Roto Riteup: April 26, 2023

SP1:

Pumpkin seeds ✍️ balanced ✍️ wrist ✍️ pic.twitter.com/WbZKt4uMn6

— Cut4 (@Cut4) April 25, 2023

On the Agenda: 

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

 

Quick Hits

Jake McCarthy was optioned to AAA on Tuesday. McCarthy was struggling, but it was surprising to see him get sent down after just a few weeks considering how well he played for the Diamondbacks last year. He should be back at some point, but isn’t worth stashing until we have a better idea when he might be back. 

Taj Bradley was optioned to AAA on Tuesday. This was surprising as well. The organization stated they want him to stretch out some more as he is not used to a five game schedule. This seems like service manipulation, but even if it is not, expect him to be down for at least a few weeks. He should be stashed in all formats. 

Austin Hays left Tuesday’s game with a hand injury. X-rays were negative. Consider him day-to-day at this time. 

Yasmani Grandal left Tuesday’s game with back spasms. Manager Pedro Grifol stated that he didn’t expect him to have to go to the IL. Consider him day-to-day at this time. 

Mookie Betts, Brusdar Graterol, Evan Phillips, and Max Muncy all hit the paternity list this month begging the question if there was a group date night during last year’s All Star Break

— Justin Mason (@JustinMasonFWFB) April 24, 2023

Various News and Notes
Brenton Doyle went 3-for-4 with two stolen bases in the victory over the Guardians on Tuesday.

Not only did the #Rockies' Brenton Doyle get his first career hit, but he stole second base. It was just the team's third stolen base this year. pic.twitter.com/q0mzRPZEpS

— Thomas Harding (@harding_at_mlb) April 25, 2023

Doyle is an interesting prospect with power and speed, but has struggled to make contact all throughout the minor leagues. He has consistently had a 30+% strikeout rate, but if he can make just league average contact and play good defense, he might be able to stick in the Majors. The problem becomes when Randal Grichuk returns from the IL. This is a high risk/high reward play.

Danny Jansen went 3-for-4 with two home runs in the victory over the White Sox on Monday.

Danny Jansen doubles up with his second homer of the game.

He's suddenly red hot. #BlueJays pic.twitter.com/OaVZEr4Fsr

— Keegan Matheson (@KeeganMatheson) April 26, 2023

Jansen struggled to start the season, but he has three home runs in his last three games and hits in his last four games. He’d been pretty unlucky with a .194 BABIP this year, but the underlying skills are fine. If he got dropped in your league, he is probably worth scooping up.

Jose Berrios threw seven scoreless innings, allowing four hits and a walk while striking out nine in the victory over the White Sox on Monday.

José Berríos, 95mph Sinker and 86mph Slurve, Overlay pic.twitter.com/xbOWTYxRFu

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 26, 2023

Berrios was fantastic in the start, getting a 37% CSW on his pitches. Berrios was awful last year and the results weren’t good early, but the underlying numbers have been much better. Maybe this is the turn around that we thought we would get at some point last year and just never did.

Mike Yastrzemski went 2-for-4 with a home run in the victory over the Cardinals on Tuesday.

Mike Yastrzemski – San Francisco Giants (5)
pic.twitter.com/BCtwUXgm9m

— MLB HR Videos (@MLBHRVideos) April 26, 2023

Yaz has quietly had a really nice start to the season, hitting .291/.315/.535 with five home runs. He is making really good decisions in and out of the zone right now, but the StatCast data is pretty pedestrian. He is playing every day because his defense is better than the rest of the Giants outfield and he can be a valuable accumulator in most leagues.

 

Streaming Pitchers (Under 50% in CBS)

Pitcher for Today: None

Some interesting higher risk options, but none that I feel really good about. 

High Risk Options: Domingo German at MIN, Drew Smyly vs SD, Steven Matz at SF, Tanner Houck at BAL, Tyler Wells vs BOS, JP Sears at LAA. 

 

Pitcher for Tomorrow:  Hayden Wesneski vs SD

Wesneski looked better in his last couple of starts and gets a struggling Padres squad at home that is the worst in MLB in strikeout percentage against righties. 

High Risk Options: Joey Lucchesi vs WAS, Matt Strahm vs SEA, Braxton Garrett at ATL, Trevor Williams at NYM, JP Sears at LAA. 

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 my recommended pitchers. It does not include the “High Risk Options.”