Kyle Wright continued to show off all the right moves Friday night pitching five innings, allowing five hits and two earned runs with no walks and striking out nine Padres. He’s got the Wright stuff, baby! Kyle’s been in and out of the Braves rotation over the past four years but things finally appear to be clicking for the 26 year-old. You could say he’s finally on the, dot, dot, dot…Wright track. He’s always had a nasty breaking ball, but he’s struggled to throw strikes in the past. Not this year. He pounded the strike zone in his debut last week throwing 56 of his 76 pitches for strikes, and maintained that Friday night with 58 of his 92 pitches called strikes. He also whiffed 12 en route to his nine punchouts. Combine this with some increased hair on his mid-90s fastball and a 15/1 K/BB through his first two starts we got a bona fide breakout candidate on our hands, folks! Uh, yes, please! All Wright Now, Free, dude looks Wright on the money, for sure, but the Reds and Padres aren’t the most fearsome of line ups in the MLB, right? OK fine, naysayers gonna naysay, and next week’s match up with the Dodgers will be a huge test for Kyle, but at slightly over 50% owned in most leagues, that number’s gonna climb quicker than Free Solo this weekend so you gots to grab him now to get a piece of the action now before he’s a big time star. You heard me Wright! Grey told you to BUY and I’d add Kyle Wright everywhere he’s available. Time to let the Wright one in!
Here’s what else I saw Friday night in fantasy baseball:
MacKenzie Gore – 5.1 IP, 3 hits, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 K. BUY. MacKen wasn’t quite as dazzling as Kyle Wright but he pitched well enough in his debut against a scary Braves lineup. His biggest blemish was allowing a dinger to Ozzie Albies, and that guy is good at hitting baseballs far. We know that. Gore’s got the big name super prospect panache that means he’s probably owned already anywhere you’d want him, but if he’s NOT yet owned he showed us enough Friday night that you want to add him everywhere. He gets the Cincinnati Deds next week and could easily strike out 10 of them, so scoop him up before everyone’s gushing on Gore.
Kenley Jansen – 1.0 IP, 2 K, SV (1). Yay! He’s not broken! Yet?
CJ Abrams – 0-for-2, run, SB (1) as he started in right field. The fact that he started in right field is promising news for his playing time, and he followed up his first career homer with his first career steal! I got hope, ya’ll! This kid’s gonna be a star! Ha-cha-cha!
Tony Gonsolin – 4.0 IP, 3 hits, 0 ER, 3 BB, 2 K. Combined with Tyler Anderson (4.0 IP, 2 hits, ER, 4 K, W). I like Tony as much as Grey, OK, maybe not that much, but I don’t think I’ve EVER seen him go six innings. If he’s going to be paired with Anderson often, Tyler could be worth a look too, for some sweet vulture wins.
Gavin Lux – 2-for-3, SB (1). Deluxe G-Lux has collected a hit in every game he’s started and gotten on base in all of them. That’s right, Brad Pitt, dude can get on base. Did I mention he bats in front of Mookie Betts. Cause dat guy is good.
Joe Ryan – 6.0 IP, 5 hits, ER, 7 K, 1st win. Ahh, that’s more like it. He might be the least known number 1 starter in the MLB but after shutting down the Sawx, and spoiling their home opener, hopefully, you know his name now.
Nick Pivetta – 2.0 IP, 5 hits, 4 ER, 2 BB, 2 K. Who needs starting pitching, Red Sox, when you got Nick Pivetta giving you a solid 2 IP every five days?
Byron Buxton – 1-for-1. Left the game in the first inning with knee soreness. If you had the over/under at six games for Buxton’s first injury, then you just made a lot of money.
Miguel Sano – 1-fo-4, 2-run HR (1), SB (1). Max Kepler also homered. Sano’s first and only hit of the season was a SHOT but how about that steal! The fifth of his career! I tried to find of video of it online but it’s like it didn’t happen. I’d think I dreamt it if I didn’t see it in the box score.
Rafael Devers – 2-for-4, 2-run HR (2). Rappy just hits beisbols very far and waits for the Red Sox to decide to pay him or not. Maybe when the baseballs land they’ll pay the man!
Jhoan Duran – 2.0 IP, 3 hits, 3 ER, 4 K. BUY. The line looks a lot worse than he did, cause he looked PDG (pretty darned good). Some 102 mph cheese in there just to show Rocco Baldelli how much he wants to be the closer. Sweet sassy molassy! Yup, when I pull out the SSM you know I’m for serious. He lost some mphs when he went out there for a second inning. That’s because he’s a one-inning guy Rocco–the ninth inning! Make it happen!
Chris Bassitt – 6.0 IP, 2 hits, 1 ER, 2 BB, 6 K, 2nd win. I owned him just about everywhere last year and of course nowhere this year. And why not? He’s the same pitcher he was last year, if not better! You know why–too rich for my blood, fools. Oh well. Who will be my 2022 Chris Bassitt? I’m waiting.
Starling Marte – 3-for-5, HR (1), SB (1). Robinson Cano also homered for his namesake on Jackie Robinson Day. Lovin’ the Dodger blue 42s! I mean that!
Francisco Lindor – 2-for-3, 3 runs, 2 HR (2), SB (2). It was a slam & legs kind of day for the Mets. In Queens the slam & legs are served with the best slice of ‘za you ever ate. But your friend from the Bronx will insist you can get a better pie downtown. As for Lindo and his two bombs each from the side of the plate, he’s already matched his home run and RBI numbers from last April so yeah, he should be better this year.
Daulton Varsho – 1-for-4, HR (1). Oh fo’ sho’ Varsho! He’s a catcher that never plays catcher–he’s perfect for my fantasy team!
Pablo Lopez – 5.1 IP, 4 hits, 0 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, 1st win ERA at 0.87. Love me some Marlins starters. Let’s go Fish! Marlins baseball–Get hooked!
Nick Castellanos – 1-for-3, HR (2). He like-a the sauce, eh? Helios! Get some more sauce for the man!
Jesus Sanchez – 2-for-5, 2 runs, 2 RBI. On Good Friday no less! He has risen! That’s back to back games with a triple! That’s something right! I don’t understand the lack of hype for Jesus. Is it the strikeouts? Is it the team? He’s got four multi-hit performances in seven games, crazy power potential, bats third and he’s just 30% owned. What am I missing? It’s s’ok. It don’t matter to Jesus.
Josh Bell – 2-for-4, 3 RBI slashing .333/.450/.545. I’m thinking top five first baseman in 2022! Who’s arguing!? Also, is it me or is the Nats offense actually kind of good?
Alcides Escobar – 0-for-2, 2 runs, SB (1). Did you see him get hit in the cherries though!? Baseball is the best.
Ross Stripling – 4.0 IP, 2 hits, 0 ER, 3 K. Not sure he’ll ever pitch deep enough into games to ever get you a win but I do like him!
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. – 2-for-3, HR (5) slashing .367/.406/.900. Oh, did you know he likes to hit home runs? It’s like his raison d’etre. That’s French. Cause Canada!
Jordan Romano – 1.0 IP, 2 K, SV (5). The Blue Jays are gonna win a lot of games and that means Jordan Romano is probably gonna get a lot of saves.
Kevin Smith – 2-for-3. This team stinks worse than Clerks II!
Dylan Cease – 5.2 IP, 3 hits, ER, 2 BB, 8 K, 2nd win. Dylan never Ceases to amaze. And the 16 Ks? Dylancredible.
Jake Burger – 2-for-3, HR (1). You want fries with that Jake! Burger with the Big Mac! It was whopper!
Tarik Skubal – 5.2 IP, 4 hits, 0 ER, 7 K. I preached all last year how I was waiting until 2022 to own Skubal, and now that 2022 is here I barely own him anywhere. Too rich for my blood. I’m extremely cheap, by the way, and Tarik looks like he needs some more innings before I’m all in, but yesterday was a good start! He mowed down the first 11 batters before getting into any trouble, so I’m curious to see how he does against the Yankees next week.
Spencer Torkelson – 2-for-3, HR (2). Tork with the TANK! If I ever want to buy novelty mugs or unfunny gag gifts or embarrassing sex toys or lava lamps in person and not online, I’ll definitely go to Spencers.
Brad Keller – 7.0 IP, 3 hits, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 K. B-rad eats innings like I eat pizza flavored combos. They aren’t that good for you but damnit if they don’t get you through the day.
Freddy Peralta – 3.0 IP, 7 hits, 6 ER, 2 BB, 4 K. Are you panicking yet? Cause you shouldn’t. Step back from that ledge, friend. Unclench those butt cheeks. Let me put on some Logic for you. “I just want to live! I don’t want to diieeee!” Freddy ran into some bad luck but that 32% CSW rate tells me everything will be so good so soon so just try not to worry about it that much.
Miles Mikolas – 6.2 IP, 3 hits, ER, BB, 7 K, 1st win. I can see for Miles and Miles–and all I see is weak contact and strikes. I loved this guy in Fantastic Beasts. He makes an excellent non-Johnny Depp Grindelwald. He also seems criminally under owned and gets a great match up with my Miami Marlins next week. Yah, I’d add him. If that wasn’t clear.
Nolan Arenado – 2-for-3, HR (4), 3 RBI. Tommy Edman also homered (3). Nolan’s on a mission in 2022! There is something Grey always does with the Arenado blurbs, right? Is he still doing it this year? Oh man, it’s been so long I don’t remember. Hmm, maybe I should call him and ask. I’ll just go to the roof of this skyscraper I live in–should get better reception there, especially with all this rain. Oh no! I forgot my vape. Lol. I like to have nice fat rip of vape when I make my phone calls. I’ll just leave my phone on this crumbling building ledge on this extra stormy evening while I get my vape downstairs and then I can call Grey and ask him about the Nolan posts and–nooooo, TORENADO!
Jordan Montgomery – 5.0 IP, 3 hits, 0 ER, 2 BB, 2 K. That’s more like it JoMo! One minor edit–if we could be around 5-7 Ks a game that’d be super. Oh, I’m gonna need you to come in on Saturday, too. And the TPS reports!
Aroldis Chapman – 0.1 IP, BB, K. Back-to-back games walking home a run! That’s a goocher! A little early to be panicking over ‘Roldy, he did come into this one with the bases loaded, but yeah, might want to handcuff Loaisiga or Green just in case.
Reid Detmers – 3.1 IP, 6 hits, 5 ER, BB, 5 K. The Ks are nice, sure. It’s everything else I’m not really crazy about.
Shohei Ohtani – 2-for-5, 2 HR (2), 3 RBI. So maybe I was wrong about him being a bust? Not a one hit wonder? Cause that was very clearly two hits–into the seats! I guess don’t drop him yet?
Jared Walsh – 2-for-5, HR (2), 3 RBI. But seriously, Shohei’s swing is so fun and violently awesome to watch. Sorry to hijack your blurb J-Dubs, but Brohei is just so good. Say it with me, Jerry! SHO-HEEEEI OH-TANIIIIII! Am I allowed to quote that movie now that Cuba Gooding’s been canceled?
Jo Adell – 1-for-4, HR (2). He was a BUY! Hello. It’s me. I was wondering if after all these years you’d like to meet, and hit home ruuuuuns–into the seats. Adele usually makes me cry but this one is a BUY. Yes, been waiting a long time for Someone Like You.
Marcus Semien – 1-for-3, run, SB (1). Don’t say bust, Semien! But you are literally killin’ me inside.
C.J. Cron – 1-for-4, HR (3) slashing .310/.333/.724. Cron Air! Infielder Alan Trejo also homered in his 2022 debut. If you remembered that Alan’s (I assume) relative, Danny Trejo, was Johnny in Con Air, then you seem like a cool person and we should hang out and watch Nick Cage movies some time. Guy’s got Massive Talent.
Jonathan Villar – 2-for-3, 2 runs, RBI. Yes, I am a Certified Villar Stan (CVS), and yes I definitely came up with that acronym first and I will fight this lawsuit till my death! As for JV, as long as he plays he can contribute in every category. *Pro tip* that will help your fantasy team!
Marcus Stroman – 4.0 IP, 6 hits, 5 ER, BB, 4 K ERA at 6.00. Ugh, if you’re gonna be like this MaStro, it’s gonna be a long year for my fantasy pitching staff. I miss MetCo. German Marquez (4.1 IP, 10 hits, 4 ER, BB, 3 K) wasn’t much better, so let’s chalk this one up to “one of those nights” at Coors. Yes, chalk it up and forget about it forever! Like my four years in high school!
Daniel Bard – 1.0 IP, 2 hits, ER, K, SV (3) ERA at 4.91. No walks though! Bard should be the poster child for the heart-attack closer. A 36 year-old poster child, you heard me. A true SAGNOF. I love you, buddy.
Marco Gonzales – 7.0 IP, 4 hits, ER, 6 K, W. Sure this ‘Stros line up ain’t the same without Yordan but props where props are due! The 6 strikeouts is chill and he gets the Royals next week. Yeah, I’d stream that!
Jake Odorizzi – 4.1 IP, 8 hits, 4 ER, 3 BB, K. Bro, it’s not gonna get much easier than the Meh-riners. You get LA Shoheis next week. You think you can handle that? You done, bruh? Blink twice if you’re done.
Adam Frazier – 4-for-5, 2 runs, 4 RBI as he led off. Matched his season hit total last night with the big game! Have a day, man! Pick him up if you hate yourself.
Zach Plesac – 5.1 IP, 7 hits, 2 ER, BB, 4 K. The ratios are real nice and he’s just over 50% owned. Sure, I’d grab him! Plesac up and grab Zach.
Owen Miller – 1-for-2 slashing .522/.520/1.043. Another BUY! In a day where the Guardians couldn’t hit anything, Owen rose to the occasion and extended his hitting streak to five games. He almost outshined Tam Honks and Wilson. Almost.
Joc Pederson – 2-for-3, HR (2) slashing .375/.444/.750. We call that the Roc and Joc, Dan Cortes!
Carlos Rodon – 7.0 IP, ER, 9 K, 22 BB, 1st win. 21 Ks and just 5 hits allowed in his first two starts ERA at 1.50. OK, you’re an Ace–no fluke, and yes, you want to get PAID next year. We get it.
Camilo Doval – 1.0 IP, 1 hit, K. The dust in the bullpen schoolyard dust cloud fight has settled and it appears Doval is the last man standing. The Giants tend to be a team who create a lot of save opportunities, so I’d add Doval anywhere I could get him. Yes now!
Joey Bart – 2-for-4, HR (2), 2 RBI. Bart hits Homer in Simpsons latest couch gag! Marge grumbles. Lisa sighs. Homer chases Bart in hopes of strangling him, “D’oh! Why you little!” Is this kind of dad-on-son violence still PC in 2022? I hope so cause I practically grew up on it. Let’s see how many Simpsons references I can stuff in this blurb. I can’t promise I’ll try, but I’ll try to try. Here we go, Joey Bart, you may remember him from being a former highly touted prospect slash phenom slash Buster heir apparent. In fact, Joey Joe Joe Junior Shabadoo was almost your lede, cause I know you guys like catchers–but the strikeouts (10 Ks in 22 ABs, Ha Ha!) are still a little too scary for me to recommend him to the masses and Manager Kapler seems dead set on keeping him in the bottom of the lineup. Still, don’t have a cow yet, man, a breakout is not unpossible! The .333/.455/.722 looks real nice, and that swing? Aye caramba! Tastes like burning to me! He’s still probably better than whatever catcher you’re rostering, right? I’d add him while he’s still just 35% owned or you could be eating your shorts this summer when everything’s coming up Milhouse!
Thanks for reading! Questions? Problems? Complaints to management? Advice, small gifts or large bribes? Please leave it in the comments below. Join us next Saturday for another Friday recap as fantasy baseball continues next week, all week long!
