Roto Riteup — Presented by DraftKings: June 23, 2014

If you’re still sick from the nasty USMNT finish yesterday, today’s Roto Riteup may make you feel worse, not better.

On today’s agenda:
1. Matt Shoemaker, a man I believe in
2. Andrew Cashner scratched today
3. The Fascinating Five

Matt Shoemaker, a man I believe in
The undrafted starter squared off against Yu Darvish in primetime last night, and he didn’t shy away from the limelight. Shoemaker pitched well, and even though the Rangers lineup has been smashed by injuries and he was pitching in friendly Los Angeles, his start shouldn’t be ignored.

Shoemaker has posted some pretty mediocre minor league numbers, but he’s got Major League stuff — a fastball that sits in the low-90s, a solid splitter and a tight-breaking slider — and he’s managed to keep major league hitters off balance in both the bullpen and the rotation. Here’s a glance at his major league starts heading into the weekend.

5/13, @PHI: 5 IP, 3 K, 1 BB; 3 H, 2 ER
5/18, TBR: 6 IP, 6 K, 3 BB; 2 H, 1 ER
5/24, KCR: 5 IP, 6 K, 1 BB; 8 H, 2 ER
5/29, @SEA: 5.1 IP, 6 K, 0 BB, 1 HR; 4 H, 3 ER
6/7, CHW: 5 IP, 6 K, 0 BB, 1 HR; 9 H, 3 ER
6/17, @CLE: 8 IP, 10 K, 1 BB, 1 HR; 5 H, 2 ER

Shoemaker only got a chance in the Angels’ rotation when Hector Santiago struggled, and he should be able to stay there even when Tyler Skaggs comes back from injury. Shoemaker isn’t a mixed league guy in standard 12-teamers, but AL-only owners have to consider him for a roster spot.

Andrew Cashner scratched today
The Padres have scratched Cashner for today’s start against the Giants. With GM Josh Byrnes now out the door in San Diego, there has been speculation that Cashner will now find his name of the trade block, and even more so that he may be traded soon and that is the reason for the scratch. Cashner has already missed some time this year with an elbow ailment, so there’s also a chance that is what is causing the scratch.

Starting in Cashner’s place is Odrisamer Despaigne, an international free agent signing this offseason. The 27-year-old had some nice strikeout numbers in five AAA starts, but the walks were a bit much and he allowed a donger too many for this man’s taste. It will be interesting to get some Pitch F/x data on the right-hander, but let’s not fly to the waiver wire to pick him up.

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The Fascinating Five

SP: Alfredo Simon | $8,000 | @CHC
SP: Alex Cobb | $8,700 | vPIT
1B: James Loney | $3,400 | vPIT (Edinson Volquez)
3B: Pablo Sandoval | $4,000 | vSD (Odrisamer Despaigne)
OF: Jacoby Ellsbury | $4,500 | @TOR (Marcus Stroman)

I like taking Pablo against a rookie, and while taking Simon makes me feel dirty, it’s probably smart.

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