A’s Gunnar Going Whole Hoglund

Oakland Las Vegas Sacramento Athletics starting pitcher Gunnar Hoglund was firing on all cylinders Friday night (no scope!) in his MLB debut pitching six strong innings, allowing six hits and striking out seven Marlins for his first career win. Gunnar going whole Hoglund! You might remember Gunnar as the primary return piece in the Matt Chapman trade. Yes, he was once both highly touted and an elite prospect. And his stuff looked fantastic Friday night, lots of life on his high fastball paired with a nasty changeup that falls off the map. He’s got several off speed offerings and plus plus command of all of them. Take a look at the movement on these pitches! And that first strikeout! Shoot! The crowd is going absolutely hog wild for Hoglund. This Hoglund ain’t no boar! Enough? Okay, sorry. So sure it was against the Marlins whose lineup isn’t exactly scaring anyone (it’s terrible), but he was rocking a 30/7 K/BB along with a 2.43 ERA, 1.04 WHIP through six starts at AAA Vegas, in the notoriously hitter friendly Pacific Coast League so perhaps he can’t handle his bizz. The caveats go both ways, folks! His command could keep him competitive and he should make for a worthwhile streamer for now. Grey covered him more here and is taking a wait and see approach. Well I think we likes what we sees so far but would likes to sees mores. He gets the Mariners next week who just collected 17 hits Friday night, so if he can handle them I’m all in shooting my shot with Gunnar (no scope!). Prospects like Hoglund are enough to make a guy squeal like a piggy. I’m sorry I had to ham that up. I’m on my high Hoglund!

Here’s what else I saw in fantasy baseballl Friday night:

JJ Bleday – 2-for-4, 3 runs, HR (3). Have a bleday, JJ! If only someone wrote a sleeper post about him. Oh wait!

Dane Myers – 1-for-2, HR (3). BUY. He’s batting .700! I’m not really sure how a guy can go from batting third to ninth in just three days time but I’m not Mr. Manager.

Jesus Luzardo – 5.1 IP, 9 hits, 2 ER, BB, 6 K. Jesus is giving the Phils water to wine but they couldn’t give him any run support in this one. He left in the sixth trailing after allowing 10 base runners, but I take one look at that 1.94 ERA and can’t stay mad at that face. What’s that? 46/11 K/BB? I already said I forgive you! You get the Rays next week? Jesus! I’m going to OD on serotonin if you keep going with all this good news.

Merrill Kelly – 5.0 IP, 4 hits, ER, 2 K. Pretty tough start in Philly and Kelly survived, but it only gets harder next week in Queens even if the Phanatic is much more intimidating than Mr. Met.

Ketel Marte – 1-for-4 as he returned from the IL. Kevin from ESPN’s get him in your line up department once again took off early for the weekend to catch a matinee of Thunderbolts. It’s okay if you didn’t realize Marte was back, I didn’t realize Marvel was still making movies.

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. – 3-for-4, run, RBI. I got a lot of question about whether you should drop LouGu last week so of course he bats close to .400 this week capping it off with his first three hit game of the year. Now that its May you’ll notice my patience for many of these guys is vanishing, and LGJ still hasn’t homered in two weeks.

Kyle Schwarber – 2-for-3, HR (10), 2 RBI. It’s not even June yet, Schwarbs! Calm down!

Max Kepler – 1-for-3, HR (4). He was a BUY. Phillies only signed him to fill out their roster of Abercrombie catalogue models, but he’s got three homers in the past week and is available everywhere. Grab him at your local A&F.

Hunter Greene – 6.0 IP, 2 hits, ER, 2 BB, 12 K, 4th win, ERA at 2.53. Hunter was legit dealing on a Friday, striking out a season high 12 Nats, including this one that got him all HYPE. He also struck out the side in the second. Maybe it’s those CityConnects? I know red is their color but Cincinnati should really consider more Greene. He’s taken a significant step forward since last summer, with a K/9 over 10 that makes me Greene with envy. He’s now got a 55/8 K/BB and if I had to neg him, because that’s what Andrew Tate says you do you get girls to like you, I’d tell you he could be more efficient with his pitches as he took 114 pitches to get through six innings. If he can ever figure out how to be more economical, he could be a top 3 pitcher instead of a top 5 pitcher. Then watch out league!

Tyler Stephenson – 2-for-3, 2 runs, 2 RBI as he returned from the IL. Kevin is working overtime this week! I mean double feature. First, Marvel’s Thunderbolts and then The Accountant 2 with Ben Affleck. There’s pretty much zero chance I’m not going to like this movie, even if it’s a big piece of [expletive deleted]. Stephenson was god awful on his rehab assignment so the two doubles is a pleasant surprise, like an Anna Kendrick cameo would be in the Accountant II. Like Kendrick, if you need a catcher, Ty-Steph is quite worthy.

Ryan O’Hearn – 2-for-4, HR (6). Sorry I just really love the Accountant. And my personal accountant. S/O Sam Horowitz!! This month’s portfolio was litty. Way to diversify those bonds. Speaking of Bonds, Ryan O’Hearn leads the Orioles in most batting categories that matter including batting average, SLG% and OPS. This is especially concerning since he is a platoon player.

Dean Kremer – 7.0 IP, 3 hits, 0 ER, BB, 2 K, 3rd win. Kremer was hit pretty hard despite the Royals being one of the leagues least hard hitting teams but he escaped this one allowing just four base runners. He was out there, Jerry, and he was loving every minute of it! The ERA is an unsightly 5.73 ERA but he gets another prime match up with the Twins next week. I could see considering the prospect of maybe thinking about mulling over the possibility of contemplating whether or not I should review the option of potentially picking him up. I still don’t know for sure though!

Max Fried – 7.0 IP, 1 hit, 0 ER, 2 BB, 6 K, 6th win. Fried manta ray is a delicacy in some countries. I have to admit I was never in on Fried as a top-of-the-line starter but he has proven me wrong and going 6-0 with microscopic ratios (1.01 ERA, 0.94 WHIP), he’s the number 1 pitcher in fantasy baseball and the early Cy Young favorite. That’s what a $218 million start to a season should look like.

Luke Weaver – 1.0 IP, 2 K, SV (3). BUY. His first save since taking over for Devin Williams and he might not give this job back. Sure, D-Will has the contract and the fan fare but Luke has the force, zero runs allowed, a 0.56 WHIP, and all the makings of an elite closer.

Aaron Judge – 2-for-4, run. Now slashing .430/.521/.777. It’s May. This is what a good April can do. He bat just .207 last April and still won the MVP, how do you top that? I think it’s possible we’ve been underrating just how good Aaron Judge can be.

Paul Goldschmidt – 2-for-4, HR (3) slashing .361/.406/.500. Shotski! Pauly G is second in the league in batting average, about 50 points less than bash brother Aaron Judge, the power hasn’t been there yet but for a 37 year old it’s hard to complain with what he’s doing.

Chris Bassitt – 5.1 IP, 7 hits, 3 ER, 4 K. The ratios look elite, but he did allow three home runs in this one.  I like him but, this is why we can’t trust Bassitt and his 2.95 ERA. He ain’t nothing but a hound dog!

George Springer – 1-for-1, 2 runs, HR (3), SB (5), slashing .314/.423/.523. In Toronto, the slam & legs is served with Kraft dinner covered in maple syrup and cheese curds. The squeakier the better! Springer is top five in OPS and is doing everything he can to make you forget he’s 35 years old. Looking like Springer chicken!

Jose Ramirez – 2-for-2, SB (8). JoRam suffered a “mild” ankle sprain trying to leg out a single and will likely get a few days off but luckily avoided anything serious. Does this mean he’s not going to steal four bases next week too?

Joe Ryan – 6.0 IP, 4 hits, ER, BB, 8 K. Joe is a Red Sox killer. Always has been. Ask anyone. He looked like a top 10 starter in this one, unfortunately the second he left the game the Twins disastrous bullpen blew it for him. If Minnesota ever gets their line up and bullpen and coaching and defense in order, Ryan could make some serious noise.

Brayan Bello – 6.2 IP, 4 hits, ER, BB, 5 K. BUY. Bello was hit hard again, despite a fairly pretty line. That seems to be the story this year, as the 2.55 ERA makes me want to pump my fist, the 5.43 FIP and 7.37 xERA make me want to clench my fist. He does get a favorable match up with the Rangers next week. They can’t hit anything!

Alex Bregman – 2-for-4, HR (8), slashing .331/.400/.609. If you knew Bregman was gonna rake at Fenway and called it so hard–good for you. You should continue telling everyone you know that you made this happen.

Triston Casas – 0-for-1 tripped over the bag at first and landed awkwardly on his knee. Mr. Manager Cora is calling the injury “significant,” which is bad news for a guy who spent months rehabbing from a rib injury last year as well. It’s a heart breaking injury for Triston who hasn’t been able to get in a groove at the plate yet this year. Romy Gonzalez (1-for-3, SB (2)) is the most obvious beneficiary, and will likely see most of the time at first base in the interim. It’s also possible we see Vaughn Grissom back in the BIGs to play some first, or dare I say it’s Roman Anthony time?

David Hamilton – 3-for-4, 2 SB (5). Kristian Campbell has been nursing an injury leading to Hammy starting back to back games. He was 3-for-33 coming into this game so he’s a risky add, but he has been known to fill up a box score on occasion and he’s a monster on the base paths.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto – 6.0 IP, 1 hits, 2 BB, 6 K, 4th win, 0.90 ERA. Seems the most important ability on the Dodgers pitching staff is availability, so I can see why Roberts doesn’t want to push his starters any more than he has to. The strikeouts sure are nice too though! He was the NL pitcher of April and he continues his dominance carrying a no-hitter into the sixth. He also did this! Cat like reflexes for the Cy Young favorite. If I was Dave Roberts I would have pulled him right after that. We’re building for October here people!

Mookie Betts – 2-for-4, HR (5). His first ding dong since April 14. Just when I think I’m out, you pullll me back in! I’m kidding, of course, I was never out. Betts is hitting .320 with 9 RBI in the past week and has a five game hitting streak with three multi hit games in a row. He’s also the godfather to my children, he just doesn’t know it. That’s why he’s the Mookie Best!

Grant Holmes – 6.0 IP, 4 hits, 2 ER, 2 BB, 9 K, 2nd L. My dude struck out Shohei, Mook and Freddie to start the game. Massive props! That’s some signma rizz cat. +1000 aura points the kids might say. Imagine the adrenaline. It can only go down hill from there. Not just the game, I mean life in general. That was your moment Grant Holmes, did you capture it?

Evan Phillips – 1.0 IP, BB, 2 K, SV (1). Newly activated from IL E-Philly got his first save of the year retiring the heart of the Braves line up. Tanner Scott pitched the eighth inning and it’s worth noting there was a rain delay before the ninth inning, but still not ideal for Scott owners who might want to get their affairs in order. Not yet time to panic but this is likely not the last save chance Phillips will see.

Jonathan Cannon – 6.0 IP, 9 hits, 2 ER, 5 K, 2nd win. Honestly, Astros should be embarrassed by this one, in particular Framber Valdez (5.0 IP, 7 hits, 4 ER, 2 BB, 6 K).

Luis Robert – 1-for-2, HR (5). This is exactly what I was looking for when I drafted him in the third round three years ago. LouBob! Don’t make me love you again. He’s hitting .364 in the past week with six steals and three home runs, including this beauty. And holy Air Jordans are those CityConnects fire or is it just me? LouRob’s ownership numbers may be misleading but if he’s out there you have to grab him. He’s looking more back than a Skims ad, and that’s not just the red and black jerseys talking.

Chase Meidroth – 2-for-5, run, RBI. He’s leading off for a team that dare I say is playing some pretty okay-ish baseball. Robert’s got to have someone on base to drive home, why not Chase?

Edgar Quero – 2-for-3, run, 2 RBI. Another White Sock! That’s gotta be a goocher! Someone knock on some wood, throw some salt over your shoulder, burn some sage and add Edgar if you need catching help. All he does it hit baseballs.

Yainer Diaz – 3-for-4, HR (3), 2 RBI. “I think if we tuck his arms and fold him forward by the waist he’ll be easier to stuff in the trunk and–oh my god, Yainer moved! He’s alive!”

Bryan Woo – 6.1 IP, 1 hit, 0 ER, 8 K, 4th win. You don’t need to try that hard, Bryan. Consider me Woo’d. You could itemize the bill on our dinner date and request I pay for my own drinks and I would still go home with you at this point. B-Woo is rocking a pristine 2.58 ERA and 0.83 WHIP and a 38/7 K/BB. He looks like the M’s Ace right now, which is not-for-nothing for a pitching staff made up of all Aces.

Jack Leiter – 4.1 IP, 8 hits, 6 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, 1st L. Jack received my first lede of the year then immediately got injured and has been meh-ddling since returning. He gets the Red Sox next week who he faired very well against in his first start of the year (read about it here!) but I would proceed with caution this time around.

Josh H. Smith – 1-for-4, HR (3) as he led off slashing .296/.380/.457 . The H. stands for, How did this team’s offense get so bad so quick?

Cal Raleigh – 2-for-4, 2 HR (12), 5 RBI. Big Dumper with a big number two! Leads all MLB in home runs. What is your catcher doing?

Julio Rodriguez – 2-for-4, HR (5), 2 RBI. Juul-Rod ripping the fattest clouds! M’s scored 13 runs on 17 (!) hits! That’s double bangs folks. We were well into June before JRod hit his fifth last year, so quit whining you whiners. Remember in early April when I was complain the M’s had no offense? Me niether!

Ben Brown – 6.0 IP, 4 hits, 0 ER, 4 K, 3rd win. Come here for a second. Closer. Closer. Let me whisper something into your ear. CLOSER! I think the Cubs are a wagon, ya’ll!

Pete Crow-Armstrong – 2-for-5, 2 HR (8). Oh PCA, you don’t know what you’re doing to me. A man can only lust so much before he breaks down. I’m two more PCAHRs from dying my hair blue. Yes, even down there. Last week we talked about his mom and the merits of Little Big League versus Rookie of the Year. This week let’s highlight proud dad Matthew John Armstrong who has an incredibly illustrious TV career spanning just about every crime procedural ever made. I really loved him as the “Crazy Fire Guy” in Heroes, and that must be how Pete got so hot.

Michael Busch – 1-for-5, HR (6), 4 RBI. Cubs scored 10 runs on 12 hits including this grand salami from Buschy. You know what’s even better than Busch? Yup, you guessed it, Busch Lite Apple.

Chris Flexen – 3.0 IP, 1 hit, 0 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, SV (1). Unpopular spicy take incoming, I love the three inning save. We should be encouraging the use of less pitchers not more. You want to save beisbol, Manfred? LESS one inning relievers, especially the specialists, and establish MORE three inning closers. Make it happen, MLB!

Dylan Cease – 4.0 IP, 3 hits, 2 ER, 3 BB, 3 K. Oh! What an appropriate segue, the Padres used seven pitchers to beat the Pirates, who have way less than seven professional hitters. Talk about a game that could have used a three inning closer!

Fernando Tatis Jr. – FTJ left this game early after getting hit by pitch and initial x-rays were negative but the pics looked pretty brutal. Ew. Still seems he dodged a bullet here (but not a baseball) and should be back in the lineup some time next week.

Gavin Sheets – 3-for-5, HR (4), 2 RBI slashing .344/.388/.557. He’s cooled off considerably after a sizzling hot start but he does have a very favorable schedule incoming including a stint at Coors. You could do worse.

Clay Holmes – 6.0 IP, 8 hits, 3 ER, 3 K, 4th win, ERA at 2.95 ERA. The starting experiment is going rather well methinks, why didn’t the Yankees think of this?

Pete Alonso – 2-for-5, HR (8). Albombso to center! Fresh off player of the month honors, Polar bear leads the NL in hits, average, OPS and is second in RBI with 30. Watch him roar. He’s the number one first baseman in fantasy and is hitting close to .400 in the past week. Just take a look at that baseball savant page. More red than a Chicago White Sox alternate jersey. Yes please and more thank you! The 1.136 OPS is swoon worthy though. Go ahead, swoon. *swoons* Only Aaron Judge has a higher OPS. Whoever that is!

Brandon Nimmo – 3-for-3, 3 runs, HR (7). Nimmo had an interesting week for sure. Following his two homer, nine RBI game on Monday he was battling a stomach bug that was going through the clubhouse. Blech! He missed the next two games, went 0-for-4 Thursday and returns with a barfy vengeance! Not yak. YAK! Oh he’s not sick, he’s SIIIIICK. *shakas* He’s got three homers in the past week and 11 RBI (ELEVEN) upping his OPS to .720 from Monday. The Mets scored 9 runs on 17 hits in this one, maybe they should bottle this stomach bug and weaponize. It’s working!

Masyn Winn – 3-for-4, run, RBI. He’s hitting .346 with 2 dongs and steal in the past week. That’s what I call Winn-ing!

Robbie Ray – 7.0 IP, 2 hits, 0ER, 2 BB, 8 K, 4th win. Stream-O-Nator was so jacked up for this start and RobRay did not disappoint. Pants never tighter, he picked apart the Suckies allowing just four base runners. That’s now back to back quality starts for Ray who’s looked like his Cy Young self, albeit against two of the worst offenses in the league. He might have quite the wake up call next week in Wrigley.

Javier Baez – 2-for-4, HR (3), .300/.337/.467 . I love that highest paid player on the team bats ninth. It’s not close either. Dude is paid. I also love that my one time heartthrob, Javy Time, whose name is in cursive all over my high school textbooks is having a George Springer slash Luis Robert type resurgence when he was all but left for dead. He’s hitting .417 with three homers, a steal and 10 RBI in the past week, homering in three straight! The 2016 Cubs called, they want their shortstop back! He also has some pretty handy eligibility. I’m not telling you to pick him up but I won’t tell anyone if you do! Welcome back, old friend.

Zach Neto – 1-for-4, HR (4). Neato is right! I’m zeroing in on his 0.8 WAR and .908 OPS and Zach also got into it with Skubal leading to benches clearing which you love to see. Is this, passion from an Angels player? I’m telling you it takes a special kind of player to make me excited about anything the Angels are doing. Neto is all that and four steals and needs to be owned everywhere. This kid’s gonna be a star! Ha-cha-cha!

Tarik Skubal – 6.0 IP, 4 hits, ER, 8 K. Since his loss in C-Attle April 8th, Skubal has a 0.60 ERA, three wins, and a 38/1 K/BB! Sweet sassy molassy! Get out the checkbook, because Javier Baez won’t be the highest paid Tiger for much longer.

Jose Soriano – 6.0 IP, 6 hits, 0 ER, BB, 5 K. This was actually quite the pitchers dual until Kenley Jansen (0.2 IP, 6 hits, 6 ER, 3 HR, L) decided to ruin my life and everything I stand for. I will. Never forgive you for this Kenley. Say goodbye to my ratios. It was nice knowing you. I blame Mr. Manager Washington for leaving him in there. This never would have happened if he was a three inning closer.

Riley Greene –  3-for-5, 2 HR (8), 4 RBI. Another guy I’m Greene with envy I don’t own everywhere. Riley hit two ninth inning home runs. That’s right. Two nukes in the ninth! We call that Green Energy. He’s the first hitter in ever to do that. In ever! Are you surprised? It takes some real bad Mr. Mismanaging to make that happen I would think. Also, this has got to do wonders for your clutch rating. Have a day, RG!

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!