Roto Riteup: June 21, 2017

Hunter Pence is my spirit animal:

 

On the Agenda:

1. Closer Chaos

2. Mr. Rodgers’ New Neighborhood

3. Pham-tastic

4. Various News and Notes

5. Streaming Pitcher Options

 

Closer Chaos

Bud Norris has been placed on the 10-Day DL with a knee issue. Norris has been dealing with the injury for the last few weeks. Cam Bedrosian has returned from the DL and could slide back into his closer role until Norris returns, but at the moment David Hernandez appears to be the guy. If Bedrosian pitches well in the interim and can regain the closer role, the Angels will have a goldplated problem to deal once Norris is back.

Zach Britton was transferred from the 10-Day DL to the 60-Day DL. The Orioles appear to be taking it slow with Britton potentially to avoid a reinjury like the one that got him back on the DL this time around. He will not be eligible to be reinstated until July 4th.

 

Mr. Rodgers’ New Neighborhood

After yesterday’s sad news about Gleyber Torres, I thought I’d perk up some of you dynasty players. According to Hudson Belinsky of Baseball America, Brendan Rodgers will be promoted to Double-A after the California League All-Star Game. Rodgers has hit twelve home runs in 48 games with a .400/.419/.700 triple slash. Widely considered one of the top prospects in the game, he will most likely see the Majors some time mid-to-late 2018. While yesterday I recommended buying on Torres, this is potentially the perfect time to sell high on Rodgers as he could lose value if he is moved off shortstop and his walk rate has diminished this season.

 

Pham-tastic

Tommy Pham went 2-for-5 with a home run on Tuesday against the Phillies. After a couple of years of constantly riding the shuttle between the minors and Majors, Pham is finally getting some extended playing time and is hitting .277/.373/.462 with six home runs and six stolen bases in 153 plate appearances. He has struggled a bit during the month of June, however, with Randal Grichuk sporting a 30% strikeout rate in AAA, it is unlikely he will unseat Pham anytime soon.

 

Various News and Notes

Jerad Eickhoff was placed on the 10-day DL with a back strain. Eickhoff has struggled this season, but has been a bit better as of late and appeared to be possibly getting back on track after his last couple of starts. This doesn’t appear to be a serious issue and hopefully he will return after the minimum stay.

Yangervis Solarte is expected to be placed on the DL with an oblique strain. Solarte was scratched from Tuesday’s lineup prior from the game after injuring his hand during batting practice. Ryan Schmipf is likely to be recalled from AAA where he is hitting .273/.314/.636 with four home runs in 35 plate appearances. Solarte is quietly putting together a decent year, hitting .268/.349/.425 with ten home runs and 40 RBIs. He has increased his walk rate and lowered his strikeout rate while not sacrificing his power.

Jean Segura is on pace to be reactivated Thursday or Friday according to Bob Dutton. Segura played on back-to-back night in AAA and appears to be about ready to go. The Mariners are expecting big things from their shortstop after giving him a 5-year $70 million extension while he was on the DL. Segura is doubling down on the breakout season he had last year in Arizona, hitting .341/.391/.462 with four home runs and seven stolen bases. While he has not been very efficient on the basepaths (7-for-13), it appears the Mariners have a lot of faith in him and will continue to allow their leadoff man run.

According to Julia Morales, Lance McCullers will be reactivated and start Saturday’s game against the Mariners. McCullers had been on the DL with a back strain, but appears to be ok after a short stay on the DL.

Austin Hedges is expected to return on Wednesday. He has been dealing with a bruised quad since being run over by Anthony Rizzo on a play at the plate in which Rizzo had a fairly clear path.

Eduardo Nunez will undergo a MRI after reinjurying his hamstring. Nunez had missed three games last week with the injury, but appeared to avoid the DL after a few days off. He will most likely hit the DL at this point unless the result come back negative. Nunez has had a very good season hitting .299/.323/.413 with four home runs and seventeen stolen bases. He is in a contract year and is one of the best trade chips that the Giants have in what is increasingly looking like a lost season in the City by the Bay. If he is moved, he will most likely get a boost by being in a better hitters park and lineup.

 

Streaming Pitcher Options

A pitcher for today: Joe Biagini @ Tex

Biagini has registered quality starts in three of his last four games and averaged six strikeouts and 1.3 walks during those three starts.

A pitcher for tomorrow: None

Had a writeup for Jaime Garcia and then realized he was barely over 50% owned. Jesse Hahn and David Paulino were both considered, but are too high risk to be recommended.





Justin is the co-host on The Sleeper and The Bust Podcast and writes for Rotographs covering the Roto Riteup as well as other periodic articles. In addition to his work at Rotographs, Justin is the lead fantasy writer/analyst and co-owner for FriendswithFantasyBenefits.com, and the owner of The Great Fantasy Baseball Invitational. He is also a certified addiction treatment counselor. Follow Justin on Twitter @JustinMasonFWFB.

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FastOne
6 years ago

Biagini, again with the Quality Starts. He has 3 all year. 1-6 record. Last outing was a meltdown. Before his only 3 QS, he couldn’t get out of the 5th. And on the road in Texas of all places. You gotta be desperate to use Biagini today, unless it is a Wins only league.

FastOne
6 years ago
Reply to  FastOne

Result: 6.35 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, no QS, but ugly Win.

Wish there was some accountability on these sites that tracked record for these obtuse recommendations. Granted some picks have good analysis, but others just touting a false stat like QS need to be avoided.