Roto Riteup: April 26, 2017
We at the Roto Riteup have been taught to soar above the haters:
Can’t. Stop. Watching. https://t.co/iYzemT9qx7 pic.twitter.com/jAZAXavNAz
— MLB GIFS (@MLBGIFs) April 26, 2017
On the Agenda:
1. Ring the Bellinger
2. Bush/Jeter 2018
3. Various News and Notes
4. Streaming Pitcher Options
Ring the Bellinger
The Dodgers called up top hitting prospect Cody Bellinger on Tuesday and he started in left field and went 1-for-3 with a walk. Bellinger is widely considered the 1st base prospect in the game right now, but will fill a need in the outfield with Joc Pederson hitting the DL. The Dodgers appear to be throwing service time out the window as a competing team should. For this year, Bellinger could provide fantasy teams a spark especially if you are dealing with injuries or the recent suspension of Starling Marte. He is a must add in most mixed formats, but buyer beware because he could easily struggle with contact as he has been prone to do so in the minors. His strong walk rates will supplement that though in OBP formats.
Bush/Jeter 2018
According to multiple sources, former Florida Governor Jeb Bush and Yankees great Derek Jeter have won the bidding on the Miami Marlins.
Reports state Bush will be in control of the team, but Jeter will have “an active” role within baseball operations. This can only be good news for Marlins fans, baseball, and fantasy owners. One would imagine that a guy like Jeter would not be apart of a team looking to skimp the way Jeffrey Loria has done in the past. Only time will tell how successful they will be at it.
Various News and Notes
Cory Spangenberg was recalled by the San Diego Padres on Tuesday. Spangenberg, who missed most of 2016 with a leg injury, has been tearing it up in AAA El Paso. He could be an interesting deep league option for stolen bases if he can carve out enough playing time in San Diego.
Jose Altuve was pulled from the game after colliding with teammate Teoscar Hernandez on Tuesday. Altuve walked off under his own power, however, Hernandez had to carted off. Altuve said after the game that he hoped to play on Wednesday and was cleared of the concussion protocols. Fantasy owners can exhale now, but don’t be surprised if Altuve misses a game or two as a precaution.
Felix Hernandez has left the team to head back to Seattle to have his pitching shoulder examined. The Mariners are calling this a “dead arm” that forced him to leave Tuesday’s game after two innings pitched and four runs allowed. This doesn’t sound good and should be closely monitored by fantasy owners.
Brandon Crawford was pulled late in the game on Tuesday night. Crawford was running out a single when he pulled up lame. He wanted to stay in the game, but was pulled by manager Bruce Bochy. Crawford was already scheduled to miss the next two game to attend the funeral of his sister-in-law who passed away tragically earlier this month. It appears to be a good sign that Crawford was wanting to stay in the game and he stated after the game that he did not feel a “pop”. Hopefully the time off will be enough for Crawford. In his absence Eduardo Nunez will play shortstop.
Mitch Haniger was forced to leave Tuesday’s game with a with a strained oblique. This is disappointing news because Haniger has been crushing it so far this season. Haniger does have a long track record of injury issues, so this is concerning. If he is forced to hit the DL, this could open up more time for Taylor Motter to play, who still not following me on twitter, now that Jean Segura has returned.
Streaming Pitcher Options
A pitcher for today: Alex Wood vs SF
I love my Giants, but they are running out one of the most embarrassing lineups in the game for a so-called contender. Somehow they have made Drew Stubbs relevant again.
A pitcher for tomorrow: None
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.
Would you rather have Thames or Cruz going forward in a keeper? Definitely competing this year, but hopefully next as well.
I would take Cruz
but is anyone letting Thames go for less that 1st round talent right now? doubtful
I sure af wouldn’t lol
Unless you are getting Harper, Trout or Arrenado (maybe Goldy?), I don’t see how you can pull the trigger on a 1 for 1.
And Cruz is also six years older (36) in a keeper that’s “sell for whatever you can get” territory imo.
Ofc Thames’s bubble could burst any moment I suppose but, it seems more and more unlikely everyday.
#Politics
Please thumbs up
Is Alex Wood on a pitch count right now? I want to pick him up for today, but I thought I read that somewhere.
I haven’t seen that.
Can’t seem to find the article, but he hasn’t gone over 76 pitches in his two starts. Might be due to ineffectiveness moreso than a pitch count though.
That Coughlan dive over Molina.. I can’t stop watching
You’d suggest Wood for today but not Urias for tomorrow? Is he above a %own threshold?
Yeah, Urias is already highly owned.
In an OBP league, how much of an $100 budget would you spend on Bellinger if help is needed at 1B?
25-30% depending on the size of your league.
Thanks, Justin. And for a keeper league I’m assuming your valuation would be closer to 40%?
Don’t know your league size of course, but feels like he should have already been owned in a keeper. I think you could justify going even higher. I’ve seen Eno and Brad both say in chats he’s their pick for rookie impact bat of the year.
Yeah, depending on the size of my league I could go 35-40% in a keeper. Surprised he is still around.
Please don’t take offense, but how is the Jeter/Bush news fantasy relevant?
its joke relevant and these are fun!
It isn’t necessarily, but it was an interesting development. Ultimately, it should signal a change in organizational philosophy that could benefit some of the young stars that are under team control for a while as more talent is brought in. One would hope that guys like Stanton and Yelich could get some better talent around them and we wont see guys get moved in trades as often. So, is it fantasy relevant? Not really, but it could have long term impact on players within the fantasy game.
Good points. It’s very baseball relevant at the least.
I am irrationally exuberant over JC Ramirez. Dude is throwing that curve 20% of the time, and pairing it with hot gas and a nasty slider.
This mini breakout looks totally legit skills wise.
The only thing cooling my jets is he is with the Angels who always do dumb stuff and I could definitely see him stuffed back into a meaningless 6th inning role vs staying in the rotation…
thoughts?
I need to go and watch some tape before I can say anything. Not a guy I have focused on early on. Velo appears to be down about a tick, though 95 ain’t nothing to sneeze at.
If you have MLB TV watch a few mins of last nights game. 3 legit plus pitches. Filthy stuff. Granted the Jays are out of sorts right now, especially against RHP… but yikes did JC look sexy!
Also, in regards to Velo…. hes a career reliever before now… doesnt the velo play up a tick or 2 in the pen?
12 Team Dynasty 5×5 w/obp-I am leading in nearly every offensive category but dead last in ERA and WHIP. I have Bellinger and Jose Abreu waiting in the wings to play 1b. Thinking of offering Freddie Freeman, DeSclafani, and Taillon for Strasburg and deGrom. Is this a stupid trade? Would you do it if you were me? If you were the other manager?
Can we talk about how the 10 day dl is wrecking leagues with limited benches/dl slots?