Roto Riteup: July 16, 2019

When you don’t want your parents to see your grades:

Earlier, the Rockies broadcast decided to cover up today's score. 😂 pic.twitter.com/14dDTp35WL

— Cut4 (@Cut4) July 15, 2019

 

On the Agenda:
1. The Sleeper and the Bust DFS Contest
2. Various News and Notes
3. Quick Hits
4. Streaming Pitching Options

 

The Sleeper and the Bust DFS Contest
Every week Paul Sporer and I run a DFS contest for the Sleeper and the Bust podcast. The winner gets a shout out on the podcast and in the Roto Riteup as well as our hard earned cash. This week’s contest can be found here:
https://www.draftkings.com/contest/draftteam/74289930

 

Various News and Notes
Tyler O’Neill hit two home runs versus the Pirates on Monday. O’Neill is now hitting .295/.329/.513 with four home runs in 82 plate appearances at the Major Leagues. He has always had the power, but he strikes out too much. Those questions have yet to be answered with an over 40% strikeout rate in the Majors this season and a 30% K rate in AAA. He is worth a pickup for now, but the hot streak could go cold any day.

Travis D’Arnaud hit three home runs for the Rays over the Yankees on Monday. Since being acquired by the Rays on May 11th, D’Arnaud has hit .282/.342/.542 with nine home runs. D’Arnaud is a former top catching prospect that was never able to stay healthy enough to reach his potential with the Mets. He should be scooped up in most formats.

Brandon Crawford hit three home runs and had nine RBIs during the double header versus the Rockies. Crawford is now hitting .240/.310/.397 with nine home runs and 39 RBI. Crawford has been hot as of late, but he is not fantasy viable in most formats other than in NL Only leagues where he benefits from guaranteed playing time due to his elite defense.

Oscar Mercado hit two home runs and stole a base in the victory over the Tigers on Monday. Mercado has a ton of speed but showed some nice pop in this one. He had been struggling a bit so it is nice to see him break out of the mini-slump. He should have close to full playing time in Cleveland moving forward and could steal a fair amount of bags rest of the way.

Nate Lowe was seen working out at third base prior to Monday’s game versus the Yankees. This is an interesting development. Lowe is clearly too good for AAA, but the Rays will have a bit of a roster crunch when they start to get healthy. Added positional flexibility could go a long way towards Lowe being able to stay on the 25-man roster.

Kyle Tucker is playing first base in AAA for the Astros. Tucker has crushed AAA this season, hitting 24 home runs and stealing 21 bases with a .270/.352/.575 triple slash. The issue for Tucker is there is no place for him to play full time in the Astros outfield. If he can learn first base, he could be up very soon.

Willson Contreras was placed on the 10-Day IL with a foot injury. The injury is not considered serious and he is expected to return shortly after the minimum 10 days. The Cubs did acquire Martin Maldanado as insurance at the catcher position, however. Mike Montgomery was traded to the Royals as part of the Maldanado deal.

 

Quick Hits
Mike Trout was diagnosed with a minor calf strain after receiving an MRI on the injured calf. Consider him day-to-day for now.

Zach Wheeler was placed on the 10-Day IL with back soreness. This may make it more difficult for the Mets to trade him with the approaching trade deadline.

Evan Longoria was placed on the 10-Day IL with plantar fasciitis.

Max Fried was removed from his start on Monday with a blister. The move is being characterized as precautionary, so consider him day-to-day at this time.

Zach Collins was optioned to AAA by the White Sox.

Chris Taylor is expected to miss at least a month with a non-displaced fracture of his forearm. He is droppable in most formats. The Dodgers recalled Matt Beatty from AAA in response to Taylor’s injury.

Tyler Glasnow has been shut down for two more weeks by the Rays after an MRI on his injured right forearm.

Both Jean Segura and Maikel Franco suffered minor injuries in the latter innings of Monday’s game. Neither are considered serious issues and both players should be considered day-to-day at this time.

Matt Carpenter left Monday’s game after fouling a ball off of his foot on Monday. X-rays came back negative, so it appears he avoided serious injury.

 

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

High Risk Options: Anthony Desclafani at CHC, Alex Young at TEX

Pitcher for Tomorrow: Daniel Ponce de Leon vs PIT
Ponce de Leon has been fantastic as of late and gets a lackluster Pirates team at home.

High Risk Options: Trevor Richards vs SD, Spencer Turnbull vs CLE,