Roto Riteup: April 21, 2018

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April 21, 2018

The Roto Riteup hopes you always keep things simple!

On the Agenda:

Ross Flirts with No-Hitter

Farquhar Faints

Various News and Notes

Streaming Pitchers

 

Ross Flirts with No-Hitter
Tyson Ross lost his bid for a no-hitter and a shutout in the bottom of the eighth inning of Friday’s game against the Diamondbacks after Christian Walker blasted a two-out RBI double to center field to score Devin Marrero.


When it was all said and done, Ross threw 127 pitches (73 for strikes), with 3 BB, 10 K, and 1 ER allowed on 1 H. For the season, Ross is currently 2-1 with a 2.81 ERA, 3.59 SIERA, 1.01 WHIP, 8.4 K/9, and 2.4 BB/9. He’s throwing his slider at a career-high rate at the moment (43%) with a 15% Whiff rate to go along with it. His velocity, F-Strike%, and SwStr% are all getting similar results to what he compiled over 2014/2015 – his best seasons in recent memory – and bring at least a shade of optimism moving forward. Wins will be hard to come by, but Ross should be owned in 15-team mixed leagues and deeper at the moment. His high-GB profile paired with a good home ballpark, and solid K% numbers make him a worthwhile option while it lasts. There will however, always be durability concerns based on his recent bouts with Tommy John and Thoracic Outlet Syndrome surgery.

 

Farquhar Faints
Danny Farquhar was taken to a local hospital after fainting in the White Sox dugout on Friday.


Farquhar pitched two-thirds of an inning to complete the sixth – allowing a two-run bomb to Carlos Correa in the process. The White Sox medical team said he regained consciousness prior to leaving the field. While he’s not particularly fantasy relevant, it’s still a concerning situation. We wish him the best.

 

Various News and Notes
According to Royals manager Ned Yost, Salvador Perez feels “great,” and will catch both Saturday and Sunday for Triple-A Omaha before being activated on Monday or Tuesday next week. He’s currently hitting .308/.333/.538 with 1 HR and 3 RBI over 15 PA during his rehab assignment. The catcher pool is very bleak thus far, so Perez will likely be a welcomed activation to a ton of fantasy owner’s teams.

Mike Napoli will miss the rest of the season after suffering a torn right ACL at Triple-A Columbus. He wasn’t necessarily on anyone’s radar from a fantasy prospective, but he could’ve been a fill-in for Yonder Alonso if things don’t turn around. For now, Alonso owners can feel a shade more comfortable with his role for at least the foreseeable future.

Kendrys Morales (hamstring injury) was activated from the disabled list and went 2-for-5 with a double, two runs scored, and an RBI. The Blue Jays were pondering what to do with Teoscar Hernandez upon Morales’s arrival, and ended up deciding to keep him on the active roster. Hernandez is 9-for-24 (.375) with one home run, one stolen base, five runs, and six RBI over five games since being promoted. Morales is the better fantasy commodity, but AL-Only and 15-team mixed league owners could do worse than taking a flier on Hernandez if he’s available.

The Blue Jays also called up Lourdes Gurriel from Double-A New Hampshire. He got the start at second base and hit ninth – going 2-for-5 with three RBI.


After hitting .241/.286/.371 with 4 HR and 2 SB over 185 PA last season with New Hampshire, Gurriel started off 2018 hitting .347/.382/.510 over 55 PA with 1 HR and 1 SB. Devon Travis was a bit hobbled after a single on Thursday, but it remains to be seen how much Gurriel will actually play. Based on that alone, he’s only viable in AL-Only formats for now.

Mike Zunino proceeded to go 0-for-5 with four strikeouts in his 2018 debut. He’s always had contact issues, but went on to hit 25 home runs last year while hitting .262 in the second half. It may take time for him to get going due to the nature of his oblique injury, but he should be owned in 15-team mixed leagues.

The Angels are expected to call up Jaime Barria to start Sunday against the Giants.


Barria allowed 1 ER over 5 IP against the Rangers on April 11th, and only gave up 1 ER once again against the Giants Triple-A affiliate on April 17th – striking out four with one walk. He doesn’t possess explosive stuff, but he does throw three pitches consistently for strikes. He’s a possible streaming option this weekend in mixed leagues, but is better suited as a possible add in AL-Only formats if you’re starved for pitching. He could be the sixth option in the Angels rotation at least until Matt Shoemaker returns.

Drew Pomeranz allowed 3 ER in 3.2 IP with 2 BB and 7 K in his 2018 debut against his former team (Oakland). He’s certainly worth owning in most formats, but it may take time for him to knock the rust off and get his pitch count up.

According to Scott Merkin, Carlos Rodon will start pitching in extended Spring Training games starting on Monday. The 25-year old southpaw had offseason shoulder surgery to help relieve bursitis in the area. He’s not expected back until late-May/early-June. The talent has shown up in spurts the last two years, but fantasy owners will have to wait for him to come back before possibly deploying him. Shoulder injuries are always tricky. He’s only worthy of keeping on a DL spot in AL-Only formats or 20-team mixed leagues at this point if you have room.

Twins manager Paul Molitor says Byron Buxton has made “slight improvement” from his migraine issue that landed him on the disabled list. It may take longer than April 25th for him to be activated. Robbie Grossman will likely see an increase in playing time until Buxton returns.

Cardinals GM John Mozeliak confirmed on Friday that Alex Reyes will begin a minor league rehab assignment in mid-May. He also says that “all arrows point towards it being as a starter.” The top prospect has a chance to have significant value in the middle-to-second-half of the season if he can get his mechanics and command in line.

Wil Myers was activated from the disabled list on Friday, starting in right field, and went 2-for-4 with a run scored. Fantasy owners will certainly be happy to get back a player that’s tallied at least 28 HR and 20 SB in each of the last two seasons.

Orlando Arcia left Friday’s game in eighth inning after injuring his ankle. Manager Craig Counsell said after the game that X-Rays came back negative.


Eric Sogard came into the game in his place. This should only be a day-to-day situation.

Jeff Samardzija held the Angels scoreless while allowing 2 H over 5 IP with 4 BB and 4 K in his 2018 debut. The typically durable Samardzija suffered a strained right pectoral injury prior to the season starting, but will give the Giants and fantasy owners alike a nice boost going forward.

 

Streaming Pitchers
A Pitcher for Today: Kyle Gibson @ TB
Like I said yesterday, Gibson only allowed 1 ER in two outings prior to getting crushed by the Astros. Today he gets the Rays at Tropicana Field. Enough said.

A Pitcher for Tomorrow: Nick Pivetta vs PIT
He’s still less than 50% owned and has only allowed 2 ER over 12.2 IP (2 GS) at home thus far (16/0 K:BB ratio). The Pirates offense is fourth-worst in wOBA (.260) as a team over the last week. I like his chances.





 

Fantasy Baseball and Tampa Bay Rays enthusiast. Restaurant manager by day, fantasy analyst by night. Contributor to Rotographs, Baseball HQ, Fantasy Pros, and co-owner of Friends with Fantasy Benefits. Follow me @MikeWernerFWFB.

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feslenraster
6 years ago

Hope Farquhar is okay. Not a better last name in baseball. Ross…is he back?

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francis_soyer
6 years ago
Reply to  feslenraster

I think Quackenbush is a better last name, but I hope Farquhar makes a full recovery.

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