Roto Riteup: May 19, 2015
It was a short slate of games yesterday, but lucky for you and unlucky for me, I’m short myself.
On today’s agenda:
1. Consider Curtis Granderson
2. Joey Gallo, outfielder?
3. Quick thoughts on Rubby de la Rosa
4. Streaming Pitching Options
Consider Curtis Granderson
The leadoff hitting right fielder is up to a .252/.358/.415 line in the wake of yesterday’s 2-for-4 performance. He’s drawing walks at a 14.5 percent clip, a figure that would represent a career best for Granderson if it holds. Prior to yesterday’s game he owned a 5.2 percent swinging strike rate — well below his career 9.2 percent tally — and continues a three-year dip in the metric. That we’ve seen his strikeout rate drop for three consecutive years shouldn’t surprise. While the batting average may never dazzle, Granderson’s improved walks and K’s make him viable in on-base percentage formats or DFS. He’s already owned in 75 percent of CBS leagues, though is readily available in 50 percent of ESPN leagues and 65 percent of Yahoo! formats.
Joey Gallo, outfielder?
A divisive prospect in the batters box, Gallo has been limited to time at either infield corner or designated hitter. The Texas Rangers apparently see fit to test him roaming the outfield corners as Gallo made his first start in left field yesterday, as reported by Alex Vispoli. Gallo is a three true outcomes player in the minors and before his game yesterday had tallied a home run, walk or strikeout in 52 of 91 plate appearances. With undeniable power — Gallo has hit at least 40 home runs in 2013 and 2014 — but also undeniable flaws, seeing the Rangers attempt to add to his value by testing him in the outfield is probably a good call.
Quick thoughts on Rubby de la Rosa
I’ve been burned by Rubby numerous times in the past, however perhaps this year he is beginning to put it all together. The 26-year-old right-hander just posted a nine inning, two run game yesterday with five strikeouts. Despite the modest strikeout total yesterday, de la Rosa coaxed 10 swinging strikes out of the 94 pitches. That number is in line with his 10.7 percent SwStr% entering the game, and Rubby has seen an uptick in his strikeout rate compared to previous seasons. He’s benefited from a .265 BABIP thus far, well below his .312 career tally and something likely to regress. I am concerned that without a significant change in pitch repertoire in the past three seasons he may not continue to miss bats as frequently going forward. With a modest 4.08 ERA even after his most recent outing, but a 3.43 xFIP, Rubby best profiles as a stream option in standard leagues, though be careful with his starts. If he’s facing a lineup loaded with left-handed hitters, it’d be best to avoid Rubby as they have tee’d off on him to the tune of a .361 wOBA for his career. He’s available in 34 percent of CBS leagues and more than 75 percent of Yahoo! and ESPN formats for those searching for pitching help in deeper leagues.
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 vs WAS (Gio Gonzalez)
I’m hoping Eovaldi can break clear of his .346 BABIP, though the Nats have been about league average against right-handers. Eovaldi can be streamed in 38 percent of CBS formats and 75 percent of ESPN or Yahoo! leagues.
A pitcher for tomorrow: Chase Anderson at MIA (David Phelps)
I feel much more comfortable about Anderson than Eovaldi. Given Miami’s struggles against righties — their collect 84 wRC+ ranks 24th in baseball — Anderson figures to toss a quality start. He can be picked up in more than 65 percent of the three major fantasy sites.
You can catch David spouting off about baseball, soccer, esports and other things by following him on twitter, @davidwiers.
I’ve been burned by Evoldi too much. His BABIP’s have been consistently high for much of his career. I’ve been wondering if his is someone who we can assume will continue to carry a greater than league avg BABIP going forward.
I really like the Anderson pick though, seems like a high quality stream for the reasons you mentioned.
The only downside to Anderson is the lack of K’s. If he could pick up the K’s a bit more he would probably be borderline must own in 12 team mixed leagues.
That Wednesday game quietly has a really nice fantasy streaming matchup, because David Phelps has been pitching really nicely for Miami since being moved into the rotation and I could see both him and Anderson putting together really nice outings in that game.
I’ve had a bit of a baseball man-crush on Anderson for a while now. I’d like to see a few more K’s from him, but he has generally solid control and still misses bats enough to be fantasy relevant. A perfect stream option for me in my deep leagues.
I was pleasantly surprised by RDRL’s performance yesterday, albeit it was a weak Marlins’ lineup. I think he’s one guy who can be kept and benched against lefty-lineups and powerful hitting teams.
Marlins are 23rd in wOBA and 25th in wRC+ against RHP, so that was a perfect stream matchup for him. His bad starts are against the Dodgers, Giants, and Nationals, nos. 1, 6, and 7, respectively, against RHP.
agreed with both you and David, Emcee. But, I like RDRL’s stuff, it plays well in the NL.
Yeah, depending on the league you can roster him, but in a standard 12-team redraft, I think he’s best left as a streamer. I don’t have *that* much faith in him just yet.
Also in pitcher-friendly, homer-averse Marlins Park instead of hitter-friendly Chase where he plays half of his games.
Gallo’s TTO status is kind of amazing – since he is somehow hitting over .320 while striking out 35%+ of the time, he has only made contact with the ball 18 times in 91 PAs that resulted in an out. That’s only 19.7% of his PAs. The closest comp I could find in a quick search of the past 15 years was Jack Cust in 2007 with 25.6%.
I really want to see what/how Gallo can do in the majors. Probably won’t be until September, but still. Such an intriguing guy to me.
Regarding Granderson, is he a better bet to keep up solid fantasy production the rest of the way over someone like Alex Guerrero? I want to love Guerrero, but I’m concerned once Puig comes back he will be forced out of the OF with guys like Ethier, SVS and Crawford fighting for time in LF and with Justin Turner and Juan Uribe still lurking at 3B, Guerrero may have his AB’s cut into significantly as well.
In a vacuum I like Guerrero, but yeah, playing time issues scare me. I’d take Granderson over him, but it’s close, and because I’m buying into Granderson’s walk rate.
Do you think Granderson has moved past someone like Gregory Polanco, who obviously has much more upside, but outside of Steals hasnt provided fantasy owners with a ton of other counting stats so far? Or do you think the upside of Polanco still is enough to push him past the more steady, but less exciting Grandy-man?
I still like Polanco’s potential more than Granderson, unless it’s a points/OBP league.
I was just offered Gallo and Sale for my Buxton in a dynasty league. I inherited the team so really need to reload…but now I’m second guessing myself. I have to do this, right?
Josh Sale?
If you’re trying to win this year and you’re picking up Chris Sale, sure. Not sure I pull the trigger on this deal though. I’m pretty high on Buxton myself.
How high are you on Buxton? I have him and Castillo riding my bench as NAs and it has killed my chances in some pitching counting stat categories. I’m keeping both, but when do you think they both get the call?
Boston is a huge question mark, though dropping Craig helped clear things up. I expect to see Rusney up this year and I’m not sure on Buxton.
His speed is ridiculous and at his age, I think the game power will develop nicely. If you have to let one go, I’d use Rusney as trade bait and stick with Buxton.
Thanks for the input. I’m reluctant to part with Castillo, but I did put him on the block to see what kind of offers I get. It would suck to see him up raking next week.
tough call, but sale is only 26 so it’s not like you’re buying bartolo colon or something.
In a 16 team league, does Hellickson make for a decent streaming option? Normally, I wouldn’t touch him, but as David said the Marlins struggle to score runs against RHPs and Miami is a good pitching environment.
Yep, no fear in that stream start.
Hey Dave,
So between draft and trade I finagled my staff in 10-team Roto (QS, IP, K/9) thusly: Kershaw, Kluber, Richards, Carrasco, Salazar, Burnett.
Anyone you’d lose there in favor of Weaver, Paxton or Buchholz? I’m a little worried about the QS and IP with Salazar, as well as having 3 Indians starters. If they all go in a series against the Royals (who never K), that severely limits their upside.
What do you think?
Maybe Buchholz over Burnett for certain matchups, but nothing I’d drop anyone for.
Yeah, you’re stacked with Cleveland, but it’s a fine staff to stack with. I wouldn’t worry on it.
Would making a move for Clay Buchholz for Ian Kennedy make sense or are you confident Kennedy can pull out of this funk he has been in since coming back from the DL? Looking at Steamer and Zips, both pitchers have basically identical projected numbers, but Buchholz seems to be striking out a lot more guys.
Kennedy over Buccholz for me, but it’s very close.
Hi Dave, think it’s best to leave Walker on the bench tonight against the O’s? I feel like he’ll either pitch great or get completely blown up. Seems like there’s no middle ground for him.
Yep, he’s on my bench tonight.
Keep Buxton. You can get much more for #1 hitting prospect. I traded him in my ottoneu league and got Freddie Freeman, who is a beast. But had I known how valuable prospects were worth in the league I joined.