Alright, let’s just get something under control before it takes this post over. His first name is Rubby. You get the laughs out of the way? Good, now realize it’s pronounced ‘ROO-BEE’ and get over it. This isn’t a sex ed class, you’re not 11 and I’m not saying penis repeatedly while laser-pointing at anatomical drawings in a slideshow. Alright, now let’s…why are you still laughing? Because I said ‘penis’? Or because you now could google ‘Rubby penis’ and find this article? Honestly, I’m officially proud of that. Welcome to Razzball, those of you who like handy vids of an adult nature! If you read through and request in the comments, for the right amount of cash, maybe both parties could come away happy…but since you’re not the core audience, let’s talk to those who are for now. Here’s my take on Rubby De La Rosa and his potential in deeper leagues for the 2015 Fantasy Baseball season…
In order to completely appreciate what RDLR could be this year, we have to face a gruesome story: what he has not been so far. In 174.1 major league innings, Rubby has compiled a 4.34 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and a 2 to 1 K:BB ratio. That is decidedly not draft worthy in most leagues outside of 20 teamers and even there…eh, maybe just draft a high K reliever? But we have to realize what those career innings mean before we judge. Firstly, those stats are compiled over four years. Secondly, of those four years, only two of them could you consider moderately healthy ones. Rubby had Tommy John surgery back in August of 2011, came off the DL in August of 2012, was traded to the Red Sox where he tried to hone his skills again in the minor leagues for most of the year and then finally had a full’ish stint with a big league ball club in 2014. The results were uninspiring from a fantasy standpoint to say the least: 4.43 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and a 2.11 K:BB ratio. Yup, nothing to see here, move along…and yet, here I am still intrigued despite the lack of results. And why is that you ask? That fastball…his average fastball sat around 94 MPH last year. Some would say that is a ‘down’ number compared to his rookie year and it may be but he also didn’t start his rookie year and bullpen arms tend to throw harder since they aren’t in the game for long so I’m willing to accept he ‘only’ throws 93+ on average. Of starters with a minimum of 100 IP, that was the 15th fastest fastball (say that five times fast!) in the major leagues. Of course, we all know a great FB doesn’t do much by itself: just ask Kevin Gausman if you don’t agree. That said, it takes time to get all the parts working again when you go through TJS. Case in point, Adam Wainwright. He missed all of 2011 with surgery and had one of his worst years as a starter, finishing with a 3.94 ERA in 2012. All this to say, Adam’s 2013 went much smoother. Command is usually the issue after TJS and that goes double for someone who is still actually learning to pitch. I admittedly might be a year early on De La Rosa (and that’s if he’s going to make the leap at all), but with where he’s going in drafts – near that area where you’re, ya know, done drafting – it’s hard not to like taking a flier in a deep league setting. All this to say, destination unknown, Rubby Rubby Rubby Rubby Soho…you have no idea how long I’ve waited to type that and now that I have, I am ashamed. Just draft De La Rosa in deep leagues, m’kay? Thx bye!
