Earlier in the year, we did a deep dive into managers that are starting their first season as manager with their respective teams and tried to project how they’d handle things. This week we’re taking a look at a few managers and their success – or lack thereof – and analyzing anything that may stick out in regards to player usage in the bullpen and on the basepaths to give us an edge in rest of season projections for players in the fantasy realm. Let’s see what we can dig up!

Gabe Kapler, Philadelphia Phillies

Record: (37-32) – 3rd in NL East

The Phillies have been scuffling as of late with a June record of 6-9. Their hot start of 31-23 has them within four games of the first place Braves. Outfielder Odubel Herrera lost his on base streak on May 20th after reaching safely in 45 consecutive games. While he went cold there for a few weeks, Herrera has fired right back up with three multi-hit games in his last four and has roped two home runs in the last three games. Herrera and teammate Rhys Hoskins are the main cogs in this lineup and their success is imperative if the Phillies want to compete. Hoskins just came back from the disabled list a week ago after fouling a ball off of his own face and already has three homers since his return.

Manager Gabe Kapler hasn't had the smoothest of transitions going into the role as he was booed during introductions at the home opener in April. Yes by his own teams’ fans. Kapler hasn’t afforded his team many green lights on the base paths with only 39 attempts, 12 of which belong to César Hernández . As these brand new managers put their stamp on their respective teams we have to go by what is happening on the field and trust them as immediate philosophies since its all we have to go off of. While it may change long term, its in our best interests to view current happenings as the most likely outcomes THIS season. For example, with no history of how Kapler handles his bullpen other than THIS season, we have to assume that he’s willing to make a change rather quickly.

Closer Héctor Neris has struggled mightily and it has resulted in Seranthony Dominguez getting chances to take over. Six pitchers have a save for Philadelphia and Kapler hasn’t made it known who’s role it is with Neris getting a save on the 16th after Dominguez got the last one on the 12th. This doesn’t appear to clear itself up anytime soon.

Fantasy Outlook: Negative

 

Dave Martinez, Washington Nationals

Record: (37-31) – 2nd in NL East

The Nationals haves hopes of a championship every year. They made the move to Dave Martinez to get the team going in the right direction. The first month of the season there were some definite growing pains for the young skipper as the team went 13-16. May turned out to be an outstanding month for the Nats going 19-7 but have gone back to their underachieving ways in June with a 5-8 record thus far. Martinez has a ton of experience in big situations with really good teams being Joe Maddon’s right hand man for the last ten-plus years so the moment wont be too big for him down the stretch. It seems to be a matter of just finding their groove and trusting their talents.

Martinez is doing everything he can to put his guys in position to score runs as the Nats lead the league with 59 stolen bases and have been caught another 14 times. To put that into perspective, the Oakland A’s only have 12 successful stolen bases all season. If you’re looking for cheap steals, Washington looks to be the team to target as Michael Taylor has 21 successful attempts and is only owned in 26% of ESPN leagues. As far as the bullpen is concerned, there is no concern. Closer Sean Doolittle has this role locked up barring an injury, with 17 saves already and a 0.57 WHIP.

Fantasy Outlook: Positive

 

Alex Cora, Boston Red Sox

Record: (49-24) – T-1st in AL East

It must be nice to just step into the office your first day on the job and have Mookie Betts , J.D. Martínez and Andrew Benintendi in the lineup. The Red Sox began the season scorching hot and haven’t really let up since. Being 25 games over .500 before July 1 is a solid recipe to play October baseball. Boston is fourth in team ERA and second in total runs scored. Cora is off to an amazing start as manager and the only real surprise was the DFA of Hanley Ramírez .

Cora, much like Dave Martinez, is giving the green light at a very high rate with so much speed at his disposal. The Sox have converted 54 out of 65 stolen base attempts. The difference between Boston and Washington is that Boston has eight players with two or more steals whereas Washington only has five. While the game has swayed towards an all or nothing type approach, the key to sustainable run production is putting runners in scoring position and increasing your chances of knocking them in. That’s what Washington and Boston have done and it is a direct result of their young managers willingness to be aggressive on the basepaths.

Much like the Nats, Boston has a staple on the back end in Craig Kimbrel . Cora has a shutdown closer to finish off close games and Kimbrel is a huge reason why Boston is 49-24 with his 22 saves and sub-1.00 WHIP. One more comparison between Martinez and Cora, they are giving fantasy owners a million reasons to salivate by having shares of players on their respective teams.

Fantasy Outlook: Positive

** In part two of this piece we’ll break down both ends of the spectrum where one team is clicking on all cylinders and the other is already considering changes. Find out who those teams are next week! **