Major League Baseball starts another important work week of important series with 10 games on the main DFS fantasy baseball slate this Monday night. The main slate starts at 7:07 p.m. ET and includes four divisional matchups. As you dig through the matchups and the many options to build around, you may need to dive into the bargain bin for a value option or two to help balance out your spending. Finding the right MLB DFS value picks is key to maximizing the production of your roster across the board, since some affordable players can go off with big nights of their own.
To help you as you search through the cheap options, check out my three MLB DFS value picks in this post, who bring big upside at a small salary:
- SP Hayden Wesneski, Houston Astros at San Francisco Giants, $7,100: Wesneski was strong in his rehab from Tommy John surgery and has earned 12.8 and 17.9 FPTS in his two starts since returning, going 2-0 with a 3.86 ERA and eight strikeouts in 11 2/3 innings. His favorable matchup gives him a high floor and a high ceiling.
- 1B/2B Nick Sogard, Boston Red Sox at Toronto Blue Jays, $3,200: In his 10 games since rejoining the MLB team, Sogard has averaged 7.0 FPTS per game with 9+ FPTS in three of his last four. If he’s hitting leadoff for the surging Red Sox he brings a high ceiling.
- SS Kaelen Culpepper, Minnesota Twins vs. Baltimore Orioles, $2,200: The Twins No. 2 prospect had 14 and 8 FPTS in his first two games and brings a very high ceiling in his home debut at this bargain salary.
Let’s dive in and take a closer look at these options that come with low salary, but high ceilings on Monday.
Set your DraftKings fantasy baseball lineups here: MLB $200K Rally Cap [$50K to 1st]
Top MLB DFS Value Plays
SP Hayden Wesneski, Houston Astros at San Francisco Giants, $7,100
Wesneski has had a successful return from Tommy John surgery so far, producing 12.8 and 17.9 FPTS in his two starts since returning from his rehab. Wesneski was part of the Kyle Tucker trade from the Cubs, but he only made six starts last season before his injury. He made five minor-league starts in Double-A and Triple-A this year, compiling a 2.25 ERA and 3.37 FIP with 21 strikeouts in 20 innings.
In his first MLB start this season, Wesneski went 5 2/3 innings against the Angels and had four strikeouts to earn a win and 12.8 FPTS. He was even better in his most recent start last Tuesday, allowing two runs in six innings against the Blue Jays and picking up four more strikeouts and another win on his way to 17.9 FPTS.
The Astros have taken over the lead in the AL West, and after playing on Sunday Night Baseball, they will head to San Francisco, setting up Wesneski in a favorable matchup at pitcher-friendly Oracle Park against the Giants, who are hitting .222 with a 22.1% K% since the All-Star break. The Giants lost two of three games over the weekend to the Tigers, scoring just one run in their last two games.
1B/2B Nick Sogard, Boston Red Sox at Toronto Blue Jays, $3,200
Sogard seems to have taken over as the Red Sox’s primary 2B with Curtis Mead (wrist) gone just two at-bats into his Red Sox tenure. The switch-hitter has hit leadoff regularly and had 9 FPTS or more in three straight games before coming up empty on Sunday.
In his 10 games since rejoining the MLB team, Sogard is averaging 7.0 FPTS per game with eight walks, three doubles, and eight runs scored. If he’s hitting leadoff for the surging Sox as they head to Toronto on Monday, he’ll be in a good spot to put up great returns as one of the day’s top MLB DFS value picks.
SS Kaelen Culpepper, Minnesota Twins vs. Baltimore Orioles, $2,200
The Twins called up Culpepper last Friday, and the top prospect homered in his MLB debut while going 1-for-4 with 14 FPTS. He also started on Saturday and went 0-for-1 with a walk and two hit-by-pitch for 8 FPTS. The 23-year-old is the Twins’ No. 2 prospect and the No. 29 prospect in baseball, according to MLB Pipeline. He’ll be making his home debut at Target Field on Monday against the Orioles after getting Sunday off. His home run came off lefty Shane Drohan, and he’ll likely start on Monday against lefty Trevor Rogers ($8,000) of the Orioles.
Culpepper slashed .271/.367/.478 with 14 homers, 17 stolen bases, 46 RBI and 63 runs scored in 74 games for the St. Paul Saints in Triple-A. He has dual-threat upside and plenty of potential production as he settles into his everyday role as the Twins’ shortstop. So many of the Twins prospects lately have had trouble staying healthy and contributing after their promotion, but Culpepper will look to reverse that trend and continue his fantasy contributions this Monday night.
