Yandy Diaz : Diaz made a loud return to the Indians Sunday going 3-for-5 with a run and two RBI. On the year in the show, Diaz is hitting .526 (yes you read that correctly) with four runs and four RBI in just 19 AB. Will he hit .500? No. Will he hit .400? No. But the dude can rake. On the year in AAA, Diaz was hitting .293 with a .409 OBP. In 2017, he hit .350 on the farm and in 2016, he hit .325. If he continues to hit in the show, he will continue to play even after EE returns. In this author’s view, it will be awfully tough for the Indians to sit Yandy and keep play Jason Kipnis and his .226 batting average. For those who need some lightning in a bottle, buy a bottle of Yandy and enjoy.
Dereck Rodriguez : Pudge’s son pitched a dandy Sunday going seven innings of one run ball allowing just three baserunners in the process. On the year, Pudge, Jr. has a 2.25 ERA and WHIP just barely over 1.00. I am a big fan of this kid and think good things are on the horizon. However, the advanced metrics say he has been fortunate (BABIP under .265, strand rate close to 80%, xFIP over 1.5 runs per game higher than his ERA). He should not be available in a keeper league but if he is, grab him! In redraft leagues, I worry about his pitching next week in Cincy but would have no problem streaming him at home.
Anthony DeSclafani : DeSclafani pitched a gem Friday tossing seven shutout innings while giving up just three hits and striking out nine. On the year, the numbers do not jump off the page: 4.46 ERA, etc. However, in his last two starts, he has 14 innings of one run ball with a k/bb ratio of 11:1. Not too shabby. He has clearly figured something out over the last two outings. In his 10 outings preceding the two gems, AD was giving up at least 37% hard hit balls. The last two games: well under 30%. With a tasty matchup on tap against the Giants this week, AD should be firmly on your FAAB radar.
CC Sabathia : C.C. was brilliant Sunday tossing six innings of shutout ball while giving up just one hit. Yep, just one hit. On the year, C.C. boasts an impressive 3.32 ERA. The advanced metrics say the success is real: swinging strike rate over 10%, groundball rate over 43%, a hard hit rate below league average and an infield fly rate of over 11%. The Yankees will continue to win games and C.C. will continue to be the beneficiary. AL-only players should target this wily undervalued veteran.
Zach Eflin : Last week we wrote: “Zach Eflin went eight innings giving up just four baserunners and three runs while striking out six on the way to a win Saturday night. On the year, the Zach attack (yes, vague Saved by the Bell reference) has a sweet 3.61 ERA/1.11 WHIP combination. Can this continue? I say yes. Check out the advanced metrics: 10% swinging strike rate; 63% first pitch strike rate; a FIP that says the ERA is real; and a nice 11% infield fly rate (basically automatic outs). Oh, the league is not squaring him up – under a 30% hard hit rate. I am buying – especially on a Phillies team that is winning.” I hope you were listening as Eflin made us look good this week tossing 6 innings of one run ball while walking one and striking out eight. If the Zach owner in your league is freaked out by his demotion, take advantage. Why? Because you are reading this column and you now know that is was a procedural move in which Eflin will be back as the 26th man to start versus the Mets this week.
And now, the moment you have been waiting for -- Schultz says: “In most reputable leagues, the roto-die has been cast on each teams’ 2018 season. Much like its real-world counterpart, roto-leagues should have some sort of trading deadline making the waiver wire/free agent pool the only means of improving your roto-chances of winning a roto-title. This can be akin to searching a haystack for the proverbial needle or trying to catch the lightning in a bottle that The Overlord no longer mentions on a weekly basis. Nonetheless, there are always a few diamonds hiding in the roto-rough.
No one can be faulted for forgetting that Wade Miley is still employed by a major league baseball team. Since coming to the American League in 2015, the former Arizona standout has pitched just north of miserable, failing his way out of the Boston, Seattle and Baltimore rotations with a 5.10 ERA and 1.50 WHIP. However, a return to the National League has seemingly revived Miley's flagging career. Strikeouts will not be aplenty but since finding a spot in the Brewers' rotation, he's been more than serviceable. With winning being contagious, his present 2.23 ERA and 1.24 WHIP should be sustainable for the next six weeks.
Changing leagues has also seemed to revive the career of Tyler Glasnow . Always dominant in the minor leagues, the highly touted prospect always failed miserably when given the opportunity to secure a spot in the Pirates' rotation. Since moving to the AL and becoming an opener for the Rays, Glasnow may be maturing into the pitcher everyone has been waiting for. Wins may be scarce as Tampa continues to experiment with the abandonment of starting pitchers but Glasnow's quick start in which he's striking out 2 batters an inning gives good cause for optimism.”
Response: I did write “lightning in a bottle” this week! Good call. As to Miley, the 50%+ ground ball rate is keeping him in business so not a terrible call by the Baron of the Bottom of the Page there. Glasnow – I am in but not again