Roto Riteup: May 19, 2016

Kris Bryant played three different positions on Wednesday, requiring three different gloves in the process. Weird things happen in a 13-inning game, and in Bryant’s case, it meant playing left, third, and first, and he’s now spent at least six innings at five different positions in his career (the corners and all three outfield spots). Hopefully Joe Maddon remains super-aggressive in this regard and Bryant becomes some sort of super-eligibility slugger.

Or the Cubs just stay weird. Either way.

On the agenda:
1. After hours of Ill Molina, or Soto Soto
2. JBJ extends streak twice in one day
3. Various News and Notes
4. Streaming Pitcher Options

After hours of Ill Molina, or Soto Soto
The Angels can’t catch any kind of break when it comes to their battery. Already swimming in pitching injuries, they’ve now lost backstop Geovany Soto for four-to-six weeks with a torn meniscus (and that timeline seems a little optimistic given precedent and the rigors of catching). L.A. now has 10 players on it’s major league DL, and while the three-percent owned Soto is batting well by split-time catcher standards (.283/.338/.483), he can probably be let go. Carlos Perez will now have a larger share of the playing time, while Jett Bandy’s up to play backup. Perez doesn’t have much of a hit tool to speak of, nor the power to make his average worthwhile, while Bandy was producing a .274 average with a pair of homers and steals at Triple-A.

JBJ extends streak twice in one day
Jackie Bradley Jr. is on one right now. Or on two, rather. The Red Sox outfielder hit in both ends of a doubleheader, extending his hitting streak to a league-best 24 games, doing so with a home run in the second game. Bradley now has seven home runs during the streak, during which he’s hit .407. That’s pushed his season line to .338/.390/.607, enough to rank him 19th among all players in value so far. Considering he was the 77th outfielder off boards at draft time, those who bought into his hot second half last year have been rewarded handsomely. Projection systems don’t like him to keep it up (107 ROS wRC+) thanks in part to a .396 BABIP, so it may be worth testing the market. Even when he cools, though, you’ve turned a major profit here, and hopefully enjoyed the last few weeks.

Various News and Notes
Following up on an item from yesterday, David Wright seemed far less upset about being scratched with back soreness after the fact, conceding that those kind of calls from Terry Collins could save him from a DL stint at some point. Keep on playing it cautious, Collins.

Bartolo Colon filed a trademark for Big Sexy. Considering that was my MSN Messenger screen name for years when I was much heavier, I might try to contest it.

The Rangers have removed Shawn Tolleson from the closer’s chair. Colin has you covered here. In other bullpen news, Brett Cecil reportedly has a torn lat muscle, so the Jays’ shaky relief performance isn’t getting help any time soon.

Giancarlo Stanton earned the golden sombrero on Wednesday and is not 4-for-41 with a 42.6-percent strikeout rate over a 12-day span. If you’re selling, I’m buying. Sticking with streaks, Ian Kinsler homered for a fourth straight game, and Jay Bruce homered twice.

Steven Matz, who received positive injury news earlier this week, threw a bullpen without issue and is set for a Friday return. Still on the comeback trail, the Jays have pushed Devon Travis to Triple-A, and given how little production the Jays have received from the keystone, he’s probably a name worth adding if available as he draws closer to a return. He’s only 19-percent owned right now.

Streaming Pitcher Options
If you enjoy streaming pitchers or play DFS, tune into the Roto Riteup for recommendations each and every day.

A pitcher for today: Jonathan Gray @ StL (Michael Wacha)
There are a few intriguing names starting, but for the most part they’re drawing juggernaut opponents. It’s dangerous as all get-out, but Jonathan Gray has been mowing opponents down to the tune of a 30.5-percent strikeout rate, and he’s removed from Coors Field here. It’s a risk, but I really don’t like any of the safer plays (maybe Nate Karns against a more strikeout-heavy but equally dangerous Orioles squad suits you better?).

A pitcher for tomorrow: Matt Andriese @ DET (Anibal Sanchez)
Eventually, Matt Andriese will start striking out major leaguers (I mean, probably, given his track record), and the Tigers seem a good opponent to get that going against. Considering the 26-year-old has pitched well even without missing bats – and was posting some ludicrous strikeout-to-walk numbers at Triple-A – I’m rolling the dice, even against a solid offense. Matt Wisler against Philly is probably the call if you’re looking for a slightly safer play.





Blake Murphy is a freelance sportswriter based out of Toronto. Formerly of the Score, he's the managing editor at Raptors Republic and frequently pops up at Sportsnet, Vice, and around here. Follow him on Twitter @BlakeMurphyODC.

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