Roto Riteup: September 14, 2018

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September 14, 2018

Return of the mack.

On the Agenda:
1. Stretch Run Hitters
2. Various News and Notes
3. Streaming Pitchers

 

Stretch Run Hitters
Here’s a few hitters that are less than 50% owned in ESPN leagues who could help you win a title over the next couple of weeks.

Jonathan Villar: I don’t understand why he’s not owned everywhere. He’s hitting .285/.354/.444 with 7 HR, 21 RBI, and 21 R while going 12-for-14 in SB attempts over 162 PA since being traded to BAL. I understand the lineup is garbage, but stolen bases are harder to come by than ever before and he’s contributing in other categories as well.

Adalberto Mondesi: This guy is an astounding 25% owned. Seriously? He’s up to 22 SB on the year. He has four over his last six games as well as notched a hit in six-of-seven. He’s essentially performing like Jean Segura and no one owns him.

Scott Schebler: This guy has a 125 wRC+, .362 wOBA, .839 OPS, 7 XBH (4 HR), and 10 RBI spanning 72 PA since returning from the disabled list. More of a deeper-league add, but his ownership level is criminal at the moment. For the Jose Peraza and Phillip Ervin lovers out there as well – or even the Reds as a whole – they have road series against the Cubs, Brewers, and Marlins before coming home to face the Royals and Pirates to end the season. It’s a strong schedule.

Hunter Renfroe: Why not? This is a guy who’s calling card has always been power, and he’s exhibiting it on a consistent basis – especially since the calendar turned to August – hitting .295/.314/.387 with 14 HR, 21 R. 33 RBI, and a 146 wRC+ over 156 PA. This is not a player that’s going to take walks, but he’s hot, and he’ll continue to get an opportunity to play.

Jay Bruce: Seems to be feeling better – he has a home run in three of his last six starts. In addition, he’s hitting .275/.362/.569 with 7 XBH (4 HR), 10 RBI, and a 150 wRC+ over 58 PA since returning from the disabled list on August 24th. Dominic Smith will continue to mix in here, but Bruce has always been a streaky player and could ignite a dormant offense down the stretch.

Honorable Mentions (Some with an ownership of > 50%)
Mallex Smith (54%)
Ramon Laureano (17%)
Jeff McNeil (18%)
Kevin Kiermaier (17%)

 

Various News and Notes
In a truly emotional press conference, it was announced that David Wright would join the Mets on September 25th to play in their final homestand.


As he states during the press conference, this will be his last time putting on the Mets uniform and playing in an MLB game. His body broke down towards the end, but this was a player who had a 4.7 WAR or better six times in his career. Congratulations to him for making his way back and being able to provide a proper farewell to the fans and his teammates.

With Brandon Morrow sidelined, the Cubs have been rolling with Pedro Strop as their closer. Unfortunately, the Cubs – and fantasy owners – will have to come up with another option.


The injury is to his left hamstring and according to the Chicago Tribune’s Paul Sullivan, Strop is expected to be out multiple weeks. The Bullpen Report will likely cover this situation, but Carl Edwards and Steve Cishek figure to be the top choices to take the job. Strop is essentially droppable at this point in most formats.

Clay Buchholz was scratched from his scheduled start on Thursday due to elbow stiffness.


The Diamondbacks are in the midst of a dogfight for the second wildcard/division, so this is obviously troubling news. It’s also frustrating for fantasy owners who have found a spot on their roster for the rejuvenated RHP who’s had a bounce-back season out of nowhere (2.01 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 81/22 K:BB, 98 IP). Stay tuned for more news on this.

 

Streaming Pitchers
A Pitcher for Today: Tyler Anderson @ SF
The Giants are 26th in OPS against LHP (.666), average 4.2 RPG at home (22nd), and have compiled a 49 wRC+ over the last 30 days (last in MLB). Anderson has a 3.86 ERA and 0.91 WHIP against the Giants this season (3 GS).

High-Risk Options: Matt Boyd @ CLE, Matt Shoemaker vs SEA
Boyd has one solid start and one bad one at Progressive Field this year. He’s been strong lately and the Indians are 22nd in wRC+ over the last month. Again, this is risky, but I can see a scenario where this works out. Shoemaker has pitched well since returning and Seattle’s offense has been sputtering. The Mariners have been better on the road so once again, this is a risky proposition.

 

A Pitcher for Tomorrow: C.C. Sabathia vs TOR (If available)

High-Risk Option: Reynaldo Lopez @ BAL
To be honest, I don’t love any of the streaming options. With that said, Sabathia and Lopez could be owned in your league, but they’re the only marginally-solid possible streamers for Saturday. The only offense worse than the Orioles recently has been the Giants. Lopez has three-straight outings in which he’s logged at least 6 IP and 6 K while allowing 1 ER or less. Oddly enough I feel slightly more comfortable with him versus Sabathia.





 

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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feslenraster
5 years ago

For one thing, Mondei saps slg, OBP(if you use that stat in my league, which I do;) and BA. He provides SBs and some pop but little else.

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ArmadilloFury
5 years ago
Reply to  feslenraster

You say “SB’s and some pop” as if hitters with 99th percentile speed who don’t hurt you in HR’s grow on trees. You have to go long on Mondesi because his skillset is so unique even if he has bust potential due to the bad plate discipline and swing & miss tendencies (which he ameliorates by swinging very often – aka “you can’t strike out if you don’t get to two strikes” aka the Javy Baez approach)

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Mike Werner
5 years ago
Reply to  feslenraster

Every player has fluctuating value based on what format you play in. I tend to analayze players from a 15-team mixed league, 5×5 Roto, point of view because it tends to be useful to most people. It’s obviously different for points leagues, weird format leagues, etc. Either way, 7 HR, 22 SB, and a .280 BA is usable in more than 25% of leagues. The guys I listed were also for benefiting owners the rest of the this season—not necessarily 2019.

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