Roto Riteup — Presented by DraftKings: September 2, 2014

I’m going to assume that David Wiers went into labor yesterday, and that’s why I have picked up today’s Roto Riteup.

On today’s agenda:
1. Dustin Ackley’s new approach is working
2. Cory Spangenberg debuts
3. ottoneu Alert! Joc Pederson called up
4. The Famous and Hacked Five

Dustin Ackley’s new approach is working
Ackley was drafted in 2009 already possessing an advanced approach at the plate, and he showed as much during his 2011 MLB debut, walking in over 10% of his plate appearances. He proceeded to struggle in 2012 in 2013, but he still walked over eight percent of the time in those seasons. Ackley was being selective, but his contact was weak, making him a well below-average offensive performer.

This season, Ackley has turned a corner thanks to being less patient at the plate. Ackley is now driving balls whenever he sees the opportunity, especially over the last two months. His walk rate on the year is just below seven percent, but in July and August, he walked 10 times in 205 plate appearances, hitting .318 and slugging .521. While the numbers also show a rise in BABIP associated with his surge in batting average, even the most basic of fan can see that Ackley is smacking the ball hard, something he wasn’t doing in the past. Ackley will enter his age-27 season next year a more confident hitter, and while expecting him to hit close to .318 in a full season is foolish, he could easily be a fantasy asset hitting .280-plus with double-digit homers and steals. He won’t be eligible at second base is almost every league, but he’ll be an interesting guy in the outfield.

Cory Spangenberg debuts
Being that the rosters have now expanded, we’re going to see some interesting minor leaguers debut soon enough. Spangenberg was rated the Padres 15th best prospect by Marc Hulet, and he started at third base for the big league club yesterday. Spangenberg may never be an entirely useful player in real life, but he offers some fantasy upside with his speed. No, Spangenberg isn’t a Billy Hamilton or a Dee Gordon, but he stole 42 bags last year across three levels. Seeing that he can’t hit for much power, Spangenberg’s biggest obstacle will be strikeouts, as they will suck down his batting average. Spangenberg doesn’t have an obvious place for an everyday gig in San Diego, but he could get into the lineup most days at second, third, and at the outfield corners. If he hits around .275, he’s an interesting future plug-n-play guy.

ottoneu Alert! Joc Pederson called up
The Dodgers have a crowded outfield, but that hasn’t stopped them from calling Pederson up to the big leagues to get a little of the action. Pederson won’t be playing much, but his callup matters in ottoneu and other leagues that dictate eligibility by big league service time. ottoneu owners will now have to spend an extra dollar to keep the top prospect in their system next year.

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The Famous and Hacked Five

SP: Mike Minor | $7,900 | vPHI
SP: Wade Miley | $7,900 | @SD
C/3B: Carlos Santana | $4,400 | vDET (Kyle Lobstein)
3B: Pablo Sandoval | $4,500 | @COL (Jordan Lyles)
OF: Curtis Granderson | $3,500 | @MIA (Brad Penny)

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