Roto Riteup: August 22, 2017

I slept through the eclipse yesterday, so it was nice of Yasiel Puig and Justin Turner to reenact it for me:

This is just a joke,because life is fun, and we should enjoy it,until our day https://t.co/2Z4MvX7fbz in Pittsburgh we had our own #puigmoon pic.twitter.com/zjizGXr5pL

— Yasiel Puig (@YasielPuig) August 22, 2017

Puig would later shut the lights off in Pittsburgh with this:

Put the game on Puig. pic.twitter.com/uDRlGxjnLz

— MLB (@MLB) August 22, 2017

 

 

On the Agenda:

1. Hitter Speculation Pickups

2. Various News and Notes

3. Streaming Pitcher Options

 

Hitter Speculation Pickups

I spent my Monday night podcast talking prospects with Matt Thompson of Friends with Fantasy Benefits and Ralph Lifshitz of Razzball and thought it might be useful to pass along some of the things I learned. With rosters expanding on September 1st, I thought I would highlight some interesting potential difference makers that could be here in about 10 days.

•Willie Calhoun: Kid has hit for power and average and just does not strikeout. With Gallo possibly hitting the DL after colliding with Matt Bush, Calhoun could squeeze into the outfield or at DH for the playoff push.

•Ryan McMahon: He made his Major League debut, but was sent back down after only four games played. He reestablished his prospect value after a 2016 campaign in which he struggled. Kid has power and can hit for average. While his future home is likely at first base, he has played third in the past and gotten some time at second recently in the minors. Who doesn’t like a Rockies prospect?

•Jake Bauers: according to Matt and Ralph, Bauers is the most likely Rays prospect to get called up when rosters expand. He profiles as a high OBP 1B/OF that can steal a few bags and hit for 15-20 home runs in a full season. Not anything super special, but he will likely be under the radar in deeper formats where many top prospects may already be owned.

I’ll cover some pitchers tomorrow!

 

 

Various News and Notes

According to manager Dave Roberts, Cody Bellinger will not start tomorrow due to a swollen ankle. Bellinger suffered the injury over the weekend and will rest it to attempt to avoid the disabled list. He is considered day-to day at this time.

According to Kristie Ackert of the new York Daily News, there is concern within the Mets organization that Steven Matz is suffering from an arthritic elbow. Matz has been dealing with the issue all season and continuing to pitch through the pain in spite of the fact that there are reports that his elbow would swell up to the size of a grapefruit afterwards. Anthony Dicomo reported that the Mets are scheduling Matz for surgery to reposition his ulnar nerve to relieve the issue, but this is deeply troubling for fantasy owners of the 26-year-old lefty. He can be dropped in all redrafts and fair amount of keeper formats as well.

Both Andrew Miller and Carlos Santana exited Monday’s contest against the Red Sox. Santana was pulled after experiencing lower back tightness and is considered day-to-day. Miller reaggravated the patella injury that he has been dealing with after just recently returning from the DL. After the game, Miller stated he did not want to miss anymore time with the injury, but it is yet to be seen how the defending AL Champions will deal with the star relief pitcher.

Marcus Semien was removed from Monday’s game after injuring his surgically repaired wrist versus the Orioles. It appears Semien may have just irritated some of the scar tissue from the surgery itself and he was optimistic that he could play on Tuesday, but the Athletics will likely rest him for a game or two as a precaution.

Alex Wood dealt with some shoulder discomfort during his start Monday night that may force him to the DL or to miss a start or two according to Andy McCullough of the LA Times. Wood pitched fairly well, but was sitting about 90-91 which is not what the Dodgers or fantasy owners want to see. Fantasy owners banking on Wood helping them down the stretch should make other plans.

 

Streaming Pitcher Options

A pitcher for today: Ubaldo Jimenez vs OAK

Prior to last start Ubaldo had four straight good starts, including one versus Oakland where he struck out 11 batters.

A pitcher for tomorrow: Matt Moore vs MIL

Moore has been better of late and draws a Milwaukee team that sports the second highest strikeout percentage against left-handed pitching in the Major Leagues.