Taking a (Look At) Leake
by Eno Sarris
June 18, 2013
Mike Leake has an ERA under three and his batting average on balls in play is over .300. Is he a pickup?
Archive for June, 2013
The Many Frustrations of Nick Swisher
Nick Swisher has been pretty much perpetually underrated in fantasy formats for the past number of years. He has been dual eligible at 1B and OF and has been a strong contributor in OBP leagues, which are the only types of leagues I personally play in. He has pretty consistently hit for mid 20’s power with equal RBI and R contributions that start at the low 80’s and reach to the mid 90’s.
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Daily Fantasy Strategy – 6/18/13 – For Draftstreet
Today is a really fun day for baseball-watchers, as we’re treated to two really interesting doubleheaders in addition to our regular spate of baseballing action. Not only are there seventeen games of MLB action today (barring weather issues), but each of those doubleheaders will feature a debuting top prospect. Wil Myers is prepped to make his major-league debut in the first game of the Rays-Red Sox double-bill in Boston, while Zack Wheeler will start for the Mets in the second game of a New York-Atlanta twofer.
Potential ottoneu Value in Minors: Davis, Ackley, Chisenhall
Prior to the start of the season, I pursued a handful of players who I thought were due for big seasons. Some of these players – Brandon Moss, Julio Teheran, Chris Tillman among them – served me quite well. But some others – Jason Heyward, Danny Espinosa, Shane Victorino are all in this group – have had less success.
Three of these players, however, have suffered so badly that their teams sent them back for more seasoning in the minors. I expected Ike Davis, Dustin Ackley and Lonnie Chisenhall to play key roles on teams for me, and all have been major disappointments. But the season isn’t even half over, and in ottoneu we are always looking towards the future, so is there value to be had here?
Potential BB% Decliners Through the Lens of F-Strike%
June 18, 2013
Yesterday, I identified which starting pitchers may be due for an increase in walk percentage given their pedestrian F-Strike% marks. Although not as good a proxy as SwStk% is for K%, F-Strike% is probably the best singular metric for a quick look at how good a pitcher’s control is. Using the same data set as yesterday, these are the pitchers who have posted walk percentages well above what their F-Strike% suggest.
Roto Riteup: June 18, 2013
Today is National Splurge Day! Go out and treat yo self.
On today’s agenda:
1. Josh Johnson’s 10 strikeout game
2. Jurickson Profar, outfielder
3. The return of Roy Oswalt
4. Tony Cingrani to the bullpen
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Bullpen Report: June 17, 2013
• Casey Janssen closed out a win for the Blue Jays tonight against the Rockies for his 15th save of the year but of more particular interest to us is Brett Cecil who go the last two outs in the eighth inning. Cecil recorded a win and is now 3-0 with a 1.53 ERA and 2.03 FIP on the year with a 4/1 strikeout to walk ratio. Brett Cecil came on to face two lefties in Carlos Gonzalez and Todd Helton but Cecil is more than just a LOOGY out of the pen with a .262 wOBA against right-handed batters this year. Cecil, along with Steve Delabar are the main set up options in Toronto to provide holds all year and if something were to happen to Mr. Janssen, don’t be surprised to see Cecil get a chance to see the ninth.
MASH Report – (6/17/13)
Quite a bit injury news happened over the weekend. I will examine several pitchers returning from the D.L. and several more acting hurt.
• Stephen Strasburg returned from the disabled list to make a start yesterday. The biggest concern for me was the 4 BB in 5 IP with a Zone% just over 47%. His overall. velocity was consistent with his past speeds.
What Can We Expect From Wil Myers
by Eno Sarris
June 17, 2013
When the Wil Myers hype train started, he had no flaws. He walked almost as much as he struck out, he struck out less than the league average, and though he wasn’t a catcher any more, he looked athletic in the outfield, and his power was to drool for. That was probably 2010. Since, he’s been traded, and a possible flaw has emerged — his strikeout rate has increased steadily as he’s advanced. That’s not great news, but with him up today, it’s worth trying to ask the numbers what might be in store for Myers.
Kendrick Providing Near-Elite Production At Second
In ESPN leagues, the top three performers at second base shouldn’t surprise anyone. Dustin Pedroia, Jason Kipnis and Robinson Cano were expected to be the top three or four fantasy options at the position, and although each of them have experienced some hiccups in different ways, they’re still producing better than their counterparts.
Who’s fourth, though?
Despite his .383 wOBA and 148 wRC+, it’s not Matt Carpenter. Despite his double-digit home runs and 56 RBI, it’s not Brandon Phillips. The fourth-best fantasy second baseman this year has been 29-year-old Howie Kendrick.