Michael Conforto-Mets-OF
Michael Conforto went 2-3 with 2 doubles, 2 R, and 2 RBI against the Indians. Conforto was recently moved into the three-hole against right-handed pitchers, which is a big vote of confidence for the youngster. He showed the skills necessary to be a middle of the order bat a year ago. He hit the ball extremely hard (41%), pulled the ball (45%), and hit the ball in the air (38%). These are all markers that indicate that he has a serious power profile (30+ HR upside). The limiting factors were going to be the league adjusting to him and his ability to hit left-handers. So far this season Conforto is still hitting the ball hard (44%) and has two hits in four at-bats against lefties. If you can still buy low on the young hitter, now is the time. He has big time upside hitting in the middle of the Mets lineup.
Patrick Corbin-Diamondbacks-SP
Patrick Corbin went 6.2 IP and gave up 1 ER on 6 H, 3 BB, and 7 K's. Corbin has been okay to start the year. Coming into today's start he had a 3.46 ERA with a measly 4.85 K/9. The strikeouts are going to come up for Corbin. He has posted an above average strikeout rates at the major league level. The encouraging sign for Corbin going forward is the increased use of his change-up. In the past he was primarily a two-pitch pitcher with his fastball and wipeout slider. The change-up will allow him to better attack right-handed hitters, which had given him trouble in the past. If you can buy low on Corbin, now is the time.
Freddie Freeman-Braves-1B
Freddie Freeman went 2-4 with a run scored, RBI, and a walk against the Marlins. Freeman is hitting .167 with 1 HR and 3 RBI to start the year. Freeman's hard contact rate is down and one might think he is chasing balls out of the zone as a result of pitchers pitching around him, but his O-swing% is well below his career average, which is a good sign. He also has a 17% BB, which is a positive sign as well. It is not time to jump off of Freeman. He is an above average major league hitter that has had one bad week. The lineup around him is not great, but you knew that coming in. He has shown the skills necessary to get out of this slump and to be a productive fantasy player.
Juan Nicasio-Pirates-SP
Juan Nicasio went 6 IP and gave up 3 ER on 5 H, 2 BB, and 6 K's. Nicasio had an excellent spring and then an excellent start against the Cardinals. His second start against the Tigers was not a good one (3 IP, 5 BB, 4 K). Nicasio has the great fastball (97mph) and wipeout slider, but nothing else. This is a pitch mix that plays much better in the bullpen than the rotation. It is tough for a starter to survive long term with a FB/SL combination, because pitching is about combinations and differences in speeds to keep hitters off-balance. Nicasio is in a perfect situation in Pittsburgh (shift/park/Searage) so we need a bigger sample size, but he is someone to be concerned about over the course of the entire season. The strikeouts are going to be there, but will he be able to stick in the rotation is the real question.
DFS Value Play
David Peralta-Diamondbacks-OF
David Peralta's price never increases, yet he continues to crush RHP. He owns a career .384 wOBA and .212 ISO against RHP. He gets a nice matchup with RHP Jake Peavy, who simply doesn't miss many bats anymore (6.34 K/9). Peralta will be batting cleanup with the platoon advantage. DraftKings: $3,300
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