Roto Riteup: August 5, 2015

The official Deadpool red band trailer (warning: language, violence, adult themes…it’s an R rated film for these reasons) dropped last night — as did the green band if you need something slightly more appropriate — and it has successfully gotten my hopes up.

On today’s agenda:
1. Freddie Freeman’s oblique strain
2. Quick thoughts on Henry Owens‘ debut
3. Michael Pineda update
3. Streaming Pitching Options

Freddie Freeman’s oblique strain
Wellp, after being back in the Braves lineup for almost two weeks, the first baseman is once again on the 15-day disabled list. An oblique strain on his right side is the culprit this time, where a right wrist contusion shelved him for five weeks earlier. As the linked article notes, Freeman had a similar oblique issue in 2013 which caused him to miss 13 games. If we use that prior injury as an estimate, he could miss the minimum 15 days and be back in mid-August. For those asking in yesterday’s Roto Riteup about Jesus Montero, I wouldn’t argue picking him up in Freeman’s place in anything deeper than standard 12-team mixed leagues. Montero is available in over 85 percent of CBS leagues as well as more than 95 percent of ESPN or Yahoo! formats.

Quick thoughts on Henry Owens‘ debut
Our own Kiley McDaniel had Owens rated as the third best Red Sox prospect heading into the season, highlighting the southpaw’s plus changeup. Yesterday Owens tossed just four changeups according to Brooks Baseball, instead relying on his curve and slider more, throwing them 13 and 10 times respectively. He induced seven whiffs on his 96 pitches, lasting five-plus innings and allowing three runs on five hits and a walk. I’m a fan of the movement of his offspeed pitches, particularly on his slider (for your viewing pleasure, below is his first inning strikeout of Jacoby Ellsbury in Gfycat form). I could see myself streaming Owens in most league settings save for 10-teamers or shallow 12-teamers. He’s free to pick up 70 percent of CBS formats to go along with over 85 percent of Yahoo! and ESPN leagues.


Michael Pineda update
Via Andrew Marchand of ESPN New York, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman told reporters Pineda will not return this month. I’ve been a conductor on the Pineda hype train, but now this setback could be a bigger derailment than when train of thought in Pixar’s Inside Out flew off the tracks (spoiler alert, sorry). Cashman also confirmed that Severino will not be sent down after his debut today. I’m reading between the lines here, however it seems likely that Severino will hang on to his rotation spot at least until Pineda returns, and possibly after.


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

A pitcher for today: Luis Severino vs BOS (Steven Wright)
Yep, I’m cheating by using the same pitcher from yesterday’s Roto Riteup in the “A pitcher for tomorrow” segment. Calling me a bit of a Severino fan may be an understatement. If you need an alternative, Rubby De La Rosa at WAS would be my next pick. 

A pitcher for tomorrow: Jeremy Hellickson at WAS (Joe Ross)
I’m still a fan off Hellickson, despite his 4.95 ERA. His solid 10.6 percent swinging strike rate continues to give me hope he’ll put up more strikeouts. He’s free to stream in over 80 percent of the three major fantasy sites.





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

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FeslenR
9 years ago

I’d rather have Joe Ross over Hellickson