Roto Riteup: April 21, 2015

We were treated to the new Star Wars trailer last week and yesterday the Jurassic World trailer debuted. This year could be better than last in terms of my favorite recent films.

On today’s agenda:
1. Jonathan Lucroy to the disabled list
2. Welcome to the big leagues, Carlos Rodon
3. Anthony DeSclafani continues to roll
4. Addison Russell to the bigs?
5. Streaming Pitching Options

Jonathan Lucroy to the disabled list
The Milwaukee Brewers, having lost Carlos Gomez last week, will now put their catcher on the DL too as Lucroy has reportedly broken a toe due to a foul tip. He is yet to be placed on an official recovery time line, however expect two or three weeks. For those scrambling for a replacement take a look at Derek Norris — unless you’re in CBS leagues where he is owned in 70% of leagues already. Norris mashes left-handed pitching and was serviceable against righties last year. The Padre is available in 50% of both ESPN and Yahoo! formats. Deeper leagues may have to look to Kevin Plawecki, who our very own Ben Duronio wrote up yesterday.

Welcome to the big leagues, Carlos Rodon
Chicago White Sox fans have been waiting for this moment since last year’s draft, as Rodon has joined the big league club. He’s here to stay, so sayeth Sox GM Rick Hahn, but Rodon won’t crack the rotation for now. The club is starting him out in the pen, yet being a starter is the goal for Rodon. It’s impossible to argue Rodon’s velocity and slider, though I personally worry about his control and changeup, despite what the linked article says. FanGraphs’ Kiley McDaniel has Rodon ranked as the Southsider’s number one prospect and a full write-up of Rodon can be found there. For now he’s worth picking up in every format, however be cautious of opposing lineups once he gets moved to the rotation. He can be picked up in just 30% of CBS formats and 50% of Yahoo!, but is available in over 85% of ESPN leagues.

Anthony DeSclafani continues to roll
Tabbed in yesterday’s RR by Sanders as the streaming pitching option, DeSclafani justified the words by a brilliant eight-inning, zero run start against the Brewers. He scattered two his and a walk while sitting down five Milwaukee batters on strikes. DeSclafani managed a mere eight swinging strikes out of 91 pitches, though he has an impressive 11.8% SwStr% prior to yesterday’s start. He’s rapidly going from “sell-high” to someone I’d prefer to hang onto as a match-up type starter. Somehow one can still pick him up in 65% of both ESPN and Yahoo! formats and 25% of CBS leagues.

Addison Russell to the bigs?
Late last night Jon Heyman broke word that the Chicago Cubs may be calling up Russell today. A shortstop by trade, Russell has been seeing time at second base in Triple-A as of late, giving him even more flexibility. At the time of writing nothing was confirmed by the Cubs, but on speculation and talent, Russell is worth grabbing now. He is probably owned in any dynasty or keeper format however even in redraft leagues Russell has the potential to be valuable in the middle infield. He’s owned in 42% of CBS leagues, yet just 11% of Yahoo! and not even 1% of ESPN leagues.

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Streaming Pitching Options
If you enjoy streaming pitchers, tune into the Roto Riteup for recommendations each and every day.

A starter for today: Dan Haren at PHI (Jerome Williams)
Available in over half of CBS leagues and more than 80% of ESPN and Yahoo! formats, Haren goes to Philadelphia to square off against an unimposing Phillies lineup with a 30th ranked 55 wRC+ against right-handers in the early going.

A starter for tomorrow: Yovani Gallardo at ARI (Archie Bradley)
I think I like Bradley a touch more — especially considering how poorly the Rangers have hit right-handers in the first three weeks — but his ownership is too high for me to call him a stream candidate. Gallardo on the other hand is available in 35% of CBS formats and 70% of Yahoo! and ESPN leagues.