Roto Riteup: July 18, 2015

Baseball returned yesterday, so we’ve got things to talk about in today’s Roto Riteup.

On today’s agenda:
1. Hello there, Aaron Nola
2. Various news and notes
3. Streaming Pitcher Options

Hello there, Aaron Nola
Remember what I said about our Phillies’ savior Aaron Nola just last week?

Aaron Nola, SP, PHI: Nola should be up in the bigs within a couple weeks.

Well, it’s happening now, as Nola will be called up to start Tuesday at home against the Rays. Considered easily the most advanced pitcher in the 2014 draft, Nola will be making good on that label and debuting just shy of 14 months after being selected.

Nola may not have the potential to be a dominant staff ace like prototypical prospect Tyler Kolek, but Nola does profile as a solid arm who can handle both lefties and righties with his three-pitch mix and above-average command. Pitching in Philly is never beneficial for a starter, but expect something like 6.5-7 K/9, 2 BB/9, and 1 HR/9 for the rest of the year. Nola’s strikeout rate will likely never rise above those expected marks, but he could drop his walk rate and limit a few more homers over his career.

Nola isn’t worthy of more than a speculative addition in redraft mixed-leagues, but he is a young asset for those of you thinking about keeping him.

Various news and notes
In his first start behind the plate for the Cubs, Kyle Schwarber went 3-for-4 with a double while hitting in the two-hole. Schwarber made a couple flubs behind the plate, but the Cubbies aren’t in a hurry to move him off to left field until he completely proves that he’s the second coming of Jesus Montero while squatting behind the dish.

Chris Carter left the Astros game last night after injuring his ankle, opening the door temporarily for Jon Singleton, who has actually been worse than he was last year. No bueno.

Freddie Freeman is going to start his rehab assignment in the next couple days, likely returning to the bigs around July 27. Wrist injuries are scary for hitters, so don’t expect the Braves’ first baseman to be the same over the last two months of the season.

Assuming his rehab assignment goes according to plan, Corey Dickerson will return to the Rockies lineup sometime next week. Dickerson was playing well while injured, so a healthy end to the season could produce some excellent numbers.

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

A pitcher for today: Tom Koehler at PHI (Chad Billingsley)
A decent, but generally available starter against the Phillies is an easy choice.

A pitcher for tomorrow: Miguel Gonzalez at DET (Justin Verlander)
It’s not a day full of options, so take Gonzalez away from Camden Yards against a Miggy-less Tigers.