Roto Riteup: April 30, 2016

Today’s Roto Riteup is ready to embrace the end of NFL Draft season.

On the agenda:
1. Michael Fulmer’s MLB Debut
2. Sean Manaea’s MLB Debut
3. Various News and Notes
4. Streaming Pitcher Options

Michael Fulmer’s MLB Debut
Fulmer, one of the top pitching prospects in baseball, made his big league debut yesterday for the Tigers, allowing two runs over five innings of work. Fulmer struck out four while walking one, but was tagged for seven hits. Fulmer’s big time stuff was as advertised: his fastball sat in the mid-90s, with a powerful slider in the high-80s. The biggest plus from his first start is his fastball selection; he’s been homer-prone in the minors, but he worked with a two-seam fastball more than twice as often as the four-seam variety, generating 10 grounders compared to eight balls in the air. Barring a streak of implosions, Fulmer should be able to hold on to his rotation spot for the remainder of the season, and should be a fringe mixed-league starter.

Sean Manaea’s MLB Debut
Another top pitching prospect debuted yesterday, but Manaea wasn’t able to perform at the level of Fulmer. The big left-hander walked four and gave up a homer in five innings against the Astros, striking out just three. While Manaea has had command issues sprinkled throughout his minor league career, he’s never had a problem striking batters out, and probably shouldn’t have against the K-happy Houston squad. The A’s will be patient with Manaea…to a point. He should have at least another couple of starts to prove he should stay in the bigs, otherwise the team will have to turn to other options.

Various News and Notes
Felix Hernandez has yet to turn in a second sharp outing this year, walking three and striking out just four in seven-plus innings of work yesterday against the Royals. Felix’s 10-K performance against the Athletics remains his only true royal start of the season, though he’s somehow managed an ERA of 1.38 thus far.

Joe Panik pulled his groin in the ninth inning of yesterday’s contest against the Mets, and could miss today’s game. Keep an eye on his status if you’re preparing daily lineups.

Jameson Taillon is looking sharp in his first starts since 2013. The former number-two overall pick, still just 24, has struck out 23 Triple-A batters in 23-plus innings while walking just two. While Tyler Glasnow is the top prospect who could force his way into the rotation shortly, Taillon also has to be in the running. Jeff Locke has struggled to start the year, and he could be the odd-man out sooner rather than later.

---

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: Christopher Devenski at OAK (Jesse Hahn)
Devenski’s been a favorite of mine as a reliever this year, and while I don’t believe he’s really an MLB starter, the Astros are going to give him a shot. He’ll be absurdly cheap and gets to play in a good park for his skillset.

A pitcher for tomorrow: Ricky Nolasco vs DET (Mike Pelfrey)
You know who’s been surprisingly competent this year? Ricky Nolasco.