Roto Riteup: April 9th, 2012

Today’s Roto Riteup is what it is: amazing.

‌• Hector Santiago received the first save opportunity for the Chicago White Sox, and manager Robin Ventura has stated he’ll start the year as the team’s primary closer. Santiago, 24, posted good strikeout numbers in the low minors, but struggled a tad in Double-A last season. The left-hander does possess a low-to-mid-90’s fastball and the ever intriguing screwball, so he won’t be blowing games due to a lack of “stuff.” Saves are always a hot commodity, so there’s a good chance he’s already been nabbed in your league. If so, don’t be afraid to grab Addison Reed in the hopes that Santiago fails.

• We all know how brutal Chone Figgins was last year, but the times, they could be a changin’. It’s very, very early, but Figgins has been hitting the ball with much more authority than he had in his past two seasons in a Mariners’ uniform. Figgins, with his speed, great eye, and elite contact skills, just needs to add a little oomph to his at-bats to become a top-12 fantasy third baseman. He’s seeing time in leftfield already due to injury, so added OF eligibility could be great for those of you looking to rotate players through your lineup. I’m not saying you need to go pick up Figgins at this very moment, but I would suggest you watch him play for a couple of games to determine if you like what you see.

‌• ‌Joel Carreno made his first big-league start yesterday for the Blue Jays against the Cleveland Indians. Carreno threw six innings, giving up four earned on two homers and four walks. He also struck out four. Carreno posted sweet strikeout numbers during his time in High-A and Double-A, and his walk rates were mostly solid during his time in the minors. Carreno throw a low-90s heater with movement and relies on his breaking ball, which moves in slurve fashion, as his secondary offering. His stature doesn’t suggest big league stardom as a starter, but there’s not reason he can’t be a solid member of Toronto’s rotation. Carreno is an overlooked prospect, so he’s a nice guy to grab in dynasty leagues where you can profit from the value he provides this season and bet on his future development.

For those of you who play daily fantasy games like FanGraphs: The Game, or just like to stream players, here are a couple matchups you may be able to exploit.

A Pitcher for Today: Tom Milone (OAK) vs KCR
Milone isn’t anything special and the Royals lineup is very promising, but today isn’t a day of great matchups, and betting on a youngster playing in Oakland feels like a good idea.

A Pitcher for Tomorrow: Danny Duffy (KCR) at OAK
What I said above? Yeah, it goes double for Duffy, who could easily fan seven against the A’s.

A Hitter for Today: Adam Dunn (CWS) at CLE (Josh Tomlin)
Tomlin likes to give up fly balls. Adam Dunn likes to crush fly balls into the stands.

Another Hitter for Today: Michael Cuddyer (COL) vs SFG (Barry Zito)
Cuddyer at home against Zito? Why yes, I would like to bet on him tallying at least one extra-base hit.