Roto Riteup: April 13, 2022

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April 13, 2022

There is no better sport than baseball:

On the Agenda: 

  1. Closer Chaos
  2. Quick Hits
  3. Various News and Notes
  4. Streaming Pitchers

 

Closer Chaos

Corey Knebel was placed on the COVID IL on Tuesday. Knebel has reportedly not tested positive but has exhibited symptoms. If he gets a negative test, he can return from the IL. Consider him day-to-day for now. Brad Hand should get the saves for the Phillies in the meantime. 

Jorge Alcala was placed on the IL with elbow inflammation. This is disappointing news as he was expected to be in play for saves. There is no timetable for his return. 

 

Quick Hits

Robbie Grossman left Tuesday’s game with a groin injury. He is expected to undergo further testing on Wednesday. Consider him day-to-day for now. 

Tommy Pham was removed from the game on Tuesday with a wrist injury after this play:

X-rays were negative following the game. Consider him day-to-day for now.

David Fletcher was placed on the IL with a hip strain. There is no timetable for his return. Tyler Wade should be in line for more playing time with Fletcher out.

Nelson Cruz was scratched from the game on Tuesday due to a groin issue. This doesn’t sound serious, but keep an eye on it. Consider him day-to-day for now.

 

Various News and Notes

MacKenzie Gore was added to the Padres taxi squad on Tuesday. Gore is the back up plan if Blake Snell can’t pitch on Friday. In leagues where you can make daily pick ups, you should roster him now. Gore is a former top prospect that struggled over the last few seasons, but looked great in spring and apparently has put his troubles behind him. 

Tyler Naquin went 2-for-3 with a home run in the loss to the Guardians.

Naquin has started out the season hitting .357 and has hit second in every game he has played this year. Naquin has a good amount of power and it appears he is close to an everyday player in a great home park while hitting at the top of the lineup. He should be picked up in most formats.

Matt Brash threw 5.1 innings in the loss to the White Sox, allowing two earned runs on four hits and a walk while striking out six.

Brash was absolutely filthy in his debut, sporting one of the nastiest breaking pitches I’ve seen from a rookie in a long time. Almost as impressive was the command and control. Brash should be picked up in all formats on the huge upside alone.

Jesus Luzardo threw five innings in no-decision versus the Angels, allowing one earned run on two hits and a walk while striking out 12.

Luzardo was fantastic, sporting a 45% CSW, but even more important he commanded the ball really well within the zone. Luzardo has always had the talent, but this is a great step into realizing for the first time in the Majors.

 

Streaming Pitchers (Under 50% in CBS)

Pitcher for Today: Zach Thompson vs CHC

Thompson was impressive in a small sample last year and he gets a nice matchup at home. 

High Risk Options: None

 

Pitcher for Tomorrow: None

A few decent high risk options, but I don’t feel confident to start many of them. 

High Risk Options: Cole Irvin at TB, Miles Mikolas at MIL, Brad Keller vs DET, J.T. Brubaker vs WAS, Joan Adon at PIT. 

 

For those of you that would like to see how these picks play out, I have a doc I put together to track the stats from the recommended pitchers. It does not include the “High Risk Options.”





 

Justin is the co-host on The Sleeper and The Bust Podcast and writes for Rotographs covering the Roto Riteup as well as other periodic articles. In addition to his work at Rotographs, Justin is the lead fantasy writer/analyst and co-owner for FriendswithFantasyBenefits.com, and the owner of The Great Fantasy Baseball Invitational. He is also a certified addiction treatment counselor. Follow Justin on Twitter @JustinMasonFWFB.

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AnonMember since 2025
3 years ago

Brash threw 60% curveballs per Pitch Type (also as categorized on Gamecast which I was following throughout the game) and it was more like 70% the first time through the order. Savant has the breakers split into curveballs and sliders but still, he threw 35% fastballs. A little worrying that he got zero swings and misses on the FB.

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