Fantasy Baseball Picks, May 13, Top 4 Bargain Bats
DFS Fantasy Baseball value picks for Friday's 13-game MLB slate at DraftKings
There are 13 MLB games on the main DFS fantasy baseball slate on this Friday the 13th, so there are plenty of options to consider as you build your lineup whether you’re counting on 13 to be lucky or ignoring the numerology of it all. With 26 teams in action, there are some great matchups to attack and some big-name hitters and pitchers to pay up for. If you’re running short of salary, though, the below bargain bats can save you some space to spend on superstars, while still providing plenty of potential production themselves.
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1B/OF Josh Naylor, Cleveland Guardians at Minnesota Twins, $3,400
Naylor got a late start to the season and sometimes struggles against lefties, but when he has been in the lineup against right-handed pitchers, he has been crushing it all season. In his 20 games, he has five home runs and 22 RBI with a .347 batting average, .264 ISO and .429 wOBA. Against righties, he’s hitting .358 with a .283 ISO and .444 wOBA resulting in an impressive 204 wRC+ against right-handed pitchers.
He’ll face righty Sonny Gray ($6,400) on Friday in what should be a good matchup, especially since he has gone 2-for-4 in previous meetings with a home run and a walk. Naylor is coming in hot after a dominant series against the White Sox in which he produced 64 DKFP in just two games. He has hit safely in nine of his past 10 contests with a .389 average and 50.0% hard-hit rate and .511 WOBA over that span.
OF Yonathan Daza, Colorado Rockies vs. Kansas City Royals, $2,700
Even on a giant slate like this, Coors Field always should get some attention even when it’s only a matchup between the Rockies and Royals, two of the less exciting offenses to target. If you need a cheap OF, though, Daza is a strong option to consider since the 28-year-old is getting regular playing time in the Rockies OF and has hit safely in eight of his past nine games with an at-bat. During that run, Daza has hit second in the lineup a few times and even leadoff once which gives him a great chance to be involved in run production.
In his past 10 games, Daza has gone 11-for-30 (.367) with a double and a triple with a .389 wOBA. He hasn’t showcased a ton of power like the other options on this list but has been getting on base and making things happen and will be playing Friday in a run-friendly environment against Zack Greinke ($5,200).
OF Alek Thomas, Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Chicago Cubs, $2,400
There have been a plethora of young hitters called up this season that have come up with extremely low salaries and high ceilings based on their potential. Thomas is only 22 years old, but Arizona looks ready to give the lefty an everyday role. He hit .277 with a .218 ISO, a .372 wOBA and four home runs in his 24 games in Triple-A before being called up.
He has made a strong first impression, going 5-for-13 (.385) over his first four games with two doubles and his first MLB home run, giving him a .385 ISO and .502 wOBA. He could end up going against lefty Drew Smyly ($7,300), but his power potential is still enough to make him a good OF option as the Snakes continue their homestand at Chase Field.
1B Alfonso Rivas, Chicago Cubs at Arizona Diamondbacks, $2,300
On the other side of that game in the dome in Phoenix, Rivas is another young hitter who is getting a chance to win an everyday role. Rivas hit his second homer of the season on Tuesday against the Padres and is hitting .289 on the season with that pair of home runs and 10 RBI in 16 games.
Rivas is hitless against southpaws but is 11-for-34 (.324) with a .423 wOBA against righties. He has an excellent plate approach and should be set up for success against Arizona’s Zach Davies ($6,000), who pitches to contact quite a bit and has let lefties post a .300 wOBA against him this season. You’ll see Rivas’s teammate and fellow lefty Rafael Ortega ($2,600) also included below as another option to consider facing the same favorable split.
Other options to consider
OF Manuel Margot, TB, $3,200
1B Luke Voit, SD, $3,100
3B/OF Brad Miller, TEX, $2,600
SS Royce Lewis, MIN, $2,300
2B/SS Luis Rengifo, LAA, $2,100
OF Rafael Ortega, CHC, $2,600
3B/SS Johan Camargo, $2,500
OF Anthony Santander, $3,000
Hopefully, we won’t have to adjust these 4 bargain bat plays, but if there are surprises with the lineups or the weather, I’ll let you know my replacement picks on Twitter.
Have a great Friday and good luck!