Daily Fantasy Baseball 2015: Best MLB Position Player Picks for May 8 – Bleacher Report

After a long week of work, play or whatever you’ve been up to, Fantasy Friday should do the trick. With a full schedule for DraftKings owners to sort through, finding the best MLB position players can not only be difficult, but downright tedious on a Friday morning or afternoon.

Luckily, we’ve picked apart the rosters to pull out the best players to get the most out of your lineup. Here’s a look at just a handful of position player picks for May 8 with a breakdown of what makes them worthy of their salary.

Catcher: Evan Gattis, Houston Astros ($4,000)

A true hit-or-seriously-miss player, Evan Gattis has been lifting off this season with the Houston Astros. In his first season with the ‘Stros, the third-year player has already tallied six home runs and 18 RBI.

Sure, he’s hitting below .200, but when he makes contact it’s a fantasy owner’s dream. Going against a struggling Jered Weaver (0-4 and 6.29 ERA in six starts), Gattis should thrive on Friday night.

First Baseman: Freddie Freeman, Atlanta Braves ($4,300)

Who doesn’t love a hug? Freddie Freeman has been giving them out like candy again this season thanks to his powerful bat. Each time he registers a four-bagger—he already has five this year—Freeman embraces his teammates.

Even when he’s not smashing it over the wall, Freeman is still coming away with extra-base hits, as Kevin McAlpin of 680 The Fan noted:

Freddie Freeman has 7 multi hit efforts in his last 11 games, hitting .465 (20×43) with 9 extra base hits & 9 RBI over that span. #Braves

— Kevin McAlpin (@KevinMcAlpin) May 7, 2015

Throughout his career against Gio Gonzalez, Freeman has gone .292/.321/.625 with two homers, two doubles and nine RBI. Don’t expect him to slow down any against the Washington Nationals on Friday.

Third Baseman: Matt Carpenter, St. Louis Cardinals ($4,300)

Wednesday wasn’t Matt Carpenter’s best performance, but the Cardinals hot corner has been equally as hot at the plate. After getting a well-deserved day off, Carpenter is ready to continue his hot streak to start the season.

Averaging 10.7 fantasy points per game in 2015, Carpenter has been one of the most reliable third basemen at DraftKings. With two home runs on the road already this season, look for Carpenter to put up double-digit points again on Friday night.

Shortstop: Ian Desmond, Washington Nationals ($4,200)

It took a little longer than expected, but Ian Desmond is finally showing his potential this year. After going hitless over seven straight games, Desmond now has multiple hits in three of his last five starts with four extra-base hits over that stretch.

Coming off one of his worst months in April with a .217 average and only one homer, Desmond has increased to a .318 average and added another homer already in May. Facing left-handed pitcher Eric Stults, who has been awful this season, expect big things from Desmond.

Outfielder: Adam Jones, Baltimore Orioles ($4,700)

Does there need to be any explanation for why you should choose Adam Jones? Yes? OK, well, here goes nothing.

The Baltimore Orioles outfielder has been explosive at the plate all season with five homers and 21 RBI already to this point. He’s done that with a bat that can reach nearly any point of the plate, as Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com notes:

ESPN Stats & Information: #Orioles‘ Adam Jones hitting AL-best .368 in ABs ending with pitch outside of strike zone. pic.twitter.com/FbvLZfOaHs

— Adam Rubin (@AdamRubinESPN) May 6, 2015

He went hitless on Thursday night against the New York Yankees, but Jones has three hits in six career at-bats against Yankees right-hander Adam Warren. At $900 less than Mike Trout, Jones is a value for a No. 1 outfielder and one that would make a perfect fit in any lineup.