Roto Riteup: August 2, 2017

Some pitchers want to be hitters:

Max Scherzer shows bunt, pulls back, then hits a dinger. FIRST MAJOR LEAGUE HOME RUN! pic.twitter.com/xr0IHMIQXV

— MLB Memes (@MLBMeme) August 2, 2017

Some hitters want to be pitchers:

Now warming up: Austin Jackson. https://t.co/A5xzf6URlX pic.twitter.com/yBzxA08LxW

— MLB GIFS (@MLBGIFs) August 2, 2017

But ALL wives want to put you in your place:

STFU!!! No way did that just happen!! Gonna hear about this for the rest of our lives now!!!!

— Erica May-Scherzer (@emaysway) August 1, 2017

Ouch…

— Justin Mason (@JustinMasonFWFB) August 2, 2017

 

 

On the Agenda:

1. Prospects Coming Up

2. Various News and Notes

3. Streaming Pitcher Options

 

 

Prospects Coming Up

According to Mets general manager Sandy Alderson, Dominic Smith should make his Major League debut sometime in August. Smith is considered one of the top prospects in the Mets system and with Lucas Duda having been moved to Tampa Bay, there is an opening at first base. Eric Longenhagen ranked Smith 73rd among his top 100 prospects prior to the season and KATOH’s mid season top 100 had him 61st. Smith has potential to be a high average and on base percentage contributor in fantasy, but lacks the power necessary to be an impact at the first base position. He is best left for the waiver wire in all but the deepest of formats. Once up, Smith will join top prospect Amed Rosario who made his debut yesterday.

Ozzie Albies made his Major League debut on Tuesday night becoming the youngest active player in Major League Baseball. Albies went 0-for-3 with a walk and a run scored in his debut. Albies doesn’t have a ton of pop in spite of the fact he has hit nine home runs at AAA this year. He profiles as a high average and stolen base asset at the second base position and could potentially be the Braves lead off man of the future. While the 20-year-old may struggle out of the gate, Albies is a player to buy into because of his elite speed and plus hit tool. Eric Longenhagen ranked Albies 11th among prospects prior to the season and KATOH’s ranked him 6th in the midseason review.

Luke Sims made his Major League debut against the Dodgers on Tuesday night. He went six innings and allowed three runs while striking out three. Sims looked good in his debut and might have limited the damage two runs had it not been for catcher Tyler Flowers throwing away a ball on a steal of third by Yasiel Puig that allowed Puig to score with two outs in the fifth. Sims was not ranked by Eric Longenhagen in his preseason top 100 or by KATOH’s in the mid season review, but has had prior prospect pedigree and Longenhagen noted in an article in May that he has improved his command this season at AAA.

Jesse Winker was recalled by the Reds on Tuesday night. Winker had a brief call up earlier in the season hitting one home run with a .250/.400/.500 triple slash in ten games played. Eric Longenhagen ranked Winker 100th in his preseason top 100 and KATOH’s had him 64th in the midseason review. However, Winker projects to be an empty average/OBP asset in the Majors and lacks the power or speed to be useful outside of NL leagues. Like Dom Smith, he is best left on the waiver wire.

 

Various News and Notes

According to manager Brian Snitker, Freddie Freeman will move back to first base on a full time basis. Unfortunately for fantasy owners, Freeman will fall just short of the 20 games needed at third base for eligibility at the position in most leagues next season unless he can squeeze in another few games there before the end of the year. Matt Adams, who has only played first base since coming over to the Braves, will try his hand back out in the outfield where he had five starts with the Cardinals before being acquired by Atlanta. Danny Santana will man third base.

Keon Broxton was recalled by the Brewers on Tuesday. It was a short demotion for Broxton, but after DFA-ing Kirk Nieuwenhuis, the Brew Crew decided that Broxton was ready to return. He will return to center field and is a high risk, but high upside pick up worth taking a gamble on if he was dropped in your league.

Jonathan Lucroy was scratched on Tuesday with a stomach illness. This appears to be nothing serious and he is considered day-to-day.

 

Streaming Pitcher Options

A pitcher for today: Matt Moore vs Oak

Moore pitched better in his last start and draws the Athletics at home.

A pitcher for tomorrow: Kendall Graveman vs SF

I’m tentative to use him off the DL, but he gets my Giants at home so he should be usable.