Welcome to my weekly Sunday DraftKings MLB DFS plays. I’ll break down some of the prime values on the board, including studs and value plays, and why these players can lead your lineup to victory.
Set your DraftKings fantasy baseball lineups here: MLB 300K 7th Inning Stretch [100K to 1st]
Top MLB DFS Targets
Pitcher Studs
SP Shane Baz, $8,800: Shane Baz has truly arrived, and it’s glorious. The 25-year-old right-hander has allowed only two earned runs in 13 innings across two starts to begin the year. On top of that, he’s struck out 16 batters compared to four walks issued and 10 hits. These Atlanta Braves are unable to hit with a bottom-five team offense thus far. All of this adds up to Baz being worth the price of admission.
SP Hunter Greene, $8,500: Here’s a guy who is flat-out shoving. Every time he toes the slab, batters recoil in fear. Greene has punched out 23 batters across three starts while allowing only three runs in 20.2 innings. Hunter has only surrendered 10 hits so far and boasts an incredible 0.629 WHIP. Though he will be pitching in the bandbox known as the Great American Ballpark, these Pittsburgh Pirates aren’t swinging the bat well. Their runs-per-game mark as a team is among the worst in the league. Greene should be able to shred the Pirates and pay off the high price.
Pitcher Value Plays
SP Casey Mize, $7,200: Yet another pitcher beginning to show his massive potential. Mize, the No. 1 pick in the 2018 draft, had a career 4.36 ERA coming into this season. Through two starts and 11.2 innings, he’s let one run cross the plate. Six walks to 12 strikeouts is a concerning ratio, but the 2.47 FIP backs up the success. Against a bottom-10 Minnesota Twins lineup, Mize could deliver top-end value for a middle-tier price.
SP Kyle Hendricks, $6,000: If you’re looking to get something out of bottom-barrel prices, Hendricks is your man. The 35-year-old soft-tossing righty signed with the Angels this year after 11 years in Chicago, the last few of which were rough. So far, he’s been keeping hard contact down with a 94th percentile average exit velocity. The Houston Astros haven’t exactly lit up the scoreboard this season. If early results keep up, Hendricks should manage a fine enough start to deliver value as the second-lowest-priced pitcher on the market.
Infield Studs
3B Rafael Devers, $5,100: Devers’ turnaround at the plate has been nothing short of jaw-dropping. The star third baseman went 0-for-19 to begin the year with 15 strikeouts and four walks. Since then, he’s 15-for-41 (.365) with six extra-base hits and eight strikeouts and eight walks. Devers has managed multiple hits in five of the 10 contests since his slump. Count on him teeing up whoever the Chicago White Sox can throw at him.
SS Bobby Witt Jr., $6,000: If you’re reading this, I doubt I have to tell you Bobby Witt Jr. is a stud. Last year’s MVP runner-up comes into this contest with a .309 batting average, seven extra-base hits and four stolen bases. Cleveland Guardians starter Ben Lively is set to toe the slab tomorrow, bringing his 4.40 ERA with him. Witt Jr. can more than justify his lineup centerpiece price with a huge performance.
Infield Value Plays
1B Ben Rice, $3,500: Man, can this guy slug a baseball. The 26-year-old first baseman slugged his fourth home run of the season on Saturday and brought his average up to .310. His 97.5 MPH average exit velocity is one of the best marks you will ever see. Even with Giants’ ace Logan Webb on the mound tomorrow, a hot hitter at the top of a Yankee lineup that is mashing at home is worth the middling price.
2B/OF Kyren Paris, $3,700: No hitter in baseball is hotter than this guy. Paris comes into this contest hitting .400 with five home runs and five stolen bags. The 23-year-old is taking the league by storm, and this price will only keep rising, even if he cools down at the plate. Get on the last train to Paris while you can.
Outfield Studs
OF Mike Trout, $5,600: Mike Trout isn’t the player he once was. In fairness, few players have ever been the player he once was. It’s awfully nice to see him looking healthy and back to his slugging ways in the early going. Trout has already pounded six home runs and driven in 14 RBIs across 14 games. Astros starter Hayden Wesneski has a penchant for allowing the long ball in his four major league seasons. Trout could form a potent stack with Paris if you want to double dip on Angels batters.
OF James Wood, $5,100: Speaking of power, James Wood might have more raw power than any hitter in the big leagues. Sometimes, it seems like his pop flies turn into doubles, his cans of corn into opposite-field moon shots. The 22-year-old already has five big flies on the young season. Marlins starter Cal Quantrill is off to a rough start with a 6.00 ERA, in line with his 5.11 mark across the past three seasons. The Nationals’ young phenom should be able to take advantage and pay off the price tag.
Outfield Value Plays
OF Jung Hoo Lee, $4,300: Jung Hoo Lee is enjoying his first trip to Yankee Stadium. The Giants outfielder is 2-for-6 with a home run, a double, three runs scored and three walks across the first two games. He’s normally not a power hitter but has already popped eight doubles in the young season, aided by his elite speed. The good times should continue against struggling Yankees starter Carlos Rodón.
OF Luis Matos, $2,900: I’m doubling down on fading Rodón here. Matos has been strictly a platoon hitter so far, and to good results. The young outfielder is 5-for-17 with a home run, a stolen base, three runs scored and a walk with no strikeouts. The Giants lineup is rolling, Yankee Stadium is great for power hitters, and Rodón is bound to serve him a meatball or two. He pairs quite well with Lee as a stack.
