Roto Riteup: April 28, 2016

690 home runs. Let that sink in for a second. You may not own or even like Alex Rodriguez, but that is a jaw-dropping number of homers. He hit the 690th of his career in his return to the lineup Wednesday, his left oblique apparently feeling a little better. He’s 24 home runs away from Babe Ruth for third all-time, and whether rooting for or against him, that could be a fun late-season chase to watch if things go well (ZiPS and Steamer project him for 20 and 17 more).

On the agenda:
1. More top prospects coming
2. If you’re league doesn’t count strikeouts…
3. Various News and Notes
4. Streaming Pitcher Options

More top prospects coming
Apparently Jose Berrios got the ball rolling. The Twins’ top pitching prospect was called up Wednesday and surrendered five runs over four-plus innings, striking out five. Now two other American League teams are reaching into their prospect rankings for help.

Sean Manaea will get the start on Friday for Oakland, the first start of the 24-year-old’s career. The 6-foot-5 lefty has boasted terrific strikeout numbers through the minors and has shown improved command in three Triple-A starts, allowing just three runs in 18 innings as a result. A top-50 prospect, Manaea is available in 70 percent of leagues.

Also starting Friday could be Michael Fulmer, who is expected to take Shane Greene’s turn in the rotation (blister) for the Tigers. With Matt Boyd unavailable unless, the Tigers will get a look at their top prospect, who likewise has strong strikeout rates, though he’s been less dominant through three Triple-A starts of his own. If you want to kick the tires thanks to the strikeout juice, Fulmer’s out there in 94 percent of leagues, but beware that the Tigers could change course on a whim if Greene hits the DL, freeing Boyd to return.

If you’re league doesn’t count strikeouts…
Will Trevor Story ever stop hitting home runs? The Rockies’ shortstop hit his ninth of the season, breaking out of a 2-for-22 slump following a day off to clear his head. Those nine home runs are a new April record for NL rookies and leave Story tied with Bryce Harper and Neil Walker – who hit his ninth Wednesday, too – atop the NL. Story also leads the NL in strikeouts with 34, but so long as your league doesn’t count whiffs, he’s killing it for you as the 17th-ranked fantasy player in standard formats. He’s owned pretty much everywhere now, and it’s surely nice for those owners to see him put a charge into one again. I’m content with this Story, who are we not to forgive him for the cold stretch?

Various News and Notes
The Tigers sent Tyler Collins to the minors, though they say it has nothing to do with him flipping off fans. His -51 wRC+ probably factored in. Speaking of demotions, the Red Sox are apparently encouraged with Pablo Sandoval’s progress so far. He still has that James Andrews appointment next week, though.

Charlie Morton is done for the season after tearing his hamstring over the weekend. Morton is hardly flashy and didn’t have much of an ownership tag despite a decent start (19K in 17.1IP), and the bigger impact here could be who gets called up. Adam Morgan would seem to be “next up” and was pulled from a start this week, but there are a pair of intriguing longer-term names in Mark Appel and Jake Thompson if Morgan struggles.

Yu Darvish will make his first rehab start on Sunday, going two innings or 30 pitches. He’s stashed on a DL in 88 percent of leagues.

Carlos Gomez took a Hisashi Iwakuma pitch off the hand and had to leave Wednesday’s game, but X-rays were negative and he’s considered day-to-day. He’s off to a tough start, slashing .197/.228/.250. Also off to a poor start is Freddie Freeman, who homered to break a ridiculous 15-game home-run drought for the Braves. Freeman’s hitting .218 with two runs and 6 RBI, while the team around him offers no protection or many runners to knock in.

Dustin Pedroia hit a grand slam off of Pesky’s Pole, which feels fitting. It’s Pedroia’s third home run of the season, and he’s out to a pretty hot start thanks in part to a bounce-back in line-drive rate (and a .380 BABIP). Also off to a hot start: Aledmys Diaz and that damn Cardinals magic.

Huston Street will hit the DL with an oblique strain, opening up an opportunity for Joe Smith, who earned his first save of the season yesterday. Fernando Salas is probably next in line after him.

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

A pitcher for today: Tanner Roark vs PHI (Aaron Nola)
Thursday’s a tough day for streaming – only seven projected starters are owned in less than a third of leagues, and they all either draw poor matchups or offer little upside. At 42-percent owned, I’d give Tanner Roark a spin against the hapless Phillies offense.

A pitcher for tomorrow: Adam Conley @ MIL (Zach Davies)
Striking out nearly 10 per-nine so far, Adam Conley’s 5.12 ERA has kept his ownership tag at 17 percent. His early home-run problem is one that’s never been an issue in the minors, and while Miller Park’s not exactly friendly, the Brewers and their 80 wRC+ and 26.1-percent strikeout rate are.