Roto Riteup: June 8, 2015
Today is an exciting day: it’s the day of the MLB draft!
On today’s agenda:
1. It’s Carlos Correa time
2. Various news and notes
3. Streaming Pitcher Options
It’s Carlos Correa time
The first place Astros have called Correa up to the majors. The 20-year-old shortstop will make his MLB debut just 36 months after being drafted out of high school as the first overall pick. Correa wasn’t dominant during his brief stint in Triple-A, and he’s hit .217 over the past two weeks, but the Astros are clearly confident that his process has been right and he’s ready for the next challenge. Luis Valbuena will likely be the one losing playing time, with Jed Lowrie sliding over to the hot corner. Valbuena should still play as the backup second and third baseman, and could even see some DH time when guys need days off. Correa will be added in all formats, but I’m not ready to say he’s worthy.
Various news and notes
Javier Baez fractured his finger while attempting to steal a base and will miss at least the next month, if not two. Baez had cut his strikeout rate but over four percentage points in Triple-A without really seeing a decline in power, but now his chances of making the bigs this year outside of a September callup have fallen to next to next-to-nothing.
The Indians have optioned Jose Ramirez to the minors, but don’t appear to be calling up Francisco Lindor to take his place. Lindor’s batting average isn’t outstanding, but his plate discipline has remained excellent and his glove is awesome.
Kendall Graveman looked really good heading into the eighth inning yesterday. His fastballs were moving and keeping the Red Sox off balance.
Edwin Encarnacion believes he’ll be able to return for the Blue Jays today. Encarnacion missed yesterday’s game with a shoulder injury, but he’s received some cortisone shots and should be out no more than another day or two.
Streaming Pitcher Options
If you enjoy streaming pitchers, tune into the Roto Riteup for recommendations each and every day.
A pitcher for today: Mike Bolsinger vs ARZ (Rubby De La Rosa)
It’s a half-day for games, so options are limited.
A pitcher for tomorrow: Nate Karns vs LAA (Matt Shoemaker)
Karns has been lovely recently, and my love for him knows very few bounds.
Zach is the creator and co-author of RotoGraphs' Roto Riteup series, and RotoGraphs' second-longest tenured writer. You can follow him on twitter.
Lowrie’s on the DL for another month, and may need longer than that to be an effective hitter. I could see a platoon happening here in the longer term since Valbuena cannot hit lefties.
Correa has maintained strong bat control through AAA so I can see him making an effective adjustment. He’s worth a flier for his speed alone.
Yeah Correa isn’t “worthy”… tell me who the 25th man on your roster is?
He’s worth adding if you need SS help and/or you have a roster spot to burn. Let’s just remember that prospects coming up are always hit or miss and their fantasy impact. I mean, Kris Bryant has been pretty damn awesome, but by that same token Gregory Polanco was about as equally hyped as Correa and was pretty mediocre last year. Likewise, a lot of hype surrounded Rusney Castillo entering this year and he has done virtually nothing fantasy wise.
I added Correa in a few leagues, but I only did it because I had the roster spot to burn. In this case, I dropped Alex Guerrero, who seems to be behind Justin Turner, Yasiel Puig and Andre Ethier for playing time. That said, in another league I did not add Correra because I have Jose Reyes as my SS and the only droppable guy would be Cameron Maybin and I think Maybin is going to clearly out produce Correa and a bunch of other guys if he stays healthy.
Guess my opinion is colored by being in keeper leagues. If he’s on the wire in a redraft I guess it’s not as big of a deal.
Agreed. Obviously he should be owned in any keeper leagues, if he wasnt already. I think it’s a tough call in redraft leagues, he is worth a roster add and honestly I would take him over guys like Kang (seems to be mired in a platoon with Mercer again) or Zobrist. That said, part of the problem at SS is how a lot of the top guys just are not producing. Are you going to drop Ian Desmond for Correa? Probably not, considering how high your investment was. Would I take Correra over Alcides Escobar? Hell yeah. Would I take Correa over Starlin Castro or Marcus Semien? I’m probably not that high on Correa, just yet.
I think he is a top 12 SS going forward, but towards the bottom of that tier.
even in redrafts he’s worth owning, I foolishly dropped Correa a few days before and someone nabbed him…! I played Rollins all the time here…doh!
He’s worth owning in redrafts, on potential alone. I think Rollins, Russell, etc is a good comp for him. He has the potential to shatter that tier, but if I had to guess I think he settles in towards the bottom of the top 12 tier. Honestly, Wilmer Flores should be owned a bunch more leagues, as poor as SS has been I am surprised he is still so lowly owned considering his power numbers and line up spot (batting 5th a lot now).
Correa plays SS….so all he needs to be is anything greater than totally awful to be relevant.
I’m not so sure. Addison Russell has been replacement-level in my 12 teamer and, while I hope Correa bursts onto the scene, we should probably expect him to hover around the mid-teens of SS-eligible dudes this year.
I’m curious where Correa falls in the batting order. That has killed a lot of Russell’s fantasy value, Maddon has him hitting 9th and while that has been great for Bryant and Rizzo (more guys on base), the pop that Russell has shown has somewhat gone to waste since he is usually hitting without many runners on.
I have a prospect draft tomorrow and my pick has come down to two guys – Sano vs. Schwarber.
It’s a points league where K’s do hurt, and I’ll have the player’s rights for 3 active seasons – meaning I don’t start the clock until I’m ready. So even if they come up this season, I wouldn’t activate them until next year.
What would fangraphs do?