Roto Riteup: July 2, 2015

I’m not sure what the baseball equivalent is when a player scores what amounts to a game-ending own goal in stoppage time in the World Cup semifinals, but I hope to never see it. Maybe walking the bases loaded then a walk-off balk? Just a brutal finish in the England/Japan game.

On today’s agenda:
1. Welcome to the show, Miguel Sano
2. Neil Walker’s big day
3. Aaron Judge watch
4. Streaming Pitching Options

Welcome to the show, Miguel Sano
Yesterday word broke the Twins are likely to promote their star third base prospect. The team hasn’t officially announced anything just yet, however Kennys Vargas was sent down to Double-A to make room for a move. Presuming Sano gets the nod, he’s worth adding in Yahoo! leagues right now as he’s eligible at shortstop (somehow) and third base. In both ESPN and CBS settings he’s strictly third/CI/UTIL, but has the power to play anywhere. Sano has cracked at least 20 home runs in every season since 2011 and already has 15 dingers in Triple-A this season. Sporting a double digit walk rate and the occasional steal, Sano graded as Kiley McDaniel’s 15th best prospect in baseball prior to this season and the Twins’ No. 2 prospect. Sano can be picked up in about half of all CBS leagues, over 75 percent of Yahoo! leagues and more than 90 percent of ESPN formats. I’m not entirely sure where Sano will see regular playing timee, but he’s too talented for the Twins to call him up to ride the bench. He’ll find playing time.

Neil Walker’s big day
Of the 21 hits the Pirates gathered against the Tigers yesterday, Walker was responsible for four of them, including a pair of home runs. He also stole a base and just about filled up the stat line across the board. Now hitting a solid .268/.338/.410 on the season, Walker is in the midst of another solid — if not spectacular — offensive season. The switch-hitter has struggled against southpaws this season and has hit a brutal .209/.262/.282 line against them thus far compared to a modest-but-much-better .260/.319/.342 career line. A bit of a second half resurgence wouldn’t surprise me, and Walker has a solid history of being an above average hitter. His spot in the lineup has been changing as he’s spent the vast majority of his time batting second or clean up for the Buccos. Heading into the season I wondered if Jung-ho Kang would steal some playing time away from Walker, however Kang has played exclusively at shortstop or third base. Somehow Walker is still free to pick up in a third of CBS formats, 40 percent of Yahoo! settings and over half of ESPN leagues.

Aaron Judge watch
Since being promoted to Triple-A on June 22, Judge has reached base via hit or walk 17 times out of 41 plate appearances, including back-to-back days of reaching base four times. The talented 23-year-old continues to mash with a combination of batting average, power and patience at every level the Yankees have thrown at him. Despite the minor league success, I’m not so sure he’ll be getting a call up in the near future. With Jacoby Ellsbury almost ready to be activated and Carlos Beltran under contract until the end of 2016, only Chris Young‘s playing time will be clearly available for Judge next season. It’s doubtful the Yanks can slide Beltran to DH much more given Alex Rodriguez’s bounce back season, so Judge may be forced to wait until 2017 to see regular playing time in the big leagues barring a trade. Judge is still worth stashing in dynasty formats based on production thus far and potential on the field (not to mention name pun potential).

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

A pitcher for today: Kevin Gausman vs TEX (Yovani Gallardo)
The Rangers have hit right-handers fairly well, but they strikeout at an above average rate. Gausman is free to pick up in more than 70 percent of CBS leagues and more than 90 percent of Yahoo! or ESPN formats.

A pitcher for tomorrow: Tommy Milone at KC (Jeremy Guthrie)
It isn’t a very good day for stream options, but Milone is up against a Royals team that has been pretty average against left-handers thus far. He can be streamed over 70 percent of the three major fantasy sites.