(*) PT TOMORROW: NL West—New SS on the way in SD?
Aug 18 2016
Reports surfaced earlier this week that veteran shortstop Alexei Ramirez (SS, SD) could be released shortly. The 34-year old is hitting a meager .241/.276/.335 (32 BPV) on the year and is now ceding playing time to Nick Noonan (SS, SD) who has 134 career AB (.190/.234/.234). Even for a team in last place, this is an untenable position that deserves fixing. Who is most likely to step in the rest of the season should Ramirez get let go?
With Alexi Amarista (SS, SD) still recovering from a hamstring strain on the DL, and rookie José Rondón (SS, SD) being optioned back down after a forgettable 25 AB (.120/.154/.120), there is another option worth keeping tabs on. Earlier this week, GM A.J. Preller picked up Luis Sardiñas (2B/SS, SD) from SEA for a PTBNL. Preller originally drafted Sardinas from Venezuela when he was still with TEX, and is reportedly ready to give him a long look at SS for the rest of this season and possibly into 2017. While his career .218/.257/.268 line (284 AB) is uninspiring, it is easy to forget that the switch-hitting Sardinas is still only 23 years old, has a good glove, and has flashed legitimate speed in the past.
The rotation in ARI got a "boost" earlier this month with the return of ace Zack Greinke (RHP, ARI), who got rocked his last time out to the tune of 1.2 IP, 9 ER (3 HR), 3:0 K/BB to BOS. Several outlets also reported that Rubby De La Rosa (RHP, ARI) has decided to forego surgery on a nerve issue in this elbow and will be moved to the bullpen on upon his return. Given that youngsters Braden Shipley (RHP, ARI) and Archie Bradley (RHP, ARI) are another week closer to their innings limits, who next in line to take the bump when they get shut down?
Zack Godley (RHP, ARI) has flown under the radar in the last month (7.7 Dom, 1.8 Ctl, 13% SwK%) and has been dominant in his last two starts (BOS, NYM), giving up 1 ER (8/1 K/BB in 10.1 IP). He's been filling in admirably and could be a sneaky back-end starter down the stretch. It's also just a matter of time before Shelby Miller (RHP, ARI) gets another shot. Dating back to August 4, Miller has thrown three QS (20.1 IP) and given up 5 ER with 25/2 K/BB mark. The ARI front office did not trade away the farm to watch Miller dominate in AAA, and they need to see what he can do against MLB hitters going into 2017. Anthony Banda (LHP, ARI) was recently touted in our WatchList series and could be a September callup given his success between double and triple-A this season.
Even with the starting rotation being paper-mached together for the past month, LA finds itself atop the standings this week. Despite a mild wrist strain that cut his first start short, Brett Anderson (LHP, LA) did rejoin the rotation as profiled last week. Rich Hill (LHP, LA) still remains on the DL (along with the newly-injured Brandon McCarthy (RHP, LA)) with blister issues, but could start next week against SF. Bud Norris (RHP, LA), meanwhile, should pitch on August 19. With Clayton Kershaw's (LHP, LA) return in doubt, and rookie Julio Urías (LHP, LA) relegated to the pen who's next on the SP merry-go-round?
Ross Stripling (RHP, LA) has filled in admirably so far (4.7 Cmd, 61% GB%, 3.37 xERA) in the last month between the bullpen and rotation. He has a back-of-the-rotation ceiling but should not be counted on as a surefire rotation piece yet. A 6.1 Dom, 90.5 Vel and elite GB% probably play up better in the pen. José De León (RHP, LA) continues to wait for his shot, serving up back-to-back 7-inning gems (17/1 K/BB, 4 ER). Since he started the season late due to injury, his arm will still be fresh for a playoff run if needed. The way LA's rotation has been thus far, that is becoming more statement of fact than fiction at this point.
Going 3-7 in their last 10—and losing Trevor Story (SS, COL)—has essentially sealed COL's fate for 2016. Now, with the news that Tyler Chatwood (RHP, COL) is on the DL with a back strain and ace Jonathan Gray (RHP, COL) struggling (9.53 ERA, 4.2 Ctl, 76 BPV) in August, the rotation looks vulnerable. Given that the rest of their young staff are approaching innings limits soon, it would not surprise to see some reinforcements coming soon from the farm.
Eddie Butler (RHP, COL) has only given up 4 ER in his last 21 IP, albeit without the help of the strikeout (5/4 K/BB). However, the former first-round pick could pitch some meaningful innings later this season and try to put himself back on the radar for 2017. An intriguing name is 21-year old Germán Márquez (RHP, COL), who came over with Jake McGee (RHP, COL) in the Corey Dickerson trade and was recently promoted to triple-A Albuquerque. He's got a nifty 133/33 K/BB mark in 142 IP to go along with a stellar 2.98 ERA. He's currently on the 40-man roster and could merit a look sooner rather than later. Jeff Hoffman (RHP, COL) is demanding a callup, giving up 1 hit and striking out 9 in his last start, and fellow prospect Kyle Freeland (LHP, COL) is doing the same, firing 7 IP, 0 ER, 3/2 K/BB in his last outing.
SF's recent slide has left them in 2nd place in the NL West. As noted a couple of weeks ago, the decision to keep Matt Cain (RHP, SF) as the #5 SP was tenuous at best. The chickens have come home to roost, so to speak, as entering August 17, Cain had given up 11 ER in his last 2 starts, including 13 hits (3 HR). Could Cain's days be numbered in the rotation if SF continues on course? (Ed note: Cain was placed on DL after this was written, Thursday August 18th).
Recently demoted veteran Jake Peavy (RHP, SF), meanwhile, has appeared in 6 games (5 IP) and allowed 1 ER with a 5/1 K/BB mark. He will most likely have the first shot at getting back into the rotation. Ty Blach (LHP, SF) wasn't as successful during his last turn, giving up 4 ER in 5 IP on Tuesday, and breaking an 8-game QS streak. However, before that he fired a complete game, 2-hit shutout against triple-A Tacoma (7/2 K/BB). Finally, since being sent back down at the end of June, Chris Stratton (RHP, SF) has gone 48.2 IP, 16 ER, 45/11 K/BB with a 2.96 ERA. Help is just a phone call away in SF if needed.
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