Roto Riteup: August 27, 2015

My fondness of pop punk music probably well known by this time, and today’s Roto Riteup will once again mention it, but this time in acoustic form! I penned — digitally, that is — today’s RR while listening to Punk Goes Acoustic 2.

On today’s agenda:
1. Quick thoughts on Starlin Castro
2. Patrick Corbin cruises
3. Matt Shoemaker’s promotion
4. Streaming Pitching Options

Quick thoughts on Starlin Castro
The much maligned shortstop had an important game on Wednesday against the Giants. Despite going 0-for-4 — something Castro owners and Cubs fans may not be surprised to see — yesterday’s game was important for him more for next year than this as it was his fifth start and 10th appearance at second base. If he gets traded to a team in need of a middle infielder, the Yankees or Angels come to mind, then Castro could be plugged in at either short or second in most fantasy leagues, regardless of where he appears at in real life. His current .276 BABIP is 35 points below his career average, though his 13.5 percent IFFB% rate is a career worst, as is his 22.1 percent Hard% contact rate, so it isn’t as if he’s hitting line drives into gloves. That said, I don’t think the 25-year-old is finished in the big leagues. With Javier Baez crushing Triple-A pitching at a .314/.381/.535 clip and Addison Russell manning shortstop now, Castro is getting some time at they keystone now that Chris Coghlan is holding down Jorge Soler’s outfield spot, but he’s started a game batting higher than sixth just once this month. With Soler expected to be out with an oblique injury for possibly a month, Castro will likely get a fair amount of plate appearances. Hopefully he can use that time to bounce back.

Patrick Corbin cruises
The left-hander held a solid Cardinals lineup to one run on a solo shot in six innings, scattering three total hits and a pair of walks. Corbin induced an impressive 10 swinging strikes out of 82 pitches, helping lead to seven strikeouts on the day. With a modest 3.78 ERA backed by a 3,77 FIP and a 3.16 xFIP, I’m feeling good rostering Corbin in my mixed league team rather than leaving him as a stream option. The home runs have hurt him — as the FIP and xFIP gap would suggest — and his home park won’t do him any favors in that department, however I’m still buying his stock as I don’t see a 1.26 HR/9 continuing for Corbin. He’s available in a mere 30 percent of CBS leagues, yet is free to pick up in more than 70 percent of Yahoo! or ESPN formats.

Matt Shoemaker’s promotion
Shoemaker will get the ball today against the Tigers in what could be a tough outing for him. Detroit has hit right-handed pitchers quite well this season, posting the fourth best slugging, wOBA and wRC+ against them thus far. Shoemaker has dealt with gopheritis this season, allowing 21 home runs in 117.1 innings pitched, with his 1.61 HR/9 as a starter ranking 11th worst among pitchers with at least 100 IP. Even with the homers, I like Shoemaker’s 9.2 swinging strike rate and his 3.50 K:BB ratio. If he stays in the big leagues, I’ll be happy to stream him in later matchups, just not against the Tigers today.


Streaming Pitching Options
If you enjoy streaming pitchers or play DFS, tune into the Roto Riteup for recommendations each and every day.

A pitcher for today: Joe Ross vs SD (Andrew Cashner)
It hurts to pick a pitcher going against my spirit animal, yet I must. The Padres stink versus right-handed pitchers and Ross is generating more than his fair share of whiffs with a 12.8 percent SwStr%. He’s free to stream in over 30 percent of CBS settings as well as more than 65 percent of Yahoo! or ESPN formats.

A pitcher for tomorrow: Henry Owens at NYM (Matt Harvey)
The Mets don’t hit left-handed particularly well, and Owens has the stuff to make em swing-and-miss. It may be a low scoring affair, so hopefully the Red Sox offense does enough against Harvey to get Owens the win. Look to utilize the southpaw in 70 percent of CBS leagues, 85 percent of ESPN formats and 90 percent of Yahoo! settings.





You can catch David spouting off about baseball, soccer, esports and other things by following him on twitter, @davidwiers.

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mymaus
8 years ago

Baez! Wow! What % of full time will he play when he comes up? What’s your best guess on a slash line?

mymaus
8 years ago
Reply to  David Wiers

Right rank for overall value in an H2H OBP league ROS: Rendon, Baez, DeShields?