Roto Riteup: March 18, 2015

After getting our signals crossed on Monday (read: I dun goofed), today we have but one Roto Riteup for you folks.

On today’s agenda:
1. Spirits and velocity good for C.C. Sabathia
2. Dylan Bundy’s 100 innings limit
3. Quick thoughts on Craig Gentry

Spirits and velocity good for C.C. Sabathia
The New York Yankees left-hander had his fastball sit around 90 mph during his two-inning, 31-pitch outing yesterday. Sabathia and manager Joe Girardi both expressed how pleased they were about Sabathia’s knee being a non-factor. Given Sabathia’s previous two seasons, hopefully a fully healthy knee will allow him to get back to more than just a shell of his former self. While 90 isn’t blazing fast, it is higher than 88.8, his average fastball velocity last year (according to our numbers here). Brooks Baseball has CC’s four-seamer at 90.57 last year, compared to 92.5 in 2013 and 93.3 in 2012. Regardless of the raw values, his velocity has been dipping for at least two consecutive years, however if a healthy lower half, specifically the surgically repaired knee, helps Sabathia get back into the groove, so much the better. He’s going as about the 100th starter off the board and that seems a bit harsh. Last year’s .350 BABIP didn’t do his ERA any favors nor did his 23.3% HR/FB%. Of course “last season” for CC consists of a mere 46 innings before the surgery ended his season, and there is reason for more than just hope in a bounce-back for him.

Dylan Bundy’s 100 innings limit
We can probably stop holding our breath with this announcement. The article states Bundy will likely start the season in Double-A, though it isn’t certain just yet. If instead he goes to Triple-A, then hope for Bundy to get significant time in the majors this year either as a starter or out of the pen would still be alive. Long term keeper and dynasty league owners should feel safe snapping him up late or on the reserve, but Bundy isn’t notable in standard 10 or 12-team mixed leagues just yet.

Quick thoughts on Craig Gentry
Sure he’s locked into the short side of a platoon situation with Sam “Wikipedia” Fuld in center field, but Gentry should still see time at all three outfield spots. Coco Crisp isn’t exactly a beacon of health as a triceps issue has kept him out of more than a week of spring games, returning to action just yesterday. In the opposite corner Josh Reddick is dealing with oblique pain and probably won’t be ready for Opening Day. Gentry doesn’t own a strong track record in the health department either, however the platoon should help keep him healthy. If Gentry leads the Oakland Athletics in steals this season — as he quietly did last year — then he makes for a solid late round pick in deeper leagues.