DFS MLB Picks (April 6, 2017)

Pitcher:

Jason Hammel - Kansas City Royals: Hammel earned a career-high 15 wins in 2016 with the Chicago Cubs, five more than his previous career high done four times (2009, ‘10, ‘14, ‘15). He had a 0.75 ERA (2 ER in 24.0 IP) through his first four starts, the second-best mark by a Cubs’ starter through four starts since 1920, according to Elias, trailing only Steve Stone (0.51 ERA in 1976). He won a career-high six straight starts following the 2016 All-Star break, posting a 0.95 ERA (4 ER in 38.0 IP) during that stretch. The Cubs went 17-13 (.567) in his 30 starts last season.

Kyle Gibson - Minnesota Twins: Gibson went 1-1 with a 1.59 ERA (28.1 IP, 5 ER), five walks and 19 strikeouts in Grapefruit League play in 2016. He led Minnesota in games started (7), innings pitched and strikeouts. His 1.59 ERA ranked second among qualified starters in both spring training leagues, and his 28.1 IP ranked second.

First Basemen:
Joey Votto - Cincinatti Reds: Votto led off the seventh inning of Wednesday’s 2-0 win vs Phi with his first HR of the season to snap the scoreless tie. It was the 222nd home run of his career, tying Jason Bay for fourth all-time among players born in Canada.

Second Baseman:
Brian Dozier - Minnesota Twins: Dozier hit .256 (10-for-39) with 1 2B, 1 HR, 6 RBI in 14 spring games. 2017 marks his fifth straight season as a Twins Opening Day second baseman.

Shortstop:

Aledmys Diaz - St. Louis Cardinals: Diaz is batting a cool .400 in April, leading the Majors in the month over the last two seasons. After joining the club on the second day of the season in 2016, Diaz batted .423 (30‐71) with eight doubles, one triple, four home runs and 13 RBI. He picked up two hits in his first two at bats of the 2017 season (double, single) on Sunday night and also stole two bases.

Third Baseman:

Nicholas Castellanos - Detroit Tigers: Castellanos was on the Tigers Opening Day roster for the fourth consecutive season. He hit the first Opening Day home run of his major league career on Tuesday at the White Sox. He posted a .377 (23x61) ba$  ng average with 10 runs scored, nine doubles, four home runs and 15 RBI in 22 Grapefruit League games. He tied for the Grapefruit League lead with nine doubles, while he was tied for second with 23 hits and tied for seventh with 15 RBI.

Catcher:

Alex Avila - Detroit Tigers: Avila layed in 20 games during Spring Training and hit .116 (5x43) with three runs scored.

Outfielders:

JaCoby Jones - Detroit Tigers: Jones hit the first home run of his major league career on Tuesday at CWS with a three-run homer off of José Quintana -- became the first Tigers rookie to homer on Opening Day since Kirk Gibson in 1980.

Robbie Grossman - Minnesota Twins: Grossman hit .238 (10-for-42) with 4 2B in 18 spring training games. 2017 marked his third career Opening Day (2 with Houston in 2014 and ‘15).

Tyler Collins - Detroit Tigers: Collins played in 24 games during Spring Training and hit .259 (14x54) with three runs scored, two doubles, three home runs and 13 RBI.