Roto Riteup: July 14, 2013

Today is the last day of the first “half” of the baseball season. Who has been your team’s MVP? Biggest mistake? In hindsight trading away Everth Cabrera after 17 games is saddening. Click to enlarge the appropriately named picture.

On today’s agenda:
1. Jonathan Lucroy’s big year
2. Ben Revere’s injury
3. Eric Young ‘s hot hitting
4. A no-hitter for Tim Lincecum

Jonathan Lucroy’s big year
Yesterday Jonathan Lucroy blasted his 13th home run of the year and his fifth in seven games. With over two months of the season remaining, he has already set a single season high in home runs. Lucroy is also less than 10 RBIs away from a personal and is a mere 32 total bases from a single season best there as well. To say that he has been a pleasant surprise in 5×5 leagues would be an understatement. Despite his strong value in standard leagues, he does take a slight hit in leagues that use on-base percentage, as his current .319 mark drags his value down.

After hitting 12 home runs in 468 plate appearances in 2011 then matching that homer count in just 346 PA’s last year, Lucroy’s power is a on a three year uptick. He has a chance at a 20 home run, 80 RBI season. That type of production from the 152nd average pick (login or sign up to view, it is free) is what helps win leagues. Hats off to those of you who picked up Lucroy on the cheap.

Ben Revere’s injury
Not only did the Philadelphia Phillies lose the first game of their double header against the Chicago White Sox, the Phillies also lost lead off hitter and center fielder Ben Revere. In the final plate appearances of the game Revere fouled off a pitch into his foot before grounding into a double play. Revere can be seem limping after running out the grounder. Post-game X-rays showed a break, however the full extent of the injury as well as how long he’ll be out is yet to be known, though some believe it will be around a month. Revere will see a specialist at some point tomorrow and will be placed on the disabled list then as well.

Revere was in the midst of a solid fantasy season, as he was hitting over .300 and has stolen 22 bases — although he has been caught eight times. He had the potential to reach the 40 steal plateau for the second straight year until this injury. Some standard 12-team mixed leagues may consider dropping him, however it would be best to hang on to him if one’s league allows enough DL or bench spots.

Eric Young’s hot hitting
Since being traded to the New York Mets, Eric Young has made himself quite comfortable at the top of the lineup. Even prior to yesterday’s 2-for-5 performance that came along with his eighth steal in a Mets uniform, Young was hitting .296/.369/.398 with the his new club. Don’t expect much from Young in the power department, but his batting average should be decent and his OBP is boosted by his solid walk rate. For anyone looking for a Revere replacement, Young will do just fine. They are both leadoff hitters, outfielders, base stealers, and guys who might combine to hit two home runs rest-of-season. Young is currently available in over 90% of Yahoo! leagues, 80% of ESPN leagues, and 70% of CBS formats.

A no-hitter for Tim Lincecum
The bid for a perfect game may have been lost after a first inning walk, but Big Time Timmy Jim went on to record his first major league no-hitter last night against the San Diego Padres. He struck out 13 along the way and scattered four walks. Other than the no-hitter itself, the most impressive feat to the present author is that Lincecum managed 29 whiffs and threw 148 pitches. At least he has the All-Star break to rest. His season has certainly been interesting — his 3.26 xFIP is one full run better than his 4.26 ERA — and he has just eight quality starts in 19 games started. He may never revert to his 2008-11 dominance again, however Lincecum is still a very talented pitcher.