Yuli Gurriel(1B/3B-HOU): Gurriel went 3-for-4 with a homer, a double, two RBI, and two runs scored vs. the A's. After getting off to a sluggish start, Gurriel has picked up the pace at the plate, moving his line to .347/.365/.514 with two homers, seven RBI, and nine runs through 20 games. The BABIP is high, but Gurriel's batted ball profile suggests we shouldn't see his AVG dip below .300. While his 1 percent walk rate is concerning, the Cuban sensation is chasing fewer pitches than he did during his 2016 debut, and I see him tapping into the elite plate discipline he displayed in his home country. Buy.
Avisail Garcia(OF-CHW): Garcia went 3-for-5 with a homer, a double, two RBI, and two runs scored vs. the Tigers. While Garcia is demonstrating improvement across the board, the extent of that improvement is being artificially magnified due to good fortune. The slugger is carrying a .464 BABIP and a 25 percent homer-to-fly ball rate despite a league-average hard-hit rate. I like the improving contact rate and the fact that he's lifting the ball more consistently, but I also see significant regression looming. Put it together and I see a viable back-end option in standard leagues that have five OF spots.
Kevin Gausman(SP-BAL): Gausman lost after allowing five runs on eight hits (two homers) and two walks with three strikeouts over six innings vs. the Yankees. While Gausman is enduring misfortune in the strand rate, HR/FB rate, and BABIP departments, he is also missing fewer bats and walking hitters at a higher rate than he did in 2016. According to Brooks Baseball, his release point has changed, and while the velocity and movement are there, hitters aren't chasing like they did in seasons past. This looks like a mechanical issue that could be tied to pitch tipping and a lack of deception. Put it together and I see Gausman as a prime buy-low candidate.
Aaron Judge(OF-NYY): Judge went 2-for-4 with two homers, a walk, and three RBI. One of his homers broke a Statcast record for exit velocity, one that was held by Giancarlo Stanton. He's the real deal and looks primed for a huge fantasy season. Anytime you see a power hitter maintain an above-average walk rate and an elite hard-hit rate while cutting their strikeout rate, you know they've found the balance between patience/contact and power. Judge isn't chasing pitches out of the zone like he did last season, and when pitchers challenge him he isn't missing. There will be volatility and additional adjustment periods, but I like what I see and think Judge has the goods to deliver all season long.
Mike Napoli(1B/DH-TEX): Napoli ($2900) makes for a solid tournament play today on FanDuel. The slugger hit 27 of his 34 homers against righties last season and has hit all three of his 2017 homers against same-siders. Despite his struggles this year, he's also maintaining a 35 percent hard-hit rate against righties. While Chavez has pitched well the past two seasons, he has allowed 12 of 16 homers to righties, including a 43 percent hard-hit rate so far this season. Add in the park shift to Arlington, and you have the ingredients for a high ROI from the heart of the Rangers lineup.
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