Roto Riteup: September 7, 2018

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September 7, 2018

I left my heart with San-FRANCISCO

On the Agenda:
1. The Francisco’s
2. Various News and Notes
3. Streaming Pitchers

 

The Francisco’s
Both Francisco Lindor and newly-promoted top prospect Francisco Mejia homered twice in their respective games on Thursday night.


Lindor ended up going 4-for-5 with three runs scored and four RBI. He’s now tied his career-high in home runs set last year (33), and has set new career marks in runs scored and stolen bases. His RBI total is also going to end up finishing as a career-high, making this a fabulous season all around. Fantasy owners should feel confident in his production the rest of the way. The bigger question will be where he lands in drafts next season. Heading into 2018 he was sitting 21st overall according to NFBC. As we go into 2019, my first instinct would think that he jumps into the top-15, possibly higher.

As far as Mejia, both his hits were home runs – and ended up being his first two hits as a Padre. This was his first start at catcher. He’ll split time with Austin Hedges behind the plate as the season comes to a close – but Mejia’s skillset allows him to play third base and left field as well. Either way, with catcher being such a wasteland in fantasy this season, Mejia is an automatic add in most formats. Depending on how he finishes 2018, he could be at risk of being over-drafted in 2019. While his polished approach, hit tool, and contact rate should yield to positive results, he doesn’t possess mammoth power. At least not right now.

 

Various News and Notes
CT scans on both Kevin Plawecki and Zack Wheeler turned up negative after both were struck by baseballs on Wednesday.


It looks like Wheeler will make his next start. With the Mets having three catchers on roster at the moment, we may not see Plawecki for a couple days.
According to Jon Heyman of Fancred Sports, the Blue Jays plan to part ways with manager John Gibbons at the end of the season.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that the Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said the goal is to get Jung-Ho Kang “into some type of competition” before the season comes to an end. Kang has been sidelined since June 25th after undergoing left wrist surgery, but hasn’t started to resume any hitting work. The most likely scenario is he plays in the Fall League or some type of instructional format with the intent of coming back for Spring Training next season. Dynasty/Keeper league players can stash him with the hopes of him returning to form in some manner. Colin Moran hasn’t set the world on fire with his opportunity, so Kang could conceivably get a big role if he’s healthy in 2019.

The Blue Jays promoted Reese McGuire to the major leagues on Thursday. He started at catcher and hit eighth in the lineup – going 1-for-4 with a double. He was terrible at Triple-A Buffalo this season. Rowdy Tellez – who was recently promoted – got the start at first base and hit three doubles. This comes a day after hitting a pinch-hit double on Wednesday. He’s not a fantasy option, but keep your eye on him in deeper formats

A very interesting column from Yahoo Sports about Shohei Ohtani that was tweeted out by Jeff Passan.


Such a crazy situation. If he does hit exclusively for the majority of next season, it would have to only be out of the DH position. He’d likely be platooned. When they play an NL team on the road he wouldn’t be available. There’s just a ton of games that are automatically withdrawn from him participating in before the season even begins. With that said, Ohtani is tied for 6th in wRC+ (157) among hitters with at least 250 PA. If he’s being taken inside the top-150 next season, you should steer clear, but this is something to keep tabs on.

 

Streaming Pitchers

A Pitcher for Today: Steven Matz vs PHI
Matz has allowed 3 ER or less in 11-of-12 starts at home and has only allowed 4 ER over his last 3 GS with a 23/3 K:BB ratio. The Phillies offense is 26th in wRC+ against LHP this season (83) and sit 24th in the same category over the last 30 days.

High-Risk Option: Felix Pena at CWS
He’s been super inconsistent, but the White Sox are awful at home.

 

A Pitcher for Tomorrow: Wei-Yin Chen at PIT
Chen has been on a roll and the Pirates rank 27th in wRC+ over the last month.

High-Risk Option: Ryan Yarbrough vs BAL
He probably won’t start the game, but he’s been close to an automatic 5 IP/1ER these last few weeks. The pitch count and innings are the risk, but Tropicana Field + Baltimore = success.





 

Fantasy Baseball and Tampa Bay Rays enthusiast. Restaurant manager by day, fantasy analyst by night. Contributor to Rotographs, Baseball HQ, Fantasy Pros, and co-owner of Friends with Fantasy Benefits. Follow me @MikeWernerFWFB.

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