Roto Riteup: August 9, 2017

Which was cooler?

Odubel Herrera hit a pitch 0.73 feet off the ground for a HR – the lowest in #Statcast history to leave the park. https://t.co/51KTSacR35 pic.twitter.com/1AWNV5FTiY

— #Statcast (@statcast) August 9, 2017

Or

Get UP, Adam Engel. pic.twitter.com/k7r5QGadkv

— MLB (@MLB) August 9, 2017

 

 

On the Agenda:

1. Fun with Small Samples! (Pitcher’s Edition)

2. Various News and Notes

3. Streaming Pitcher Options

 

 

Fun with Small Samples! (Pitcher’s Edition)

Not shockingly, the top three K/9 starters in the Majors during the month of July were Corey Kluber, Chris Sale, and Max Scherzer, but two of the next the three are a bit more interesting: Carlos Rodon (13.15) was fourth and Mike Fiers (12.86) was fifth in k/9 in July.

Kluber, Clayton Kershaw, and Jimmy Nelson had the best xFIPs in baseball for the second straight month, but fourth on the list was Zach Godley with a 2.45 mark.

10 starters had average fastball velocities 96 mph or faster: Luis Castillo (97.8), Carlos Martinez (97.8), Luis Severino (97.5), Michael Fulmer (96.4), Gerrit Cole (96.4), Justin Verlander (96.3), Jon Gray (96.2), Mike Foltynewicz (96.2), Kevin Gausman (96), and Chris Archer (96). Four starters had average fastball velocities below 90 mph: R.A. Dickey (84.2), Brent Sutter (86.4), Josh Tomlin (88.4), and Rich Hill (88.89).

The highest BABIPs for the month of July were owned by Clayton Richard (.419) and Jon Gray (.405). The lowest BABIPs were owned by Jake Arrieta (.163), Charlie Morton (.189), and Gio Gonzalez (.193).

Only Andrew Moore gave up double digit home run in the month of July, but seven pitchers gave up eight bombs: Rick Porcello, Alex Cobb, Dan Straily, Nick Pivetta, Ivan Nova, Tim Adleman, and James Shields.

 

Various News and Notes

Keone Kela was placed on the 10-day DL with shoulder soreness. Kela has not been good since returning from the DL two weeks ago and obviously needs more time to get better. Kela has been the favorite to assume the Rangers closer role according to numerous industry analysts, but won’t be able to until he is healthy. He is worth a stash in deeper formats in case he can return and grab the role. He is eligible to return on August 15th.

Andrew Cashner was scratched due to neck stiffness on Tuesday. Cashner, who was my streaming pick for yesterday, has been much better as of late posting five straight quality start with a 2.20 ERA in the month of July. He should be considered day-to-day.

Reynaldo Lopez will be promote to the Majors on Friday to start against the Royals. According to general manager Rick Hahn, the move will make Lopez a permanent part of the White Sox rotation for the rest of the year. Lopez, who was acquired from Washington in the Adam Eaton trade before the season, has pitched well in AAA this season, posting a 3.79 ERA with over a strikeout per inning in 121 innings. However, there are some, including myself, that believes Lopez’s future will eventually be in the bullpen due to lack of command and inability to repeat his mechanics on a regular basis.

Michael Brantley was removed from Tuesday’s game with a sprained ankle. He underwent an MRI later that night, but results were not yet available. Brantley started off the season fast hitting five home runs and stealing three bases in the month of April, but didn’t hit another one until after the All-Star Break. He has seemed to rebound a bit, hitting four home runs and stealing three bases since the break, but this injury may derail him a bit. Talent is not the question for Brantley, it has become a matter of whether he can stay on the field enough to utilize his tools.

 

Streaming Pitcher Options

A pitcher for today: NONE

I like Adam Conley, but not going up against that Nationals lineup. Jerad Eickhoff is interesting, but not in Sun Trust.

A pitcher for tomorrow: Vince Velasquez vs. NYM

Velasquez gets a bad Mets team and is an interesting guy to monitor rest of the way for next year’s drafts.