Roto Riteup: June 15, 2018

by
June 15, 2018

From the top to the bottom…..

via GIPHY

On the Agenda:
1. Sano Demoted
2. Various News and Notes
3. Streaming Pitchers

Sano Demoted
The Twins have demoted Miguel Sano to Single-A Fort Myers. Here’s a series of tweets from Dan Hayes of the Athletic that describe the situation.


And if you subscribe to The Athletic, or would like to start the trial:


This move is obviously frustrating. After posting a 124 wRC+ with 28 HR, 152 R/RBI combined, and a .243 ISO while missing time in 2017 (shin), things just haven’t gone his way this year. Not mentioning allegations off the field this off-season, he’s suffered a hamstring injury that cost him time. He’s also seen his plate skills and power metrics drop in a significant way (40.5% K, 8.6% BB, 32% O-Swing, .203 ISO, 18% HR/FB, .303 BABIP, 12% Barrels (16% last year), 90 mph Exit Velocity (92 mph last two years), 43% Hard-Hit). There’s currently no firm timetable for how long he might work on things in the minors, but it seems as if the Twins and Paul Molitor are not willing to bring him back until he’s in shape and ready to produce. In 37 at-bats this month he’s compiled a .162/.225/.243 line with a 49% K and 0 HR. It was time for something to change. As far as advice, if you’re in a deeper format he’s worth holding on to. He’s demonstrated a great skill over the last few years – bringing an even bigger value in OBP formats as well. In shallow leagues – 12 team mixed or points – you can cut bait at this point. With Joe Mauer being activated and Taylor Motter being recalled, the Twins will roll with Mauer continuing to play first base or DH the majority of the time against RHP, with Eduardo Escobar cementing himself as the full-time guy at third base. Ehire Adrianza will likely get the nod at shortstop the majority of the time, but Motter can play all over the diamond so he can spell a ton of guys any given day. Jorge Polanco hasn’t begun minor league games as of yet, despite being able to begin this past Tuesday. When he returns in early-July, the Twins will have a different situation on their hands. If anything, he’s a viable add especially in deeper formats so you can get ahead of people on him.

 

Various News and Notes
Frankie Montas was lit up for 11 H and 7 R (5 ER) spanning 5.1 IP against the Astros on Thursday. The horrible outing dropped his ERA from 1.25 to 2.67. If yesterday was any indication, times are going to get tough for Montas despite the early positive results. His xFIP now stands at 4.54, and he only has essentially two useful pitches (sinker/slider). His slider is the only offering generating any whiffs (22% heading into yesterday’s outing), but he’s only throwing the pitch 16% of the time. His velocity and ability to get ahead in counts are certainly nice attributes, but the lack of strikeout upside paired with a lackluster arsenal makes him a strong sell candidate if someone in your league thinks it was just a bad start against a great offense.

Gary Sanchez returned from his two-day hiatus to clear his head. He went 0-for-2 with two walks, a run scored, and a strikeout in a win against the Rays. Evan Gattis has vaulted himself into the top spot in the catcher ranks on the ESPN Player Rater with a strong few games. Sanchez is firmly a top-3 catcher despite his struggles – try to buy if you can.

Ladies and gentleman, Ryan McMahon actually slugged a major league home run for the first time in his young career. Don’t worry, I have evidence of this.


Prior to yesterday’s game, McMahon had been hitting .222/.216 (not a typo)/.361 with 4 XBH and a 10/0 K:BB ratio over 37 PA since being recalled from Triple-A. He needs consistent playing time if he wants to get things going, and with the Rockies competing for the division it’s just a tough situation for them to be patient with him. McMahon isn’t worth owning in anything but NL-Only formats at this point, but he’s liable to turn things on and mash at any point based on his skill set. Keep your eye on him.

According to Athletics beat reporter Jane Lee, Matt Chapman is headed for an MRI after suffering a right-hand contusion during Thursday’s game against the Astros. Here’s a deeper dive from Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle:


Slusser mentions that Chapman had a cortisone injection on the same hand during spring training and hasn’t missed a game yet this season. Coach Bob Melvin says he noticed it affecting him more while hitting than throwing the ball on defense. We should have a timetable soon, but owners in deeper formats will have to pick up someone like Max Muncy, Brian Anderson, or even Cory Spangenberg to get them through if it turns out to be a long absence. Chapman has 10 HR and a .252 BA this season so far – resulting in the 22nd spot at third base on the ESPN Player Rater.

Evan Longoria was forced to exit Thursday’s game against the Marlins in the fourth inning after getting hit by an 89 mph fastball on the left hand by Dan Straily. The result was a broken hand.


Surgery is on the table here, which would put Longoria out for the foreseeable future. Alen Hanson replaced him during the game, but has only started three game since being activated from the disabled list on June 2nd. Pablo Sandoval is the likely candidate to see an increase in playing time, but once Brandon Belt returns it could be a split with Hanson. Of the two, Hanson is the one I prefer.

Injury Quick Hits:
Brandon Guyer was activated from the disabled list. Melky Cabrera was DFA’d in a corresponding move.

Jay Bruce was held out of Thursday’s matchup against the Diamondbacks due to a back issue and will likely be sidelined once again on Friday. Brandon Nimmo should be owned everywhere if he isn’t already.

Trevor Cahill was placed on the 10-day disabled list due to a strained right Achilles. Chris Bassitt will take over his spot in the rotation.

Julio Teheran will return from the disabled list (thumb) to take on the Padres this Sunday.

According to Braves beat reporter Mark Bowman, Ronald Acuna is still at least a week away from a return from the disabled list. He hit on the field prior to Thursday’s game, but has yet to be cleared to head out on a rehab assignment.

Steven Souza Jr. is set to resume throwing and taking live BP tomorrow per Jack Magruder of the Sports Xchange. Souza has been sidelined since May 22nd due to a re-aggravation of his pectoral injury that plagued him at the beginning of the season. He’s logged 47 PA all season.

Rich Hill is set to return to the Dodger rotation next week after tallying 10 K in 4.2 IP in a rehab start for High-A Rancho Cucamonga on Thursday.

Wilmer Flores’s return from a back ailment is “imminent” according to Mets manager Mickey Callaway. Jose Reyes is on his last leg.

Jordan Zimmermann is set to return from the disabled list on Saturday against the White Sox. He’s been out since May 7th due to a shoulder ailment.

Matt Joyce will begin a minor league rehab assignment with Triple-A Nashville on Monday. His disabled list stint from a back injury is retractive to June 3rd.

 

Streaming Pitchers
A Pitcher for Today (Justin): Seth Lugo @ ARI
A Pitcher for Today: Brent Suter vs PHI
He hasn’t lasted past the sixth inning in each of his last six starts, but during that time he’s allowed 15 ER in 31.1 IP (4.31 ERA, 3.54 xFIP) with 31 K and 7 BB. The Phillies are 26th in wRC+ against LHP (84) and 28th in wRC+ on the road (76).
High-Risk Option: Mike Fiers @ CWS

A Pitcher for Tomorrow: None
High-Risk Option(s): Ivan Nova vs CIN/ Junior Guerra vs PHI (If available)





 

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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