Roto Riteup: June 22, 2018

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June 22, 2018

I’m not actually here everyone this is some guy I met.

On the Agenda:
1. Rumors and Promotions
2. Various News and Notes
3. Streaming Pitchers

 

Rumors and Promotions
According to Jon Morosi of MLB.com, the Phillies have shown interest in acquiring Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre.


Beltre is hitting a cool .302/.357/.428 with three home runs and 22 RBI in 182 PA thus far. He’s 39 years of age, but certainly could help a league-average offense in the Phillies. With J.P. Crawford being out four-to-six weeks and Maikel Franco remaining inconsistent, this is a move that is certainly possible. Southpaw reliever Jake Diekman and Shin-Soo Choo are also receiving interest on the trade market.

According to Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports, the Padres have “checked in” on third baseman Manny Machado.

The Padres have one of the best systems in the minor leagues and could easily get a deal done if they could get a “wink, wink” from Machado that he’d be willing to re-sign there long-term. There’s going to be a ton of teams in on acquiring Machado, so we’ll all have to sit back and see what develops.

The Mets are expected to call-up prospect RHP Drew Smith and outfielder Kevin Kaczmarski to join the big league club.


Smith is a former third round pick in 2015, and was the piece the Mets received in the Lucas Duda deal with the Rays last season. He’s compiled a 3.00 ERA and 1.20 WHIP with a 22.4% K and 9.6% BB. He has a heavy, plus-fastball with an above-average change-up and a 45% GB while playing the PCL. Kaczmarksi may get a decent shot here – even if it’s just for a few games – as Jay Bruce, Yoenis Cespedes, and Juan Lagares are all sidelined for various reasons. He was a ninth round selection in 2015 and has hit .363/.413/.450 with no power and two steals in 24 games this year. His plate skills are solid – decent K/BB in the minor leagues – but he won’t be viable in any formats.
Phil Ervin is being recalled from Triple-A Louisville to take the place of Scott Schebler while he’s on the bereavement list. He’s a non-factor as of now. Schebler should return in short order.

Eloy Jimenez, Dylan Cease, and Luis Robert all moved up a level on Thursday.


Jimenez is the biggest name of the group. He has the best opportunity to make an impact to fantasy rosters this season and is arguably the most talented prospect left for fantasy owners to stash this year (minus Vlad Jr). Eloy is being promoted to Triple-A Charlotte. He gets the promotion after swatting 10 HR and 27 total XBH in 228 PA, to go along with a .317/.368/.556 line. He has all the makings of a future stud.

Cease is being promoted to Double-A Birmingham. He boasted a 2.89 ERA and 1.12 WHIP to go along with a 48% GB and 82/28 K:BB ratio in 71.2 IP for High-A. He gets placed on the backburner due to the White Sox having Michael Kopech in their system, but Cease doesn’t lack upside. He sports a high-octane fastball with a lethal curve and improving change-up command. He’s already received Tommy John surgery and could be on the White Sox Opening Day roster coming into next season if things shake out right. With that said, he’s mostly a non-factor for re-draft leagues in 2018, but there’s a ton to like here.

Luis Robert was promoted to High-A Winston-Salem and proceeded to single in his first at-bat, steal second base, and score a run. He hit .289/.360/.400 with four stolen bases in 13 games in A-ball, and was ranked third on Eric Longenhagen’s prospect list for the White Sox.

Carter Kieboom – the Washington Nationals shortstop prospect – has been promoted to Double-A Harrisburg. The 20-year old was ranked even above Juan Soto on Eric Longenhagen’s pre-season list for the Nationals. He has a short, compact stroke that generates strong torque and loft.


He posted a .298/.386/.494 line with 11 HR and six stolen bases in 285 PA at High-A. Since May 1st he’s been even better, sporting a 189 wRC+ with a 1.038 OPS, 7 HR, and 5 stolen bases. He’s likely ready to go now if he had an avenue for playing time, but keeper/dynasty owners should try and swing in now while the price is still relatively low.

 

Various News and Notes
Jung-Ho Kang is currently day-to-day at Triple-A Indianapolis due to left wrist discomfort. He’s currently 7-for-26 (.269) in seven games at Triple-A. He could make his 2018 debut sometime in the near future.

Masahiro Tanaka is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Sunday.


There’s a possibility we don’t see Tanaka back with the Yankees until after the All-Star break. He’s been sidelined since June 9th due to tightness in both hamstrings. Be sure to monitor his progress as time goes on.

Ryan McMahon was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque for the second time this season on Thursday. We just have to stash him in keeper/dynasty until he gets a more permanent role. Now is the time to buy in those formats if you’re finding yourself out of contention for this season.

Wil Myers went 0-for-3 with a walk and two strikeouts in his return to the Padres lineup on Thursday. Oblique injuries take time to heal completely, but Myers hit well during his rehab assignment. His line is at .279/.295/.419 in 11 games this year.

Yoenis Cespedes expects to begin running in the next few days, with the hopes of being activated from the disabled list in early-to-mid July according to Mets manager Mickey Callaway.

Michael Wacha was placed on the 10-day disabled list due to a Grade 1 left oblique strain.


The early reports weren’t encouraging as Wacha will need an MRI and breathing caused him pain. There’s no timetable for his return at the moment. John Gant has been recalled to take his roster spot, but if it’s a long absence, we could see one of Daniel Poncedeleon, Dakota Hudon, or Austin Gomber get a shot.

Shelby Miller is expected to return to the big leagues for the first time since April of the 2017 season on Monday against the Marlins. He’s logged a 4.66 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, with a 28/6 K:BB ratio over four starts in the minors (19.1 IP). He’ll likely need to shake off some rust no doubt, but he’s worth a flier in deeper formats.

Ronald Acuna will begin a rehab assignment on Friday with Triple-A Gwinnett. He and the Braves are hoping he’s ready to go on Monday. Acuna has been sidelined since May 27th after suffering a sprained MCL.

Tyler Skaggs was scratched from his scheduled outing on Thursday due to right hamstring tightness. The Angels are currently saying it’s a day-to-day situation and that they’ll evaluate him today.

Johnny Cueto is slated to make a rehab start with Triple-A Sacramento on Saturday. The Giants are hoping to build his pitch count up over three starts before bringing him back. Cueto’s been out since late-April with a sprained elbow.

Lorenzo Cain left Thursday’s game against the Cardinals with a hamstring injury. It didn’t look good and he was seen grabbing it. The Brewers should update his status soon, but fantasy owners should brace themselves.

Aaron Sanchez departed his start on Thursday due to a right index finger contusion. X-rays came up negative, he’s currently day-to-day.

 

Streaming Pitchers
A Pitcher for Today: Shane Bieber vs DET
The Tigers are 25th in OPS on the road (.678) and 24th in wRC+ against RHP (86). Bieber has a 13/2 K:BB ratio in two starts against the Twins. He’s a useful option today.
Hail Mary Option (Justin): Frankie Montas @ SD

A Pitcher for Tomorrow: Andrew Suarez vs SD
Hail Mary Option: Joe Musgrove vs ARI (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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theojdMember since 2023
6 years ago

Montas pitched Wednesday – got the W.

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