This article is part of our The Daily Duel series.
This column will focus on players that are good "Values" in FanDuel's salary cap contests. Typically, I'll try to cover a player or two at each position every week throughout the season. Remember, a value here could be a minimum-priced player ($2,200) or a higher-priced option that is still undervalued based on expected production.
VALUES
Catcher
Buster Posey, $3,000 - Posey has been mired in a terrible slump over the last two weeks posting only a .483 OPS. As a result, his price has dropped to the point where he is now the 11th-priced catcher overall - and $1,600 cheaper than Victor Martinez. The good news is that .483 OPS includes a grand slam in the last game before the All-Star break and a few days off may help clear Posey's head. He's simply too good of a hitter to stay in a prolonged slump so use him while the price is a little low.
First Base
Kendrys Morales, $2,500 - The All-Star break came at the wrong time for Morales, who was on a mini hot streak. He had hit safely in seven straight games with five doubles and seven RBI to close out the first half. Morales has yet to show his power with the Twins, but with 45 home runs the last two seasons he should flash it soon. He'll continue to hit in the heart of the Twins' order and have plenty of RBI opportunities.
Second Base
Neil Walker, $3,100 - I've harped on this position all year for being something of a disappointment, but Walker is one of the few bright spots. Walker is on pace to have a career year, and he may easily finish in the top-five at the position. He has a .945 OPS over the last week and his 13 home runs have already eclipsed his season totals from two of the last four seasons. The Pirates have a potent top of the lineup with Gregory Polanco, the surprising Josh Harrison and Andrew McCutchen hitting in front of Walker, which should allow him to remain a steady source of RBI.
Third Base
Aramis Ramirez, $3,000 - Ramirez has seen his price drop after putting up only a .589 OPS over the last two weeks. The good news here is that he's healthy, and overall he's been a solid fantasy contributor. Ramirez has always crushed lefties, yet he doesn't get the same attention as Paul Goldschmidt, Josh Donaldson or Adam Jones from daily players. Don't hesitate to use him at this price when the matchup looks juicy.
Shortstop
Alexei Ramirez, $2,800 - Ramirez got off to a blazing start to the season and has already exceeded his home run total from last year by two. He still runs at age-32 (15 steals) and hits better at home in the hitter-friendly confines of U.S. Cellular Field than on the road. Ramirez is known as a streaky hitter so it's probably wise to use him once he starts getting hot at the plate.
Outfield
Shin-Soo Choo, $3,000 - This price is way too low for someone I think should be north of $4,000. However, there are a few warning signs here. First, Choo hasn't found the typically hitter-friendly confines in Arlington to play well for him (.652 OPS). He also has stopped running (three steals after 20 last season), but his .305 BABIP suggests that he's been unlucky thus far when you consider his career .349 mark.
Yoenis Cespedes, $3,000 - Cespedes seems a bit undervalued for a player on pace to hit another 26 home runs. In case you were wondering, Cespedes went 8-for-25 (.320) with one home run, three doubles, three walks, seven RBI over his first six games after winning his first Home Run Derby crown last season. While that's only one season of data (and a small sample size to boot), winning his second derby Monday could help him turn around things at the plate after having a .208 OPS over the last two weeks.
NEWBIES
Second Base
Arismendy Alcantara, $2,700 - Alcantara has made an instant splash for the hapless Cubs, hitting .391 with a home run, three doubles and a triple over his first 25 plate appearances. He has a solid pedigree and consistently put up solid power/speed numbers throughout the minors, with speed being his forte. Alcantara has a penchant to strike out, especially once big league pitchers get the book down on him. Still, there's some upside here, especially at the current price tag.
Outfield
Mark Trumbo, $3,700 - Trumbo made his return to the Diamondbacks' lineup last Friday and has gone 1-for-9 in three games since. Kirk Gibson has already stated he isn't going to play him every day so it may take some time for Trumbo to become the player that season-long owners are expecting. Whenever I have used Trumbo in the past it's been against southpaws and usually in GPP formats given the low floor, but his power offers high ceiling potential.
Carlos Gonzalez, $3,700 - Gonzalez also made his return to the lineup last Friday, but had different results than Trumbo going 3-for-13 with two doubles in three games since. By now the book on Gonzalez is pretty easy; use him at home against right-handed pitching. Just keep your fingers crossed he doesn't get hurt and lose playing time with the Rockies sporting plenty of capable outfielders on their roster.
