Roto Riteup: May 14, 2013
Today’s Roto Riteup was written while the latest Nerdist podcast (warning: language) episode played through the speakers. The guest for that particular episode was fellow South Korean Steven Yeun, star on The Walking Dead, but perhaps more recognizable as being a former Kalamazoo, Michigan resident. Perhaps one day Steven, Adam Rosales, and the present author will meet up. A man can dream.
On today’s agenda:
1. Justin Masterson is maddening
2. The return of Neil Walker
3. Curtis Granderson may return today
4. Aaron Hicks flashes his power
5. Austin Jackson and Avisail Garcia
Justin Masterson is maddening
After cruising through New York Yankees lineup with a complete game shut out, Justin Masterson has officially confounded the author. Masterson allowed just seven base runners and struck out nine Yankees while throwing 79 of 118 pitching for strikes. For the season, Masterson is now sitting on a 3.14 ERA/3.09 FIP/3.67 xFIP and the author has no idea what to do. A current team log stats that for the author’s team, he has produced a 6.16 ERA and 1.58 WHIP in 19 innings. Masterson has been throwing more sliders this year and that has helped his sinker generate his traditionally great GB%. Left-handed hitters always pose a threat to him, but Masterson has begun to quell doubts, but he is a great spot starter. He deserves a rotation spot on your roster, but be wary of his match ups.
The return of Neil Walker
The Pittsburgh Pirates activated Neil Walker from the 15-day disabled list yesterday and while he went hitless, having him back is a good sign. Now that he is back Walker makes for a solid grab at your 2B/MI spot. He is currently owned in just 47% of Yahoo! leagues, 41% of ESPN formats, and 66% of CBS leagues.
Curtis Granderson may return today
While nothing has been confirmed, the New York Yankees may activate Curtis Granderson today. Coming off of back-to-back 40 home run seasons, Granderson won’t hit that mark this year, but a good season is possible. There is legitimate doubt regarding his post-injury power potential, but even if he only manages 20 home runs, his other counting statistics should be worthwhile. The Yankees outfield is quite full as of now, so expect Granderson to be eased into an everyday role. Injury rebounds are always a big gamble, and while initially skeptical, the author is considering making moves for Granderson in multiple leagues.
Aaron Hicks flashes his power
The batting average still isn’t there, but Hicks did launch two home runs yesterday. He always drew a walk and now has a 12.4% walk rate. His 28.9% strikeout rate is still not what owners are looking for, but prior to yesterday’s game, Hicks’ previous week showed a .235/.278/.353 line. That isn’t enough to be owned in standard mixed leagues, but it is an improvement over his .152/.256/.287 seasonal line. Hicks needs to show more power or more average — or even more steals — before he should be owned in redraft leagues.
Austin Jackson and Avisail Garcia
The Detroit Tigers moved Austin Jackson to the 15-day disabled list with a strained left hamstring. Replacing him is prospect Avisail Garcia who was hitting Triple-A pitching to a .432/.447/.541 line, thanks largely in part to a .577 BABIP. His walk rate is still quite low and his strikeout rate is a bit high, but Garcia is worth a look in deep leagues or people scrambling for outfield help. Garcia won’t offer much in terms of power or speed, but his batting average should be sound and the lineup he’ll be hitting in is top notch.
You can catch David spouting off about baseball, soccer, esports and other things by following him on twitter, @davidwiers.
Apparently, being wary of Masterson’s matchups is more likely to be to your detriment, based on the author’s team log.
The truth, it hurts.
yeah, it’s annoying because he has had some very good starts and some very bad, and regardless of what approach you take to streaming you’d probably guess wrong on when to start him. Against weaker overall offenses? You’d have started him for his bad starts @KC and vs MIN and benched for good starts vs OAK and NYY. Start against righty-heavy lineups? OAK and NYY each started at least 6 lefties, but he did fine in both starts.
A. Garcia with a .577 BABIP?!?!?! That’s high!!! He’s on my team. How is he doing it? Squaring up and hitting the ball really hard? Line drives falling in. That’s a little concerning without a hint of context.
IF you trust MiLB batted ball data (which is iffy, but that is another story) then he has a 22.2% LD%. Personally, I don’t read into LD% at the major league level a lot, so you can guess how I feel about the minors.
That being said Garcia was a Top-100 preseason prospect coming into this year,so the kid can hit, at least he has thus far.
That makes sense. That’s for the details… I gotta get me some of that MiLB info…
I seem to recall Masterson reaching a similar status last year. He has a good streak and everyone jumped on the bandwagon. Then he started walking batters and getting shelled.
no, he was all over the place all year last year. Also, while he still has a definite split, he’s actually doing pretty decent against lefties this year. If he keeps that up, there’s no reason he can’t have continued success.
For the remainder of this year only, would you want Matt Kemp or Carlos Gomez?
I am wondering this, also.
I still prefer Kemp. He has a greater body of work and while he has started slow in HR and steals, I think he’ll be fine.
i’ll believe it when i see it (frustrated Kemp owner)
Who would you rather have over the rest of the season – Jon Jay or Jayson Werth?
I like Jay. I thought of him as a nice sleeper before the season. Out of the gate he was solid at the top of the lineup, and I grabbed him during the first week. While he’s been next in line to cut recently, I think I will hold onto him in my deep 12 teamer. Ultimately, I think he is the better play ROS because he is currently sitting 50 points below his career BABIP with everything else pretty much variance free. While he might not make it back to the top of that lineup, he should have a better spot than he has had in years past. While you might not get as much run production from Jay, he should beat Werth enough in average and playing time to make up for that difference.
Kind of what I was thinking as well, thanks.
“Garcia won’t offer much in terms of power or speed”
What?!? He hit 14 home runs and stole 23 bases last year in 122 games in the minors. He had 2 HR and 2 SB in 66 PA in the minors this year.
“Left-handed hitters always pose a threat to him, but Masterson has begun to quell doubts, but he is a great spot starter. He deserves a rotation spot on your roster, but be wary of his match ups.”
More buts in these two sentences then there are butts in the seats at Marlins games.
I am torn with Masterson I see a 4.40 era with 12-14 wins 175ks this season would you agree?
lol..
Brandon Moss played CF yesterday for the A’s. Just a few more games and he will get his CF eligibility! Brandon freakin’ Moss.