The 10: August 22nd, 2019

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August 22, 2019

Another Big Opening Day for Casty

Apparently, every day is Opening Day for the newest Cub Nicholas Castellanos and his “season” opens with a bang regularly as he’s been on fire since being traded over from Detroit. In just 19 games, he’s hitting a robust .392/.429/.785 with 8 HR (a full season pace of 69 nice homers), 12 RBI, and 17 R, quickly becoming a fan favorite in Wrigley. The 27-year old is still a negative defender, but he’s not worst-in-the-league level anymore making it easier to thrive on a NL team. He’s regaining his pre-2019 shine, so it’ll be interesting to see where he goes in 2020 drafts.

Houser Throws Up Another Gem

Adrian Houser had a solid outing in St. Louis, going 5.3 innings with 1 earned run. He had 6 Ks and now has a 26% K rate in his last five starts since rejoining the rotation along with a 2.54 ERA and 1.06 WHIP. He gets the Cardinals again, this time at home, in his next start. I’m spotting him for that next start in all formats and continuing to play it start-to-start.

Giolito Tosses His 2nd Shutout

Lucas Giolito has been one of the biggest breakout arms this season and his statement games have been incredible, with shutouts on the road against Houston and Minnesota, the 4th and 5th teams in wOBA against righties this year. His excellent fastball-changeup combo has fueled a 3.20 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and 23% K-BB rate in 151.7 IP. I had him 24th in my 2020 SP list, but he might find himself moving up a bit more depending on his 2019 finish.

Muncy Delivers a Combo Meal

Shout out the 06010 and their fantastic nickname for a HR and SB in the same game: a combo meal. Max Muncy has just 4 SBs on the season, but it was his second combo meal of the year and fifth straight game with a home run. Muncy has fully backed up his 2018 breakout and should be a firm top 50 pick in 2020 drafts.

Corbin Cruises Again

A 3-start lull from May 31st to June 11th pushed Patrick Corbin’s ERA to 4.11, a season-high, and definitely sparked some concerns about whether or not he could back up his huge 2018. He very quickly assuaged those fears with four straight seven-inning gems that saw him allow a total of 3 ER. In fact, that was the beginning of a 12-start run during which he’s run up a 2.12 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and 30% K rate in 76.3 IP.

Yaz Keeps Raking

Mike Yastrzemski can’t stop raking. With another 3-hit game on Wednesday, he now has three such games in his last five. Since the All-Star break, he has a 1.038 OPS and 12 HR in 153 PA. He should’ve been picked up a while ago and now he’s in that weird zone where he’s still too available for the performance we’ve seen thus far, but likely to come back to earth right after you pick him up now. The 28-year old non-prospect should at least deliver some useful volume even when he cools down as he’s regularly batting atop the Giants lineup now.

Keep an Eye on Solak

The Rangers picked up Nick Solak from the Rays in an under the radar move back in mid-July. He was 93rd on The BOARD when Eric wrote up the trade and promptly went on to hit .347/.386/.653 with 10 HR in 30 games at Triple-A Nashville. They called him up on August 20th and he’s gone 4-for-11 with a homer and two doubles in three games. He’s started all three, two at 2B, with Rouged Odor DH’ing in one and getting a rest against a lefty in the other. I’d consider Solak as a 12-team reserve and then someone who can plug into the lineup for 15-teamers and AL-Only leagues.

Chirinos’ Boner

Move over, Merkle, there’s a new boner in town. (Are we still doing phrasing?). Astros catcher Robinson Chirinos was a triple shy of the cycle on Wednesday entering the bottom of the ninth when he ripped a shot into right-center. RF Travis Demeritte dove for and missed the well-struck ball, opening a real chance for Chirinos’ triple, but his lack speed combined with a truly brilliant relay from Harold Castro to Gordon Beckham to Dawel Lugo left Chirinos absolutely hosed, ending Chirinos’s cycle chance and the game. Yes, he made the third out at third going for a cycle in a 2-1 game.

Sure, this game means nothing for Houston so let’s not go overboard with it, but third out at third is a cardinal sin! Additionally, the Tigers were perhaps the biggest underdog ever, but at least in the last 15 years or so depending on the outlet, as they went off around +450 against their former ace Justin Verlander. A pair of solo shots were enough to thwart the game’s best pitcher as the Astros couldn’t muster but a single run against Daniel Norris, Tyler Alexander, Buck Farmer, and Joe Jimenez.

Random Catcher of the Day

OK so I guess Stephen Vogt is good again, so that’s cool. The 34-year old journeyman catcher hit his 7th homer on Wednesday, running his season line to .283/.340/.527 in 203 PA. He didn’t even appear in the majors in 2018 and struggled between Oakland and Milwaukee in 303 PA during the 2017 season. Over the last 30 days, Vogt has actually been 16th among catchers making him a firm C2 in all two-catcher formats.

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Paul is the Editor of Rotographs and Content Director for OOTP Perfect Team. Follow Paul on Twitter @sporer and on Twitch at sporer.

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