Roto Riteup: May 9, 2013
Today’s Riteup is full of goodies, mostly because this handsome author couldn’t decide what topics to focus on.
On today’s agenda:
1. Derek Dietrich gets the call
2. Tyler Cloyd and Roy Halladay’s shoulder
3. Jason Heyward’s insides
4. Mike Olt’s eyes
5. Josh Reddick caves to injury
Derek Dietrich gets the call
One of the Marlins’ top prospects coming into the season, Dietrich is getting a shot at the big leagues after injuries have decimated Miami’s infield. Dietrich may be a shortstop by trade, but he’ll be playing second base due to injuries suffered by Chris Valaika and Donovan Solano. Dietrich has yet to play above Double-A, but he is already in his age-23 season. The left-handed hitter has some pop in his bat, but he’s more of a doubles hitter than a thumper. Don’t expect a high batting average, but some doubles, a couple steals, and some walks are in order.
Tyler Cloyd and Roy Halladay’s shoulder
With Halladay requiring shoulder surgery and looking to miss most of the 2013 season, Cloyd will be stepping in and replacing the former Cy Young winner in the Phillies’ rotation. Cloyd is a prototypical junk-balling Quad-A pitcher, sitting in the mid- to high-80s, giving up fly balls, and limiting walks. Cloyd’s WHIP will be his only endearing quality, but his ERA will likely make you want to run away and cry. Or stay where you are and cry. Either way, you’ll be crying.
Jason Heyward’s insides
After undergoing emergency surgery to remove his worthless appendix, Heyward is ready to begin his rehab assignment. Heyward has been out since April 22, and while appendectomies are normal, it is still a surgery that requires time to heal. Heyward shouldn’t have any lingering issues now that he’s all fixed up, and he should be back to mashing taters by next week.
Mike Olt’s eyes
Olt has been placed on the DL after having problems with his vision, possibly due to a concussion he suffered while playing winter ball. Olt was struggling mightily in Triple-A, so hopefully the doctors can figure out what’s wrong and help him move on to working on his game. As someone who is a former patient of the Mariners’ team optometrist, I can tell you that those guys do great work.
Josh Reddick caves to injury
Reddick hurt his wrist about a month ago, and though he’s been playing through it, he’s now decided to make his way to the DL. Reddick has been quite awful while playing through pain, but now three of the Athletics’ top outfielders are now on the disabled list. Brandon Moss is moving to the outfield, meaning it’s Daric Barton time in Oakland, and Daric Barton time in my heart.
Zach is the creator and co-author of RotoGraphs' Roto Riteup series, and RotoGraphs' second-longest tenured writer. You can follow him on twitter.
What do you think about trading for Reddick if you have DL spots available? Thoughts on whether his slow start was due to the wrist or was just a slow start compounded by a bad wrist? Provided the wrist heals, any projections for ROY?
I picked him up in my league (5×5 + XBH, OPS & K/BB) that has unlimited DL spots. I’m 13th place (out of 15) so I can’t get too much worse.
I own Reddick in a dynasty league where I picked him up off the waiver wire in the first half of last year. I plan on selling once he regains value. I wouldn’t trade much for him because he has been very injury prone, and a wrist injury is likely to sap his power for a half season or so when he comes back. He was also terrible for the 2nd half of last year, which may have been due to injury too.