Roto Riteup: September 2, 2015

With expanded rosters and the ensuing prospect call ups, I did a bit of an “All Questions Answered” post yesterday. Only about half of the questions were about prospects — I got a lot of keeper questions and “who is on an innings limit?” as well — so feel free to comment here or there. I’ll do my best to try and continue answering things on either post. For a full prospect evaluation, make sure to check out Kiley McDaniel’s Preseason Top 200 and In-season Update lists. Some of these guys were on the move at the trade deadline, and of course Kiley wrote em up because he rocks.

On today’s agenda:
1. Some notable call ups
2. Streaming Pitching Options

Some notable call ups
Rather than just toss out a list of everyone called up, I’ll highlight a few players I think will actually get some playing time in these final weeks. They’re not listed in any particular order, so don’t sweat their placement here.

The bats
Richie Shaffer — This is his second stint in the big leagues this season, so he’s not technically a strict September call up. I worry that fellow call up Mikie Mahtook may take some of his playing time away, but Shaffer is the guy to pick up for power. He’s clubbed 26 home runs this season between Double-A, Triple-A and the big leagues with double-digit walk rates at each level. The downside is he is a three true outcomes type player as the power and patience is tied to a pretty brutal strikeout rate. Shaffer is mostly a third baseman, but I could see him spelling James Loney at first and even getting some time in a corner outfield slot. He’s free to pick up in over 90 percent of CBS leagues and over 98 percent of Yahoo! or ESPN formats.

Brandon Drury — Both Eno Sarris and Paul Sporer spoke optimistically of both the bat and the playing time potential that Drury offers in Tuesday’s The Sleeper and the Bust. Since those guys are smarter than myself, I’ll defer to their expert opinion. The gist of it is no one in the middle infield should really get in Drury’s way. I don’t think he can handle shortstop, though he does have a bit of minor league experience there, but I see him getting time at second base and maybe even some time at third. Drury is available in just about 99 percent of the three major fantasy sites.

Rob Refsnyder — Similar to Shaffer, this is Refsnyder’s second trip to the show this year. Given the Yankees are trotting out what’s left of Stephen Drew, I’d expect Refsnyder to get plenty of opportunity at second base down the stretch. He has a little power and a little speed, but maybe most importantly he isn’t Stephen Drew. CBS fantasy players have picked up Refsnyder in six percent of leagues, however in both ESPN and Yahoo! leagues he is owned in less than one percent.

Hector Olivera — The 30-year-0ld is likely to make his major league debut today. I’m really not sure what to make of him given he’s been in three different levels of two different clubs this year. Factor in the cultural adjustments he’s been forced to make and I can’t really put a ton of faith in his numbers. I guess in any format deeper than 10-teamers he’s worth adding at least as a bench option as Olivera could be the best hitter the Braves can play at second or third base.

Javier Baez — I think the keys to second base belong to Baez. Chris Coghlan may get a few starts there as the Cubs did acquire Austin Jackson to help in the outfield, but I still like Baez at the keystone and possibly at third once or twice to give Kris Bryant a day off. Baez is worth grabbing in just about any format and is available in 50 percent of CBS settings, 70 percent of Yahoo! leagues and 80 percent of ESPN formats.

Joey Gallo — Dude has power for days. Solid analysis, I know. He’s going to walk some, strike out a bunch and sock a few dingers. Gallo is owned in about half of CBS leagues already, yet is owned in less than 15 percent of ESPN or Yahoo! settings.

The arms
Frankie Montas and Erik Johnson — It’s hard to say if either will get multiple starts this September, but Johnson should get at least one start given his Triple-A numbers. Montas tossed 90 innings last year and already has 112 under his belt this season, so I’m expecting him to get time in relief rather than as a starter. That said, Montas has a huge 100 mph fastball with a slider and changeup backing up the heater. If nothing else, he should get some holds and maybe a vulture win or two. Both are available in more than 95 percent of the big three fantasy sites.

Miguel Almonte — The Royals rotation has improved since the beginning of the year — trading for Johnny Cueto tends to help in that department — but I still think Almonte can make a start, maybe two down the stretch. Given his 129 1/3 IP last year to just 103 2/3 this season, the Royals have some innings to play with. Almonte’s highest ownership rate is three percent in CBS formats, so he is likely available in your league.

R.J. Alvarez — Lots of strikeouts, lots of walks seems to be Alvarez’s recipe. The A’s rotation has been struck with a ton of injuries, with Kendall Graveman likely out for the season and Chris Bassitt also on the 15-day disabled list, so Alvarez could get pushed into the starting five. If you’re really looking for raw strikeouts or K/9, Alvarez can help as long as you don’t need help in the WHIP department. If you’re feeling frisky, he’s free to pick up in 99 percent of ESPN, CBS and Yahoo! leagues.

Zach Davies — The one pitcher listed who is guaranteed at least a start this September! He’ll take the hill for the Brewers today against the Pirates. Davies brings a plus change piece and above average command to the table. I’d definitely look to pick him up where available as he tossed 135 2/3 IP last year and has 127 1/3 to his name thus far. If the Brewers want to keep building him up, I’d expect him to continue getting starts. Sadly he isn’t added in Yahoo! formats just yet, but he is added to CBS and ESPN leagues where he is available in more than 95 percent of leagues.

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Streaming Pitching Options
If you enjoy streaming pitchers or play DFS, tune into the Roto Riteup for recommendations each and every day.

A pitcher for today: Zach Davies vs PIT (Jeff Locke)
I know I picked Locke in yesterday’s Roto Riteup, but I like Davies today too.

A pitcher for tomorrow: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
With so many rotations being reshuffled, I honestly have no idea who to stream tomorrow. If this feels like a lazy cop out, I just wrote 1100+ words, so it is a little lazy at the end. This is probably a word count record for the Roto Riteup, and now Zach Sanders is going to shove me in a locker as a result of it.