Fantasy Baseball SP Roundup 5/15: An Arrighettisburg Address
Welcome to the SP Roundup, my daily fantasy baseball article reviewing every starting pitcher's performance from every Friday game. I apologize for the jokes written in my delirium in advance. Have questions? Ask me during my office hours on Twitch.tv (https://twitch.tv/pitcherlist) weekday mornings from 10 am-12 pm ET.
Spencer Arrighetti (HOU)
Arrighetti had a solid outing, allowing just 0 ER in 7.1 IP, with 12 Whiffs and a 33% CSW rate. His fastball extension and lowered arm angle created a fantastic 1.8 HAVAA, making the 14" of vert surprising enough to make elevation return whiffs. His curveball was a weapon against both LHB and RHB, and worked in concert with the sweeper to return a fair number of whiffs.
However, I'm not entirely convinced by his performance. He's inconsistent, throwing cross-body at a low angle and not getting the four-seamer high enough. The curveball also swings too far east or west, creating a triangular plinko chart of curveball locations on his strikezone plots. I'm not sure if he's on the verge of a huge breakout or walking a precarious tightrope. For now, I'd grab for the Cubs and see what happens. His success is less about the offense and more about his own mechanical battles.
Randy Vásquez (SDP)
Vásquez had a decent outing, with 6.0 IP, 0 ER, and 8 Whiffs. However, I'm not sure if this kind of command will work steadily. I'm cautious about his future performances, especially against the Dodgers and Phillies. He's not a must-start option in shallower leagues.
Zack Littell (WSN)
Littell had a solid outing, with 5.0 IP, 0 ER, and 7 Whiffs. However, I'm not sure if he's a reliable option, especially with the Mets next. Anything is possible, but I'd be cautious.
Ty Madden (DET)
Madden was struck by a 108 mph comebacker and left the game. Drew Anderson was called upon, with a commendable performance. I'm curious if the Tigers will give him a real chance to be a part of this rotation.
Merrill Kelly (ARI)
Kelly had a great outing, with 9.0 IP, 1 ER, and stellar changeup and slider usage. He maneuvered around the edges of the zone with cutters, four-seamers, curves, and sinkers. It's time to add him to your lineup.
Jack Leiter (TEX)
Leiter had a decent outing, with 7.0 IP, 1 ER, and 26% CSW. However, his slider and fastball command were not that great, with only 3/61 whiffs. I wouldn't start him in Coors.
Cam Schlittler (NYY)
Schlittler had a great outing, with 6.2 IP, 1 ER, and 19 Whiffs. He even saw a few curveballs thrown in, with two called strikes, two whiffs, and two very easy takes. When it's good, it's good.
Emerson Hancock (SEA)
Hancock had a solid outing, with 6.0 IP, 1 ER, and 18% SwStr rate. He spotted his four-seamer well, leading to a great strike rate. We ride.
Joe Ryan (MIN)
Ryan had a great outing, with 6.0 IP, 1 ER, and 13 Whiffs. He had 93/94 mph velocity and didn't expect anything different.
Spencer Strider (ATL)
Strider had a decent outing, with 5.1 IP, 1 ER, and 16 Whiffs. His command was great despite the three walks and low 54% strike rate on the heater. He had his former pitch separation, which aided those whiffs.
Jesse Scholtens (TB)
Scholtens had a great outing, with 5.0 IP, 1 ER, and 6 Whiffs. His four-seamer was precise upstairs, and his slider + sinker worked just fine.
Coleman Crow (MIL)
Crow had a solid outing, with 5.0 IP, 1 ER, and 7 strikeouts. He used his 87/88 mph cutter 41% of the time as his foundational offering over the heaters.
Andrew Abbott (CIN)
Abbott had a poor outing, with 5.0 IP, 1 ER, and a 15% strikeout rate. His changeup is still very much missing with a horrible 36% strike rate on the night.
Trey Yesavage (TOR)
Yesavage had a great outing, with 6.0 IP, 2 ER, and 19 Whiffs. He got away with a fair number of fastballs over the plate, but this was more like the Yesavage we saw in the fall.
Connelly Early (BOS)
Early had a poor outing, with 5.0 IP, 2 ER, and a low strike rate. It was a tough call to sit or start him.
Aaron Civale (ATH)
Civale had a great outing, with 5.0 IP, 2 ER, and a 2.70 ERA. He's finding a way to keep his WHIP high while maintaining a low ERA.
Shane Baz (BAL)
Baz had a poor outing, with 7.0 IP, 3 ER, and 6 Whiffs. He's not going to get me interested with six whiffs.
Tanner Bibee (CLE)
Bibee had a poor outing, with 6.2 IP, 3 ER, and a Loss. I'm curious if the days of the Reds Carpet are behind us.
Dustin May (STL)
May had a solid outing, with 6.0 IP, 3 ER, and 8 Whiffs. He spotted that cutter inside the LHB with high four-seamers incredibly well.
Michael Wacha (KCR)
Wacha had a solid outing, with 6.0 IP, 3 ER, and a WHIP of 1.00. The Red Sox are next, and we're keeping on, keepin' on.
Edward Cabrera (CHC)
Cabrera had a poor outing, with 4.2 IP, 3 ER, and a high pitch count. He couldn't finish batters and ended with a ghastly 7% per-pitch putaway rate.
Braxton Ashcraft (PIT)
Ashcraft had a solid outing, with 6.2 IP, 4 ER, and 10 Whiffs. His command is far better than what it was last year.
Clay Holmes (NYM)
Holmes had a poor outing, with 4.1 IP, 4 ER, and a broken fibula. It was a tough call to sit or start him.
Sean Burke (CHW)
Burke had a poor outing, with 4.1 IP, 4 ER, and a low strike rate. He threw a lot of slider strikes for 48% CSW.
Tyler Mahle (SFG)
Mahle had a poor outing, with 5.0 IP, 5 ER, and a low velocity. I'd hold off on starting him.
Jack Kochanowicz (LAA)
Kochanowicz had a poor outing, with 6.0 IP, 6 ER, and a low strike rate. His changeup is floating a fair amount.
Aaron Nola (PHI)
Nola had a poor outing, with 3.2 IP, 6 ER, and a low strikeout rate. He's returned just two starts under 3 ER this season.
Janson Junk (MIA)
Junk had a poor outing, with 5.2 IP, 7 ER, and a low strike rate. He elevated the four-seamer again, but it didn't do well.
Kyle Freeland (COL)
Freeland had a poor outing, with 3.2 IP, 7 ER, and a low strike rate. I'm a dentist, so yes, all the time.
Game of the Day
Logan Henderson vs. Connor Prielipp - How must I choose between my children? But Nick?! Where are the streaming picks? - I've moved them to the daily SP Matchups & Streamer Rankings article (https://pitcherlist.com/category/fantasy/sp-streamers/).
Have Questions? - Join my morning Twitch.tv livestream! (https://twitch.tv/pitcherlist) I answer all questions there for free: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm ET Monday through Friday.
