We’ve hit our first stabilization point! Said point being 60 plate appearances, officially rendering strikeout rate useful. Being an opportunistic sort of fellow, I am immediately diving into some analysis of early strikeout rates, as if the numbers are chiseled in granite since we passed that magical 60-plate appearance line.
For the first time in years, Justin Maxwell is in demand.
OK, so it’s not a crazy, opening-scene-of-a-Beatles-movie demand, but still, his ownership has jumped 20% in CBS leagues in the past week, and for good reason: He’s off to a hot start. He has an .843 OPS entering Friday’s play, and, for about a week after wrestling away the starting rightfielder job in San Francisco from Gregor Blanco, he had been tattooing the ball with a .333/.407/.833 slash line before he ran into two guys named Kershaw and Greinke. He’s been blasting line drives at a 34.2% clip, the fly ball rate is back to a healthy percentage, and although it’s a young season, his average batted ball distance of nearly 300 feet backs up his 20% HR/FB ratio.
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Agenda
Episode 20 – Nonsense We Believe
The latest episode of “Field of Streams” is live!
In this episode, Dylan Higgins and Matthew Dewoskin discuss the first month in the books, Chris Sale doing the unexpected, an unfortunate accidental nickname, pouring one out for Jerry Sands, “Jimmy Paradise,” being at “Peak DeSclafani,” Brandon Morrow being underrated, and acknowledging Sugar Ray Marimon.
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The baseball season is in full swing and prospects around baseball are already seeing their stock values start to shift up or down. Today we’re going to take a look at five names that you’re probably not overly familiar with right now but you might start hearing a lot more about them in the not-too-distant future.
Last Week: Prospect Stock Watch: April 24
Brian Anderson, 2B/3B, Marlins: This Brian Anderson is looking to become the third big leaguer of the same name. He’s played both second and third bases in pro ball. He’ll likely stick at the hot corner if he can show enough power to appease the traditional expectations of the position. Incumbent third baseman Martin Prado is signed through 2016 and Anderson is on a trajectory — dependent on his successes and failures in 2015 — to be MLB ready right around that time, although the club may need a one-year gap filler. The young hitter is holding his own at High-A ball in his first full professional season and will soon turn 22 years old. Eight of his 18 hits have gone for extra bases but his strikeout rate is above 20% so he’s got some work to do on making more consistent contact. [Value Steady]
We’ve wrapped up the first month of the season! While none of my teams are currently in first place, I like my chances in most of my leagues.
On today’s agenda:
1. Buying Jon Jay stock
2. Mike Foltynewicz to start today
3. Love/Hate with James Paxton
4. Streaming Pitching Options
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