SAGNOF: Dropping Like Flies

Injuries in baseball are mounting faster than casualties at Winterfell. When you have a lineup hole to plug it can be a dangerous game to attempt duplicating your expected production from the hurt player in every category. Most of the time you’ll just hurt those categories. A more focussed approach is often preferable. Depending on position it can be an opportunity to pad your steals.

• Tyler Wade ripped off four steals in the Yankees series against the Angels. We know Jonathan Lucroy is a target to run on. The Blue Jays visit Anaheim mid-week. You could roll the dice on Eric Sogard at the top of their lineup.
• It’s been the usual bumpy ride owning Billy Hamilton but the steals are starting to flow. He has six in the last two weeks. If you paid for him in your draft, you have to keep running him out there. Provided his hammy tightness doesn’t sideline him. His walk rate has been really encouraging of late.
• Danny Santana is still getting playing time in Texas even with Rougned Odor back. If that continues he’s using his best, speed, tool effectively.
• The Mets will visit Milwaukee for a weekend series. That means no weather concerns and aggressive base running. Keep an eye peeled for a Hernan Perez start or even roll the dice on Eric Thames. Thames is more power than speed, but he does have the ability to swipe a bag while filling your first base slot.
• Nick Margevicius has been a human turnstile on the mound. He draws a two-start week at Atlanta and then home against the Dodgers. If you were on the fence about anyone from those teams they have an excellent shot at netting at least one steal.
• A.J. Minter did not have a great weekend. He blew a save in spectacular four-run fashion Saturday, then put two runners on while only recording an out Sunday. Luke Jackson came in a cleaned up his mess for that save. I guess you have to roster Jackson in the event something is wrong with Minter. He did have a sore shoulder to start the season.

Instead of weak catchers, this week let’s take a look at pitcher’s who have yielded five or more stolen bases.