Tejada Is No Peralta
Ruben Tejada just walked into a dream situation after getting released by the New York Mets, agreeing to a 1-year, $1.5 million contract with Matt Matheny and the St. Louis Cardinals. With incumbent starting SS Jhonny Peralta expected to be sidelined until at least June, Tejada should effectively take over as the starter and No. 8 for the perennial playoff contending Cardinals. While the 26-year old should bring a solid glove to a talented St. Louis squad, he won't even be able to sniff Peralta's offensive prowess. At most, the powerless Tejada might provide a modest batting average (.261 in 2015), however his contact rate has declined steadily the past two seasons (89%/83%/80% from 2013-2015). Despite the alluring prospective of consistent playing time with an above-average offense, fantasy owners can safely avoid Tejada in all formats, as the light-hitting gloveman has no chance of being a relevant hitter.
Where's Walden?
After tossing eight scoreless innings during spring training, it looked like Jordan Walden was going to be a setup man for Trevor Rosenthal going into the regular season. However, Walden's injury history reared its ugly head once again after he tossed a scoreless inning on Wednesday. The 28-year old former closer had previously complained about shoulder soreness a few days prior, however the 3-0 win over the Marlins, coach Mike Matheny said Walden would not be a part of the teams' Opening Day roster when the Cardinals went to Pittsburgh. This is but another disappointing development in what was once a promising career for Walden, who saved 32 games for the Angels in 2011. While nobody has ever questioned his lethal fastball-slider combo, his Carter Capps-esque throwing motion has always garnered health skeptics and he is beginning to turn into one of those guys who can't escape the disabled list. If Walden can work his way back onto the mound, his 10.8 K-rate would be a great boon for a talented St. Louis team. That is a big if however.
Zych Waiting In The Wings
Steve Cishek lost himself the Marlins closer job last year and don't be surprised if he falters once again the same role this season with Seattle. If he does, you will want to make sure you are the one to have dynamic righty Tony Zych on your squad. Or at least make sure you are the first one to the waiver wire. After coming over from the Chicago Cubs in a trade for literally, not figuratively, literally $1, Zych zoomed through three levels at mach speed, striking out 24 batters to just three walks in 18.1 late-season innings for the Mariners in 2015. Although he's struggled with the long ball so far in spring training (3 HR), Zych has posted an absurd 18/1 K/BB rate in just 9.2 innings. Any fantasy owner that wants to take a chance on Zych as an effective late-inning reliever with better-than-decent chance to see significant save opportunities won't hear any complaints from me.
Walker Ready To Breakout
Your last start of spring training may seem like an odd time to begin throwing a new pitch, but that is just the kind of unencumbered athlete Taijuan Walker is. Walker scrapped his relatively ineffective cut-fastball on Tuesday for a slider with more break on it, adding to his arsenal that already features a mid-90s fastball, curveball and change-up. While his outing featured mixed results, I believe the seven K's in five innings pitched are more indicative of Walker's 2016 season than the three earned runs. The 23-year old is still in the developmental stages of becoming the ace everyone in Seattle is hoping he becomes and his incredible athleticism coupled with his dynamic arsenal are what is going to get him there. One just has to look at his 110/17 K/BB rate over his final 118.2 innings last season to realize that Walker has "sleeper" potential written all over him. Oh and did we mention that the California native can throw down behind-the-back dunks with ease? If you couldn't tell I'm a big believer in Walker being one of MLB's greatest surprise stories of 2016.
Wright Is Wrong (For Your Fantasy Team That Is)
What do we expect from David Wright in 2015? One of the more loaded questions entering the 2016 season, it warrants attacking from several different angles. For starters, how many games are we expecting out of Captain America? Despite continuing to battle with spinal stenosis, the Mets have optimistically projected Wright for 135 games this season. If Wright were to meet this lofty expectation, one could hope that he could return to something like the .306/.391/.492 line he put up in 2012. However that seems like it is on the high side, considering Wright just played his first full spring training game on Tuesday. Fair enough, now we have to consider what kind of player Wright has now become at the ripe age of 33. Well looking at his power production for starters, Wright has hit 20+ home runs just twice since 2009. If that wasn't bad enough, he has achieved slugging percentages of just .374 and .434 in his past two seasons. If you ask me, the round you are going to have to pick Wright in just isn't worth what his ceiling is project-wise in such a deep year for 3B.
The Dark Knight Flushes
Well I guess you never know what is going to happen in this crazy world, but after a day-long mass media scare in regards to Matt Harvey's undisclosed injury, it appears the 27-year old just wasn't peeing as regularly as us normal humans. Apparently Harvey has passed the blood clots that had formed in his bladder, a sentence I dearly hope to never have to type again, meaning he should be ready for Opening Day. While the uber-talented Harvey has all the talent of a Cy Young contender, its these kind of "incidents" that make me hesitant to draft him. Harvey's odd history with the Mets puts him behind Jacob deGrom and possible Noah Syndergaard in the New York rotation.
Miguel Gonzalez, FA, RHP
At this time last season Miguel Gonzalez was trying to build on his second consecutive 10+ win season and a 3.23 ERA. Nowadays, Gonzalez is trying to assess his options after being released by the Baltimore Orioles. While this comes as a slight surprise, Gonzalez did struggle to the tune of a 9.78 ERA and 2.12 WHIP in 19.1 IP during Spring Training. If you're in a deep 16-team league, you should keep tabs on where Gonzalez lands, as under the right circumstances he could become a serviceable starter. Otherwise, act like the Orioles and get rid of him.
Trevor Story, COL, SS
Glory be! Finally a team ignores a top prospects Super Two status and inserts him in his rightful spot as a Major League starter. Trevor Story is getting a rare opportunity that most top position player prospects don't usually get by earning the Opening Day SS job for the Colorado Rockies. When you examine the numbers Story put up between AA and AAA last season (20 HR/20 SB) and you combine that with the comfy confines of Coors Field, you have the potential for a fantasy bonanza on your hands. But Buyer Beware! Despite Story's impressive .378/.451/.911 Spring Training numbers, keep in mind he has never faced Major League pitching in a regular season game and he did strike out at 24.5% rate in the minors in 2015, which was actually his best rate since 2012. Also make sure to keep tabs on Jose Reyes' situation before you go all in on Story. Reyes just had his charges dropped by Maui prosecutors on Wednesday and he is now just waiting Commissioner Rob Manfred's decision in the matter.
Juan Nicasio, PIT, RHP
The "Pitcher Whisperer" Ray Searage has done it again! Or at least it appears that way, after Juan Nicasio was given the final spot in the Pittsburgh Pirates' rotation following a dominant Spring Training that saw him not allow a single earned run in 15 innings. The Pirates' pitching coach has been able to work wonders with guys like A.J. Burnett and Edinson Volquez in the past and it seems like Nicasio is attempting to follow in the same footsteps. Busting hitters inside is a staple in Searage's pitching philosophy, and it is something that Nicasio has been able to do very effectively. Throw in a devastating slider to right-handed batters and it's no wonder he has amassed 24 K's and just 10 hits allowed in those 15 scoreless innings. Nicasio has always had the pure stuff to succeed, he just needed the opportunity to get away from Coors Field and the right people around him to harness that stuff. Don't be afraid to take a late-round flier on Nicasio. If this breakout is for real then we are looking at a potential 15-win starter with a low 3.00 ERA.
Andrew Miller, NYY, LHP
Pinstripe Nation collectively held their breath yesterday after watching current closer Andrew Miller take a line drive off his right forearm in a game against the Braves. CT scans revealed Miller has a chip fracture in his non-throwing forearm and, although it could've been worse, the 30-year old is scheduled to see a specialist on Thursday at which point more information should be known about the amount of time he will miss. This now leaves what originally looked like a devastating Yankees bullpen somewhat short-handed as Aroldis Chapman's suspension and Miller's injury have pushed Dellin Betances into the default closer role. This should drive Betances' value up slightly but don't go overpaying for the big righty just because he is going to begin the year as the closer. The injury was to Miller's non-throwing arm and Chapman will be back in May and will certainly take on the closer role immediately. Make sure to stay updated on Miller's injury on Thursday, as the news will certainly have significant early season fantasy ramifications.
Trevor Bauer, CLE, RHP
In one of the more surprising moves of Spring Training so far, the Cleveland Indians have demoted right-hander Trevor Bauer to the bullpen, leaving Cody Anderson and Josh Tomlin as the team's No. 4/5 starters. While this is obviously not ideal news for Bauer's fantasy owners, don't go running for the hills just yet. The 25-year old was effective in 20 Spring Training innings, striking out 19 to go with a 2.25 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP. Plus his arsenal of pitches leads one to believe he has the makings of an outstanding relief pitcher, one that could even still have fantasy value in that role. However I have to believe that this is not a permanent move to the bullpen and we will see Bauer back in the Cleveland rotation at some point this season. The Indians made a similar move in 2014, shifting Carlos Carrasco to the bullpen briefly after five poor starts. Carrasco returned to the rotation with more confidence later in the season and is now one of the best starting pitchers in baseball. Anderson and Tomlin are also by no means "locks" in the rotation as neither has experienced extended success in that role at the Major League level.
Ivan Nova, NYY, RHP
Ivan Nova was sharp in his final Spring Training start on Wednesday, tossing six scoreless innings and allowing just two hits against the Atlanta Braves. But was it enough to earn him the final spot in the Yankees' rotation over C.C. Sabathia? Most pundits would make you believe that he can not and I would tend to agree with them. Even if we forgot about Nova's recent pitching history, Sabathia is set to earn $25 million this season and I have a hard time seeing Girardi putting that much salary in a long reliever role. Throw in Nova's subpar 6-11, 5.07 ERA season from a year ago and I think we can safely avoid Nova in all fantasy formats, regardless of whether he wins the No. 5 job or not.
Shane Greene, DET, RHP
Shane Greene was also very impressive in his final Spring Training start on Wednesday, although he has a much more secure role in the Detroit rotation. Greene struck out nine Orioles in 5.2 scoreless innings during the Tigers 2-1 win and the 27-year old appears to have the No. 5 spot locked up. Greene was nearly unhittable in his first three starts last season, allowing just one earned run over 23 innings. He completely imploded after that, finishing with a 6.88 ERA in 18 appearances, but the foundation is there for success with Greene. This is the same pitcher that struck out more than a batter an inning in 14 very good starts for the Yankees in 2014, and his biting sinker should limit baserunners if he can maintain it down in the zone.
Drew Smyly, TB, LHP
Drew Smyly was electric in his final Spring Training outing for the Tampa Bay Rays, firing four no-hit innings and allowing just one walk while striking out seven Red Sox batters. A popular breakout candidate, Smyly has all the makings of a fantasy stud in 2016. The only thing holding Smyly back is his propensity for ending up on the disabled list. When he was on the mound in 2015, the 26-year old lefty struck out 10.4 batters per nine innings while walking just 2.7 batters per nine. Smyly effectively sets batters up for his nasty curve by pounding his low 90's fastball in the zone with great effectiveness. If Tampa is going to seriously contend for the AL East division crown, their pitching is going to carry them there and that means a full season of Drew Smyly throwing like the frontline starter everybody knows he can be. * Jesse Hahn, OAK, RHP*
Jesse Hahn's nightmarish run since his last Major League start last July got even worse on Tuesday as the Oakland Athletics' announced that the 26-year old would begin the year at Triple-A Nashville. This is not an ideal situation for Hahn who was hoping to get back into Oakland's starting rotation, a place he had moderate success in last season, pitching to a 3.35 ERA and 1.17 WHIP in 96.2 innings. Hahn even pitched a complete game shutout on Memorial Day against the Tigers. While this is certainly disheartening news for the big righty, don't expect him to be down there for too long. Beyond Sonny Gray, Oakland's rotation is shaky at best and Hahn could be asked to step in at any point during the season.
Andrew McCutchen, PIT, OF
For some reason, it appears Andrew McCutchen's ADP going into the 2016 fantasy season is on the decline, as he is now going as low as No. 10 overall, including No. 4 among outfielders. This presents a potential value opportunity as there is no reason to believe McCutchen won't be one of the top hitters in baseball yet again this season. While some people will point to the 29-year old's slightly down season in 2015, we have to remember that he was dealing with a knee problem that threw him off at the beginning of the season, causing him to hit .194 with just 2 HR's in April. Well I don't think we have to worry about a power reduction to start this season as the face of the Pirates franchise has been raking in Spring Training. While it is just Spring Training and we can't trust the statistics, six HR's is six HR's and I think it is safe to say McCutchen is in store for yet another MVP-caliber season. Go ahead and confidently take him in the first round of drafts and you might even be able to steal him early in the second round if you get lucky.
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Hoff
Mar 31, 16 at 05:32 AM
*Mike Matheny