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. Remember a value here could be a minimum-priced player ($2200) or a higher-priced option that is still undervalued based on expected production.
Values
Catcher
Tyler Flowers, $2700 – Flowers has caught fire lately, hitting three home runs en route to a 1.250 OPS over the past week. Strikeouts are always going to be a concern here but it's palatable if the power stroke continues. He's hit safely in six of his last seven games and makes a nice punt in tournament formats. Another cheap option is Nick Hundley ($2400), who has homered in two straight games.
First Base
Brandon Moss, $2600 – It's shocking to see a player with 23 homers and 77 RBI at this price. His production has fallen off, as he only has a .139 batting average over the last two weeks. The A's have acquired enough bench players that Moss might start sitting against left-handed pitching, but he has historically crushed right-handed pitching, especially away from home, and should still be a regular in the lineup. There's too much talent here to ignore him, provided it's the right situation.
Second Base
Jonathan Schoop, $2800 – Surprisingly, Schoop has more home runs (15) than Robinson Cano (12) or Jason Kipnis and Dustin Pedroia combined (13). Schoop has quietly put together an effective rookie campaign for his owners despite batting only 221. Over the last week he has a 1.139 OPS including home runs in three straight games. At a position that has disappointed this season, Schoop has become a legitimate nightly option.
Third Base
Adrian Beltre, $3100 – It's been a disappointing season for Beltre, who went from being on a playoff-caliber team to injury-riddled squad that's in the basement and 30.5 games behind the first-place Angels. But Beltre has still managed to put together a quality campaign with a .323/.380/.493 slash line. His price is pretty cheap compared to other options at the position. He's best used in Arlington against left-handed pitching.
Shortstop
Alexei Ramirez, $2800 – Like second base, there haven't been too many standouts at shortstop position this season either. Ramirez is the exception. He has put together a bounce-back season with 13 home runs after accumulating only 15 over the last two seasons combined. He's still efficient and has speed on base paths as evident by his 19-for-23 stolen base mark.
Outfield
Nelson Cruz, $3300 – At this price, Cruz is a nightly must-start in any cash game. He's the odds-on favorite to win the home run title and his recent production backs that up. Cruz has hit safely in six straight games and has three home runs during that span. His splits show the best time to use him is against southpaws.
Newbies
Catcher
Yadier Molina, $2800 – After a long absence on the DL, Molina is starting to round into form. He has reached base safely in each of his last five games, which will start to be reflected in his price soon. Unsurprisingly, he's always hit left-handed pitching better while not showing any drastic home/away splits.
Outfield
Joc Pederson, $3600 – The price here is too high for my liking, but Pederson has enough talent to become a value should the cost drop. In the hitter-friendly PCL, Pederson had 33 home runs and 30 stolen bases to go along with a .435 on-base percentage. Watch him over the next week to see how he adjusts to the big leagues. If the production is there, he's worth a look.
