Fantasy Baseball Thoughts: Takeaways from Week 13

Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

I’m a wee bit superstitious and just because of the number, I never look forward to week 13 in the fantasy baseball season.

Although I have zero research to support this, I feel week 13 is the time when most of my readers and followers write to me and share their sad stories that often include scenarios such as, half their team just hit the disabled list, their wife ran off with another guy, their truck broke down, their dog lost an eye in a savage attack by a flock of quails during a hunting trip, and the all to common “I just had a vasectomy and the anesthesia did not work”.

Yup, that’s week 13 in a nutshell. To honor all these tough luck stories, I will be writing this weeks review while drinking some Pabst Blue Ribbon, listening to Waylon Jennings, and fighting back tears of pure sadness.

On to the fantasy baseball thoughts for the unlucky Week No. 13.

Batters:

• Jose Altuve had 10 SB’s this week and is hitting over .500 in his last 55 at-bats, and he is still just 5’5”.  Normally I would dedicate the picture to the guy who threw a no-hitter, but Altuve was the first person to record multiple stolen bases in four straight games since 1917.  That is almost 100 years.
• Jose Abreu could hit 50 HRs this year.
• If you take 50% of Altuve’s speed, and mix it with 50% of Abreu’s Power, you get Todd Frazier. Todd Jose Frazier could be a 30/20 guy by the end of the year.
• Mookie Betts was a trendy add when he got the call. Betts has put up some eye-popping numbers. His SB potential is Altuve like and considering drawing walks appears to be a strength, he should start scoring in that category from the gate. His position flexibility will add to his value as well. However, I am not sure if his bat will keep him in the lineup everyday. I like Betts more next year and down the road, but this year I am thinking there may be more hype than bite.
• Devin Mesoraco is only owned in 79% of Yahoo leagues, shut the front the door?!
• Matt Adams’ June slash line 10/6/16/.328, all that in just 58 at-bats. He even through in a SB this month. Oh yeah, he is owned in just 81% of Yahoo leagues. C’mon man.
• Manny Machado hit three bombs this week. Nice to see, but I still think you need to wait until next year for Machado to produce consistently for your fantasy team.
• Marlon Byrd is still producing. Keep an eye on him if he gets traded. There are scenarios that could boost or lower his fantasy value.
• Lorenzo Cain has stepped up since Norichika Aoki went down. Give him a look in deeper formats.
• Mike Zunino will kill you in AVG. and OBP., but a catcher with double digit HRs before the break can play in some formats.
• I’m not sure the Brewers will trade their organizational depth they have in Rickie Weeks, but if they do, Scooter Gennett will have even more value at the thin 2B.

Pitchers:

• Tim Lincecum may not be the freak he used to be, but he still has his moments.  Tip of the cap goes to Timmy on his 2nd no-no.
• Marcus Stroman had 13 Ks in two starts in week 13, that can’t be good luck. With June numbers that include a 2.67 ERA and a 7.71 K/9, I’m willing to overlook such superstition.
• Homer Bailey had 13 Ks as well. Owing Bailey probably makes you want to break a mirror at times, but his numbers are solid enough to be patient and deal with the duds he tosses on occasion.
• Speaking of the occasional dud, Alex Cobb owners need to show patience as well. If they are not, I like him as a buy low target.
• Gio Gonzalez, might be too late now, but if you can still buy low, buy away.
• Same with Drew Smyly who has a 1.44 ERA in June. His xFIP of 3.98 during the same stretch screams regression, but I think Smyly is just getting warmed up.
• I’m not sure how much wood Wood can chuck, but he can chuck a ball pretty good. That is my poetic way of Sayin Alex Wood is a nice option as well as he returned to the Braves rotation. Hopefully his brief stint in the bullpen saved his arm enough to get through the dogs days of summer without slowing down.
• Just when I was about to start plugging Kevin Gausman, he comes out throws a dud, and gets demoted. His demotion is actually temporary, but serves as a reminder that he is young and will hit bumps in the road, sp proceed with caution.
• The bumps are coming early and often for Andrew Heaney. I would not be surprised if he gets a bus ride back to the farm soon as well.
• Keep Heaney in mind before dropping someone established for Taijuan Walker who is likely to start tonight.
• I am not plugging Odrisamer Despaigne. He is 2-0 with an eye opening ERA but he has a history of poor control through out his minor league career which he showed yesterday walking four batters. His xFIP of 4.67 should help you move along and look elsewhere for a 2nd half sleeper.
• Sean Doolittle reminded owners that he is human, hopefully he has a short memory and returns to dominating the ninth.
• Sergio Romo is out as the Giants closer. Jeremy Affeldt and Santiago Casilla will be the two-headed committee the Giants will choose between in the 9th. Casilla has the experience, but Affeldt has better numbers. That and left-handed closers are the in vogue thing in the Bay Area this summer.
• Jason Grilli was traded for Ernesto Frieri. I like Frieri to benefit from this more. He will be heading to the NL and working with an outstanding pitching coach. Freiri’s xFIP of 3.23 suggests he has better days ahead as well. However, all can be ignored until they start scoring parallel to your league format.