Daily Archives: April 19, 2016
Five Minor League Prospects Who Will Be Fantasy Baseball Stars In 2016 And Beyond
1. Lucas Giolito (RHP; 21 Years Old; Washington Nationals): Giolito is commonly known as the top pitching prospect in the minor leagues. After recovering from Tommy John surgery in 2012, he has done nothing but impress every baseball scout, fan, and especially the Washington Nationals organization. Since his surgery, he has thrown 261 innings, with a 2.58 ERA, 83 walks (2.9 per nine innings), and 288 strikeouts (9.9 per nine innings). While his numbers are great, his physical projection is what makes him an elite prospect. He stands 6’6 and weighs 255 pounds. His body-type projects for a hard fastball, a nasty slider, and an exciting future. He throws his fastball in the mid to high 90’s and compliments that with one of the most elite breaking balls in the minor leagues. Assuming he can stay healthy, he has the ability to be a top 10 pitcher at his prime. He should get a promotion to the big leagues in 2016, but the Nationals will limit his innings this year as his career high (in 2015) is only 117 innings. Before you know it, Giolito will be the household name in Washington, not Max Scherzer.
To see the other 4 potential stars, click the link below:
What Is Making The Dodgers Tick?
They’ve only been at it for about two weeks, but I really like the way the Dodgers are playing ball this season. Led by rookie manager Dave Roberts, the Dodgers look and feel and act like a TEAM. Pardon me if I am excited by something that should be a given in this sport, but the Dodgers haven’t played as a 25-man unit since the last time they won the World Series in 1988. What’s changed and why? Here are the main reasons so far.
The New Puig
As I mentioned in a Spring Training post, Yasiel Puig came to camp with a whole new outlook, thanks in part to Roberts wiping the slate clean, and also because he needs to prove himself this season. I also believe his command of English is much better and therefore he feels more a part of the crew. He shed 15 pounds and has that Bo Jackson-like speed back, running the bases like a bull and getting to every outfield ball. The difference is that he is playing with that fire again, but under control. He is hitting the cut-off guy, taking extra bases with a bit more care, and waiting for good pitches to hit. The result is just the kind of start the Dodgers needed him to have (.356 avg., .442 OBP, 9 runs scored, 5 RBIs) to spark the team like only he can.
Ki-ké, Ki-ké, Ki-ke
Daily Fantasy MLB DFS Picks For Draft Kings 4/20/16
P- Ubaldo Jimenez (vs. Toronto Blue Jays): $7,000. It’s typically not a good idea to start a pitcher against the powerful Blue Jays offense, but Jimenez could be an exception. In 206 career at bats against Jimenez, the Blue Jays are only hitting .204 with 61 strikeouts. With this large sample size, I feel confident enough to say that Jimenez will contain the Jays offense. At this price point, he provides a lot of flexibility with the rest of the lineup.
P- Danny Salazar (vs. Seattle Mariners): $9,500. Danny Salazar is a strikeout machine. Throughout his career, he is averaging 9.9 strikeouts per nine innings. This year is no different. In his first two starts, he has thrown 11 innings with 16 strikeouts. He also has a 2-0 record with a 0.79 ERA. He will be facing the Seattle Mariners, whose offense is pretty average. It shouldn’t be a tough match-up for Salazar on Wednesday. In 35 career at bats against Salazar, the Mariners are hitting .114 with 13 strikeouts.
To view the rest of the picks, click the link below:
Must See Picture: Noah Syndergaard Makes His Mark On Fellow Teammate, Kevin Plawecki
It is no secret that Noah Syndergaard is one of the most talked about pitchers in 2016. What isn’t to love? He can throw his fastball 100+ MPH, a slider that has touched 95 MPH, and he looks like the superhero Thor. Well now he can add one more title to his resume, “catchers worst nightmare.” While I’m sure catchers enjoy catching his pinpoint accuracy, I know they must cringe when they see one of his pitches approaching the dirt and they know they must make the ultimate sacrifice, a block. New York Mets catcher, Kevin Plawecki, can confirm that previous statement. In last night’s game versus the Philadelphia Phillies, Plawecki had the honor to drop and block one of Thor’s pitches in the dirt and the result has many people saying “‘holy’ cow, that must hurt.” The high-velocity pitch from Syndergaard caused Plawecki’s cross necklace to leave a brand across his chest after impact. Luckily for Plawecki, I’m sure the short-term pain felt much better after the Mets beat the Phillies 5-2. See the picture of Kevin Plawecki’s chest in the link below:
Who Owned Baseball April 18, 2016 (Daily MLB AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2016 #WOB Standings
Getty Images
David Wright homered twice and sparked the Mets offense as they beat Philadelphia 5-2.
Andrelton Simmons went 3 for 4 with 2 runs scored and an RBI as the Angels blanked the White Sox 7-0.
John Lackey struck out 11 Cardinals while throwing 7 shutout innings and earning 5-0 decision for the Cubs.
Hector Santiago threw 7 shutout two hit innings, striking out 10 for the 7-0 Angels victory over the White Sox.
They all owned baseball on April 18, 2016.
To view the Yearly Leaders for Who Owned Baseball Standings, plus see who gained 1/2 WOB’s – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON OR SCROLL DOWN.
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Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – April 19, 2016
A day of baseball never seems to end. Meanwhile, people should realize that just because something is old doesn’t mean it is good.
It is an “oldie but not necessarily goodie” episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
David Wright, Andrelton Simmons, John Lackey, Hector Santiago, Travis Shaw, Jerad Eickhoff, Clay Buchholz and Angel Pagan all added to their totals for Who Owns Baseball yesterday.
See the updated listing of WOB on MLB Reports
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MLB DFS Picks For FanDuel – 4/19/16
Josh Robbins (Featured Fantasy Writer/60ft6in.com)
Follow The MLB Reports On TwitterFollow @mlbreports
Hi, my name is Josh Robbins. I would like to share my Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) strategy with you throughout the MLB season during weekdays. Fanduel is my preferred game of skill.
Welcome to the 3rd week of the 2016 MLB season.
3-Strikes: Here’s what you expect from my daily articles:
My Top 3 Starting Pitchers (aces, mid-level, bargain)
My Top 3 Stacking Options (multiple players from the same team)
My Top 3 BVP (Batter vs. Pitcher) Options
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Fouled Off: Foul Ball Flashbacks of the First Two Weeks
The first two weeks of the 2016 MLB season are now long gone. What are the most notable topics to come out of the start of the new season?
NETTING QUESTIONS REMAIN
The first week of MLB baseball saw more seats blocked by netting. The reviews are mixed. People like Stephen King hate the netting. Others think it’s great.
The netting is a nuisance. Given a couple photos I’ve seen on Twitter, at night the netting will create a glare which makes it difficult to see the game. Therefore, netting creates an obstructed view…so why are the seats still expensive?
It also costs a great deal more to install and maintain than my other options for protecting fans—Plexiglas and family sections.
Regardless, one very interesting thing happened during the first week in relation to the new netting:
Strong Player Starts (and Not) From Around The League: American League East
Yesterday we explored hot (and not) starts from players around the National League East, withBryce Harper leading the way. Today we focus on the American League East and who is off to blazing starts and exploring to find those that are not.
Baltimore Orioles
Hot
Mark Trumbo, OF – Trumbo has already hit 5 homers in 11 games for Baltimore and is hitting .386 with 11 RBI, and 1.163 OPS to this point
Manny Machado, 3B – Machado is just a little less hot than Trumbo, as he has started off with a .383 average, 4 homers, 4 doubles, 5 RBI, and a 1.155 OPS
Not
Chris Davis, 1B – Yes, Davis has hit 5 home runs and I guess it can be said he is making the most of his 9 hits, but he is hitting just .225 and has struck out 16 times so far
Cardinal70
FoulBallzEd
Baseball Bloggers Alliance 