Man, a week into the season and I would not say I am panicking, but going into Monday my LABR squad — holding a solid last place — has an unbelievable ERA of 6.30, and a WHIP of 1.652, largely thanks to the efforts of Jake Faria, Kevin Gausman, and Doug Fister.
Though Fister was a FAAB pickup, I did try to build my squad much more around hitting than pitching, a different tact for me. So, with Sonny Gray as my top starter, it should be interesting. Of course, it would help if my hitters — like J.D. Martinez, Khris Davis, and Kevin Kiermaier— would get a little heat in their bats.
It is still early, and I never mind being at the bottom of the standings this time of year, for it keeps me conscious. A hot team this early tends to make me a little passive when it comes to FAAB, so I can use the deficit to my advantage. Or try.
So, while perusing the transactions and stats, who were the guys I found worthy of note this past week? Let’s see.
Trayce Thompson (OF, Athletics): Oakland, a team clearly rebuilding in a good way, searching for the correct parts, grabbed former Dodger Trayce Thompson. Actually, Thompson was a second-round selection of the White Sox in 2009, and his minor league line of .237-110-428 with 97 swipes is not unlike his big league one of .233-19-50 with six steals over 151 games. Dustin Fowler is likely the future for Oakland in center (Boog Powell isn’t, and Jake Smolinski, probably not) but at this point, anyone who emerges as the Athletics try things will get a chance.
Keone Kela (P, Rangers): It’s this week’s closer helter-skelter, and Kela is still hanging on to the ride. With two conversions this week, the 24-year old, drafted #12 by the Rangers in 2012, Kela was pretty much groomed as a stopper with 14 minor league saves. More important, he has stopper numbers with 152 whiffs over 109.6 innings, a WHIP of 1.25, and an opponents average against of .208. The righty has been perfect thus far with three innings and a pair of conversions, meaning he will probably keep getting the ball for the near future. It is Texas, however, where one minute Sam Dyson is the closer and then next Alex Claudio, and Claudio does loom still.
Jacob Barnes (P, Brewers): While we are at it, Barnes appears to be the man in Brew-town with Corey Knebel‘s injury. The 27-year old, drafted in the 14th round in 2011, whose fastball clocks in the mid-90’s, converted two of seven chances last year when he logged 72 innings with 80 whiffs, a 4.00 ERA, and 1.25 WHIP. Barnes does keep the hits down (just 57 last year) but also allows the walks (33), so his hold on the spot might be fleeting, but he is still just a place holder till Knebel returns.
Jakob Junis (P, Royals): During my show on FNTSY Sunday, I made note of Junis’ fine start against the Tigers last Tuesday, noting to Todd Zola he is a good pick-up in an AL only format. Z was quick to point out that Junis should be gone in such a format and the question was: Should the Royals hurler be considered in mixed formats? The 26-year-old, a 29th rounder (#867 overall) in 2011, has indeed delivered for the Royals, going 10-3, 4.02 with a 1.25 WHIP over 17 starts and 105.3 innings. And, while not a strikeout guy (86 to 26 walks), Junis does indeed seem to have the hang of pitching in the bigs.
Yonny Chirinos (P, Rays): I’ve frequently noted that I like how Tampa drafts and develops hurlers, and Chirinos might well be the next big thing. The 23-year-old Venezuelan notched an excellent 36-17, 2.75 line in the minors with 363 whiffs over 474.3 frames connected to a 1.08 WHIP (436 hits/74 walks). The Rays have a lot of good parts, but much like Oakland, they are trying to find a combination that is complementary within, and I like the way Chirinos fits as part of the bigger whole irrespective of format.
Mitch Garver (OF, Twins): Another team that has become very consistent bringing up new talent, especially in the outfield, is Minnesota with Eddie Rosario, Byron Buxton, and Max Kepler. Garver, a ninth rounder in 2013, fits the mold. As a minor leaguer, Garver assembled a line of .271-51-286 with 15 swipes, meaning he can do a little of everything. But, with 249 walks to 370 strikeouts, a solid .364 OBP suggests the flychaser is worth tracking in deeper formats.
Brock Holt (SS, Boston): Ok, let’s close with a couple of vets, and Holt is likely to get some playing time with Xander Bogaerts hobbled. Though there is now word as of yet as to the extent of the injury, expect the Sox’s best hitter thus far to at least have a few days off, meaning Holt, who plays all over the place, should get some time. The utility man did have a rugged 2017 (.200-0-7) but in general has been a great multi-positional play in deeper leagues, with a little pop (13 career homers) and a little speed (27) over 447 games, mostly as bench support.
Nick Markakis (OF, Braves): Atlanta is indeed rebuilding, and with Preston Tucker present and Ronald Acuna pending, the aging Markakis might be an afterthought. Well, the outfielder is hitting .303-1-6 with a .406 OBP, and the veteran hitter with a .288-166-882 line over 13 years of work is now one of those guys who is a “professional hitter.” As in, don’t dismiss the guy as a fifth outfielder in any format.
