Roto Riteup: May 12, 2015
Yesterday marked the 10 year anniversary of the Leeroy Jenkins video. While not a WoW player myself (shocking, I know) this video was inescapable back in the day.
On today’s agenda:
1. Time to buy Adam Eaton
2. Maikel Franco watch
3. Streaming Pitching Options
Time to buy Adam Eaton
Okay, so I’ve been saying that since 2012, but really, now is the time. Eaton was hitting .195 entering yesterday’s game, though a .235 BABIP — 90 points below his career average — was partially to blame. Eaton hasn’t been dropped in the Chicago White Sox lineup just yet and rewarded his manager’s faith in him with a four hit performance yesterday. He still has just one steal on the year, but only had two at this point last year, though an injury forced him to miss two weeks in early May. Hitting leadoff for a powerful lineup in a hitter friendly park should be a recipe for success for the 26-year-old and while extra-base hits aren’t his forte, Eaton should provide enough rate stats, runs and steals to be useful in almost any league going forward. He is currently available in 65 percent of Yahoo! and CBS formats and over 80 percent of ESPN leagues.
Maikel Franco watch
Most of yesterday’s prospect news came in the form of Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa getting promoted to Triple-A, but don’t overlook Franco. The Phillies third base prospect could get the call this weekend as Jim Salisbury of CSN Philly predicts, especially given Cody Asche being sent down to Triple-A to work on his outfield defense. Franco is sporting a .336/.359/.520 line in Triple-A, however a .394 BABIP is helping prop up his weak on-base skills. Our own Kiley McDaniel had Franco rated as the no. 2 prospect in the Phillies system and no. 38 overall entering this season, praising his bat speed and power. Franco cracked 31 dingers in 2013 and 16 last season so the power is there and should be played up in his future home park of Citizens Bank. He’s worth a look in NL-only redraft leagues but the 22-year-old will be hard pressed to provide a ton of fantasy value in standard mixed leagues this season. His power and bat speed make him worth stashing in keeper or dynasty formats, but if you play in an OBP league, be careful. Franco isn’t one to work a base on balls too often as he owns a 6.1 percent BB% in his combined minor league career.
Streaming Pitching Options
If you enjoy streaming pitchers, tune into the Roto Riteup for recommendations each and every day.
A pitcher for today: Nathan Eovaldi at TB (Chris Archer)
To date, the Rays have hit a tick below average against right-handers. Home runs have hurt in him the early going but the pitcher friendly Tropicana should help keep the ball in the yard for Eovaldi. He’s available in 35 percent of CBS formats and over 75 percent of Yahoo! and ESPN leagues.
A pitcher for tomorrow: Carlos Frias vs MIA (Jarred Cosart)
The Marlins have scuffled when facing righties thus far and Frias will look to exploit their sixth highest strikeout rate. Frias can be streamed in more than 55 percent of CBS leagues as well as more than 90 percent ESPN and Yahoo! leagues.
You can catch David spouting off about baseball, soccer, esports and other things by following him on twitter, @davidwiers.
Speaking of buying/buying in on some players, which journeymen, veteran starting pitcher off to surprising fantasy starts are you buying in on? Between Chris Young, Colby Lewis and Ubaldo Jimenez can any of these pitchers prove worthy of owning over the long haul of the season or no?
Young’s microscopic .105 BABIP is really driving his success. He has improved his swinging strike rate and thus his K%, likely due to the increased slider rate, but his extreme fly ball tendencies are going to lead to more home runs.
I’d be slightly more inclined to buy on Lewis, but I don’t love his profile still. As a fly ball pitcher in a tough park, he’ll be prone to the long ball and his 0.60 HR/9 is less than half his career norm.
Ubaldo is someone I’m legitimately keeping my eye on as his walk rate has improved as has his F-Strike% and Zone%. His .220 BABIP won’t last forever either, but if he can continue to keep the walks under control, he could become a stream option for me.