We have a lot of shuffling parts to get into from around the league, so we’ll skip the pleasantries and get right to it. Here is your week 11 edition Depth Chart Review!
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Jacob Faria Shines Again
Faria performed well in his second major league start on Tuesday, giving up just one run to the Toronto Blue Jays in 6 1/3 inning with eight strikeouts. The outing gives him a stellar 1.42 ERA and 0.95 WHIP with 13 strikeouts in 12 1/3 innings. It’s a promising small sample size, and one that may not be a fluke when considering he was mowing batters down in Triple-A prior to his call-up. In 11 starts, he had a 3.07 ERA, 34.7% strikeout rate and 9.1% walk rate. The punchouts catch your eye, but the walks could be a concern if they rear their ugly head. He’s also given up quite a bit of hard contact in his brief major league stay (45.5%). Still, it’s hard to ignore that whiff potential, and with Matt Andriese likely out until August, Faria should have a rotation spot nailed down for the foreseeable future. Expect some peaks and valleys as with all young pitchers, but if you were hesitating to grab him in mixed leagues, now is the time to snag him before it’s too late.
Say Hello to Lewis Brinson
A consensus top-100 prospect entering the season, Brinson got the call from the Milwaukee Brewers over the weekend and is expected to get regular playing time even after Ryan Braun returns from the DL. It’s a much deserved promotion, as he was filling up the stat sheet in Triple-A, batting .312/.397/.503 with 41 runs, six homers and seven stolen bases. Still just 23 years old, there could be some growing pains in his first major league go-round, but the talent makes him an intriguing pick-up in most formats, particularly since he’s already getting starts out of the leadoff spot.
But Brinson’s gain could be Keon Broxton’s loss, who figures to be the odd man out upon Braun’s return. A popular sleeper pick coming into the season, Broxton has a fantasy-friendly 35 runs, eight round-trippers and 10 swiped bags, but it’s come with a .235 average, the result of a whopping 39.1% strikeout rate. In you’re a deep league Broxton owner, his power/speed potential makes him too valuable to drop just yet — he’s homered in his last two games after all — but it might be wise to have a contingency plan in place in case his playing time dries up.
Mallex Smith is Off to the Races
Many a savvy owner grabbed Smith off the waiver wire when he got called up to replace the injured Kevin Keirmaier, and he immediately showed why by stealing three bags in one game. Already slotted as the primary leadoff man for the Tampa Bay Rays, Smith was slashing a solid .311/.345/.477 in Triple-A, but perhaps more importantly, he had 16 stolen bases. If you combine that with his seven in majors this season, his 23 thefts would be second in the league behind just Billy Hamilton. He won’t contribute much of anything in power, but if he’s still available and you need some wheels, scoop him up.
A-Gone is Gone Again
Struggling Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez went back on the DL with a herniated disc and figures to be out until the All-Star break, although no timetable has been set yet. The injury further solidified the playing time of Chris Taylor and the red-hot Cody Bellinger, who has five home runs in his last three games. Sadly, Gonzalez’s injury may be what’s best for the Dodgers, as he was hitting just .255/.304/.339 with one measly home run. With Bellinger living up to his prospect hype, and a deep Dodgers bench, it’s fair to wonder what role Gonzalez should have when he returns. At age 35, we may be seeing that inevitable Father Time decline take shape. He’s safe to drop in mixed leagues.
Meanwhile, don’t sleep on the versatile Taylor, who should have eligibility at second base, third base, and outfield in most leagues. Despite not getting called up until late April, he already has a solid 31 runs, seven home runs, five stolen bases, and a .293 average. He’s never shown much power in the minors, so the pop may fizzle, but deep leagues might be able to use that position versatility and solid across-the-board contributions.
Anthony Rizzo — Leadoff Man?
Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon isn’t afraid to try new things, so maybe we shouldn’t be surprised he gave Rizzo his first career start in the leadoff spot on Tuesday night. Naturally, Rizzo responded by hitting a bomb in his first at-bat, going 2-for-4 overall. It sounds like Maddon is sticking with the arrangement for now, which should please Rizzo owners, as it will mean more plate appearances for the young slugger, a boon to his counting stats.
The Jose Pirela and Franchy Cordero Show
Sounds like a sports talk radio show, doesn’t it?
With playing time opening up from Ryan Schimpf getting sent down and Manuel Margot hitting the DL, the San Diego Padres have this duo manning the one and two spots in the order these days, and deep leaguers could do worse than take a shot. In Triple-A, Pirela had a 1.022 OPS with 13 long balls and eight stolen bases. Power expectations should be tempered, though, as it’s out of character with the rest of his track record. Cordero showed a similar power/speed combo in Triple-A, notching seven and eight, but struggled with strikeouts at a 31.1% rate. Each has held his own so far at the major league level, but it’s hard to say how much long-term value they’ll have, particularly when Margot returns and crowds the picture. But as long as they’re hitting high in the order, they’ll maintain some fantasy value.
Touching on Schimpf, despite his .158 average, his demotion came as a bit of a surprise. He was fanning at a 35.5% rate, but still had 14 home runs, 25 RBIs, and a .267 ISO. Perhaps the time in the minors can help him become less of an all-or-nothing hitter, although at age 29, he’s not getting any younger. He’ll likely return at some point this season, and the power will keep him intriguing in deep leagues for those who can stomach the low average.
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Kenyatta Storin is a featured writer with FantasyPros. For more from Kenyatta, check out his archive and follow him @kenyattastorin.
