Kris Bryant (3B-CHC): It's official: the Cubs are calling up Kris Bryant today, thus beginning a new era in the windy city. He only posted a 1.042 OPS in 7 AAA games with 3 homers to start the season, actually lowering his career MiLB OPS. However, he appropriately struck out 9 times and walked only twice in 30 plate appearances, so look for this to continue with the big club. Overall, he already has the game to hit 30 homers and maintain a respectable AVG/OBP in the middle of the Cubs lineup. If you drafted him and stashed him, get him in your lineups immediately. For those saying this is the time to sell I respectfully disagree.
Michael Taylor (OF-WAS): Taylor hit his 2nd homer of the year, a solo shot of Cole Hamels, and even drew a walk in last night's effort. While Taylor is ostensibly off to a solid start to the season with his .282/.333/.564 line, he has struck out 14 times in 39 AB's while only walking 3 times. The tools are there but he has plenty of work to do to unlock them. Unfortunately for him and his fantasy owners, Denard Span is in the midst of a rehab assignment and looks to be on track for a Week 3 return, when he'll likely relegate Taylor to the bench or to AAA. Taylor can be a top-50 fantasy player someday, but his rawness coupled with playing time concerns should leave you passing on him in yearly leagues.
Christian Yelich (OF-MIA): Christian Yelich (back) returned to the lineup on Thursday night and promptly assuaged the concerns of his fantasy owners by going 1 for 4, scoring a run, and stealing his first base of the season. Yelich is off to yet another solid start with 4 walks and 5 strikeouts in his first 8 games. While we can dream on the power--as his speed off bat and homer distance numbers tantalize--17 of the 22 balls he has put in play have been on the ground. Until he lifts the ball more consistently, temper the power expectations.
Lucas Duda (1B-NYM): Dude. Duda can hit. The lefty went 3 for 4 with 1 run and 1 RBI, logging his 3rd consecutive game with at least two extra base hits. His superior speed off bat on his homers and his elite avg. HR distance suggest he is a legit candidate to log another 30-homer season. If he can hold his own against lefties--so far, so good as he is 3 for 7 with a walk--he should post a top-10 fantasy season at 1B. Duda is tough to ignore on FanDuel when a righty that struggles with lefties takes the hill, though at $4100, he may be too pricey with the underrated David Phelps as Friday's schedule starter.
Michael Wacha (SP-STL): Michael Wacha loves Busch Stadium. He allowed a .273 wOBA at home (.228 mark in 2013). You may worry about some of the tough lefties he'll face today, but, thanks to his superb changeup, he has allowed a career wOBA to them 56 points lower than the mark allowed to righties. The wind is also expected to swirl in from the outfield, making the conditions even more favorable for the former Aggie. While Kershaw, Scherzer, and Kluber will be tough to pass on today, if you're looking to be contrarian in a tournament and save some dollars for hitting, Wacha is your man.
FanDuel price: $8400
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