After one week of the regular season, it’s far too early to panic, though Thursday night’s slate of games features four one-win teams over three matchups, including the Chicago Cubs.
To that end, we’re back with another value hunters special for Thursday night baseball. Each selection in this article will feature the best-possible value at each position other than pitcher, with an operating budget of no more than $3,500 per position player.
Without any further adieu, here are the best bargain-bin finds as teams look to turn things around tonight.
Pitcher
Jordan Lyles (PIT): $7,700 vs. CIN
With no standout options on the slate tonight, Lyles will make his first start of the season against a Reds team that has scored a league-low 11 runs in its first five games. Lyles split time between the rotation and bullpen last season, going 3-4 with a 4.11 ERA in 37 games last season.
Catcher/First Base
Willson Contreras (CHC): $2,900 @ ATL
Contreras is off to a torrid start in 2019 in what has the makings to be a comeback season. The Cubs’ backstop is slashing .429/.556/.786 through the early goings with a .556 BAPIP and is hitting in a prime spot in the order for a team still trying to find its footing. Better still, Contreras is walking at a relatively high 22.2 percent clip.
Other Notables: Jonathan Lucroy (LAA): $2,000 vs. TEX
Lucroy has torched Edison Volquez over his career, slashing .333/.417/.367 in 30 at bats with a 5:2 walk-to-strikeout ratio against the right-hander. Lucroy is an excellent, dirt-cheap option for those looking to save in GPPs tonight.
Second Base
Adam Frazier (PIT): $3,300 vs. CIN
If you’re looking to save a couple hundred and don’t want to pony up for Ozzie Albies tonight, consider Adam Frazier, who assumes the leadoff spot in tonight’s action against the Reds. Frazier went 3-for-5 yesterday with a pair of doubles and stole his first base of the season.
Third Base
Jung-Ho Kang (PIT): $2,400 vs. CIN
The oft-injury plagued Kang homered yesterday for the first time in the big leagues since October 1, 2016. He hit seven big flies this spring and needs to be a power source for the struggling Pirates. Kang has a great chance to double his power outlet tonight with a matchup against Tyler Mahle, who yielded 22 bombs in 112 innings pitched last season.
Shortstop
Elvis Andrus (TEX): $3,200 @ LAA
After batting .432 in Spring Training, Andrus is healthy and has parleyed his success a hot start to the regular season. He’s slashing .375/.400/.542 with a .444 BAPIP thus far into 2019.
Outfield
Nick Markakis (ATL): $3,200 vs. CHC
The control issues that have plagued Yu Darvish in the past flared up again in his first start of 2019, where he walked seven and didn’t get out of the third inning. Hitting fifth tonight with Freddie Freeman, Ronald Acuna and Josh Donaldson in front of him, Markakis should have some opportunities to grind out Darvish and posted a .353 wOBA against right handers last season.
Yasiel Puig (CIN): $3,400 @ PIT
Off to a slow start in 2019, Puig has found success against Pittsburgh starter Jordan Lyles in the past, with five hits, including a home run, in 13 at-bats against the righty. After sitting out last night’s contest I like Puig’s chances at a breakout game tonight to get his season jumpstarted.
Hunter Pence (TEX): $2,200 @ LAA
On a per-game basis, Pence is yielding the same fantasy output as Starling Marte this year, despite being half the cost. With Nomar Mazara suffering an injury, Pence would be the logical choice to fill in at right field. Pence has hit safely in each of the three games he’s played in this season and is 1-for-3 against Angels starter Matt Harvey lifetime.
Derek is a correspondent at FantasyPros. For more from Derek, check out his archive and follow him on twitter @ByDerekWolff.
