Roto Riteup — Presented by DraftKings: June 18, 2014

“In the future, I want all Americans to come together over breakfast and a fresh copy of the Roto Riteup” — Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King, and Adolf Hitler at a joint speaking opportunity on the Moon.

On today’s agenda:
1. Andrew Heaney says “Hi”
2. Phil Hughes watch
3. A draft pick on the rise
4. Adam Wainwright’s elbow
5. The Furcular Five

Andrew Heaney says “Hi”
Since I didn’t talk about Heaney yesterday and nobody else here at the great realm of RotoGraphs talked about him, here we go! Heaney has been absolutely dominant this year in the minors, pitching better than he did last year when he was still pretty good. Take a gander at these fine numbers from 2014:

AA: 53.2 IP, 52 K, 13 BB, 2 HR | 2.35 ERA, 1.08 WHIP
AAA: 23 IP, 27 K, 2 BB, 1 HR | 2.74 ERA, 1.13 WHIP

That’s right, sports fans, Heaney has been a little bit better in Triple-A than Double-A. Though his numbers tell a slightly different story, Heaney doesn’t have overwhelming stuff or pinpoint control, but he has a good handle on three pitches and uses them well. Heaney should fare well right off the bat in the majors, especially in one of the league’s bigger ballparks. I’m not sure I’d want to own Heaney in a standard league until I saw him start once, but I’d want him in anything 14-teams or larger.

Phil Hughes watch
After holding the Blue Jays scoreless in Toronto, Hughes went into Boston yesterday and gave up two earned over eight innings. Hughes struck out six while refusing to allow a walk for the third straight outing, and nine out of his last ten trips to the mound. The Twins may have botched the Mike Pelfrey contract and have gotten precious little out of Ricky Nolasco, but they are on pace to get the full value of Hughes’ contract in this season alone.

A draft pick on the rise
It’s only been a couple weeks, but the Cubs have already promoted first rounder Kyle Schwarber from Short Season-A to Low-A. Schwarber hit four homers in his first 20 ABs, and he even picked up eight more hits along the way in that timespan. Like Mike Zunino before him, there’s a pretty good chance Schwarber will be up to the bigs just over a calendar year after being drafted.

Adam Wainwright’s elbow
Waino missed his start on Monday with his elbow ailment, but the right-hander is scheduled to throw a bullpen session today. If everything goes as expected today, Waino will be on track to start against the Phillies on Saturday. Waino has been his typical terrific self this season, hurling his way to a 2.15 ERA and a 2.45 FIP.

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The Furcular Five

SP: Chase Whitley | $6,800 | vTOR
SP: Andrew Cashner | $7,700 | vSEA
1B: Adam LaRoche | $4,400 | vHOU (Scott Feldman)
OF: Josh Hamilton | $4,600 | @CLE (Justin Masterson)
OF: Matt Kemp | $4,400 | vCOL (Jorge De La Rosa)

My mind is telling me eh, but my body, my body is telling me yes.

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