Roto Riteup: May 17, 2019

The Roto Riteup needs some coffee.

On the Agenda:
1. Various News and Notes/Quick Hits
2. Streaming Pitchers

 

Various News and Notes/Quick Hits
According to MLB.com, the Rockies are calling up top prospect Brendan Rodgers from Triple-A Albuquerque today. Rodgers is number one in the Colorado system, and has hit .356/.421/.644 with nine home runs and 21 RBI this season. The initial question is where he plays, as Trevor Story is not supposed to head to the injured list after suffering a bruised knee the other night. Like many have said, the Rockies could use him at second base, relegating Ryan McMahon to a smaller role. Either way, he should be added in all leagues based on his raw tools. Hopefully he starts running more – he has had a significant injury history – but strong tools in Coors Field will play, and he’s worth a shot.

I mentioned Yordan Alvarez briefly yesterday, but he’s really starting to receive some praise recently.

 

 

He now has a .406/.494/.895 line, yeah, with 17 HR. I still have a good amount of postpartum depression from A.J. Reed, but this is just another level. Like I said yesterday, with Tyler White expected to see more sporadic playing time, Alvarez could make his way up to the bigs rather soon. If it’s me, I’m putting a bid down on Alvarez before Rodgers.

Trea Turner could be back today!!!

We can only hope everyone. Even if he’s not back today, he should be back sometime soon, meaning those in weekly formats should expect to have him back next week? Turner had two home runs and four stolen bases in four games before going down with a broken finger. I’m expecting big production the rest of the year.

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, Sean Manaea has already thrown three bullpen sessions. He had surgery for a torn labrum in August of last year, and could make his way back by the All-Star break. He could get some innings under his belt in the second half, but he’s not a massive priority for “DL” spots quite yet.

Mallex Smith was recalled from Triple-A Tacoma after hitting .333/.375/.467 with seven stolen bases in 48 PA since his demotion. He homered off of Michael Pineda in his return to the lineup – hitting ninth – and should be owned in absolutely 100% of leagues due to his speed upside. This next FAAB period is obviously receiving a ton of hype as one of, if not the biggest of the season, but Smith should be close to tops on that list if he was dropped. On a side note, one of my favorite minor leaguers – Shed Long – was demoted in a corresponding move.

Quick Hits (I went to bed early so I may miss some late items): Jeff McNeil suffered an abdominal injury and had to be removed from yesterday’s game against the Nationals – he’s day-to-day. Jason Castro is doing his best Mitch Garver impression as he homered in his second-straight game. Byron Buxton hit his second home run in as many days, and has a hit in seven-of-eight. Nick Senzel snagged his fourth stolen base of the year. Billy McKinney was annihilated by a wall and somehow stayed in the game. Kenta Maeda went on the 10-day IL with a thigh injury. Trevor Williams exited his start against the Padres with right side discomfort.

Luis Rengifo was optioned back to Triple-A. Danny Salazar is starting to ramp things back up – fingers crossed. Bradley Zimmer will start participating in extended spring training games this weekend. Teoscar Hernandez was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo. Dee Gordon returned to the Mariners lineup. Nicky Lopez notched his second-straight multi-hit game and now has a .455 AVG with a 1/3 K:BB thus far. The Rangers slaughtered the baseball yesterday, receiving home runs from Rougned Odor (two), Willie Calhoun (second day in-a-row), Hunter Pence, and Joey Gallo. Jason Kipnis smacked two home runs and six RBI against the Orioles. Trevor Bauer allowed at least four runs for the third time in-his-last four starts. Austin Riley went 3-for-4 with a double in his second start. The Athletics had a power outburst as well, as Matt Olson (third home run in last four games), Jurickson Profar (grand slam), Mark Canha, Marcus Semien, and Josh Phegley all hit bombs. Anibal Sanchez was placed on the 10-day IL due to a hamstring strain, Erick Fedde is the potential fill-in. Jose LeClerc will open Friday’s game against the Cardinals, don’t know if we’re going to see him close again. Chris Bassitt had another strong outing against the Tigers. Keston Hiura went 0-for-5 with four strikeouts. Steven Matz will start for the Mets on Saturday. Christian Yelich had three extra-base hits (two home runs) and a stolen base against the Phillies. Mike Moustakas and Yasmani Grandal also homered respectively. Jean Segura smacked his second home run in as many days and has a seven-game hitting streak going. Carlos Martinez is returning to the Cardinals bullpen on Saturday, pick him up in deeper-mixed leagues. Anthony Rizzo is also expected back Saturday. Michael Conforto has been diagnosed with a concussion; Carlos Gomez was scratched from his start at Triple-A Syracuse. My main man Franmil Reyes blasted his 13th home run.

Streaming Pitchers (Less than 50% owned)
Pitcher for Today: Jordan Lyles at SD
Lyles has allowed 2 ER or less in every start but one this season, the Padres are a bottom-tier club against RHP and at home. It doesn’t hurt that they have the second-highest K% (27%) against RHP as well.

High-Risk Option: Merrill Kelly vs SF
Anyone against the Giants offense, even though, they have been about league-average over the last week.

Pitcher for Tomorrow: Griffin Canning vs KC
Canning got up to 100 pitches in his last start and is getting really unlucky with the long-ball. I like his chances against a KC lineup that has the fourth-lowest ISO over the last week, and his overall strikeout upside (18% SwStr/11.9 K/9 thus far).

High-Risk Option: Corbin Martin at BOS
Strong velocity, good command, ace-level stuff, I’m in. The Red Sox lineup fares well against RHP and they’ve been hot recently, but his upside is phenomenal. He should be owned everywhere.





Fantasy Baseball and Tampa Bay Rays enthusiast. Restaurant manager by day, fantasy analyst by night. Contributor to Rotographs, Baseball HQ, Fantasy Pros, and co-owner of Friends with Fantasy Benefits. Follow me @MikeWernerFWFB.

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Jackie T.
4 years ago

Phenomenal recap. Packed with actionable information.