enough to make Olt relevant is a question that is still pending. Oh well, enjoy the ride while it lasts!
May 20, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians second baseman Mike Aviles (4) reacts after scoring in the second inning against the Detroit Tigers at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Second Basemen:
Standard:
Jedd Gyorko, Padres: His all-or-nothing approach at the plate has turned off a lot of would-be owners, including myself. But he has driven in nine runs in the last two weeks. You just have to deal with the awful .137 batting average over the same span…..
Moderate:
Gordon Beckham, White Sox: Beckham has eight RBI over the last two weeks, and a healthy .317 average to go with it. He looks a lot more appetizing than Gyorko right now, albeit without the upside. Oh well, one-year leagues are not won on upside!
Deep:
Mike Aviles, Indians: The injury to Jason Kipnis has given Aviles everyday playing time at second base. He has responded with a .292 average and six RBI. He is playing well enough that Cleveland may have to find a place for him even when Kipnis returns.
Apr 30, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar (2) connects for a two run double in the seventh inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Shortstops:
Standard:
Alcides Escobar, Royals: Escobar, like most of the Kansas City Royals, started the season cold. However, he has seven RBI and seven steals over the last two weeks. He should be owned in all leagues once again. SPOILER ALERT: You will see his name here tomorrow as well!
Moderate:
Brandon Crawford, Giants: Crawfod has been going deep a lot lately, so he has the RBI so show for it as well. He has seven over the last two weeks, but just a .200 batting average.
Deep:
Brandon Hicks, Giants: Both Hicks and Crawford showed up yesterday as well. Hicks actually has more RBI than Crawford in the last two weeks with nine. That mark is third among shortstops over that span.
May 17, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Cody Asche (25) scores a run against the Cincinnati Reds in the seventh inning at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies defeated the Reds, 12-1. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Third Basemen:
Standard:
Juan Francisco, Blue Jays: Yes, he has been on every one of my lists so far. And deservedly so. Over the last two weeks, he is hitting .310 with five homers and 13 RBI. Go pick him up!
Moderate:
Matt Dominguez, Astros: The Astros as a whole are starting to produce, which means good things for Dominguez”s RBI totals. He has six in the last three games alone!
Deep:
Cody Asche, Phillies: Asche had a monster Opening Day, then went cold for an entire month. He seems to be back on track, at least offensively, now. Asche is hitting .325 with 11 of his 18 RBI in the last two weeks alone. It is time to pick him up in deeper leagues to see if he can continue to produce.
May 16, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs left fielder Junior Lake (21) makes a catch against the Milwaukee Brewers during the first inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Outfielders:
Standard:
Domonic Brown, Phillies: Brown has been ice cold from the plate for a coupld of weeks now, but he is still managing to pick up some RBI. Ten in the last ten days to be exact. That said, you still have to stomach the .163 batting average over that span.
Seth Smith, Padres: Smith makes yet another appearance on the list in this series. That alone should tell you that he needs to be owned in all formats. On top of all of the other numbers that Smith is putting up, he has ten RBI over the last two weeks as well.
Moderate:
Josh Reddick, Athletics: Reddick has ten RBI this week! That should earn him a spot on your roster. At least until he cools off.
David Murphy, Indians: Murphy has seven RBI in his last five games. He is also on quite a hot streak. That said, he has been hitting for a good average all season, so he should continue to drive in runs for the Indians.
Deep:
Junior Lake, Cubs: Lake has eight RBI in his last six games. He has now forced the Cubs’ hand. He will continue to earn more playing time as long as he keeps hitting.
Lorenzo Cain, Royals: Cain has seven of his 12 RBI on the season since coming off of the disabled list on May 8th. With the Royals as a whole pulling out of their season-long slump, Cain should continue to see RBI opportunities. He is showing that he can cash in on them.
Come back tomorrow for players to pick up for cheap steals!
If you have a category outside of the standard 5×5 ones that you would like to see covered, just leave a comment and I will do it after the standard cats are done.