Roto Riteup: March 25, 2014

Tomorrow will mark the 12th anniversary of the Taking Back Sunday album Tell All Your Friends. This album more than any other had a big effect on me back in high school and I’ll admit this song played on my MySpace page. As a matter of fact, I still put this album on the ol’ record played and jam to some old school alternative rock.

On the agenda:
1. Geovany Soto to miss 10-12 weeks
2. Trevor Bauer to the minors
3. Billy Hamilton: Shortstop?

 Geovany Soto to miss 10-12 weeks
A torn lateral meniscus in Soto’s right knee will land the catcher on the disabled list for at least two and a half months. Soto’s fantasy value isn’t what it once was, however someone with his decent power and that park make for a viable option in two catcher leagues. He managed to crank nine home runs last year in 184 plate appearances and was slotted to be the starting catcher this year. Soto should retake his starting gig once he is healthy, but that time could come when the season is half over.

If Soto’s average power was interesting in that park then J.P. Arencibia’s power is borderline tantalizing. When he makes contact — which is rare given his 28.9% career strikeout rate — Arencibia has the ability to launch moonshots. Since the 2011 season he has averaged over 20 dingers per season, though he has struggled for his batting average to equal his listed 200 pound weight. It isn’t clear what manager Ron Washington will do with his backstop situation just yet, as he has made several positive comments about Robinson Chirinos lately. Which way Washington will ultimately go is still in the air, though the power and fantasy upside favors Arencibia. Both Arencibia and Chirinos is widely available among the three major fantasy sites.

Trevor Bauer to the minors
Still just 23, Bauer has seemingly been around for awhile. This marks third season in a row where Bauer has started the season in the minor leagues. He reworked his mechanics over the off-season and still has some hiccups according to manager Terry Francona. The Cleveland Indians skipper went on to say “…we want this kid to come here and stay here. So, finding consistency in what he does is very important. We have a lot of confidence in the fact that he will do that.”

Bauer still offers a solid upside, though his fantasy value will be tied to his walk rate. Last year in Triple-A Bauer posted a 5.41 BB/9 and his control was even worse in four starts in the majors. He allowed 16 walks (and hit a batter) in 17 innings last season and surrendered three dingers. Should one of the current Indians starters falter, Bauer should be one of the first called up as a replacement.

Billy Hamilton: shortstop?
No, this isn’t a speculative post on whether or not Hamilton has the defensive chops to stick at shortstop long-term. I don’t have the industry knowledge or the scouting prowess to make that call, but the Cincinnati Reds do. According to the club, they haven’t ruled out using Hamilton as a backup shortstop to Zack Cozart. The Reds have yet to make final cuts to their opening day roster, though the thought of Hamilton potentially gaining shortstop eligibility is a lovely one. It’s a slim chance, but baseball is a crazy game.