We’re four weeks into the Major League Baseball regular season and most teams have played almost 20 games already. After a lighter slate on Thursday for travel, the MLB has an awesome weekend of action ahead, including a 10-game schedule on tap for Friday’s main slate, which begins at 7:05 p.m. ET. The weather looks like it will cooperate for the most part, with no real threat of cancellation in the forecast. The most significant weather looks like it will be in Colorado, where the Coors Field altitude may be counteracted by temps in the 40s and scattered showers. Be sure to double-check the forecast for anything that should impact your lineup.
One way to find bargains is to target young players who recently joined MLB rosters. As injuries occur and teams try to find the right fit, players are asked to step into larger roles. All three of the bargains in today’s post have made their MLB debut over the last couple of weeks and can help save salary cap space to spend on superstars in other spots.
Set your DraftKings fantasy baseball lineups here: MLB $222K Relay Throw [$50K to 1st]
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SP Yariel Rodriguez, Toronto Blue Jays at San Diego Padres, $5,000
In his MLB debut last Saturday against the Rockies, Rodriguez had six strikeouts in 3 2⁄3 innings while allowing just one run which came on a solo blast by Brenton Doyle ($4,500). Rodriguez earned 14.7 DKFP in the no-decision and did well enough to earn another start on Friday in San Diego. Rodriguez has taken a non-typical path to the MLB, including not playing anywhere competitively last year after working as a reliever in Japan in 2022. He’s still ramping up to a full starter’s workload, but his salary is so low that he doesn’t have to pitch deep in the game to be a great investment on a per-dollar basis while providing lots of extra salary to spend at other spots.
His success didn’t exactly come out of nowhere. The Blue Jays were impressed with the 27-year-old from Cuba to give him a five-year contract worth $32 million this past offseason. In Triple-A, he allowed just one hit in 6 1⁄3 scoreless innings while striking out 10 before being called up. After those six strikeouts in his MLB debut, he has shown enough punchout potential to be a flier worth taking this Friday.
OF Jonatan Clase, Seattle Mariners at Colorado Rockies, $2,900
Editor’s Note: Tonight’s game between the Rockies and the Mariners has been postponed due to inclement weather.
I’ve been hyping Clase all week, and I’m not going to stop now that he and the M’s are headed to Coors Field. The 21-year-old has infused some energy into the Seattle lineup since being called up for his MLB debut on Monday. He has gone 2-for-11 (.182) but has been able to pick up two RBI, a double and a stolen base. He is still averaging 7.0 DKFP per game thanks to those contributions. In 12 games at Triple-A, Clase hit .311 with two homers, three stolen bases and a .429 wOBA before being called up. Last year, he stole 79 bases and hit 20 homers across 129 games in High-A and Double-A. The switch-hitter has been hitting at the bottom of the lineup, but he has such a high ceiling that he’s still a great play under $3,000 this Friday. I’ll keep going back to the well until his salary catches up with his ceiling.
3B Davis Wendzel, Texas Rangers at Atlanta Braves, $2,000
The defending World Series champion Rangers are in first place in the AL West, but their title defense hasn’t started seamlessly. They suffered a big blow when Josh Jung (wrist) fractured his wrist and will miss extended time. Prospect Justin Foscue (oblique) was part of his replacement plan but is also now on the 60-day IL. While Josh Smith ($2,900) will likely start against righties, Wendzel was called up to handle the side of the 3B platoon against left-handed starting pitchers like Chris Sale ($9,400), who will be on the mound in Atlanta on Friday. Wendzel has started three games since being called up but is still looking for his first MLB hit after going 0-for-8. He still makes a good play at the minimum salary on this slate since he has shown good power potential at Triple-A. Last year for the Round Rock Express, Wendzel hit 30 home runs with a .370 wOBA and 74 RBI. He had three homers in his nine games before being called up this season and posted a .452 wOBA. That success hasn’t translated to the majors yet, but he did have two hard-hit balls on Wednesday including his first MLB barrel, so a breakthrough seems to be on the way for the extremely affordable rookie.
Set your DraftKings fantasy baseball lineups here: MLB $222K Relay Throw [$50K to 1st]
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I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is z.thompson) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skill and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.
