Available Opening Day Starters
If you have room on your roster and want to get someone on the mound out of the gates tomorrow, here are some Opening Day starters that should be available in free agency.
Garrett Crochet, CHW (7.8% ROST)
The 24-year-old southpaw is getting the nod tomorrow against the Tigers. Crochet has made 72 relief appearances in his three-year big league career, but this will be his first career start. He owns a career 2.71 ERA and 10.26 K/9 out of the pen. With 2.13 ERA, 9.95 K/9, and .71 BB/9, Crochet was solid in his 12.2 innings this spring. The youngster is very unproven, but the allure here is he is facing Detriot, who had one of the worst offenses last season. They finished the season with an 89 wRC+ (27th) and .300 wOBA (28th). Though they were better against LHP, ranking 22nd in each of those categories.
Josiah Gray, WSH (24.2% ROST)
Gray has been in the Nationals' starting rotation since he came to Washington during the 2021 season, but this is his first Opening Day nod. The 26-year-old has had an interesting spring. He posted a hefty 13.78 K/9, but his control was very erratic (7.16 BB/9), and he was undone by the long ball (1.65 HR/9). Gray is coming off his best season in which he posted a respectable 3.91 ERA. Control issues have plagued him his entire career (4.26 BB/9) and the upside is limited on the Nats.
Jose Quintana, NYM (7.4% ROST)
With Kodai Senga currently shut down, the Mets will turn to the veteran southpaw Quintana on Opening Day. The 35-year-old has had a solid major league career, racking up 92 wins with a 3.74 ERA across 1,299.1 innings. Quintana registered a career-low 90.4 vFA last season but pitched admirably in his 13 starts with the Mets. He won't miss many bats anymore (8.9% SwStr% in '23), but he's controlled and wasn't hit hard last season. Quintana's 5.1% Barrel% and 32.5% HardHit% ranked in the 87th and 88th percentile, respectively, in 2023.
Kyle Freeland, COL (1.1% ROST)
Rockies pitchers are nearly impossible to roster in most fantasy leagues unless they are very good, and Freeland is not. He owns a career 4.39 ERA, which is very respectable, especially considering Freeland has spent his entire seven-year career in Colorado. The 30-year-old did have a good spring (2.37 ERA, 1.42 BB/9, 19.0 IP), and his first game will be on the road against the D-Backs, who weren't fantastic against LHP last season (92 wRC+, 23rd). Freeland won't last on your season-long roster, but he isn't the worst DFS play on opening day. He is currently the second cheapest starter for the night slate on DraftKings.
Alex Wood, OAK (1.8% ROST)
Another lefty on an unfavorable team, Wood will make his Athletics debut against the Guardians on Opening Day. The 33-year-old totes an impressive 3.74 career ERA but struggled mightily in his last two seasons in San Fransisco. With Oakland, Wood isn't worth a sniff in year-long fantasy, but does have a good matchup against Cleveland on Opening Day. With a .288 wOBA (last) and 83 wRC+ (29th), the Guardians were one of the worst teams against left-handers in 2023. Wood is currently the cheapest starting option for the late games on DraftKings DFS.
Around the League
CJ Abrams, SS, WSH
The 23-year-old broke onto the fantasy scene last year with his 47 stolen bases and 18 home runs. Out of the lead-off spot for the Nats, Abrams contributed across the board, even pitching in 64 RBI (most of which came when he hit at the bottom of the order). He did pop 18 homers, but Abrams' is a light hitter (6.9% Barrel% and 35.9% HardHit%), so most of his fantasy stock is in his speed. He does make a lot of contact but will have to improve upon the .245 average and .300 OBP if he is going to really be impactful. If Abrams hits well enough to stay at the top of the order he will have fantasy contributions despite a weak Nats lineup. The good thing about him playing for one of the worst teams in the league is that they should have no problem with him stealing as much as possible, and Abrams only got thrown out four times in 51 SB attempts last season.
Ryan Jeffers, C, MIN
Despite an impressive coming-out campaign in 2023, Jeffers is currently owned in just 1.4% of ESPN leagues. With an inflated .359 BABIP (.280 before '23), and a hefty 27.8% K%, most assume that Jeffers will come back to earth in 2023. Still, last year was impressive for the 26-year-old and it has propelled him into the clear choice at backstop for the Twins. For the season, Jeffers slashed .276/.369/.490 with 14 homers in 335 plate appearances. He is a bit of a free-swinger but with a 90.5 average exit velo, and 11.6% Barrel%, he hits the ball with authority. Among catchers with 300+ PAs last season Jeffers' 138 wRC+ and .369 wOBA ranked first (tied) and second, respectively.
Willy Adames, SS, MIL
A poor 2023 campaign has seen Adames plummet down draft boards this season. He went full pull mode in 2023, hitting a career-low 17.8% Oppo%, a percentage that was 24.9% in 2022. The results were less than ideal. Adames hit just .217, with a 94 wRC+, and .311 wOBA; all career-lows. Owners are hoping that the 28-year-old's massive spring is a sign of a bounceback season. Adames hit six home runs and drove in 15 with a .488 wOBA in 50 spring plate appearances.
Jose Abreu, 1B, HOU
Abreu's first season in Houston was BY FAR the worst season of the slugger's stellar career. He slashed .237/.296/.383 and owned a 41.6% HardHit% which was his worst since 2016. Abreu is getting up there in years (37), but given the RBI opportunities he will get in the Astros offense, he shouldn't be ignored. For what it's worth, the veteran looked locked in this spring. He slashed .308/.419/.500 with .409 wOBA and one home run. Abreu's power isn't likely to come back, but it wouldn't be surprising to see his average back near .280 and his RBI total up near the century mark this season.
Rhys Hoskins, 1B, MIL
After missing the entire 2023 season due to an ACL tear, Hoskins will start his career in Milwaukee with uncertainty. He was a productive hitter throughout his career in Philly but he never took the next step. After Hoskins knocks off the rust, I would expect him to put up similar numbers as he did before his injury. A .240 average with 25-30 homers and 80 to 90 RBI is nothing to scoff at. The 31-year-old is currently owned in 43.6% of ESPN leagues.
Jack Flaherty, SP, DET
Once a starter with ace potential, Flaherty has battled injuries and ineffectiveness the past few seasons. He is still just 28 years old, so if healthy, it's not impossible to think Flaherty can regain some of his former effectiveness. He pitched very well in spring training, logging a 2.95/2.86 ERA/xFIP with a 12.76 K/9 and 1.96 BB/9 in 18.1 innings. Ultimately it will hinge on his health, something he hasn't sustained since the 2019 season. Flaherty comes into the season healthy and with an upbeat spring, he's a lowly owned pitcher (9.2%) with upside that could be worth a roster spot if you have space.
Dylan Carlson, OF, STL
Carlson will start the season on the 10-day Injured List after being diagnosed with a sprained AC joint on Tuesday. That makes three outfielders for the Cardinals starting the season on the IL, the other two being Tommy Edman and Lars Nootbaar. Rookie Victor Scott will take Carlson's spot on the roster and will likely start in center on Opening Day. The plethora of injuries paves the way for Alec Burleson to get extended playing time to start the season as well.
Jordan Montgomery, SP, ARI
Montgomery has reportedly agreed to a one-deal with the Diamondbacks on Tuesday night. The 31-year-old southpaw is coming off a career year that culminated in a World Series championship with the Rangers. Montgomery went 10-11 with a 3.20 ERA across a career-high 188.2 innings between the Cardinals and Rangers. He was solid for the Cardinals to start the season, but was particularly good in Texas down the stretch. Montgomery posted Quality Starts in seven of ten starts and owned a 2.71 ERA for the Rangers. Fantasy owners should be pleased that Montgomery finally has a team and that it's one with a very good defense.
