Pitch counts and inning limits really are dirty words to a fantasy baseball player. The last thing we want to hear is that one of our better players will be shut down in September because of such a limit. This is probably our own fault as we usually know which players will be on this list. Younger players and those coming back from injury are usually the ones most prone to this type of treatment. What is so bothersome is that there is little to no medical evidence that putting these players on such a limit will curtail or even eliminate the chance for an injury. Some people in the fantasy industry believe that the championship in baseball should be awarded the final week in August for this reason (I also believe it’s because they want it to end before fantasy football starts also, but that’s my conspiracy theory). You may want to take a look at your roster and check to see if you have any pitchers that are in danger of having their season ended early and make the necessary adjustments.
Risers
Mark Canha, Oakland Athletics: The Athletics are really the west coast version of the Yankees but without the superstars. What do I mean by that? Well, they are a good team, know how to play, can mash, but starting pitching can be a question mark most nights. Canha is one of those players you probably haven’t heard of who can really hit the baseball. He’s a poor man’s centerfielder who in a part-time role has hit 22 bombs. This comes with a plus AVG. Canha can help your team down the stretch.
Marcus Semien, Oakland Athletics: At one time Semien was thought of as a shortstop who could hit a little bit but was a major defensive liability. Well, that has changed. Semien is now a solid defensive player and his offense has placed him as a likely top 10 shortstop option next season. There aren’t too many shortstops who are going to hit close to 30 bombs, drive-in 80+ plus runs, steal double-digit bases, and have an AVG that won’t hurt you. Sign me up.
Franmil Reyes, Cleveland Indians: The Indians did very well in acquiring Reyes from the Padres in the three-way deal that sent Bauer to the Indians. The biggest problem for Reyes in San Diego was that he is a terrible defensive player and there is no designated hitter in the National League. That problem has been solved in Cleveland. Reyes may be there every day DH for years to come and he’s going to be a threat to hit 35+ long balls in every one of those seasons. Granted, you will need to find a player that can offset the negative average he is likely to bring along with him.
Gleyber Torres, New York Yankees: Torres hit his 33rd home run of the season Monday night in Seattle. I hate to tell people, not all of these HRs have come against the Orioles. Torres is a superstar waiting to happen. Just think of the numbers he might put up when manager Aaron Boone starts putting him atop the batting order. For a majority of the season, Torres has batted in the bottom third of the order. His power numbers aren’t likely to improve, but everything else just might. You also have to like that in most leagues he will probably qualify at shortstop and second base next season.
Nicholas Castellanos, Chicago Cubs: I’m not sure that there is a player any happier in Major League Baseball than Castellanos. He went from the last-place Tigers, a team with no real hope of contention for the next couple of seasons to the Cubs, a team that should contend for a playoff spot each and every year. Not to mention that hitting in Wrigley Field is a whole lot easier than hitting in Comerica Park. This is one of those trades that was good for everyone.
Fallers
German Marquez, Colorado Rockies: Innings limits and pitch counts aren’t the only thing that fantasy owners have to worry about. Marquez was placed on the IL Monday with arm inflammation. This will obviously keep him on the shelf until September, but we have also heard word that the Rockies might shut him down for the remainder of the season. They aren’t in playoff contention and have little reason to risk the future health of their ace starting pitcher.
Trevor Bauer, Cincinnati Reds: Bauer has been a disaster since being traded to Cincinnati. For his part, Bauer stated that he is happy to be playing for the Reds, but the results have been disastrous. Bauer has given up 22 earned runs in five starts. Sure, it may take time to get used to pitching in a new league and in a hitter’s ballpark, but it’s also supposed to be an easier league to pitch in as the lineups are weaker and the pitcher hits. Bauer is tough to trust right now.
Luis Arraez, San Diego Padres: It’s not fair to compare anyone to Fernando Tatis Jr., but much more was expected out of Arraez when he was called up. There were quite a few people who were annoyed when the Padres signed Ian Kinsler as a free agent in the offseason, thus supposedly blocking the ascension of Arraez, well the truth is, neither one worked out. We always remember the rookies who come in and perform off the charts from day one, but we forget about the rookies who struggle. Those that will take more time to mature into a big-league player. Arraez is one of those players.
Andrew Benintendi. Boston Red Sox: Benintendi will miss another game Tuesday due to a sore side. This is just the latest salt in the wound for fantasy owners as Boston is slated to play in Coor’s Field on Tuesday and Wednesday. Benintendi owners would’ve liked to see him take his hacks at the best hitting ballpark in MLB. Alas, it was not meant to be. Benintendi hasn’t had a terrible campaign, but we were all expecting more than 12 HRs and 63 RBI.
