Here we have the last of the reader requests. If no one has another before this evening, I will move on to the regularly scheduled add/drop programming.
First, we did the standard 5×5 categories. You can find them here in case you missed them: batting average, runs, home runs, RBI, steals, wins, ERA, WHIP, strikeouts, saves
The reader requests we have had so far are holds and OPS.
This last reader request comes from Kevin, who plays in a league that counts total bases.
I will give you three players at each position. One for standard, moderate, and deep leagues. Standard league players will be available in 10-50 percent of leagues. Moderate league players will be available in 50-90 percent of leagues. The deep leagues will focus on players owned in ten percent of leagues or less.
Royals catcher Salvador Perez (13) hits a double against the Los Angeles Angels. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Catchers:
Standard:
Salvador Perez, Royals: While his overall numbers are disappointing, Perez has still managed to rack up 69 total bases, which is fourth among catchers. Yes, he is ahead of Buster Posey, Joe Mauer, and Evan Gattis. He has been quite an asset overall in leagues that count total bases. That helps make up for his sub-par overall numbers.
Moderate:
Yan Gomes, Indians: Gomes is showing why Cleveland moved Carlos Santana out from behind the plate. His 71 total bases are third overall among catchers, and his overall numbers are enough to help you out across the board.
Deep:
Mike Zunino, Mariners: Zunino’s 64 total bases put him in the top ten at the catcher position. His .239 average hurts some, but if you are in a sabermetrics league, the batting average won’t count anway. He does have a solid OPS, meaning better days could be ahead in the average department.
Houston Astros batter Chris Carter (23) hits a three run home run against the Kansas City Royals. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
First Basemen:
Standard:
Garrett Jones, Marlins: Jones’ 88 total bases are the best for any first baseman that is not universally owned. So this is the best you can do from waivers. Which really is not bad. Jones has a .269 average with eight homers and 26 RBI.
Moderate:
Justin Smoak, Mariners: His .230 average is a big turn-off for many would-be owners, but he is still getting on base, as evident by his 76 total bases. The seven homers and 29 RBI can help you out as well if you can deal with the hit to your batting average.
Deep:
Chris Carter, Astros: Carter has shown some flashes of brilliance, like his two homer game on Wednesday. But his batting average sits squarely on the Mendoza line. The Astros have a bunch of young talent that they would like to see play, so there is always a chance that the next time Carter gets benched, it will be on a more permanent basis. Those in deep league can still find value from his 69 total bases and eight home runs, however.
Seattle Mariners left fielder Dustin Ackley (13) slides home in the sixth inning against the Minnesota Twins. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Second Basemen:
Standard:
Martin Prado, Diamondbacks: Prado has been a big disappointment in the desert so far, but he has managed to tally 75 total bases. His multi-position eligibility make him more valuable in standard leagues with only three bench slots as well. He now has his average up at a respectable .267, and has a nine game hitting streak going, so your window to pluck him for nothing is rapidly closing.
Moderate:
Dustin Ackley, Mariners: Ackley will lose his eligibility at 2B next season, but you can still milk it for this year. Ackley’s 63 total bases and 23 runs scored are his main assets, but he will throw in a homer and a steal here and there.
Deep:
Scooter Gennett, Brewers: Gennett has still been playing regularly despite the hot streak of platoon mate Rickie Weeks. Gennett has provided 61 total bases, a .263 average, two homers and three steals. Not too bad for a middle infielder.
St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Jhonny Peralta (27) bats against the Atlanta Braves. Mandatory Credit: Scott Kane-USA TODAY Sports
Shortstops:
Standard:
Jhonny Peralta, Cardinals: Peralta is fifth among shortstops with 82 total bases. He has been hot in May, hitting .291 this month. His nine homers from the shortstop position is second only to MVP candidate Troy Tulowitzki. Don’t let the .239 batting average worry you. He is still an asset right now.
Moderate:
Brandon Crawford, Giants: Crawford has raised his season average to .247 with a good May, and has 75 total bases on the season now. His power potential has many owners going after him now, so if you are in need of some power, now is the time to see if you can grab him.
Deep:
Chris Owings, Diamondbacks: Owings has had a solid all-around season for the Snakes, hitting .276 with three homers, nine RBI, and six steals. Add his 17 runs scored and 67 total bases, and those are very good numbers for a deep league middle infielder. Cliff Pennington continues to steal some at-bats, but he is by no means outplaying Owings. Owins should get most of the playing time at short going forward.
Miami Marlins third baseman Casey McGehee (9) at bat against the Philadelphia Phillies. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Third Basemen:
Standard:
Casey McGehee, Marlins: The fish have certainly have done well on the reclaimation projects with Garrett Jones and McGehee. McGehee has 77 total bases, which puts him eleventh among third basemen. This despite hitting just one home run on the season. That said, his .299 average with 32 RBI won’t hurt your cause either.
Moderate:
Trevor Plouffe, Twins: Plouffe will struggle with a sub-par average, but he is ninth among third basemen with 79 total bases, and has racked up 30 RBI. You can do much worse.
Deep:
Matt Dominguez, Astros: Most fantasy owners still don’t believe that Dominguez can help. Well, he can. His 78 total bases are tenth at the position. His solid May has raised hit average to .246. Add that to his seven home runs, and you have a nice deep league asset.
May 1, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Milwaukee Brewers left fielder Khris Davis runs to home plate to score on a Jean Segura single during the second inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports
Outfielders:
Standard:
Marlon Byrd, Phillies: Byrd is quietly having a nice season in Philly with a .283 average, six homers, and 30 RBI. His 90 total bases are tops among outfielders that are not universally owned, and just outside of the top 15 at the position.
Khris Davis, Brewers: Davis has homered in three straight games, and now has four in his last six games. That gives him nine on the season and raises his average to .251. He has shown flashes of this power before, and could keep it up. The 89 total bases are icing on the long ball cake!
Moderate:
Dayan Viciedo, White Sox: Viciedo had cooled of some in May after a torrid April, but is coming back around. He has a hit in five of his last six games, and his season average sits at .284. The 86 total bases will help you out in leagues that count them.
Gerardo Parra, Diamondbacks: Parra is riding a eight game hitting streak to boost his average to .266. He continues to bat at or near the top of the Diamondbacks lineup, and has scored 29 runs to go along with his 86 total bases.
Deep:
Junior Lake, Cubs: Lake’s ownership has risen consistently since the Cubbies started playing him nearly every day. Lake has responded with six homers and six steals to go along with 68 total bases. Which is one more than Matt Kemp if you’re counting at home.
David DeJesus, Rays: I hear you skeptics. How long can he keep this up? I have my doubts just like most of you, but as long as he is producing, he is in my deep league lineup. DeJesus has 63 total bases and a .803 OPS this year. He is slightly less valuable in standard leagues. Where he really shines in in the metrics.
Come back tomorrow when we will focus on dead weight in standard leagues. My last columns like that were met with plenty of skepticism, but if the guys you drafted aren’t producing, you have to roll with the guys that are in redraft leagues!