MLB Top DRAFT Picks June 23rd from Chris Aliperto and FantasyCPR

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Welcome to today’s edition of MLB Top DRAFT Picks from FantasyCPR. The DRAFT app can be downloaded to your mobile device through your app store, or you can access their desktop site here.

I play quite a bit on DRAFT, and have always been a big fan of the snake draft format. On DRAFT, you roster one starting pitcher, two infielders, and two outfielders. They offer head-to-head, 3-man, 6-man and 10-man drafts that start upon filling. Also, they have a tournament format, where one contest will span a few days. The further you advance, the more you win. I play mostly the six-man contests for cash games, which payout to the top two spots.

My goal here will be to give you my strategy for drafting today on DRAFT, followed by my top 30 overall rankings. Strategy of course changes day by day, depending on what type of slate we are working with. I always start with my pitcher, as everything else revolves around that. After having completed my rankings for today and done a few six-man drafts, here is how I am attacking this slate.

MLB Top DRAFT Picks (DRAFT.com): Saturday, June 23rd – DFS Slate Overview:

Today we are working with a 15-game full slate starting at 1:10 CDT with most of today’s action this afternoon, followed by a five game main slate which starts at 5:10 CDT. This article will cover the full slate, so get to drafting right after you read this, as we have just a couple of hours until then. There are a couple of weather spots to watch, so let’s cover those before we get into today’s new look second page, which will now cover my targets instead of basic drafting strategy.

Weather Watch:

There are a couple of spots which may see a brief shower causing a delay, and a couple that we will have to keep a close eye as we approach lock. Pittsburgh has the threat of a quick shower that could mess with their matchup with the Diamondbacks, and Washington has a slight chance of a thunderstorm mid-game as well. These two games look totally in play however, and I do not expect a PPD from either.

There are two games that look to have more chance of PPD, and are almost certainly heading for a late start or delay. The first is in Boston, where the Red Sox will host the Mariners. I have seen a few forecasts with little consistency among them. Looking at one, there is an 80% of storms starting at game time and lasting through the evening. I am having a hard time fading Mookie Betts and JD Martinez, so I hope the forecast that just says overcast is the correct one. Either way, this game is in the evening, so it carries some risk to drafting anyone from this game for the all day slate.

The other spot that doesn’t look good is in New York where the Mets are hosting the Dodgers. It will be a shame if they don’t get this in, as we were set to have quite a pitching matchup. Clayton Kershaw is set to make his return from the DL, and is scheduled to face Mets ace Jacob deGrom. Right now, we have a 60% of thunderstorms at game time, increasing up to 90% as the evening progresses. Unfortunately, this game looks like a fade at this time, taking two fantastic pitchers off of the board.

WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 05: Jacob deGrom /

MLB Top DRAFT Picks (DRAFT.com): Saturday, June 23rd – Today’s Top Targets:

I felt like changing this up a bit so welcome to the new format! It is pretty easy to decipher throughout my rankings what that day’s particular strategy will be, so let’s mix it up a bit. Instead of giving you some basic vanilla strategy, like repeating the fact that the Infield position is usually deep throughout, and the outfield position drops off pretty dramatically usually in terms of “lock” type plays, I will opt to point out the guys I am actually targeting and drafting. I think this will be more helpful in terms of understanding why I have certain players ranked where they are. Similar to the rankings, followed by each target will be their overall ranking of 30 in parenthesis.

DRAFT Top Pitcher Targets:

Jacob deGrom – New York Mets – (1)

I have to write him up here because he is in the best spot, and if you are drafting later in the day, we could get news that the weather is clearing. deGrom will face the Dodgers at home, and comes in riding a nice seven-game quality start streak. During this streak, he has pitched no fewer than seven innings, and struck out no less than seven as well. He is the top pitcher on the slate, and I will grab him late if people are passing because of the weather. But even though he is my top ranked target today, there of course is huge risk associated with him as thunderstorms lurk in New York. Obviously it would be much safer drafting our next target, so let’s continue.

Trevor Bauer – Cleveland Indians – (2)

Bauer and the Indians continue their series at home against the Tigers today, coming off of a 10-0 thrashing last night. On paper, this is easily the best match-up to target, as Bauer has been a strikeout machine this year, and has been especially hot over his last three starts. In two games against the White Sox, and one against tonight’s opponent Detroit, Bauer has given up just four earned runs and struck out 32. June 8th in Detroit, Bauer went eight innings striking out 12, while allowing just one earned run. With the weather situation in New York, an easy case can be made to draft Bauer first overall, I have no problems with that, and am adjusting as well.

Lance McCullers Jr. – Houston Astros – (20)

The Astros are at home facing the Royals, and it was a struggle to find offense for both teams in last nights game. KC was able to pick up a run in the top of the ninth, and hang on for a 1-0 victory. Tonight, McCullers Jr.is in situation where he just faced this team in his last start. On June 17th in, McCullers Jr. went six innings, striking out nine and picking up a win. He is also riding a nice quality start streak of four games, and he is my favorite target after the top two. He can grabbed in the third or fourth round of most drafts, and I am drafting him when I can.

MLB Top DRAFT Picks (DRAFT.com): Saturday, June 23rd : Top Hitters

IF – Jose Ramirez – Cleveland Indians – (6)

As a late first round or early second round pick, Ramirez has been a steady producer across the board. Stealing bases and hitting home runs, Ramirez is doing it all. In fact, he was able to put up 20 FP’s without getting a hit last night, by walking four times, stealing a base, and scoring a run. After the heavy run of Coors and top pitchers, look to Ramirez for some huge points. The Indians will face Tigers lefty Francisco Liriano in his return from the DL, and I expect him to get hit a bit.

IF – Paul Goldschmidt – Arizona Diamondbacks – (13)

Well I feel obliged to put him here again, as his projection sits way too low at a loaded position once again. A case could be made that the torrid streak of dominance is over, seeing as Goldy is just 2-for-10 in the last two games. I don’t think that is the case however. With a projection of only 8.9, once again, Goldschmidt is a steal relative to his third or fourth round average draft position.

OF – Charlie Blackmon – Colorado Rockies – (3)

Blackmon is hot, and with a bunch of good outfield options at the top, he is my top choice today. The Rockies have been smoking hot since returning home to Coors Field, and while Blackmon may be a bit overshadowed by the fire that is Nolan Arenado right now, he has been pretty solid himself. After an 0-for-4 in the first game since the return home, Blackmon now has seven hits in the last four games. The Rockies will no doubt be the top targets again today, as they face Marlins right-hander Trevor Richards, who is 1-4 with a 5.45 ERA. Mike Trout and Mookie Betts are right there with Blackmon again in the rankings, and I like all three today as usual.

OF – Bryce Harper – Washington Nationals – (17)

Another rain situation, coupled with a low projection has Harper sliding down in drafts. I think this game will play, and I am seeing Harper going in the third round pretty consistently. That is just too late for a superstar like Harper, when you also consider the fact that outfield isn’t very deep. I do not like too much after him in my rankings, so I am drafting him accordingly, and watching that weather report like a hawk.

MLB DFS /

DRAFT – DFS Today’s Rankings:

My rankings are pretty easy to follow. I have ranked the top 30 overall. We will go six deep at pitcher, and twelve deep at IF and OF. Rankings are broken down into positions, and following each players name will be their overall ranking in parenthesis.

Pitchers:

1. Jacob deGrom – (1)

2. Trevor Bauer – (2)

3. Aaron Nola – (15)

4. Lance McCullers Jr. – (20)

5. Julio Teheran – (21)

6. Clayton Kershaw – (22)

Infielders:

1. Jose Ramirez – (6)

2. Nolan Arenado – (7)

3. JD Martinez – (8)

4. Joey Votto – (9)

5. Trevor Story – (12)

6. Paul Goldschmidt – (13)

7. Francisco Lindor – (18)

8. JT Realmuto – (19)

9. DJ LeMahieu – (23)

10. Freddie Freeman – (26)

11. Giancarlo Stanton – (27)

12. Jake Lamb – (30)

Outfielders:

1. Charlie Blackmon – (3)

2. Mike Trout – (4)

3. Mookie Betts – (5)

4. Carlos Gonzalez – (10)

5. Andrew Benintendi – (11)

6. Aaron Judge – (14)

7. Eddie Rosario – (16)

8. Bryce Harper – (17)

9. Gerardo Parra – (24)

10. Brian Anderson – (25)

11. Justin Upton – (28)

12. Kyle Schwarber – (29)

Next: Get set for Today with Picks and Pivots!

That is all for today’s MLB Top DRAFT picks on FantasyCPR. If you have any questions regarding any of my rankings, reach out to me on Twitter at @JuanBondDFS. You can also leave a question right here in the comments, and I will do my best to respond. Good luck tonight and happy drafting on DRAFT!

MLB Top DRAFT Picks (DRAFT.com): Saturday, June 23rd

By Chris Aliperto | Jun 23, 2018