Roto Riteup: May 11, 2023

Forget about 2019 – I think we might finally be seeing prime Acuña, 470 ft at a time:

RONNIE ROCKETS 😱@ronaldacunajr24 crushed this baseball. pic.twitter.com/d2pliXVsdL

— Bally Sports: Braves (@BravesOnBally) May 11, 2023

 

On the Agenda:

1. News and Notes
2. Bumps and Bruises
3. Performance!
4. Closer Kumite
5. Streaming Pitchers

News and Notes

Justin Verlander cruised to his first Win of the season, allowing two hits and one run over seven innings in Cincinnati, striking out seven. With the win, Verlander has now beaten all 30 MLB teams, allegedly celebrating by ordering some of Cincinnati’s famous Skyline chili and immediately dumping it right back in the garbage where it belongs.

Corey Seager is set to begin a rehab assignment today at Double-A (Frisco) and will look to rejoin the Rangers when they start their next home series on Monday.

Julio Rodríguez was dropped to sixth and out of his leadoff spot for the first time all season, entering Wednesday slashing just .204/.271/.387. But considering his expected wOBA and batting average are ~50 points higher than reality and he still has 6 HR and 6 SB, I’ll count myself not too worried.

James Paxton (technically everything) came off the IL on Wednesday and will make his season debut on Friday against the Cardinals. Enjoy these next 4-5 starts while you can.

Top prospect, Eury Perez was called up by the Marlins and will make his MLB debut on Friday against the Reds. In six starts at Double-A, Perez posted a 2.32 ERA and 0.81 WHIP, with a 36% K%.

Kyle Farmer (face) was activated from the IL with the struggling Jose Miranda being optioned to Triple-A after slashing just .220/.275/.318 over 142 PA. Miranda will likely remain there until he proves he can either outhit Farmer on the reg, or Alex Kiriloff’s wrist poofs into dust; whichever comes first.

Jared Walsh (headaches) is set to start a rehab assignment with Triple-A (Salt Lake).

Bumps and Bruises

José Alvarado was placed on the 15-day IL  a day after feeling irritation in his elbow during pregame warm-ups. The good news is that imaging only showed inflammation but don’t expect Alvarado to be activated as soon as eligible with the Phillies wanting to bring him back slowly. Craig Kimbrel will presumably get the first shot at the ninth in but Seranthony Domínguez will be lurking when if Kimbrel and his trusty gas can inevitably burns the place down a couple of times.

Jeimer Candelario hurt his ankle sliding on a double against the Giants, leaving in the seventh inning after initially returning. Consider him day-to-day.

Nick Lodolo (calf soreness) had his Thursday start pushed to Saturday and will now take on the Marlins.

Tyler Glasnow (oblique) was pulled from his rehab start after just 11 pitches with “mild” side tightness. I’m sure everyone is totally telling the truth and this will just be a itty-bitty speedbump.

Max Fried (forearm strain) is expected to miss at least two months. Which is a timeline we should totally trust given how straightforward and fast-healing forearm strains tend to be.

Performance!

Dean Kremer shut down the Rays in a 2-1 win, striking out four and allowing four hits over six scoreless innings. His four-seamer was up a tick over his year average, generating six whiffs and a 19.3% SwStr%. It’s Kremer’s second good start in a row over tough opponents, as he’d just previously picked over a win in Atlanta, allowing 1 ER over 6 IP, striking out three. He’ll be in for a high-risk two-step next week, scheduled to face the Angels at home and Toronto on the road.

Dane Dunning picked up the win over the Mariners, allowing 2 ER in 6 IP, striking out six, following his first start of the year where he shut out the Angels for five innings. Rostered <25% on Yahoo, Dunning will line up for the ol’ “one bad, one good” two-step dilemma, scheduled to face Atlanta and Colorado at home.

Josiah Gray turned in another strong performance, allowing 2 ER over 7 IP in a Win over the Giants. Gray now has a 2.96 ERA (4.37 FIP) for the season but a 1.34 WHIP that’s being dragged down his bouts of control struggle. But since allowing 5 ER in his season debut, Gray has a 2.21 ERA over seven starts and 41 IP. Under 50% rostered on Yahoo, Gray next sets up for a juicy two-start week, taking on Miami and Detroit.

Lance Lynn got positively shelled again on Wednesday, allowing 7 ER in 5 IP in a loss to the Royals. He’s now given up 11 HR in 8 starts and has a 7.51 ERA and 1.60 WHIP. If a pitcher is getting lit up by everyone, including the Royals, is said pitcher really worth rostering?

J.J. Bleday hit his fourth home run in the eight games since getting called up, slashing .379/.419/.793 over his first 31 PA. With a mostly everyday role likely on the haphazard A’s, Bleday could be a nice source of pop.

Closer Kumite

With Félix Bautista having pitched 29 pitches the night before, Yennier Cano picked up his third Save of the year in a 2-1 win over Tampa Bay, striking out one in a clean inning. With a 39% K% and 0.00 ERA, Cano remains a valuable fantasy asset even without a closing role but remains <50% rostered on Yahoo.

Just like we all predicted, Will Smith picked up his team-leading sixth Save for the Rangers, striking out two in a clean inning. He’s clearly the closer for one of baseball’s better teams but still isn’t universally rostered (55% on Yahoo, 9% on ESPN).

Josh Hader ghost blew his second save of the year after Donovan Solano singled in a ghost runner in the 10th inning. I’m sorry but we clearly need a term for that situation and clearly, that term is “ghost blew”.

Streaming Pitchers

On a short-slate Thursday, our options for streaming are Ben Lively 라이블리, Hogan Harris, or Tommy Henry. Umm,

Streamer for Tomorrow: Matthew Boyd vs SEA (I don’t have to tell you Matt Boyd is high-risk, right?)