Tyler Glasnow-Rays-SP
Tyler Glasnow went 4 IP and gave up 5 ER on 8 H, 2 BB, and 8 K's against the Red Sox. Through four starts he has a 7.04 ERA and 1.76 WHIP which is not what you expected when drafting Glasnow. The strikeouts have been there (37% K) but the improved control from a year ago has not been present (16% BB). The lack of control has also resulted in (3) HR in four starts which is never a good thing when struggling with walks. The good news is that he is healthy and his velocity looks great (97mph). The bad news is that he has a track record of struggling with control and injuries. To turn it around quickly he needs to improve his command and the ratios will follow. Things do not get any easier with a matchup against the Yankees in Yankee Stadium next time out.
Alex Verdugo-Red Sox-OF
Alex Verdugo was 1-4 with 1 R and 1 BB against the Rays. Verdugo has been moved to the top of the Red Sox lineup which if it sticks is a huge boost to his overall value. He is hitting .259 with 3 HR, 7 R, 5 RBI, and 0 SB. Verdugo's calling card has been the ability to make contact but this season he looks to be trying to add power. The surface stats (3 HR) looks like an improvement but the underlying skills aren't as encouraging. He is striking out more (23% K), hitting more ground balls (68% GB), and hitting the ball less hard (83 mph EV). It is a small sample so the changes should be taken with a grain of salt. If he continues to hit first or second for the Red Sox then he should be mixed league relevant given his track record of hitting for average and throwing in some power along the way.
Brandon Lowe-Rays-2B
Brandon Lowe was 2-5 with an HR (5), 3 R, 3 RBI, and 1 BB against the Red Sox. Lowe was hitting fifth against a left-hander and this is significant because he saw limited at-bats against southpaws a year ago. He is hitting .309 with 5 HR, 16 R, 16 RBI, and 0 SB through 19 games. He is picking up where he left off a year ago in terms of hitting for power with a respectable average. The average a year ago was expected to regress given his 35% K and .377 BABIP but he has eased some of those concerns in the early going with more contact (25% K) while not reducing the quality of contact (47% Hard). This change can be attributed to swinging at fewer balls out of the zone (23% O-swing). It's hard not to like Lowe's hot start to the year and hopefully, the improvement in contact can stick.
Hanser Alberto-Orioles-1B
Hanser Alberto was 2-4 with 2 R and 1 BB against the Phillies. Alberto was a deep league option coming into the year due to his playing time and ability to make contact. So far he has not disappointed with a .351 AVG with 2 HR, 15 R, 9 RBI, and 1 SB. The average is not fluky considering he is striking out just 12% of the time and making 42% hard contact. Alberto is also leading off for the better than expected Orioles lineup which is going to help his counting stats specifically his runs scored. The profile is not sexy given the lack of power but he plays every day and his plus hit tool will not hurt you.
Hunter Renfroe-Rays-OF
Hunter Renfroe was 3-6 with 2 HR, 3 R, and 3 RBI against the Red Sox. Renfroe had been struggling coming into today's game. He was hitting .200 with 4 HR, 8 R, 14 RBI, and 0 SB. The poor results were a combination of bad luck (.182 BABIP) and a drop in hard contact (37% Hard). The good news is that he had a monster game today and the plate skills are trending in the right direction (13% BB, 25% K). Renfroe is going to struggle to hit for average and is extremely volatile but the power is also very real.
DraftKings Value Plays: OF Willie Calhoun ($4,200) and OF Franmil Reyes ($4,200)
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