Paul Goldschmidt-Cardinals-1B
Paul Goldschmidt was 1-2 with an HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, and 2 BB against the Mets. Goldschmidt has been a disappointment since his hot start to the year. Overall, he is hitting .262 with 13 HR, 41 R, 29 RBI, and 0 SB. The good news is that his underlying skills are not that far off from his career numbers. He still has plus plate skills with 24% K and 11% BB. The hard-hit rate is up as well to 53% but he is suffering from a .316 BABIP which is down from his career .352 BABIP. Given the amount of hard contact and steady fly ball rate his power numbers should be trending upward the rest of the way. Over his career, he has performed much better as the weather warms up. He has a career .289 AVG in March-April and then a .310 AVG in June-July. The arrow is pointing up for Goldschmidt despite the underwhelming results so far.
Ketel Marte-Diamondbacks-2B/OF
Ketel Marte was 3-4 with an HR (20), 3 R, 1 RBI, and 1 BB against the Nationals. Marte has been stellar to start the year with a .286 with 20 HR, 50 R, 50 RBI, and 3 SB. His skills are awesome as well with 16% K and 7% BB. The quality of contact has improved drastically as well. Marte's average exit velocity (91 mph) and barrel% (12%) are well above the league average. The uptick in power is surprising for Marte but it is backed up by the hard contact and increased launch angle (11 degrees). This is a true breakout for the 25-year-old. The only downside to his overall profile is the lack of stolen bases despite above-average foot speed but that is just splitting hairs at this point.
Kevin Newman-Pirates-SS
Kevin Newman was 2-5 with a double and a stolen base against the Marlins. Newman has played his way into the starting SS role for the Pirates. He is hitting .315 with 2 HR, 15 R, 18 RBI, and 4 SB in 158 PA. The batting average is something that sticks out but it has been his MO in the minors. Newman has shown plus plate skills with 13% K and 7% BB. The concern for Newman is how much power is he going to show at the major league level. His batted ball stats at the major league level leave a lot to be desired (54% GB and 24% Hard). This is going to severely limit his power potential and puts even more stress on his AVG/SB to remain mixed league relevant. With speed being at a premium his ability to hit for average and steal 15-20 bases means he needs to be owned in deeper mixed leagues as an MI.
Mike Foltynewicz-Braves-SP
Mike Foltynewicz went 6 IP and gave up 1 ER on 4 H, 5 BB, and 6 K's against the Phillies. Foltynewicz has struggled this year with a 5.53 ERA and 1.34 WHIP. He is an interesting case because he is posting strong strikeout to walk rates but overall his strikeout rate has dropped from 27% a year ago to 19% this year. The strikeout rate should come up given that his swinging strike rate is up two percentage points from 10% to 12%. His biggest problem has been the home run (2.44 HR/9). That is due to significant increases in both his flyball and hard hit rates. Until he can the slider back from a year ago, it is going to be tough sledding for the right-hander. He gets the Nationals next time out.
Anibal Sanchez-Nationals-SP
Anibal Sanchez went 6 IP and gave up 2 ER on 6 H, 0 BB, and 3 K's against the Diamondbacks. After a really nice bounce back 2018 season Sanchez has been up and down for the Nationals. Overall, he has a 3.84 ERA and 1.36 WHIP across 65.2 IP. However, since coming off the IL he has pitched 23.1 IP with 4 ER, 18 K, and 2 BB. The improved control is the difference maker for Sanchez. His overall 10% walk rate is up significantly from the 7% last year. Sanchez is someone who relies on good control and weak contact for sustained success. This is very encouraging for the 35-year-old right-hander. He is still nothing more than a back end of the rotation starter in mixed leagues and streamer in anything shallower. His next start will come at home against the Braves.
DraftKings Value Plays: OF Yasiel Puig (CIN) $4,000 and OF Harold Ramirez (MIA) $3,800
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