Roto Riteup: May 29, 2015
I hope everyone else enjoyed yesterday’s spelling bee as much as I did.
On today’s agenda:
1. Consider Adam LaRoche
2. Jose Iglesias’s improved plate discipline
3. Streaming Pitching Options
Consider Adam LaRoche
After launching his fifth home run as part of his four-hit double-header day, LaRoche now owns a .241/.371/.393 line. The uninspiring triple slash is being dragged down by a poor April where he hit .191. LaRoche is known as a slow starter and for his career he owns a 104 vs 124 wRC+ split between the first and second halves. Once again as the weather warms up, so does LaRoche’s bat and count on him being a steady source of counting stats. He’s hit cleanup for the majority of the season, directly behind someone who typically gets on base in Jose Abreu. A repeat of LaRoche’s 26 home run season last year may not be terrible likely, however don’t overlook the 35-year-old slugger. He’s most valuable in OBP leagues where his double-digit walk rate shines yet still holds in own in standard 5×5 formats thanks to what should be ample RBI opportunities. LaRoche is owned in 67 percent of CBS formats but just 53 percent of Yahoo! leagues and 40 percent of ESPN formats.
Jose Iglesias‘ improved plate discipline
I almost merely glanced at Iglesias’ improved walk rate — it’s up to 7.1 percent compared to his 4.7 career rate — but he’s also cut his strikeout rate nearly in half. Unsurprisingly Iglesias has trimmed down his swinging strike rate to 3.9 percent before yesterday’s game, a mark tied for 10th best in baseball among hitters with at least 120 plate appearances. It’s hard to fully buy into his .360 BABIP this season, though he does own a .334 career BABIP. Given that we’re past the point of stabilization for both walk and strikeout rates, it could be a genuine change for Iglesias. Don’t count on too much power from him as he .095 ISO isn’t going to turn many heads nor will his RBI count be too high due to generally hitting in the bottom two spots of lineup. Still, for a shortstop who provides solid rate stats and a few steals, he deserves to be owned in most formats. CBS managers have already picked Iglesias up in 53 percent of leagues. Owners in ESPN and Yahoo! leagues have been a little more reluctant to buy into his success as he is free to pick up in 56 percent and 66 percent of leagues respectively.
Streaming Pitching Options
If you enjoy streaming pitchers, tune into the Roto Riteup for recommendations each and every day.
A pitcher for today: Chad Bettis at PHI (Cole Hamels)
Citizens Bank is a tough place to pitch, but Bettis has limited the walks this season and sports a decent enough 3.87 xFIP. The Phillies rate late in baseball against a right-handed pitcher as per wRC+ and Bettis should post a quality start. He’s free to pick up in almost any league as his highest ownership rate is two percent in CBS formats.
A pitcher for tomorrow: Aaron Sanchez at MIN (Kyle Gibson)
Sanchez hasn’t lived up to the hype just yet this season, however he could turn things around tomorrow. The Twins rate in the bottom five of the league when facing a righty and also own the fifth highest strikeout rate and are tied for the sixth lowest walk rate. Sanchez is available in more than 60 percent of CBS formats as well as over 70 percent of Yahoo! and ESPN leagues.
You can catch David spouting off about baseball, soccer, esports and other things by following him on twitter, @davidwiers.
How aggressive should I be in acquiring Eduardo Rodriguez this morning? He was dominant last night and seems all but certain to replace Joe Kelly in the rotation going forward. I know Rodriguez, just missed out on being a top 20 prospect so the pedigree seems legit. Should I drop potentially safer, but less exciting options like Roark, Colon or Rubby de la Rosa for Rodriguez?
I think I’d keep RDLR, Rodriguez isn’t guaranteed a spot yet. I’d keep an eye on him though, and ignore Roark. If you have Colon, I’d consider dealing him.
Yeah, I was thinking of keeping Rubby, to me it’s between Colon and Roark who I both own. Roark has been steady, but will lose his rotation spot once Fister is healthy. Colon is someone I have tried dealing, but his terrible start to May has killed his value. He was better in his last start though and has a tasty matchup against Miami this weekend.
Just grabbed him too. As beat up as that rotation’s been and considering they’re only what 2.5-3 games back I can’t see him staying in AAA.
Hang on to Rubby for now. I could see you throwing either Roark or COlon back for Rodriguez. I’d probably hang on to Roark over Colon, but it is very close.
Iglesias is batting 25 for 70 (.357) when he puts a groundball in play this year. While I wouldn’t bet on all of that continuing, it seems to me that he is healthy and is able to beat out more infield hits than he was able to do back in 2013. Speed makes a big difference in his game.
Certainly does, which is why I wasn’t too quick to dismiss his career .334 BABIP.
He’s a solid player who deserves to be owned in more leagues.
Mike W, bench Colon against tougher opponents, and drop Roark. I’d pick up and stash Rodriguez, I am pretty sure the R Sox isn’t that stupid.
I’m in a 10 team league and thinking of dropping Julio Teheran for Jesse Chavez. Any thoughts? I’ve been waiting for Teheran to turn it around, but is still all over the place.
Keep faith in Teheran.
thx!
Napoli or LaRoche?
LaRoche, but that can change if Napoli gets consistent PA’s from the fifth spot rather than sixth.
in a 10 team AL only 4×4 (no runs or Ks)
I have 3 closers, Closers are as valuable as Felix and Sale in this league-they mostly go in the first round or get kept.
I am lagging in SB, I was offered Gardner for Soria. I know that is not an even trade since Gardner doesn’t contribute in HR or RBI, and Soria is a stud in 3 categories. What should I realistically be asking for from a person ahead of me in the standings? Gardner and Russell Martin for Soria and David Murphy? Gardner and Melky? Gardner and Jose Quintana?
If Closers are as valuable as you say they are in your league, why not try and get some cheap steals from the waiver wire?
Billy Burns wont keep hitting Home Runs, but his speed is legit and if he can keep getting on base at a decent clip he should give you some nice SB numbers going forward. Not like Oakland has anyone pushing him for playing time either, with Crisp broken down and the uninspiring combo of Craig Gentry and Sam Fuld the CF alternatives.
Even the ghost of Cameron Maybin should chip in 15+ SB’s going forward if he can stay healthy.
Why are you answering these posters questions? Do you think they care about your opinion?
Don’t get people that do this. Like when people ask Matthew Berry or EK fantasy questions on twitter and other people go around answering every single one. It’s not going to get you “noticed” or get you a job offer.
If closers are worth as much as Felix or Sale, I’d still ask for more. Gardner and Quintana is the best imo, but I’d want a better SP coming back.
Deep league, no bench spots. The best available base stealers are JB Shuck with 4 and Shane Robinson with 3. I just picked up Shuck and released Slade Heathcott
And Wiers is out in the first round.
Oh dear.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWzYaZDK6Is
Would you rather grab E Rod or Tanaka?
Tanaka.
Is it advisable to pick up R. De La Rosa for the long term today? I’d be dumping Fiers. Little worried about tonight’s start.
They’re pretty close imo. Call it a coinflip.
Who do you like ROY? Lind, Belt, or LaRoche?
For me it’s Belt>LaRoche>Lind.
LaRoche for power, Belt for AVG, Lind for a middle ground.
I like Lind > LaRoche > Belt personally.
drop wieters or TDA for E. Rod? Gattis is my starter (12 team points league)
I don’t think so. Single catcher, I take it? Unless you have a deep SP pool, probably better options than E. Rod.