MLB DFS Value Vault July 3: Michael Harris II Is Here To Stay
Happy July 4th Weekend and no better way to spend it than with some major league baseball! Sunday baseball has a reputation for being out of the ordinary, so fantasy baseball managers must be on their toes as they build their MLB DFS lineups. Today’s DFS slate is nine games starting at 1:05p ET on DraftKings and FanDuel while Yahoo Fantasy covers 14 games throughout the afternoon. The weather forecast does not look bad now but make sure to check our MLB Weather Center before lock as well as the MLB Lineups, MLB Vegas Odds, and MLB News pages leading up to lock. To get the big arms and bats in your lineups you will need to find some value plays and that’s where we come in. I have spent the morning researching and coming up with the best point per dollar plays on the slate. So let’s get right into it and open Sunday’s MLB DFS Value Vault.
DFS VALUE PITCHERS
Shane Baz (TAM) $7.9K DK/$8.1K FD/$35 Yahoo
Shane Baz has been outstanding over his last three starts. He has only allowed two runs in 16.1 innings with a 19:4 K/BB ratio. He deserved much better in his last start against the Brewers but the Rays bullpen let him down. He left with a 1-0 lead and a runner on first, but Matt Wisler came in and gave up four straight hits- including two home runs. He is one of the Rays top prospects and we all know how elite that farm system is. With a 26.4% strikeout rate and 3.57 SIERA he is in a solid spot for a decent DFS outing today but tournaments only due to his opponent- the powerful Blue Jays.
Connor Seabold (BOS) $5.5K DK/$4.6K FD/$25 Yahoo
It is a small sample size, but Connor Seabold has looked like a major league pitcher. He also gets a spot start today against the Cubs in Wrigley Field with the wind blowing in. The Cubs strike out at a rate of 22.9% (19th in MLB) with a .145 team ISO to right-handed pitching. Seabold has a 28% strikeout rate- he struck out seven batters in 4.2 innings in his start against the Blue Jays but he also allowed seven runs. Certainly not a cash play here but if you are multi-entering lineups Seabold is the favorite to win and may be worth a punt at an extreme discount.
DFS VALUE HITTERS
Garrett Cooper (MIA) $2.8K DK/$3.1K FD/$19 Yahoo
Garrett Cooper does not get respect in the DFS world. He is always too cheap yet is slashing .320/.386/.470 with an OPS of .856 on the season. His xBA of .304 and .372wOBA are both Top 10% yet no one seems to play him. He is hitting .410 over the last week and .359 over his last 20 games with a 148.5wRC+. Today he faces right-hander Erick Fedde who comes into the game with a 4.40 ERA/1.44 WHIP. Fedde also does not miss bats (18.5% K rate) and has an xFIP of 5.03. Cooper is a good reverse splits hitter with a .385wOBA and 40% hard contact and is viable in all formats.
Yandy Díaz (TAM) $3.6K DK/$2.7K FD/$14 Yahoo
Yandy Díaz is riding a hot bat for the Rays. He had two hits in each of the two games of yesterday’s doubleheader while leading off in both contests. He is now on a seven-game hit streak and is slashing .462/.548/.615 in that span. It even gets better- Diaz is hitting .303 over the last 20 games with a .343 wOBA. He may not win you a GPP but Diaz has a solid floor and rarely will put up a DFS bagel plus he faces Ross Stripling who is due for some negative regression.
Michael Harris II (ATL) $3.3K DK/$3.2K FD/$17 Yahoo
Michael Harris II, the Braves #1 prospect, was called up to the big leagues in May and by the way he has hit he is here to stay. He is slashing .308/.341/.500 with a .841 OPS plus has a .197 ISO/.369wOBA. He has looked comfortable at the plate right from the start and has even started to use his speed with two stolen bases over his last six games. Today he gets the platoon advantage in a hitter’s park- Great America Ball Park. He faces right-hander Luis Castillo and has near-elite splits of .220 ISO/.362wOBA with 50% hard contact. Harris always comes in low owned and is a cheap way to get a piece of the Braves lineup, especially when you employ a wrap-around stack that includes Harris and then the top of the powerful Braves order.
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Player News
Shota Imanaga left Tuesday’s start against the Pirates with a trainer.
Imanaga appeared to be in some obvious discomfort after giving up a leadoff double to Andrew McCutchen in the sixth inning and departed with a trainer following a visit from Cubs manager Craig Counsell. The -year-old lefty struck out three over five shutout innings to open the contest. It would be a significant loss for fantasy managers if he were to require an extended absence. There should be an update on his status shortly.
Diamondbacks SS prospect Jordan Lawlar went 2-for-3 with a solo homer and two RBI on Tuesday for Triple-A Reno.
Lawlar continues adding extra defensive versatility to his profile, spending time at both second and third base in recent weeks, and appears to be on the precipice of making it back to the big leagues. The 22-year-old projects as a potential five-category impact fantasy contributor thanks to his power/speed combination. He’s hitting .364 (39-for-107) with 20 extra-base hits — six home runs — and 12 stolen bases through 27 games this season for Triple-A Reno. It’s time.
Twins OF prospect Walker Jenkins (ankle) received a cortisone injection and isn’t expected to return to minor league game action until June.
Jenkins has dealt with an array of physical issues since being selected fifth overall in the 2023 MLB Draft. The immense talent and upside is undeniable, but he’s struggled to stay on the field at times. The 20-year-old top prospect isn’t expected to return to game action at Double-A Wichita until early June after receiving an injection to address lingering ankle soreness. He’s a top-10 prospect for dynasty purposes, but the lost development time is starting to become a minor concern.
Josh Lowe (oblique) took batting practice on Tuesday.
Lowe took on-field batting practice off a pitching machine for the first time since suffering a Grade 2 right oblique strain back on Opening Day. He’s expected to progress to facing live pitching on Friday and could potentially kick of a minor league rehab assignment this weekend in the Rookie-level Florida Complex League. The 27-year-old fantasy standout is likely to require a couple weeks of game action to get back up to speed, but it sounds like he could potentially return by mid-May, barring any setbacks.
Giants signed OF Cal Mitchell to a minor league contract.
It didn’t take Mitchell long to find a new home. The 26-year-old outfielder latches on with the Giants just a couple days after being cut loose by the White Sox. He was hitting .111 (3-for-27) in 10 games at the Triple-A level this season.
Mariners signed RHP Bryan Shaw to a minor league contract.
Shaw fortifies Seattle’s relief depth at Triple-A Tacoma after failing to make the Reds’ season-opening roster in spring training. The 37-year-old journeyman righty has made a whopping 796 appearances in the big leagues dating back to 2011.