Roto Riteup — Presented By DraftKings: April 22, 2014

Happy National Jelly Bean Day! Go ahead and order a 50-flavor box for someone. If that someone were to be me, I would not argue.

On today’s agenda:
1. Cameron Maybin’s recovery
2. Kevin Kouzmanoff keeps hitting
3. Oscar Taveras watch
4. The Daily Five

Cameron Maybin’s recovery
I must apologize; as a long time Maybin fanboy I have praised his speed and upside for years. After his 2011 season where he stole 40 bags and hit a respectable .264 I thought the then 24-year-old was poised for a breakout. Injuries and poor play have certainly softened my feelings on him, but I haven’t given up on him yet. Yesterday it was announced he could return sometime during the current San Diego Padres road trip. He has 70 s teals over the past three seasons, though 40 of those steals came in his previously mentioned 2011 campaign. Last year he was limited to a mere 14 games and hit a paltry .157/.232/.235 and gathered just four steals.

Objectively Maybin is most useful in NL-only leagues or very deep mixed leagues, however if he comes back and is healthy — a big if — he still has the potential to grab 25+ bags. If one happens to be in need of steals, Maybin should be a decent source of steals. In recent years he has cut back on his strikeouts, however he has whiffed five times in 27 plate appearances during his rehab stint in Triple-A. He is available in virtually every league in the three major sites for those of you looking for stolen base help.

Kevin Kouzmanoff keeps hitting
As the handsome and brilliant Mike Podhorzer noted earlier this week, Kouzmanoff has started the season on fire. Just like any party, this Kouz Cruise is bound to end when his .400 BABIP reverts closer to his .286 career mark, however he has already cracked two long balls in just 47 PA’s. At the time of writing Kouz’s Texas Rangers trailed my beloved Oakland Athletics 2-3 and Kouzmanoff just pushed his 10th RBI across the plate. The Ballpark at Arlington is definitely the most friendly home park Kouz has ever called home and as long as Adrian Beltre is on the disabled list, Kouz should continue to see the majority of the time at third base. Of course, Beltre is growing closer to being activated from the 15-day DL and that could spell bye-bye for Kouz. Until Beltre is activated and the Rangers make a corresponding move, it is hard to know what Kouzmanoff’s place on the team will be. He could grab some time at the DH role from Mitch Moreland and his 86 wRC+, but it is nothing but speculation at this point. If Beltre is activated and the Rangers send someone else down, Kouz could gather enough playing time between third and DH to be useful when the Rangers face a left-handed pitcher.

Oscar Taveras watch
Yesterday Taveras made his 2014 debut in center field for the St. Louis Cardinals’ Triple-A club. Taveras went 1-for-3 with a walk. Prior to the game yesterday Taveras was hitting .297/.348/.500 with three home runs. As the Cards centerfielders hit a combined .241/.302/.392, Taveras may get the call sooner rather than later. For now he is worth a stash in keeper leagues and deep re-draft leagues. He is available in over 50% of CBS formats, 75% of Yahoo! leagues and 95% of ESPN formats.

The Daily Five
Starting Pitcher: Danny Salazar — $7,500
The Kansas City Royals have struck out just 14.6% of the time this year, best in baseball by two full percentage points, but I like Salazar to up that rate.

Starting Pitcher: A.J. Burnett — $6,400
Nearly opposite of the Royals we have the Los Angeles Dodgers and their 24% strikeout rate. Look for Burnett to exploit this swing-and-miss style.

Infielder: Yan Gomes — $3,000
I’m going to keep riding Gomes until his hype train meets maximum capacity.

Outfielder: Angel Pagan — $4,500
Pagan and his 145 wRC+ on the road at Coors Field makes me feel very good.

Other Hitter: Paul Goldschmidt — $5,100
Goldy over Jason Hammel is a good call in my book and at $5,100 it is a bargain.

Remaining Budget: $23,500

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