If you missed it while dodging tornadoes or mosquitoes this weekend, the corner infield world was rocked by consecutive hamate breaks.
Jose Ramirez. Vinnie Pasquantino.
If Ramirez was your first round pick, this is awful, awful news. The hamate is notorious for sapping power even after healing. Ramirez did have much of his value from stealing 24 bases this year, and was heating up. He’s on a 4-to-8 week timeline, but August will be rough, and it’s just not a good spot to be.
Pasquantino obviously has been stagnant all year despite his .298 average the past two weeks. He still had only one HR in the last 30 days. If I’m an owner, I breathe a sigh of relief and run to see if Jac Caglianone (64% owned in Yahoo) is available. He’ll be taking over at first and is on fire, bashing six home runs in two weeks. He has the pedigree and should be the first guy picked up if available.
Royce Lewis was recently sent down, then was somehow reincarnated as a first baseman who can hit really well. In his last six games, he’s hitting .435 with three home runs, with a .379 average overall since his return. In my day job, they tell us not to embarrass kids because it’ll hurt their focus and performance. Royce disagrees! His demotion may be what triggers a resurgence. Playing first may also help the legs stay healthy.
In my 14-team league, I finally pulled the plug on Austin Riley. No, my name isn’t the Fighting Kevorkians. But also not going to lie, rage-smashing the submit button felt nice.
Perhaps San Francisco has a Full House of options?
Matt Chapman is rewarding those of you who didn’t listen when I told you how bad Matt Chapman is. Five HR and 18 RBI over the past 14 show that his power stroke is back. A .410 batting average in the same time frame shows that he’s just on fire. 16% of leagues don’t employ his services; make sure it isn’t yours.
Across the diamond, Bryce Eldridge is making noise. Across the last 14 days, he’s hitting over .400 with three home runs. With steady playing time, he’s another good option for the CI spots. He’s more readily available than Chapman, as he’s rostered in only 41% of leagues.
Jake Bauers just keeps going, much like his cousin Jack Bauer. He’s hitting well, has over 40 runs and RBi, and the metrics fully support it. High walk rate and great contact metrics portend a continuation. 73% of leagues already have him rostered, but that should be higher. Of course, there’s risk with a career .213 hitter, but random outlier seasons happen all the time.
Colt Keith is 91% available and hitting a bit again. Deeper leagues with their crappy waiver wires and all can do worse than a flier on Keith. He runs hot and cold, so a streamer, but can help if you’re in a hamate-induced pinch.
Quick note: the stats on here may be wonky. I’m going to the Outer Banks, home of sun, swells, and spotty WiFi, so I wrote this on Monday. Then the internet ate half of it, which, of course, was award-winning by SABR quality and is now gone forever.
Are you done with Vladdy yet? Left Mead on the bench for Vladdy. Done