Eugenio Suárez posting MVP type numbers highlights this week’s Week That Was.

Eugenio Suárez : Eugenio Suárez continues to rake.  Saturday the Reds’ 3B went 2-3 with a run, three RBI and his 18th dinger of the year.  Through Saturday, Suarez was hitting .312 with a .982 OPS and 66 RBI to go with those 18 dingers.  To put this production into context, the great Nolan Arenado has fewer RBI and a lower OPS despite having 50+ more AB than Suarez.  Given that Suarez is hitting the ball hard more than 50% of the time (yes, you read that correctly), there is no reason to doubt the stats will continue to accumulate.  Pay the freight here. 

Tyler Chatwood : Tyler Chatwood was bad again Saturday giving up 7 runs and 13 runners in less than 6 innings of work only avoiding an L thanks to the Cubs offense.  On the year, Chatwood has an unsightly 5.01 ERA and 1.78 WHIP.  I will admit that I had high hopes for Chatwood going to the north side after laboring in the altitude that is Coors.  So, is there any hope for a second half rebound?  His 8 BB/9 IP says no.  Reduced velocity says no.  Reduced swinging strike rate says no.  Reduced first pitch strike rate says no.  Reduced ground ball rate (though still good) says no.  xFIP worse than ERA says no.  You get the point.  Sell low if you can get anything. 

Jordan Zimmermann : Jordan Zimmermann was dealing Friday.  The Tiger righty went 8 innings of one run ball, giving up just four hits while walking none and striking out 11.  Is that star from his Nationals days back?  Well, I do not know but there are some very encouraging signs.  His ERA is a solid 3.51, WHIP a strong 1.05 and his K/BB ratios over 5.5:1.  The advanced metrics paint a good picture too.  Zimm’s FIP is even lower than his ERA, his swinging strike rate is over 10% and he is giving up far fewer hard hit balls.  I worry about the health, the ability to pitch through the dog days of August and about the Tigers being well . . . not good.  However, deep leaguers should be buying and mixed leaguers looking for streaming opportunities. 

Freddy Peralta : Freddy Peralta was sharp Friday, going six innings of thee hit ball, giving up just one run and striking out six.  On the year, Peralta has some nice numbers:  2.14 ERA; 0.89 WHIP; and a K/9 of over 12.  Impressive.  However, there are signs that regression will rear its ugly head.  That .222 BABIP will surely rise.  The velocity of just around 91 does not support the big K numbers.  On the other hand, that 14+% swinging strike rate says there is something there.  Of course, given that his next start is in Miami, it is worth buying and seeing where you go from there. 

Zack Godley : Zack Godley finally looked like the 2017 version on Friday going six innings, giving up just one run while striking out seven.  On the year, Godley still has a bloated 4.85 ERA and 1.50+ WHIP and is walking everyone that uses a wood bat.  I want to believe but the reduced velocity, increased walks, reduced swinging strike, first pitch strike and ground ball rates and increased hard hit rates say stay away.  Oh, and there is no way you can buy with the next start coming in Coors.  Sadly, I still say avoid. 

 

And now, the moment you have been waiting for -- Schultz says: “Tremendous as they may be, roto-championships aren't really won by drafting Mike Trout , Clayton Kershaw or Paul Goldschmidt . For the price they garner at auction or the high draft pick they command, roto-owners simply get the fair value for the cost expended. Ultimately, roto-leagues are won not by the commonplace success of the roto-studs but by the outsized and unexpected production from the $1 roster-fillers and late-round fliers.

With Miguel Sano and Byron Buxton garnering all of the attention with their tantalizing potential that never seems to fully realized, many overlooked Eddie Rosario 's breakout 2017, where he hit .290 slugged 27 homers and even stole 9 bases. Those who did take notice have been rewarded with a .308, 18 HR, 53 RBI, 58 runs and 6 SB first half. Just 26-years-old, he is likely a prize gem in keeper leagues but unlikely to be pried from any team he's keeping atop the standings.

The Tampa Bay Rays rushed Blake Snell and his overall numbers from 2017 were far from impressive. However, his September stats looked radically different from the previous five months and provided a nice preview of his breakout 2018. His 2.09 ERA is only exceeded by Jacob de Grom and his 1.03 is only bettered by a handful that surprisingly includes Sean Manaea and José Berrios . Factor in his 12 wins and 132 strikeouts and you have the true ace of any roto-staff.  For those looking ahead in keeper leagues, Snell is a hurler around which a franchise can be built.”

 

Response: Schultz speaks the truth this week.