NL Central Fantasy News and Advice: Jeffress, DeSclafani, spring training final touches
It’s late March and MLB rosters are (finally) taking shape. With social media so prevalent and cameras ready to capture the moment 24/7, I wonder if any players like Rule 5 pick Joey Rickard have the stones to bust out a Willie Mays Hayes dance upon learning they’ve earn a spot on the Opening Day roster. Just don’t tell Goose Gossage I said that.
Cincinnati Reds
Dude, the Reds’ starting rotation is a mess and that was before the injury bug bit hard over the past three weeks. The latest setback was to presumed Opening Day starter Anthony DeSclafani who is dealing with an oblique strain. So, he’s out on Opening Day and prospect Raisel Iglesias – who is probably on an innings limit this season – set to start. Michael Lorenzen sprained his UCL. Jon Moscot strained his intercostal in mid-March. Robert Stephenson’s spring training ERA was north of a touchdown and two-point conversion and was sent back down. After, Iglesias, Brandon Finnegan, Tim Melville, Alfredo Simon are the projected SP1-4. Melville carried a 4.50 ERA / 6.05 K/9 in 27 starts for the Toledo Mud Hens at Triple-A last season.
Chicago Cubs
Spring training leader in home runs for the Cubs: Addison Russell. The five dingers taken with a grain of salt on top of knowing he struck out 10 times hit .250 with .280 OBP.
Javier Baez will start season on DL. So, his attempt to turn into the Cubs’ off-the-bench version of Adam Dunn will have to wait. Damn, the Cubs roster is deep.
Milwaukee Brewers
You know the story by now, Will Smith tore his LCL in his knee taking off his shoe because spring training. He’s going to rehab for six weeks before figuring out if surgery needs to be done. Jeremy Jeffress – 8.87 w/ 3.00 xFIP in 2015 – gets first crack to secure the closer role for 2016. I like him. Look what Francisco Rodriguez was able to achieve in fantasy saves despite the Brewers struggling to win last few seasons.
The Will Middlebrooks redemption song won’t hit hit the airwaves in April. After signing Aaron Hill, Middlebrooks’ odds of making the Opening Day roster were slim. However, the one-time prospect hit just 8-41 this spring to bury his chances.
Jonathan Lucroy didn’t get traded to the Rangers. I’m surprised. Instead, Texas made a move to get Bryan Holaday from the Tigers. The Astros also made a move for a catcher, trading for the Phillies Erik Kratz. Price tag for Lucroy must be too high. However, last time I checked the Astros have a nice farm system and the Rangers isn’t too shabby.
Pittsburgh Pirates
Juan Nicasio has earned a spot in the starting rotation after allowing no earned runs in 15 innings pitched and posting a 24:5 K:BB ratio.
Jung Ho Kang is rehabbing nicely and getting closer to game speed, but was only allowed to run from home to first during at bats.
St. Louis Cardinals
Name that platoon! The Cardinals are going to embrace a first base and shortstop platoon to start this season. With Matt Holliday, Brandon Moss and Matt Adams at first and Jedd Gyorko and newly added Ruben Tejada splitting time at short until Jhonny Peralta returns.
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