Jason Mezrahi 
Breakout Players in Store for Big DFS Season’s in 2019
The DFS season is upon us and there are a number of MLB players poised for huge breakout campaigns that you should not sleep on early-on. Hit them early and often as the 2019 gets underway.
Hitters
David Dahl
David Dahl appears poised to finally see full-time duties in the Rockies outfield and is set to break out in a big way. The 24-year old connected for 16 homers in just 77 games last season and hit .286 with 12 homers versus right-handed pitching. Dahl is an offensive workhorse you should be able to consistently latch your cart to for the entire DFS season in 2019. The slugger has 40-homer potential and hit 13 of his 16 homers in the friendly confines of Coors Field last season. Target Dahl at home versus righties and reap the DFS rewards in 2019.
Garrett Hampson
The 24-year old has an opportunity to do some damage on the base paths in 2019. Hampson has stolen seven bags thus far in spring training action and impressed in his 24-game cup of coffee in the majors last season. The infielder hit .311 with 36 thefts before his MLB promotion last year in the minors. Hampson and Ryan McMahon may be jockeying for playing time to start the season but keep an eye on Hampson early-on, as he is the better defensive option and more all-round player at second base. Hampson could be an affordable DFS option in May.
Byron Buxton
If spring training is any indication, it appears that Byron Buxton may finally put it all together. Buxton is slashing .438/.472/.906 with 4 round trippers and 3 stolen bases in 13 Grapefruit League action games this spring. Buxton showed signs of life with the stick last season albeit in the minors but he hit .365 in August with the Twins Triple-A affiliate. He may be a DFS steal out of the gate if he can carry over his spring into the regular season. He possesses a blend of speed and power that could bode well in 2019.
Pitchers
Brandon Woodruff
Brandon Woodruff asserted himself as a dominant force out of the Brewers bullpen last season including 20 strikeouts in 12.1 innings of work during the postseason. Woodruff will begin the season in the Brewers rotation and could easily average 11k’s per 9 innings. The 26-year old sports a 1.84 ERA with 20 whiffs in 14.2 innings on the bump this spring. Don’t sleep on Woodruff and cash in before the rest of the DFS world catches on. Woodruff is a legit talent, folks. Cash in on the Brew Crew.
Matt Strahm
Matt Strahm came out of nowhere last season in his first season with the Padres. The hurler posted a 2.05 earned run average in 41 games including 5 starts in 2018 with a 10.1 SO/9 rate. Strahm will be in the Padres rotation pitching in 2019 where he will look to use Petco Park to his advantage. The 27-year old also limited right-handed hitters to a meager .149 batting average last season. Target Strahm at home versus right-handed hitting lineups and prepare for success.
Nick Pivetta
When talking about big arms and potential breakout candidates, look no further than pitcher Nick Pivetta. The 26-year old is primed for a 200+ strikeout season on a much-improved Phillies team. Last season Pivetta boasted a 4.77 ERA but fanned 188 in 164 innings of work, the right-hander also accumulated 7 or more strikeouts in 14 of his 32 starts in 2018.
Honorable Mentions
Chris Paddack, Lourdes Gurriel Jr, Pete Alonso, Aaron Sanchez, Willians Astudillo
