Roto Riteup: August 30, 2019

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August 30, 2019

We have to take care of the ones we love.

On the Agenda:
1. Various News and Notes/Quick Hits
2. Streaming Pitchers

 

Various News and Notes/Quick Hits
Victor Caratini, Kevin Newman, and Jake Cave all hit two home runs yesterday.

Cave now has five home runs this month with a .400/459/.782 line. Max Kepler and Byron Buxton have been battling injuries, helping Cave carve out some playing time. Caratini has been a quality bat this season, but he remains a part-time catcher who’s unusable. Newman has been a top-20 MI over the last month, and now has nine home runs and 13 stolen bases this season (seven CS) with a .309 BA, 108 wRC+, and .761 OPS over 423 PA this season.

An X-ray on Max Muncy’s wrist didn’t reveal a fracture according to Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. His right wrist is still in a brace – and he’s set to miss at least a week or two – but it looks like he avoided a serious ailment. Kike Hernandez got the start at second yesterday, but the Dodgers will mix-and-match.

Brad Keller has been shut down for the rest of the season due to arm fatigue. Jorge Lopez and/or Eric Skoglund figure to see an increase in usage; including making some starts.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts gave Kenley Jansen the proverbial “vote of confidence” after Jansen blew his seventh save of the season on Wednesday. From a fantasy perspective, Joe Kelly and Pedro Baez would be the possible candidates for save chances should Jansen lose his role at any time.

Nick Solak went 2-for-4 with a run scored, while also swiping his first base of the year against the Mariners yesterday. Rougned Odor is at risk of losing his job according to Rangers managers Chris Woodward; further cementing Solak’s role the rest of the season. He’s hitting .375 with a 166 wRC+ and will continue to hit in a prime spot in the lineup. His stock is rising for this season and beyond.

Aristides Aquino went 3-for-5 with a two-run homer and three runs scored in a loss to the Marlins on Thursday. He broke another record for a rookie; this time usurping Rhys Hoskins as the fastest rookie to hit 14 HR (28 games). We have to keep riding the wave, but Aquino’s 2020 draft stock will certainly be an interesting situation in the off season.

Hyun-Jin Ryu yielded seven earned runs on 10 hits over 4.2 IP, striking out four and walking one in a loss to the Diamondbacks. This is the second start in a row in which he’s allowed seven earned runs, and third allowing four or more. He’s already hit his second-highest innings total of his career; which brings some skepticism regarding his outlook for the rest of the year.

With Kirby Yates pitching in three-of-the-last-four days, the Padres sent Andres Munoz out to secure his first major league save.

He allowed a run – his first in eight appearances – but he continues to demonstrate triple-digit velocity and high swing-and-miss ability (16% SwStr). He could very well be the Padres closer of the future. Highly recommend adding him in dynasty/keeper leagues.

After making an early exit from Wednesday’s contest, Matt Chapman – who didn’t start the game – was brought in as a defensive replacement in the Athletics victory over the Royals yesterday. The Athletics didn’t send him through the concussion protocol, meaning he’ll return to the lineup sooner rather than later.

Sam Hilliard launched his second home run in as many starts since being promoted from Triple-A.

This is an intriguing player to take a shot on if you’re in a deeper-mixed format. He posted a .262/.335/.558 line (106 wRC+) with 35 home runs and 22 stolen bases (five CS) over 559 PA in the PCL this season.

Kyle Newman of the Denver Post reported that David Dahl is, “getting better every day, but he’s still not jogging yet.” The expectation is that he’ll return in early-to-mid September.

Hunter Atkins of the Houston Chronicle reported that Carlos Correa hasn’t yet begun swinging a bat. Abraham Toro will continue to receive the bulk of the playing time; he hit his first major league home run against the Rays in the ninth inning yesterday, and has hits in four-of-six games since his promotion.

Chris Paddock rebounded from a few rough starts in July to post seven innings of one run ball against the Giants; striking out eight and walking none.

Sean Manaea participated in a bullpen session yesterday, and is still on track to return in early September according to Bob Melvin.

Luke Weaver could be cleared to throw a simulated game next week if he makes it out of an “aggressive” bullpen session today per Jack Magruder.

Jurickson Profar stayed hot yesterday – going 3-for-4 – with two runs scored and three RBI, including a two-run home run. He has hits in five of his last seven games with two home runs during that time.

The LA Times Jorge Castillo reported that Ross Stripling will be added to the Dodgers once rosters expand in September.

Willie Calhoun blasted his ninth home run of the month in the Rangers loss to the Mariners.

Jonathan Schoop continued his recent surge – going 3-for-5 with a run scored. He has five home runs in his last six games and is hitting .317/.349/.732 in August.

Tommy Pham went 2-for-5 with a run scored and two RBI in the Rays win against the Astros. He has a hit in seven-straight with four being of the multi-hit variety. He has an .866 OPS, three home runs, and four stolen bases for the month.

 

Streaming Pitchers (Less than 50% owned)
Pitcher for Today: Anibal Sanchez vs MIA

High Risk Options: Dinelson Lamet at SF

 

Pitcher for Tomorrow: Steven Matz at PHI (if available, 42% owned on ESPN)

High Risk Options: Dylan Bundy at KC, Adam Wainwright vs CIN





 

Fantasy Baseball and Tampa Bay Rays enthusiast. Restaurant manager by day, fantasy analyst by night. Contributor to Rotographs, Baseball HQ, Fantasy Pros, and co-owner of Friends with Fantasy Benefits. Follow me @MikeWernerFWFB.

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Jackie T.
4 years ago

Ridiculous that 35 HRs and 22 SBs with a 262/.335/.558 line only nets a 106 wRC+ in the PCL this year. It’s just slightly above average.

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