Luis Castillo (SP) CIN - Castillo's final line Monday doesn't do him much justice, as the 4 runs allowed all came on his last pitch of the game and from the bullpen. Castillo generated 18 swinging strikes in his 107 pitches, and really looked like the guy we saw last year for the first extended stretch this season. Coincidentally, this was the first start for him in 2018 that wasn't frigid. We have to be really careful judging SPs to this point in the season, as the weather has been so poor in most of the country that you're not seeing a really representative sample from most players just yet. I am still firmly on the Castillo bandwagon, and I expect that the velocity numbers will look just fine in another month or so once things finally warm up. I still see him as a solid mid-rotation SP, with upside.
Julio Teheran (SP) ATL - Teheran tossed his second straight QS Monday, holding the Phillies to 1 run on 5 hits over 6 innings, walking 3 and striking out 9. Teheran has been missing bats this year despite his struggles, and Monday was no exception with 18 swinging strikes in 96 pitches. Still, his velocity, FB rate, hard contact%, and walk rate are all at career worsts, and I find it hard to believe that he can keep this 3-year slide from becoming four this season. Teheran has a reputation that, for me, outstrips how valuable he's actually been.....the best xFIP ERA of his entire five-year career is 3.72, and he hasn't been lower than 4.13 since 2014. For me he's an SP4 at best, and the floor looks pretty low for that ceiling.
DJ Lemahieu (2B) COL - LeMahieu is showing a bit more power than he ever has previously thus far this year, and most of it has come against LHP, versus whom he's hitting 357/419/821 so far. His chase rate and walk rate are at career bests, and he's finally hitting the ball in the air a bit, something that can only be a benefit in Coors Field. As the speed continues to decline slowly, the addition of some power would help LeMahieu remain a top-10 option at 2B....with a hard% in the mid-30's, 15 homers should be easily attainable with a slightly improved launch angle.
Adam Frazier (2B/OF) PIT - Frazier's value definitely takes a bump with the injury to Josh Harrison, who is expected to miss around six weeks. Frazier should lead off and play 2B against RHP, and his combination of solid contact ability and decent speed makes him a 10/10 threat with a helping AVG. He should be considered a lower-tier starter for the next month and a half in most formats.
Brandon Nimmo (OF) NYM - Nimmo tripled and scored in five ABs Monday, and he's hitting 350/500/750 through his first 20 ABs. The playing time is the problem....I think Nimmo is easily a top-60 OF if he plays every day, as his plate discipline is extremely advanced for a 25 year old, and he has enough power and speed to be a possible 15/15 player. As long as the Mets remain committed to Adrian Gonzalez, however, Nimmo is going to struggle to get enough ABs to produce. I would still grab him and reserve him in deeper leagues despite the lack of consistent PT, but in standard leagues I'd probably wait until the inevitable injury or benching occurs to create the necessary time for him.
