After completing a dramatic extra innings comeback win Friday night, capped off by a Rougned Odor walk-off home run in the 13th inning, the Orioles were not done making headlines just yet. Hours later, the O’s had purchased the contract of top prospect slash phenom slash heart throb slash savior Adley Rutschman from Triple-A. Great news for fans of catching prospects, Matt Wieters truthers and the We Own This City re-cappers. The 24 year old was slashing an impressive .309/.427/.515 with three dongs in just 19 games over three minor league levels this year but he has been working his way back into form after suffering an injury in March. The Itch ranked him as his number four overall prospect and basically, the kid would already be in the bigs if not for some health issues. He took some time shaking the rust off but after homering twice in the past week for the Tides, Baltimore decided its time–the future is officially now. Rutschman, the 2019 number one overall pick, is most known for dominating at Oregon State, leading the Beavers to a championship in 2018 while slashing an insane .575/.751/1.327 with 17 bombs. More recently, and realistically, he hit .285/.397/.502 with 23 homers across 123 minor league games in 2021. Yes, that’s really good okay I’m excited now. A switch-hitting catcher with MLB-ready defense, elite-on base skills (in 2019 he drew 76 walks while only striking out 27 times) and power? It’s not hard to see why Adley Rutschman was baseball’s top prospect for the past two years and the key to the Orioles rebuild. Grey told you to BUY and you need to rush, man, to add Adley Rutschman wherever he’s available based on upside alone! Because that’s how you win fantasy baseball leagues. He’s a once in a generation prospect and if he can bring some hope to this sorry Orioles franchise, who’s saying he can’t do the same for your fantasy dream? Add Adley gladly! You’re gonna love him madly! This kid’s gonna be a star! Ha-cha-cha!
Here’s what else I saw in fantasy baseball Friday night:
Josh Rojas – 3-for-5, 3 HR (3), 4 RBI. The DBacks Stack Seven Jacks on Sad Sack Cubs Pack. That was almost your headline folks, but I wasn’t sure I could withstand the groans and prospects get more clicks. Well, the wind in the Windy Apple Chitown was blowing something fierce Friday night at Wrigley which turned many would-be fly balls into over-the-fencers. Poor Kyle Hendricks (5.0 IP, 8 hits, 7 ER, 2 BB, 3 K) gave up four alone. Josh Rojas was the biggest beneficiary with his first three bombs and he’s now hitting .289 with 10 runs, 7 RBI, 3 HR and 3 steals in the past two weeks. Not typically a power guy but if he’s stealing bases and hitting in the top of the ‘Zona order he’s worth a look for his multiple position eligibility alone. Rojas is red hot!
David Peralta – 2-for-4 with his sixth and seventh homers and he’s got 5 homers in May. OK, both of these were wind-assisted. Christian Walker was a BUY and he hit his 10th dinger last night as well! That’s 10 home runs! That’s not nothing. That’s actually more than any player on my team. Lest not forget, Alek Thomas, who was 2-for-4 with his 3rd jack. Alek Thomas. Alek him a lot. He’s hitting over .300 with 2 homers in the past week and a delicious .643 SLUG% this year and should be a staple in the top of this batting order before long. Lot to like for Zona in this game and I didn’t even mention Varsho who’s their best player!
Jordan Romano – 1.0 IP, SV (13). First save back from non-COVID diarrhea! It was just regular diarrhea, you guys! Not COVID! Tell your friends! Alert the media!
Hyun-Jin Ryu – 6.0 IP, 6 hits, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 1st win. It was not as pretty as that stat line wants to make you think. Ryu was living dangerously allowing extra base hits in every inning and let’s not forget it was against the terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad Reds. I would tread carefully if you are considering adding him for the Angels next week.
Matt Reynolds – 3-for-4, RBI, SB (2). You know I love recommending Reds. Here’s one who’s leading off with two steals in the past week. Pick him up now so you can drop him in time for next week’s Reds Rec!
Luis Castillo – 6.0 IP, 7 hits, 2 ER, 5 K. Not a bad outing against the scary BJays offense on paper that’s not quite as scary in real life. Seriously Vlady, where you at?
Jose Ramirez – 2-for-4, HR (9), 3 RBI. Slashing .287/.380/.588 with 9 bombs, 3 steals and 37 RBIs. Explain to me again how he’s not the best player in fantasy? I’m having trouble understanding.
Trevor Story – 1-for-4, Grand Slam HR (6). Story Time, children! Five homers, 10 runs, 12 RBI and four steals! That’s not for the season, that’s in the past week, friends. Sweet Sassy Molassy! I know. Yes, he is a hot little potato right now. This home run ball was actually caught by former Sox outfielder Johnny Gomes. This, only days after a fan caught two home run balls in one night at Fenway? You know what this means??? That’s right. The Red sox are back, baby! Three wins in a row–that’s a winning streak, folks! Nick P for Pivetta might have turned the whole season around and this could be the best line up in Bawston sports history and the world because Tom Brady, Larry Legend, Nomah, Sam Adams, Battfleck, Mahcus Smaht, chowdah and Dunkin’ Iced Regulahs! No one denies this!
Xander Bogaerts – Left the game after colliding with Alex Verdugo. But wait–things were going so well! Why is this happening to me?
Robbie Ray – 6.0 IP, 5 hits, 4 ER, 2 BB, 8 K. Outside of the grand salami, Ray was otherwise pretty perfect. But yeah, he did give up a grand slam. So not perfect.
Michael Wacha – 4.2 IP, 4 hits, 2 ER, 3 BB, 3 K. Likely on a pitch count after returning from the IL, Wacha Wacha Wacha is no joke, Fozzy B! He gets the struggling ChiSox next week.
Abraham Toro – 1-for-4, HR (6), 2 RBI. Toro is spanish for bull. Thanks Duolingo! But I’m not very bullish on Abraham based on his .167/.224/.342 slash.
Ronald Acuña Jr. – 2-for-4, SB (7). Just the thrill, the power I get, from that alt-164. *Exhales* Ahhh–worth it every time.
Jorge Soler – 2-for-4, HR (8), 2 RBI. Soler Power! Went deep after missing the past two games with a back injury. He’s hitting .246 in May with six bombs and 14 RBI. I helped Lorde write a song about him. Yeah, we’re dating. She wanted to stress that he’ll never be Royals again.
Charlie Morton – 5.1 IP, 7 hits, 3 ER, BB, 5 K, 3rd win. That’s three straight quality starts for C-Mort with a 2.20 ERA in that stretch. The 4.95 season ERA might still give you a buy low opportunity but that door is closing quickly.
Trevor Rogers – 4.0 IP, 8 hits, 5 ER, 2 BB, 5 K. 3 HR allowed, ERA at 5.20. Roger, Rogers! What’s your vector, Victor? Trevor has been alternating quality starts with getting bombed every third outing. So by that math, start him the next two times but be wary of that third start! Should come in the first week of June. Don’t worry I’ll remind you.
Marcell Ozuna – 2-for-5, HR (8), 2 RBI. Speaking of buy low windows, I can’t get this one opened anymore? It’s almost like it’s glued shut!? Where’s an Arenado blurb when you need one. Must be the 4 tanks and 7 RBIs in the past week? OZUNA back to form. OZUNA ask you to dust off your caps-lock button.
Travis d’Arnaud – 2-for-3, HR (4). d’ing d’ong!
Eric Lauer – 7.0 IP, 5 hits, 0 ER, 0 BB, 5 K, 4th win, ERA at 2.16. Last week I proclaimed boisterously (I boistered, ya’ll!) that I didn’t draft a pitching staff and collected mine from waivers and that anyone who would do differently was a sucker. Well, I didn’t say it exactly like that but my hubris came back to haunt me, the regression fairies were hovering and Kyle Wright got bombed, then Tylor Megill and Jesus Luzardo went on the IL and I’m left with so much egg on my face I can feel the salmonella setting in and I can barely see Eric Lauer saving my season. Take off the foo-foo, Kendrick, this Eric doode is for real!
Hunter Renfroe – 3-for-3, run, RBI. Hitting close to .500 over the past week and a four game hitting streak with three straight multi-hit games! The power is coming! Grey told you to BUY, but not in print you have to watch the video here. Oh, while you’re there you might as well like and subscribe. It would make the boys really happy and I’ve always wanted to say that.
Rowdy Tellez – 2-for-4, HR (9), 2 RBI slashing .244/.313/.527. How good is Rowdy? Why don’t you let him Tellez. I believe the technical term for this home run ball is it went “bye-bye.”
Martin Perez – 9.0 IP, 7 hits, 0 ER, BB, 5 K, 3rd win. MLB handing out complete games like they’re late multi-inning flame throwing relievers. The shut out was his first since 2014 and just the second all year. Now I’m not sure this start will turn the Rangers season around a la Nick Pivetta but I’m not sure I can ignore Martin’s 1.64 ERA and 1.01 WHIP any longer either because they are elite. His 38/12 K/BB leaves much to be desired but Marty could be useful for ratios going forward and he gets a cherry match up with the Oakland A’ss next week!
Cristian Javier – 6.0 IP, 3 hits, ER, BB, 9 K. He was a BUY and if you’re in a league where Javier is not owned, or really any Astros for that matter I want to join that league and beat you all! Own all the Astros!
Kole Calhoun – 1-for-4, HR (6). BUY. At what point am I mentioning Kole unironically? He’s got 5 bombs in the past week! I’m not going to add him, but I probably should!
Freddie Freeman – 3-for-5, 2 runs, 2 RBI, SB (3). Lovin’ the SBs Freddie but can we see a few more HRs? I’ll let it slide because that .322/.414/.497 slash is so gorgeous.
Julio Urias – 5.0 IP, 2 hits, 0 ER, 5K, 3rd win, ERA at 2.63. Revenge game against the same Phillies squad that bombed him last week. Urias so cold, Julio!
Ranger Suarez – 3.0 IP, 5 hits, 3 ER, 2 BB, 5 K ERA at 4.12. Rescue Ranger Suarez is only here so I can recommend the new Rescue Rangers movie to you. It is excellent.
Emmanuel Rivera – 2-for-4, HR (2). He was a BUY and a new face! Welcome to site, new friend! Do you mind subscribing to the youtube channel? Oh, and guess what? The Royals are fun again! Someone tell Lorde. Maybe I should, since we’re dating and all.
MJ Melendez – 2-for-4. If you miss out on the Adley Rutschman sweepstakes MJ could be a just as good if not better option. Kansas City breeds outstanding fantasy catchers, and MJ could be a slam dunk, even if you don’t need a catcher.
Kyle Isbel – 2-for-2, as he pinch hit. That’s three straight multi-hit games for the rookie! Isbel is a name to watch while Michael Taylor is on the COVID IL. Not ready to grab him just yet, but observe creepily from afar. If you could double down on the heavy breathing that would help a lot too.
Jose Miranda – 2-for-4, run, RBI. If you know your rights, you know you have the right to add Miranda despite his .123 batting average. JoMir has massive upside but the consistent playing time isn’t there yet, however, that could change this weekend with a couple more of these multi-hit games or maybe even perhaps a home run ball? Well, let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
Devin Smeltzer – 5.1 IP, 5 hits, ER, BB, 0 Ks, 1st win. Old Jewish guys in Minneapolis hang out at the local deli all day and rave about Smeltzer! If you think you love those control-first Twinkies starters, Devin is about to really test that love. He may think he’s not striking out anyone but he’s striking out with any chances of me picking him up.
Emilio Pagan – 1.0 IP, 3 hits, ER, K, SV (6). BUY. Jhoan Duan pitched 1.2 perfect innings and struck out two to set up Pagan who surrendered two singles before closing this one out. The Pagan gods have chosen Emilio and his 2.13 ERA, 1.58 WHIP, as their closer and Duran will have to wait until he loses the job. That could take months!
Randy Arozarena – 4-for-5, run. Randy heard Matthew Liberatore was called up to start Saturday and needed to prove his worth as the trade winner.
Darin Ruf – 2-for-3, 3 runs, 2 HR (3), 3 RBI. Grey told you to BUY Tommy La Stella but mentioned Luis Gonzalez or Darin Ruf could be just as valuable depending on who the Giants decide to go with that night. Last night was Ruf.
Wil Myers – 2-for-5, 2 RBI. BUY. 2012s future stars strike again! Profar with 3 hits! And don’t forget Hosmer and Machado! My 2012 self would take a short break from blasting Gotye on my iTouch 24/7 to gush over this team in April. These are all Somebodys That I Used to Know, and now they’re all finally worth owning in fantasy!
Seth Brown – 2-for-4, HR (4), SB (3) slashing .197/.264/.385. In Anaheim, I assume the slam & legs is served with a $12 DisneyLand churro that tastes so good you forget you’re standing in line for four hours for a ride that takes two minutes.
Manny Machado – 3-for-5, 2 runs, RBI. Last week I mentioned I hadn’t mentioned Manny all year despite him being the number one fantasy player, master of all those below him. Well, ask and you shall receive. Take a look at that sexy .363/.437/.568. Mmhm. Seven homers? Yes, I am aware. But it’s the seven stolen bases that give me those really uncomfortable feelings I otherwise only get when watching Wanda Maximoff’s eyes glow red as she destroys entire villages with her sex magic, uhh, I mean black magic. Keep it up, Manny! OK, I have to take a cold shower now.
Jed Lowrie – 2-for-3, HR (2). I don’t know if I’m more surprised he’s still in the league or that he’s hitting .444 in the past week. He was always my grandfather’s favorite player, but to be fair, my grandfather died over eight years ago. Thoughts and prayers. Is Jed just there so the A’s can say they have a “star” player? Can you imagine buying tickets to an Oakland game (ha!) and Jed Lowrie is on your ticket stub? Is that scenario more unbelievable because someone is actually buying A’s tickets in it or because there’s a physical paper ticket stub?
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!
