Roto Riteup: April 29, 2024

Negative launch angle, unquestioned power:

You've never seen a baseball DESTROYED like this before! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/G7t1x6h1Vp

— MLB (@MLB) April 28, 2024

 

On the Agenda: 

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

 

Closer Chaos

Craig Kimbrel left Sunday’s game with a back issue. He was struggling in the outing before his removal. Consider him day-to-day until we get more information. Yenier Cano would likely be the next man up for saves in Baltimore if Kimbrel misses time. 

Jordan Leasure threw a scoreless two-thirds of an inning to register his first save of the season. Michael Kopech was unavailable but he has also not been very good this season either. Leasure could be in line for more saves soon. 

 

Quick Hits

Avisail Garcia was placed on the IL with a hamstring strain. There is no timetable for his return. 

Jordan Wicks was placed on the IL with a forearm strain. This doesn’t sound good as it is often a precursor for Tommy John surgery. There is no timetable for his return. 

Nolan Jones left Sunday’s game with back stiffness. This is becoming a recurring problem that may end up with Jones hitting the IL. Consider him day-to-day for now. 

 

Various News and Notes

Tyler Nevin went 2-for-5 with a home run in the victory over the Orioles on Sunday.

Tyler Nevin – Oakland Athletics (2) https://t.co/qLSX9yQ7Va

— MLB HR Videos (@MLBHRVideos) April 28, 2024

Nevin has been great this season, hitting .286/.342/.400 with two home runs and a stolen base in 76 plate appearances. He is making a lot of contact, but there isn’t a ton of power or speed in the profile. He appears to be playing every day and is eligible at 3B and the OF which is great for flexibility, but it is limited upside.

Wyatt Langford hit his first Major League home run on Sunday, going 1-for-3 on the night in the victory over the Reds.

An inside-the-parker for Wyatt Langford's 1st career homer! pic.twitter.com/NTweYIf3Fi

— MLB (@MLB) April 28, 2024

Langford has been mediocre since making the Rangers out of spring, hitting .248/.325/.327 with this home run and a stolen base. He is walking about 10% of the time and striking out at a 21% clip, but it has been very empty. There is a lot of speed and power in the profile, so he should be fine as the underlying numbers are still pretty intriguing.

Josh Rojas went 1-for-4 with a home run in the loss to the Diamondbacks on Sunday.

Josh Rojas – Seattle Mariners (3)
pic.twitter.com/9xD3x7h5o3

— MLB HR Videos (@MLBHRVideos) April 28, 2024

Rojas has been great this season, hitting .297/.366/.516 with three home runs and a stolen base. The most impressive part has been his contact skills. He is striking out a 17.6% clip which is supported by a 91.6% zone contact and a 7% swinging strike rate. He has always had talent, but has never put it all together. He still can’t hit lefties, but he is a great option in deeper formats.

 

Streaming Pitchers (Under 50% in CBS)

Pitcher for Today: Bailey Falter at  OAK

Falter has pitched well lately and he gets a bad Oakland offense in a great park. 

High Risk Options: Trevor Rogers vs WAS, Jameson Taillon at NYM, Kenta Maeda vs STL, Yariel Rodriguez vs KC, Jake Irvin at MIA, Steven Matz at DET, Joe Boyle vs PIT.

Pitcher for Tomorrow: Simeon Woods Richardson at CHW

Wood Richardson has looked much better this season and he gets a great matchup versus a bad White Sox team. 

High Risk Options: Kyle Gibson at DET, Ryan Feltner at MIA

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.”