Second Base, High End Spend
Robinson Cano, $4,100
.188/.235/.313 with 1 HR in 32 at-bats
All the numbers we just discussed for Miguel Gonzalez make the Mariners awfully interesting tonight, and that goes double for any lefty batter. Cano is a great pure hitter and has been for a very long time. His power is down a little bit so far and that is a small concern at this price point. However, Cano has plenty of metrics to point towards the power coming soon. His fly ball rate is currently down but his hard hit rate is over 45 percent. His OPS and wOBA are up and that’s with just two home runs to his name this year. A massive game is coming at some point.
Also Consider – Jose Altuve, $4,600
Mid-Range
Yoan Moncada, $3,300
N/A
This is possibly the first time Moncada has made this column but he’s very interesting today at a top-heavy position. Mike Leake isn’t always a pitcher I want to attack due to his ground ball tendencies but I might make an exception tonight. Moncada has the speed to get on base regardless if he hits a ground ball or not. In addition, the youngster has been hitting righty pitching at a reasonable clip (for him) with a .245 average, .841 OPS and a .369 wOBA. The batted ball profile also includes a 48 percent hard contact rate and 53 percent fly ball rate. Moncada has stolen base potential as well. The price is reasonable as he’s only the seventh-highest at the position.
Also Consider – Jason Kipnis, $3,300
Value
Carlos Asuaje, $2,500
.500/.50/.667 with 0 HR in 6 at-bats
If you want exposure to Coors Field tonight without paying a premium, this could be the way to go. Asuaje is nothing too special when facing righty pitching but he’s not terrible either. To get a bat at Coors for this cheap seems almost cheating and as long as Asuaje is in the lineup, he sure seems tempting. Opposing pitcher Chad Bettis is a solid pitcher even at home but it’s just too cheap not to take a chance at.
Also Consider – Gleyber Torres, $2,600