3 MLB FanDuel Studs to Target for Friday 6/30/23

In daily fantasy baseball on FanDuel, rostering the right high-salaried studs is an important aspect of building lineups.

For hitters, we're looking for guys with big numbers, strong matchups, and players around them who are likely to produce, as well, increasing our chances for runs and RBI. For pitchers, we want big strikeout numbers, while the ability to go deep in a game and pick up a win is also valuable.

With these high-salary picks playing such a big role in your lineup, you can't afford to miss on these guys, so let's take a look at a few top high-salary plays for Friday's main slate.

Advanced statistics courtesy of FanGraphs.

Shane McClanahan, SP, Tampa Bay Rays ($11,000)

In his 17th start of 2023, Shane McClanahan (11-1) is facing the Seattle Mariners on the road. The southpaw hurler is cruising en route to -- potentially -- his first American League Cy Young Award at season's end. McClanahan's 2.23 ERA is still the best in MLB right now, and he's allowed just 0.97 homers per nine -- best of his career. He's also sporting a career-best mark in swinging-strike rate (15.6%).

Another aspect in favor of the Tampa Bay Rays pitching ace on Friday is that Seattle strikes out with high frequency. In 79 games this season, Mariner hitters have suffered 771 total punchouts at the plate. That equates to 9.76 Ks per game from Seattle's offense, which is the highest rate in the Majors.

numberFire projects 34.1 FanDuel points -- the second-highest total -- from McClanahan on Friday night. The lefty has been efficient and stingy in just about every outing this year. Only twice in 16 previous starts has he allowed more than two earned runs. At $11,000, McClanahan carries a pretentious salary, but he has been a model of consistency over the current campaign.

Worth mentioning: per numberFire, the Mariners have the lowest projected run total (3.35) of any ballclub in action on Friday.

Corey Seager, SS, Texas Rangers ($4,200)

Corey Seager and the Texas Rangers are both enjoying a fabulous 2023 season. The 2016 National League Rookie of the Year missed some time in April-May this year with a hamstring issue, but he has crushed the baseball despite playing in only 49 of 81 contests thus far. On the season (197 at-bats), Seager boasts an OPS of 1.020.

Seager will likely be coming back into the lineup today after a rest day in the previous series finale against the Detroit Tigers. On Friday, it will be a Lone Star State assembly as the Houston Astros will visit the Rangers' newer digs.

Starting on the mound for Houston is Ronel Blanco. Facing a right-hander pitcher, the lefty-swinging Seager will hold the platoon advantage. In 2023, Seager is hitting .346 against righties with 7 homers and a .442 weighted on-base average (wOBA).

Also, his Rangers have a projected run total of 5.39, per numberFire, which is the fifth-highest total. Ideally, Seager -- who typically bats second in the batting order -- will be involved in the scoring action.

numberFire projects Seager to be the second-most productive DFS shortstop tonight with 12.4 FanDuel points. Considering the platoon advantage, the home venue and the fact the Seager has a career-best Statcast hard-hit rate of 56.5% right now, I am comfortable with his $4,200 salary.

Spencer Torkelson, 1B, Detroit Tigers ($3,100)

For the second consecutive night, I am taking the visiting first baseman playing at Coors Field. Yesterday, I went with Freddie Freeman at the Colorado Rockies, and he generously returned 22.7 FanDuel points. Tonight, it is Spencer Torkelson's turn to be great in Denver.

The Detroit Tigers make a rare trip to Coors, having not visited Blake Street since 2017. Torkelson will be setting sights on Rockies lefty starting pitcher Austin Gomber (7.01 ERA in 2023). As a right-handed hitter, the platoon advantage goes to Torkelson. Considering Torkelson hit two home runs last night against Texas (part of a 50.4 FanDuel-point performance), he must be thrilled to take his next plate appearances at 5,280-feet elevation.

Torkelson -- in only his second MLB season -- has improved his wOBA to .304 from .272 as a rookie. He has five RBI over the last two days and is arriving to a favorable platoon matchup at the most hitter-friendly ballpark in the nation.

numberFire's model has Torklenson's FanDuel point total in their top-10 of all first basemen tonight (11.5), but I think he has "Mile High" potential.

The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.