Fantasy Baseball Pickups: Sean Manaea and others to add
Sean Manaea: He followed up an impressive rookie campaign with a disappointing 2017, although health could help explain part of that. Back to 100 percent now, Manaea is off to a terrific start, recording a 1.15 ERA and a 0.51 WHIP with an 11:1 K:BB ratio over 15.2 innings. His velocity is a bit down (he’s averaged 90.5 mph with his fastball after it dropped during the second half last season), but he’s produced a 12.7 SwStr% anyway. SwStr% isn’t a perfect stat, but to give reference, Manaea’s career mark (11.6%) would rank No. 17 among all starting pitchers over the past five seasons if he qualified (tied with Chris Archer, one spot ahead of Stephen Strasburg). Manaea is sure to regress from this near-perfect start, but he plays in a pitcher’s park, and Oakland’s defense appears to have improved dramatically, yet he’s still available in more than 30 percent of Yahoo leagues.
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Kevin Keirmaier: He’s quickly become available in more than half of leagues thanks to an ugly 2-for-28 start at the plate with a whopping 12 strikeouts. His slow start could be chalked up to using a new batting stance he implemented in spring training or to a small sample highlighted by it being the beginning of the season. Either way, scoop up Keirmaier if he was dropped in your league. He’s no superstar but was drafted as a top-45 outfielder just a couple of weeks ago for a reason. He hits in the No. 2 hole, and THE BAT projects 20 homers and 18 steals over the rest of the season. His strong defense should ensure he remains a regular even through slumps.
Josh Hader: It’s not entirely clear who’ll close while Corey Knebel is on the shelf, but Hader is the favorite, and he’s still available in 40 percent of leagues. He’s struck out seven over three scoreless innings this season and has the stuff to be dominant in any role.
Patrick Corbin: He’s off to a monster start, as Andy Behrens detailed here yet is still available in 20 percent of leagues.
Hunter Strickland: Long gone in any league competitively looking for saves, but Strickland could very well prove to be more than just a short-term pickup, as Mark Melancon’s health status is a huge question mark moving forward. I’m not expecting him to pitch again anytime soon.
Kyle Barraclough: He’s allowed just one base runner with five strikeouts over three scoreless innings to open the year. Meanwhile, Brad Ziegler was pounded for four runs in an ugly outing (he’s been scoreless in his other two in fairness), so the inevitable closer change in Miami could be coming soon. Barraclough is still available in more than 70 percent of leagues.
Shohei Ohtani (Batter): He’s still searching for a walk but already has two homers and a 1.286 OPS over 14 at bats, which if nothing else is an exciting start for major league baseball. Steamer is now projecting a 122 wRC+ rest of season, which is rather remarkable.
Mitch Haniger: He’s hitting .350 with two homers and six RBI with more walks (four) than strikeouts (three). Haniger is also batting cleanup between two lefties and is an underrated fantasy outfielder owned in just 65 percent of leagues.
Jakob Junis: It was just one start, but Junis impressed with seven scoreless innings. Sometimes breakouts happen with little warning, and he quietly had an 80:25 K:BB ratio as a rookie last year. Junis and his filthy breaking ball should be added in deeper formats if for no other reason than to see what’s next.
Tyler Skaggs: Health has always been Skaggs’ biggest problem (not that he’s been lights out on the mound), but he’s currently healthy, flashing a 10:2 K:BB ratio over 11.0 innings to start the year. Skaggs has solid velocity for a lefty, benefits from a good pitcher’s park and strong defense and is available in 70 percent of leagues.
Tyler Glasnow: He’s working out of the bullpen, which explains the low ownership, but Glasnow has fanned seven over five innings of relief so far, and his upside shouldn’t be forgotten. His control would need to take quite a leap (he walked 44 batters over 62.0 innings last season), but Glasnow has a good pedigree and just posted a 1.93 ERA with a 13.5 K/9 mark over 15 starts in Triple-A last year, so there remains plenty of potential even though his once bright prospect star has faded.
Willie Calhoun: His stint in the minors likely won’t last much longer, with defensive work, service time issues and Ryan Rua all hurdles he should clear soon enough. Delino DeShields’ injury makes the move only more certain. Stash Calhoun now before others rush to grab him as soon as he’s called up. He could miss all of April and still be good for 25 homers.
Andrew Triggs: His strong season debut featured a 13.6 SwStr%, and Triggs had a 2.12 ERA with a 1.03 WHIP over his first eight starts last year before collapsing over his final four thanks in part to a painful hip injury that required season-ending surgery. He’s healthy now, has hidden strikeout appeal and is available in 95 percent of leagues.
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