Roto Riteup: July 6, 2018

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July 6, 2018

Kate Upton approves.

On The Agenda:
1. Turner’s Big Day
2. Various News and Notes
3. Streaming Pitchers

Turner’s Big Day
Trea Turner had a career-night on Thursday, going 3-for-5 with two home runs – one grand slam – three runs scored and eight RBI in the Nationals 14-12 victory over the Marlins.


The Nationals were down 9-0 heading into the bottom of the fourth inning and took the lead by the seventh. Turner launched his first homer in the fourth inning off of Pablo Lopez in the fourth to put the Nationals on the board. In the fifth he snagged another RBI off a groundout, before depositing a poorly-spotted 96 mph offering from Adam Conley into the left field bleachers to give the Nationals their first lead, and one they wouldn’t relinquish. Turner came into yesterday’s games sitting just inside the top-30 overall on the ESPN Player Rater – 16th among hitters. The two-homer game gives him 11 for the year, to go along with 22 SB, 51 R, 37 RBI, and a .280/.357/.427 line. Turner’s BsR is significantly down from last season (5.1 vs 7.8), but he’s still on pace to go 20/40 with 96 R, 70 RBI, and an improved BB% (10% vs 7%), Barrel% (7.0 vs 5.4), and xWOBA (.346 vs .313). Not to mention, his last 18 games of the season are filled with below-average teams (MIA, NYM) or amazing hitting venues (COL, ATL, PHI). Not only is he a top-5 fantasy commodity for years to come, but he’s one of the best “buy high” options in the game.

 

Various News and Notes
Mike Zunino was placed on the 10-day disabled list with an ankle injury.


Zunino injured the ankle on Wednesday and was only expected to miss a few games initially. The Mariners will go with Chris Hermann (started last night and homered) and David Freitas while he’s sidelined.

Johnny Cueto allowed 5 ER on 10 H over 5 IP against the Cardinals in his return to the Giants rotation on Thursday. It was his first start since April 28th due to a right elbow sprain and it showed. He threw 51-of-76 pitches for strikes with 2 BB, 2 K, and 7 ground-ball outs. His velocity was noticeably down as well, sitting in the mid-to-high 80’s. Fantasy owners need to monitor his progress closely over his next few starts. As of now he’s lined up to face the Cubs and Athletics barring changes.

Tim Anderson was removed from Thursday’s game against the Astros in the eighth inning with a sore left arm.


As of now this is a day-to-day situation. Anderson is currently eighth among shortstops on the ESPN Player Rater – hitting .251/.311/.423 — with 13 HR, 48 R, 34 RBI. He’s also 20-for-25 in SB attempts, with career-high marks in BB% (6.9), K% (24.8), and ISO (.173). His 83/23 K:BB ratio is certainly “Mark Trumbo-ish” but he’s been a pleasant surprise in most formats this year (except for OBP leagues).

Jonathan Schoop provided all the offense the Orioles could muster against the Twins – hitting two home runs in four at-bats.


Schoop is hitting .196/.241/.369 with 9 HR, 26 R, and 20 RBI over 213 PA since returning from injury on May 8th. For the year he owns a 66 wRC+ with a significant drop in Hard% (13%) and ISO (42-point drop) from last year. There’s something to be said for blind faith. This is a player that’s 26 years old and had at least 25 HR with 80 R/RBI in each of the last two seasons coming into this year. Fantasy owners could add him to a prospective deal and see what happens. You’d have to assume it won’t get any worse than this.

Steven Souza Jr. went 0-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout out of the fifth spot in the Arizona lineup in his return to action on Thursday against the Padres. He’s spent the majority of his first year with the Diamondbacks on the sidelines due to a pectoral strain, and has had a myriad of injuries throughout his career. With that said he still has the ability to provide power and speed, which will always be useful for fantasy.

Jarrod Dyson was placed on the 10-day disabled list in a corresponding move. He’s dealing with a groin strain.

Max Fried departed Thursday’s game against the Brewers after three innings of work due to a recurring blister issue.


He had allowed 4 ER on 4 H with 3 BB and 1 K before departing. Coming into yesterday’s outing he had held the Mets and Cardinals to a combined 1 ER on 8 H over 2 GS (11.2 IP) with a 17/7 K:BB ratio. Hopefully this doesn’t turn into a Rich Hill-type situation.

Matt Shoemaker is set to resume throwing next week.


Shoemaker has only made one start all year due to a nerve issue in his forearm. We still have a ways to go before he’s a possible option for the Angels. With Tyler Skaggs and Shohei Ohtani (the pitcher) on the mend, the Angels have been forced to use guys like Felix Pena and Deck McGuire.

Nick Tropeano is set to throw 60 pitches in a rehab start for High-A Inland Empire on Saturday. He hasn’t made a start since June 10th due to right shoulder inflammation. If he can get through the outing healthy, we could see him as soon as two weeks from now.

The Cardinals activated Dexter Fowler from paternity leave and proceeded to place Tyler O’Neill on the 10-day disabled list with a hamstring injury.


O’Neill has hit .227/.255/.455 with 3 HR and 7 RBI in 44 AB with the big club this season. While there’s no timetable for the injury currently, we should see him in the big leagues at some point again this season. Playing time will definitely be an issue when he does make his return, but his upside is profound in dynasty/keeper formats.

According to Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post, Ryan Zimmerman and Matt Wieters are both nearing rehab assignments.


Zimmerman hasn’t played since May 9th, while Wieters has been out since May 10th. With both players seemingly close to returning, Mark Reynolds and Pedro Severino should see fewer at-bats.

Martin Prado hit a three-run home run in his return from the disabled list against the Nationals on Thursday. He had been sidelined since May 25th with a hamstring injury.

Francisco Cervelli began a minor league rehab assignment with Double-A Altoona yesterday.


He’s been out since June 21st with concussion symptoms. Even with the hiatus he’s remained a top-10 catcher on the ESPN Player Rater. He should return within the next few days.

According to Cubs manager Joe Maddon, he’s unsure when Yu Darvish will resume throwing. He was diagnosed with tendinitis in his right triceps which sent him to the disabled list on May 23rd, and was saddled with a right elbow impingement last week. His last start was against the Reds on May 20th and there’s not a lot of confidence in when he might ramp things back up. Prior to going down he was posting career-lows in ERA (4.95), WHIP (1.43), BB/9 (4.7) and F-Strike% (55). The Cubs are going to play things cautiously here and so should we.

 

Streaming Pitchers
A Pitcher for Today: None

Hail Mary Option: Tyler Mahle at CHC
He’s allowed 4 ER in 12 IP (2 GS) with 13 K and 4 BB against the Cubs this season. One of those outings came with three home runs allowed, but both have come at home. This is a long shot I’ll admit, but If Mahle can keep the ball in the yard, his 9.1 K/9 and 11% SwStr can shine.

 

A Pitcher for Tomorrow: None

Hail Mary Option: Anibal Sanchez at MIL
The Brewers have the fourth-highest K% against RHP (25%) and Sanchez has a 25% K on the road this season (4.23 xFIP). It’s Anibal Sanchez in Milwaukee – there’s obvious risk – but there’s really a lack of options today.





 

Fantasy Baseball and Tampa Bay Rays enthusiast. Restaurant manager by day, fantasy analyst by night. Contributor to Rotographs, Baseball HQ, Fantasy Pros, and co-owner of Friends with Fantasy Benefits. Follow me @MikeWernerFWFB.

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Dean
5 years ago

As a daily Roto Riteup reader, this new, longer, more in-depth post is fantastic.

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