Roto Riteup: May 31, 2013

Today’s Roto Riteup was written while listening to The College Dropout. This album in general — and Kanye West specifically — led the present author to sport popped collar(s) for the second half of junior year and all of senior year. Yes, on occasion there were multiple collars popped simultaneously. There are pictures of this currently circulating the internet. Comment away.

On today’s agenda:
1. Michael Wacha’s debut
2. Atlanta Braves call up Alex Wood
3. Matt Kemp to the disabled list
4. Is it Chris Archer time?
5. The (probable) return of Josh Reddick

Michael Wacha’s debut
It may have ended in a no decision — poor Mitchell Boggs — however Michael Wacha still pitched very well in his first major league start. He didn’t allow baserunner until the fifth inning where he allowed his only run. Wacha finished his MLB debut notching six strikeouts in seven innings and not allowing a walk. FanGraphs’ own Marc Hulet has this report of Wacha’s stuff and upside here. Wacha is currently owned approximately 50% of both ESPN and Yahoo! leagues as well as 60% of CBS formats.

Atlanta Braves call up Alex Wood
Sophomoric titles such as “The Braves have Wood” were left on the cutting room floor. Now, just because Alex Wood may not have the name recognition of Wacha doesn’t mean that he can be easily over looked. Wood, a second round pick from last year’s draft was added to the Braves’ thin bullpen. All of Wood’s previous appearances in professional baseball were as a starter, so how he adapts to his new role will be very interesting.

Given that Wood and Luis Avilan are the only left-handed relievers in the Braves pen, one expects Wood to quickly gain the top LOOGY status. Assuming that happens — looking at Avilan’s terrible strikeout-to-walk ratio and poor xFIP it shouldn’t take long — Wood becomes a valuable holds league player. He cruised through his debut against the Toronto Blue Jays. Wood was handed the ball in the ninth inning — albeit he had a six run lead to work with — and faced just three batters to close out the game.

Matt Kemp to the disabled list
After suffering a hamstring strain on Wednesday night, the Los Angeles Dodgers have placed Matt Kemp on the 15-day disabled list. With his current performance to date, perhaps some time off and rest — physically and mentally — is just what the doctor ordered. Andre Ethier started in center yesterday in Kemp’s stead, however Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said that they will promote a true center fielder some time this weekend. Apparently Yasiel Puig and Joc Pederson have been ruled out as options though, so no need to rush to the waiver wire for them just yet.

Is it Chris Archer time?
Following in the footsteps of fellow recent call ups Jake Odorizzi and Alex Colome, Chris Archer has been named as tomorrow’s starter for the Tampa Bay Rays. Colome pitched 5.2 innings of two run ball yesterday and struck out six while allowing seven baserunners. The Rays have an absurd amount of young pitching talent and it is hard to go wrong picking up any of them. Archer is their top pitching prospect and is now getting the call. Both Archer and Colome are widely available in each of the three major fantasy sites and make for solid grabs. Though Alex Cobb claims he will make his start on Tuesday against the Detroit Tigers, the Rays have plenty of options if need be. If the Cobb’s next bullpen session doesn’t go as well as hoped due to his cracked finger nail, expect another rotation shake up.

The (probable) return of Josh Reddick
The Oakland Athletics are most likely going to announce the reactivation of Josh Reddick prior to today’s game. Now that his wrist is healed, here is to hoping that Reddick’s power returns. Assuming that he is fully healthy, expect Reddick to give your lineup a shot in the arm with home runs and RBIs. The A’s have scored the fourth most runs in baseball thus far and hopefully Reddick can add to the offense. He is available in almost 80% of ESPN leagues, 70% of Yahoo! leagues, and 30% of CBS formats