Roto Riteup: August 8, 2019

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August 8, 2019

When you find out that Tool just released their first single in 13 years….

On the Agenda:
1. Two-Home Run Games
2. Quick Hits
3. Streaming Pitchers

Two-Home Run Games
We had a myriad of two-home run games yesterday:

Michael Conforto (2-for-3, 3 R, 3 RBI, BB)

 

Prior to yesterday’s game, Conforto was hitting .286/.375/.533 with seven home runs and 20 RBI. His power metrics remain stable and he should eclipse the 30 HR mark for the first time in his career. Pete Alonso and Jeff McNeil both homered in yesterday’s contest as well.

 

Jose Ramirez (3-for-6, 3 R, 3 RBI, SB, 2B, BB)

Ramirez has been consistently stealing bases this season – one of the lone things fueling his value early in the year – but after hitting .320/.340/.680 with nine home runs and four stolen bases in July, Ramirez is once again posting strong numbers to begin August (.320/.333/.760). The two home runs came in separate games, but I think we all can agree that Ramirez is a top-20 hitter heading into the stretch run of the season. Side Notes: Willie Calhoun blasted his ninth home run of the season, and has been strong since returning to the club on July 26th. Zach Plesac had his third quality outing in his last four tries. Lance Lynn continues to be one of my best calls early in the season.

 

The Yankees hit five home runs against the Orioles and went 10-0 at Camden Yards for the season. Kyle Higashioka and Gio Urshela paced things with two a piece; and Cameron Maybin hit his seventh of the season for good measure.

 

 

 

 

Also, Mike Tauchman was offended that he wasn’t able to get involved in the home run parade today, so he decided to impact the game in other ways…

Outside of a crappy June, Gio Urshela has been a solid player, especially for deep league players. With the Yankees having so many injuries, he’s been allotted some playing time and has posted by far his best season to date. He can continue to be used in deeper formats despite the inevitable loss in playing time once regulars start to get healthy.

 

Ozzie Albies (4-for-5, 3 R, 2 RBI)

 

Albies posted a .299/.346/.515 line with two home runs and two stolen bases in July, but has got off to a fast start here in August. The Braves are top-10 in SB attempts per game this season, and Albies boasts a strong Sprint Speed score according to Baseball Savant. He’s in line to beat his 14 SB from a year ago, but will likely come close to matching his 24 HR. Fellow young stars Freddie Freeman and Ronald Acuna both swatted their 29th home runs of the season in the same game.

 

Keston Hiura (3-for-4, 2B, 3 R, 3 RBI)

 

The two home runs bring him up to 13 for the season with seven steals and a .307/.376/.594 line in 213 PA. A 31% K doesn’t bode well for his BA long-term, but a 7% BB paired with immense raw power and speed potential makes us fantasy owners salivate.

 

Quick Hits
The Diamondbacks designated Greg Holland for assignment. He’s been an afterthought in the Arizona bullpen since he lost his job in the ninth inning. Someone will likely claim him off waivers, but his days of being a viable closer are gone.

Zack Godley – who was recently designated for assignment – was claimed by the Blue Jays yesterday.

Miguel Sano mashed his 20th home run in 265 PA this season (eighth since July).

Max Fried allowed 3 ER in 5.1 IP against the Twins yesterday; notching a season-high 10 strikeouts.

Trent Grisham hit out the leadoff spot again for the Brewers, and notched a hit for the fourth-straight game. Again, he’s someone to keep an eye on.

Lorenzo Cain made a pinch-hit appearance after a spooky injury on Tuesday.

Francisco Mejia and Fernando Tatis Jr. both homered against the Mariners. It was only Mejia’s fifth of the season, but despite some rather mediocre numbers, he’s made a sizeable change in launch angle and sports some decent plate skills (low BB%). Tatis continues to be on the trajectory of a solid first rounder next season.

Yusei Kikuchi rebounded from a horrendous start against Houston to allow one earned run in five innings against the Padres with eight strikeouts and three walks.

Mallex Smith notched his 10th steal in his last 115 AB; tying Adalberto Mondesi for the league lead.

After hitting .197 in July (five home runs), Dan Vogelbach has started August off with one hit in 17 AB.

Joe Ross tossed his second-straight scoreless outing; this time going six innings with five strikeouts and three walks against the Giants.

Dustin May had a much better second start – hurling 5.2 IP against the Cardinals – striking out seven and walking one while limiting them to one earned run.

Jack Flaherty was lethal once again (7 IP, 0 ER, 10 K, 1 BB), and has logged a quality start in five-of-six starts (49/10 K:BB during that time).

Marcell Ozuna smacked his first home runs since returning from the injured list.

Mark Saxon of the Athletic reported that Alex Reyes could potentially be out for the season with a pec injury.

This is just brutal at this point. Fingers crossed things start to go better for the highly touted right hander.

Lindsey Adler of the Athletic reported that Giancarlo Stanton has resumed baseball activities.

Austin Riley landed on the 10-day injured list with a knee ligament injury according to Mark Bowman. He’ll likely undergo more tests to determine the severity. Looks like Adam Duvall will get some more run.

Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reported that Blake Snell will be traveling with the Rays to Seattle and will start a throwing program soon. He’s projected to be back in September.

Ian Happ hit his second home run in his last three games – a grand slam – and is now 6-for-10 with three extra-base hits in his last four games.

Scott Kingery is starting August off on the right foot after a terrible July – notching four extra-base hits and three stolen bases in six games.

Zac Gallen shut out the Phillies over five innings with six strikeouts and three walks in his Diamondback debut.

Jose Altuve and Yuli Gurriel are both top-five in OPS over the last month, and both launched home runs yesterday. Trevor Story and Nolan Arenado hit their 26th and 25th respectively as well.

Travis Demeritte posted his first multi-hit effort as a major leaguer and has two steals in seven games since being traded to Detroit.

Teammate Niko Goodrum hit .284/.351/.477 in July with four home runs and five stolen bases, and is off to a good start in August as well.

Ivan Nova went eight shutout innings (one strikeout, three walks) against the Tigers, and has allowed one run or fewer in four-straight. Don’t worry folks, he plays the Astros next.

Tim Anderson went 4-for-4 with three runs scored. It’s his third-straight multi-hit effort and gives him a .323/.347/.494 line with 12 HR and 15 SB for the year.

Brendan McKay limited the Blue Jays to three earned runs over five innings with eight strikeouts and one walk. Lourdes Gurriel Jr and Randall Grichuk touched him up for solo-home runs.

Lewis Brinson had two hits for the second-straight game, while Isan Diaz continues to struggle (1-for-17 with one home run, 7/1 K:BB).

The Royals and Red Sox game was suspended with the score being 4-4 in the 10th inning. It will be resumed on August 22nd.

James Paxton kept his momentum going after a successful start against the Red Sox in his last outing – spinning 6.2 IP of one-run ball – striking out seven and walking one against the Orioles yesterday.

Yankees beat writer Pete Caldera reported that Gleyber Torres might need one more day of rest, but is close to returning to the lineup.

Garrett Richards is heading for an MRI after leaving a rehab start with tightness in his shoulder.

 

Streaming Pitchers (Less than 50% owned)
Pitcher for Today: None

High Risk Options: Danny Duffy at DET, Eric Lauer vs COL

Pitcher for Tomorrow: Brad Keller at DET

High Risk Options: Drew Smyly at SF, Marco Gonzales vs TAM





 

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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Buhners Rocket ArmMember since 2017
5 years ago

Hiura going to deep right-center on a ball down the middle. Guy’s gonna mash.

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