Roto Riteup: July 19, 2017

Bryce Harper smacked a homer in top of the 1st on Tuesday night and Mike Trout responded immediately:

Anything you can do, I can do better ? Mike Trout and Bryce Harper put on a show in the first inning last night! pic.twitter.com/2Xzkok63Z7

— MLB UK (@mlb_uk) July 19, 2017

Harper went on to have a 4-for-4 game in Washington’s 4-3 win. Trout gets a chance at the Nats againt today in short two-game set.

On the Agenda:

• Correa Out with Thumb Surgery
• White Sox with Another Big Deal
• Moncada’s White Sox Debut is Set
• Martinez headed to the Desert
• Clevinger Strong in Tough ND
• Wacha Wonderful; Carpenter Crushes
• Other News
• Whiff Watch
• WTWT

Correa Out with Thumb Surgery

Carlos Correa had been dealing with a thumb injury for a little while when things came to a head after a swing on Monday night. It turned out that he tore a ligament on that swing and will now miss 6-8 weeks. Marwin Gonzalez will be the primary fill-in at shortstop. Gonzalez had a brilliant May (1.198 OPS, 7 HR), but he hasn’t really slowed down since with an .893 OPS and 5 HR in 120 PA since June 1st.

White Sox with Another Big Deal

The Chicago White Sox continued their tear down with a huge deal on Tuesday as they sent Todd Frazier, David Robertson, and Tommy Kahnle to the New York Yankees for Blake Rutherford, Ian Clarkin, Tito Polo, and Tyler Clippard. Rutherford gives the White Sox yet another Top 100 prospect as they put together one of the most impressive farm systems ever built.

The Yankees address their biggest needs in one fell swoop by acquiring a reliable first baseman and two strong bullpen pieces. Both Aroldis Chapman and Dellin Betances have looked mortal so getting Robertson and Kahnle deepens the pen substantially. Robertson has bounced back from a wonky 2016 (3.47 ERA, 1.36 WHIP) while Kahnle has discovered some command and control out of nowhere en route to a breakout season: 2.50 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, 43% K, and 5% BB in 36 IP. Anthony Swarzak is the best remaining piece in that bullpen and should get the first crack at saves going forward (2.47 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, 22% K-BB rate).

Moncada’s White Sox Debut is Set

The big trade clears the path for Yoan Moncada to make his White Sox debut on Wednesday. The league’s top prospect came over in the Chris Sale deal during the winter. His first tour of Triple-A has gone well with a .285/.381/.452 line including 12 HR and 17 SB in 357 PA. The 22-year old has focused on second base this year after mixing in some third base with the Red Sox. Yolmer Sanchez will take over third base duties while Moncada will be the everyday 2B. Moncada should be scooped in all leagues because the upside is just so rich.

Martinez headed to the Desert

As a Tigers fan, I knew they’d be making trades this year and I knew my favorite player – J.D. Martinez – would be among those dealt, but it still stinks to see him leave. You can tell he was bummed to leave, too, as Detroit had become important to him:

You'll be missed, @JDMartinez14! Good luck in AZ. pic.twitter.com/Qqk34h0TgV

— Paul Sporer (@sporer) July 19, 2017

Martinez heads to Arizona for Dawel Lugo, Sergio Alcantara, and Jose King. Lugo slotted 10th on Eric Longenhagen’s Arizona list earlier this year while Alcantara was an “Other Prospect of Note”.  Martinez lengthens and already dirty lineup that sits sixth in wOBA with a .328 mark. Martinez is 10th in wOBA since breaking out with the Tigers in 2014. His .385 mark tops the likes of Giancarlo Stanton, Nelson Cruz, Josh Donaldson, and Nolan Arenado (among others). He’s a defensive liability, but the bat is so good that he makes up for it. He’s worth every nickel of your FAAB in NL Only leagues.

Clevinger Strong in Tough ND

Mike Clevinger has been dealing of late. He allowed one unearned run in six innings at San Francisco on Tuesday with seven strikeouts and just five base runners allowed. He has a 1.36 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 27% K, and 12% BB in 33 IP. If Danny Salazar can get back anywhere near his level, the Indians have a devastating top four in Corey Kluber, Carlos Carrasco, Salazar, and Clevinger.

Wacha Wonderful; Carpenter Crushes

I have no idea what happened with Michael Wacha during a six-start lull where he posted an 8.17 ERA in 25.3 IP from May 25th through June 21st, but he appears to have overcome whatever bothered him during that run as he’s been fantastic over his last four: 1.01 ERA, 0.86 WHIP, 30% K, and 5% BB in 26.7 IP, including a three-hit shutout of the Mets on Tuesday. I’ve always been a huge Wacha fan, but injury seems to strike yearly and keep him from that true breakout season. The talent is undeniable so if he stays upright, I can see him being an all-formats, must-start arm.

He was supported by Matt Carpenter’s 4-for-5, a performance he achieved on just eight pitches. Carpenter is starting to come alive with a .375/.467/.479 line in July. The power hasn’t shown up with 0 HR, but there are reasons to believe it will come through and I like Carpenter for a strong second half. His 45% Hard contact rate is a career-best and it’s been paired with a career-high 49% flyball rate, too. He still has 14 HR for the season, but I expect the ball to start leaving the yard in tandem with the strong triple slash.

Other News

• Cameron Maybin is out 2-4 weeks with a knee sprain; unfortunately, an injury seems to always derail Maybin once he gets going with the bat.
• Xander Bogaerts has a “muscle contusion and small sprain” in his right hand, he is day-t-day.
• Corey Kluber is battling a sore neck per Bob Nightengale.
• OF is super-deep so it’s easy to overlook some guys, but have you see what Gerardo Parra is doing? He’s got a .352/.376/.542 line with 8 HR, but he’s 0-for-4 on the bases.
• Pham Watch 2017: Tommy Pham went 1-for-5 with a run scored and his 13th SB on the season.

Whiff Watch

A quick look at the top swing-and-miss starters from yesterday:

• Clayton Kershaw had 18 whiffs and a 17% SwStr at CWS, both the best marks of the night
• Michael Wacha had 17 and a 14% in the aforementioned shutout at NYM
• Mike Clevinger had 15 and a 15% at SF
• Dylan Bundy had 13 and a 13% v. TEX in his best start since May 29th
• Blake Snell had 12 and a 14% at OAK, but lasted just 4 IP
• Jesse Chavez had 11 and a 14% v. WAS
• Sean Newcomb had 11 and a 10% v. CHC
• Edwin Jackson had 10 and an 11% at LAA
• Dinelson Lamet had 10 and a 13% at COL, going just 4 IP, too
• Robbie Ray had 7 and a 7% at CIN, but coasted to a 6 IP/2 ER gem
• Vince Velasquez had just 4 and a 5% in his return at MIA, but still went 6 IP/2 R (1 ER)

WTWT

• Jacob Faria and Sonny Gray tangle in Oakland this afternoon.
• R.A. Dickey looks to stay hot against the Cubs after posting a 1.09 ERA and 1.00 WHIP in last five starts.
• Two of my favorite young arms go toe-to-toe with Jordan Montgomery and Jose Berrios battling in Minnesota this afternoon.
• James Paxton looks like his April-self after a few wonky starts off the DL. He gets Houston today.
• Still keeping a close eye on Carlos Rodon as he gets his season going after missing the first three months to injury.
• Carlos Carrasco, Jacob deGrom, and Gerrit Cole always get some of my attention on their start days.