The San Diego Padres were touted as the top offseason team in Major League Baseball as they aggressively remade not just their roster but their entire franchise image. The Padres are all in for 2015 and tonight they are a focal part of our MLB Fantasy Super Seven and Sleeper selections based on Draft Kings prices.
P – James Shields – San Diego
Shields opened at $8,900. The Padres host the Houston Astros with a starting time of 9:10 p.m. ET. One of the reasons that San Diego got so much preseason love is the arrival of Shields, who was an integral part of the Kansas City Royals American League pennant run last year. Shields is off to a solid start for his new San Diego team with an ERA of 3.24 in four starts. The light hitting Astros rank 23rd for both run production and batting average.
C – Mike Zunino – Seattle
Zunino opened at $3,700. The Mariners are at the Texas Rangers with a starting time of 7:05 p.m. ET. Seattle was one of the most hyped up teams during the offseason but has flopped flat on their faces out of the gate. Zunino has been a big reason for the Mariners woes so far on the season with a .140 batting average and .214 OBP, .280 SLG, and .494 OPS. That means nothing but upside at a bargain price, especially against a Texas Rangers team that ranks 25th for pitching staff earned run average.
1B – Carlos Santana – Cleveland
Santana opened at $4,600. The Indians host the Kansas City Royals with a starting time of 5:05 p.m. ET. The Indians have been a disappointment so far and are going up against a strong Kansas City team that is proving their merits as defending American League champions. The Indians will be going up against a weak link on the Royals, however, in starting pitcher Jason Vargas. Vargas has a 6.75 ERA so far on the season while permitting a .348 opposition batting average. Santana is off to a slow start at .228 but can break out in this one.
2B – Matt Duffy – San Francisco
Duffy opened at $3,700. The Giants are at the Los Angeles Dodgers with a starting time of 9:10 p.m. ET. Dodger starting pitcher Brett Anderson is off to a slow start with a 5.40 ERA while surrendering a .328 batting average against so far on the season. Duffy brings potential bargain value against Anderson. So far Duffy is at .244 with just two runs and seven RBI but this situation could set up well for him,
3B – Pedro Alvarez – Pittsburgh
Alvarez opened at $3,700. The Pirates are at the Chicago Cubs with a starting time of 7:05 p.m. ET. Alvarez is hitting just .232 on the season but has four home runs with 10 runs and nine RBI. Wrigley Field could prove to be the perfect setting for more production by Alvarez.
SS – Jung Ho Kang – Pittsburgh
Kang opened at $3,700. We’ll take a value flier on the Pirate rookie shortstop at Wrigley Field. Kang is hitting just .200 with a run and four RBI and we’ll use him to clear cap space in other areas.
OF – Wil Myers – San Diego
Myers opened at $4,400. Myers has long been touted as a superstar of the future but is yet to develop into such status. Myers is off to a solid start with his new team in San Diego with a batting average of .272, six doubles, three home runs, 16 runs, and 12 RBI. Although Myers may not necessarily become a dominant fantasy commodity he is off to a start that makes him an attractive commodity.
Sleeper – Yonder Alonso – San Diego
Alonso opened at $4,000. The Padres are the chic pick to win the National League pennant this season based on their flurry of offseason activity that did serve them well as far as jump starting interest in the franchise itself. Alonso is off to a torrid start to further add to Padre hopes. Alonso is hitting .371 with a .943 OPS. He has eight runs and eight RBI.
