Roto Riteup: June 23, 2018

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June 23, 2018

The Roto Riteup is jumping into the weekend like:

On the Agenda:
1. Osuna Suspended 75 Games
2. Strong Pitching/Hitting
3. Various News and Notes
4. Streaming Pitchers

Osuna Suspended 75 Games
Major League Baseball has suspended RHP Roberto Osuna for 75 games for violating the league’s Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, and Child Abuse Policy.


There’s no reason to plunge into the off-field incident that landed him here. Fantasy owners have been without the Blue Jays closer since he went on administrative leave on May 8th. The suspension is retroactive to that time, giving him an August 4th activation date. Ryan Tepera has done a solid job in the ninth inning thus far but is a candidate to be moved at the trade deadline. Osuna is droppable in most formats, with the exceptions being 20-team mixed formats or deep AL-Only leagues with an increased number in bench spots. Osuna compiled a 2.93 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and a 13/1 K:BB ratio over 15 IP this season with nine saves.

 

Strong Pitching/Hitting

Let’s quickly highlight two pitchers and two hitters that had amazing games on Friday.

Nelson Cruz:
Cruz went 4-for-5 with two home runs, seven RBI, and two runs scored in the Mariners 14-10 loss to the Red Sox on Friday.


The home run was Cruz’s 20th of the season – tied for fourth in baseball. The rest of his stat line sits at .266/.351/.562 with 48 RBI, 31 R, and a 152 wRC+ (second highest mark of his career when playing in at least 50 games). He’s In the middle of a six-game hitting streak and has now homered in three-of-his-last-five contest as well. At the “experienced” age of 37, most expected Cruz to drop-off slightly this season, but as of now we’re continuing to talk about a player that’s showing no signs of slowing down. His exit velocity has increased, barrel% the same as last year, FB% the same, ISO up, and he’s once again on pace to hit 40 home runs.

Shane Bieber:
Making his third start of his MLB career, Indians RHP Shane Bieber hurled a tremendous 7 IP en route to hi second victory against the Tigers on Friday.


Bieber was ranked as Eric Longenhagen’s fifth-best prospect in the Indians system prior to the start of the season. His calling card has always been control/command of all four of his pitches and he’s putting that on full display in his brief MLB career. His stuff will never over-power anyone, but his arsenal and polish are good enough to make him mixed league relevant right now. He’s at least a 15-team mixed asset.

Jack Flaherty:
The Cardinals might have come up short on Friday, but it wasn’t because of Jack Flaherty’s pitching effort.


According to Andrew Simon on Twitter, Flaherty is the first Cardinals pitcher since Bob Gibson to post 13 strikeouts in a game twice in the same season (1972 was the last time). There’s no move to make with the 22-year old RHP – he’s owned in 66% of ESPN, 69% of Yahoo, and 92% of CBS leagues. There is however, a window to “buy high.” His SIERA sits at 3.43 (2.50 ERA, 1.01 WHIP) while his 26% K is fully supported by a 12% SwStr%. He’s continuously getting whiffs on both of his breaking balls – the curve and slider – with a combined whiff% of 41%. Strong GB-tilt (46%). There’s a lot to like here moving forward.

Jose Peraza:
I could talk about another monster J.D. Martinez game, Franklin Barreto, Yonder Alonso, Nolan Arenado, or even Jesus Aguilar after he hit two bombs while also breaking up the aforementioned Jack Flaherty’s no-hit bid — but I’ll refrain. Jose Peraza upped his stolen base total to 13 for the season, after successfully converting three attempts on Friday against the Cubs. He isn’t flashy (.268/.312/.646 line, 74 wRC+), and will certainly not hit for power, but there’s something to be said for an unheralded player that will finish with over 20 stolen bases for the third-straight year. I also really wanted to give him a shout-out since I’ve always admired his high-contact/speedy profile.

 

Various News and Notes

Mike Soroka was placed on the 10-day disabled list due to right shoulder inflammation. There’s currently no timetable for his return. Mike Foltynewicz will be activated from the disabled list to start on Monday – he’ll fill Soroka’s spot in the rotation.

Nationals GM Mike Rizzo said on MLB Network Radio on Sirius XM that he is not willing to meet the Marlin’s asking price on catcher J.T. Realmuto. The 27-year old backstop ranks second on the ESPN Player Rater at his position, and is under team control through 2020.

Avisail Garcia went 1-for-4 with two strikeouts in his return to the White Sox lineup on Friday. Garcia had been sidelined since late-April with a Grade 2 strain of his right hamstring and was hitting just .233/.250/.315 prior to going down.

The Cardinals updated a blurb I had yesterday on Michael Wacha. His MRI came back showing a moderate oblique strain. Timetables are really hard to predict when it comes to this type of ailment. Fantasy owners should expect him to be out about a month, with anything less being gravy. John Gant, Daniel Poncedeleon, Dakota Hudson, and even Austin Gomber could all be in position to make a few starts during that time.

Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reported that Chris Archer threw a 20-pitch bullpen session on Friday. He only threw fastballs and change-ups. If everything went well he’ll throw another session on Monday. Archer should make it back from his abdomen injury sometime around the All-Star break.

Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reported on Friday that Yoenis Cespedes is expected to begin baseball activities early next week. There was some chatter that he’d start baserunning as soon as today, but the Mets are playing things cautiously. He continues to work out at the Mets spring training complex in Florida, but fantasy owners may not be adding him to their respective teams until after the All-Star break.

Jose Urena was placed on the 10-day disabled list with a right shoulder impingement on Friday. There isn’t a firm timetable for his return, but it could end up being after the All-Star break. The Marlines haven’t named his replacement as of yet.

Despite getting rocked for eight earned runs in his lone rehab start at Triple-A Toledo on Sunday, Francisco Liriano will return today to take on the Indians. He’s missed about a month with a hamstring injury, but is worth an add in deeper formats or AL-Only league if he’s available.

Jordan Bastian reported that Carlos Carrasco is scheduled to throw a bullpen session early next week. He’s already resumed playing catch, and could end up back in the Indians rotation in relatively short order. Shane Bieber has been filling in, but remains a must-add in fantasy leagues in the case he keeps his rotation spot.

Bradley Zimmer aggravated his shoulder injury during batting practice last week and will be shut down for four-to-six-weeks. The Indians want to make sure he’s close to 100% for the latter part of the season. He’s obviously avoidable right now, but make sure to keep up with his news as time goes on – there’s still a lot of fantasy upside in there.

Twins reporter Rhett Bolllinger reported that Ervin Santana threw a 35-pitch side session on Friday. If all went well there’s a chance he’s sent out on a minor league rehab assignment early next week. He’s a viable stash in deeper formats if he’s available.

Clayton Kershaw will be activated today to take on the struggling Mets.


He was scheduled to make a minor league rehab start for Triple-A Oklahoma City, but there was heavy rain in the forecast. The matchup is a good one, but we’re not all out of the woods yet with his back. Be sure to activate him wherever possible.

Yu Darvish had a successful bullpen session on Friday and could be sent out on a minor league rehab assignment early next week.

 

Streaming Pitchers
A Pitcher for Today: Andrew Suarez vs SD
Hail Mary Option: Joe Musgrove vs ARI (if available)

A Pitcher for Tomorrow: Domingo German at TB
Despite a 4.77 ERA, German has a 3.34 SIERA to go along with an elite-level 16% SwStr and 28% K. He struck out 10 and yielded 3 ER over 6 IP against the Rays on June 14th.
Hail Mary Option: Carlos Rodon vs OAK





 

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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Turd Furgeson
6 years ago

Don’t look now but Franklin barretto (formerly the idea of Franklin barretto)is outpacing Donaldson in hrs . Haha..

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