Platoon Options: Moreland, Dirks, Aoki
With injuries disabling stars around the league, the time in the year to scoop up the waiver wire for valuable pieces that can be utilized in different ways is beginning. Using players who do not play every day or are put into platoons can be a good way to find value where others look over, especially if they are on the good side of the platoon (lefty hitters who mash righty pitchers). Here are three guys I like in a platoon role going forward.
Moreland is more-or-less in a strict platoon at first base for the Rangers, and his numbers against right-handers are rather staggering. His .310/.369/.580 line against righties, with just a .308 BABIP, is a thing of beauty for potential owners. His ownership is up to 44% of leagues, but he can still be traded for in most leagues and still picked up in many leagues. His dual eligibility helps his value a ton too, as his bat plays better in a part-time role as an outfielder than it does as a first baseman, but on teams that lack a solid first baseman he can still be moved there when needed. He reminds me of a Matt Joyce-light currently, who is one of the best players a platoon player can be compared to.
Dirks probably won’t net a .402 wOBA against righties all season, but he can still be rather valuable against them. His BABIP is .391, which will almost definitely regress to at least the mid .300’s, but he should still hit lefties rather well and regularly bats second in front of two of the game’s best hitters. His walk-to-strikeout rate is actually better against lefties, but his .200 ISO against right-handers even with the poor plate discipline numbers is relieving to see. While Moreland’s current level of production looks nearly completely sustainable, Dirks should drop off a bit but not tremendously.
Aoki’s .333 average against lefties is actually better than his .309 average against righties, but the performance from the Brewer outfielder against righties looks more sustainable. He has 7 walks to 8 strikeouts against righties and a .164 ISO, which is nice considering that he is not really a power hitter. There is a chance Aoki enters into an every day role, but even then due to his lack of power and speed he should not be started every day. Instead, start him against right-handed pitchers and receive a high average and potentially large amount of runs scored. He may hit a few homers and steal a few bases, but his value is derived in his average.
Ben has been at RotoGraphs since 2012 and focuses most of his fantasy baseball attention toward dynasty and keeper leagues.
Aoki is known for his ability to hit lefties and his NPB career stats show no discernable platoon split.