Breaking News: Syndergaard to Start on Tuesday, and yes, that does mean he could be slated for two starts in Week 6. Of course, that will be up to manager, Terry Collins.
Syndergaard gets thrown right into the fire, as he’ll be facing the Cubs at Wrigley Field. If he does get the second start it comes against Milwaukee at Citi Field. That’s the bad news.
The good news is that he’s been throwing “lights out” in the very hitter friendly Cashman Field in Las Vegas, in the very hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League. So, he’s no stranger to high-octane offense situations.
Do I recommend starting him this week?
Well, it depends on who your other starters are, but I’m thinking let’s see what happens first and take it from there. However, do not let this stop you from picking him up right now. We go over his PCL numbers later in the post.
If I told you Chris Young was heating up and deserves some consideration to be on your waiver wire radar, would you know who I was talking about? I’m willing to bet you’d be at least half wrong. It’s kind of a trick question.
I would, in fact, be talking about either of the Chris Youngs.
Chris Young, the veteran journeyman outfielder, now with the Yanks, has rediscovered his swing.
Chris Young, the veteran journeyman starter, now with the Royals, has rediscovered his pitching.
The two players have more in common than first meets the eye. They both established their careers in the N.L. West and they each played for the same team (Arizona and San Diego, respectively) for at least 5 years beginning in 2006. Since 2010 they have each played for 4 different teams.
Like several of the following players, they have one more thing in common: to this point, they are only “Watch List” candidates and nothing more.
Bats
Rajai Davis OF (45% owned in Yahoo Leagues) Good streamer for 3 reasons, (1) he has the most (8 SB) of any player under 50% owned. (2) His OPS is just under .800, which is always impressive for a speedster. and (3) He’s in one of the most powerful lineups in both leagues, meaning he’ll score plenty of runs. He’s got 15 already.
D. J. LeMahieu 2B (40% owned in Yahoo Leagues) Here’s what we said 2 weeks ago: The Rockies made the right choice in keeping him over Josh Rutledge, who is currently in the Angel’s farm system. LeMahieu is currently the second best hitter in the N.L. He’s got 21 hits and he’s done most of it hitting from the 8th and 9th spot in the order. With Rutledge gone, he may have slipped into a positive comfort zone. Don’t hesitate to add him, even if it’s just for streaming purposes. I’m willing to bet it won’t be. We are looking at a much improved professional. Since then he has added 11 more hits in 35 AB. So, the sample size keeps growing without too much fluctuation. Oh, and LeMahieu is now getting the odd start in the 2-spot.
Marlon Byrd OF (39% owned in Yahoo Leagues) After a brutal start, Byrd is beginning to show why the Reds signed him during the offseason. Byrd had 4 2-hit games in a row to start May off, with 4 Runs and 6 RBI. He now has 5 HR on the year, along with 14 RBI. Byrd finds himself in a much different lineup than last year with the Phillies, where he still managed 25 HR and 85 RBI.
Ender Inciarte OF (32% owned in Yahoo Leagues) Here’s what we wrote 2 weeks ago: Now leading off for the D-Backs… Ender… Ender. What a great name for a lead-off hitter. Inciarte is one of the reasons that Yasmany Tomas was sent to the Minors at the end of Spring Training. He doesn’t have much power, but he’s capable of 30-plus steals (he had 19 SB in 118 GP last year for the D-Backs) and he has been leading off for the D-Backs on a regular basis. If it’s speed you are looking for he could be your streamer given the right week. In the 10 games since then he has gone 11 for 37 with 7 runs and 5 RBI. Almost good enough for mixed leagues, but at least good enough for streaming.
Watch List Candidates
Brandon Phillips 2B (41% owned in Yahoo Leagues) Just by virtue of the fact the fact that he has become so ignored, in such a good lineup, I’m including the one-time elite second baseman here. He’s still a decent source for steals and he’s just 2 years removed from his 103-RBI season. Try to find anyone else on the waiver wire right now who has 4 SB and 14 RBI.
Chris Young OF (30% owned in Yahoo Leagues) Anyone who has been in Fantasy Baseball for 6 or more years has probably owned Young at one time or another. He has been waiver wire fodder for those last 6. If he was a second baseman, I’m sure there would be immediate interest, but there’s so many good outfielders out there that he seems to be nothing more than a streamer with little upside.
Colby Rasmus OF (9% owned in Yahoo Leagues) Rasmus has 5 HR and 10 RBI on the year. More importantly, the journeyman outfielder seems to like his new home, at least, for now.
Kyle Blanks 1B (8% owned in Yahoo Leagues) Has gone 12/32 with 3 HR in May. He’s a defensive upgrade over his teammate Prince (below-average) Fielder, and may continue to get regular starts at first base.
Logan Morrison 1B/OF (5% owned in Yahoo Leagues) Presently the hottest hitter on the Mariners. Last night he hit a walk-off homer in the 10th inning just when the game seemed like it was about to go 17 innings. It was Morrison 4th homer of the month, along with 2 doubles. After a few years plagued by injuries this could be the start of the breakout that many have been anticipating for years.
Arms
Carlos Rodon SP (44% owned in Yahoo Leagues) Remember all the hype when Rodon was first called up just three weeks ago? How quickly did all that die down with his shaky efforts from the bullpen? His tires didn’t just find a couple of nails, they were slashed, as many of his owners lost their confidence in him or grew impatient waiting for his first start. Well, guess what? The day has come. Today’s debut for Rodon is not going to be an easy one – he faces the Reds in Game 2 of a double-header – but given his elite talent it’s time to stash him. Rodon has blasted through the Minors, going from Single A to Triple A last year, with very small sample sizes at each level. He does have some control issues, but over 24.2 IP he allowed 20 hits, while striking out a whooping 38. A fair comparison might be Matt Moore, with the high K-rate and uncertain control, but it’s too early to tell.
Noah Syndergaard SP (19% owned in Yahoo Leagues) If you’ve got room to stash this top prospect, you might want to do it soon. As soon as Zach Wheeler went down for Tommy John, Syndergaard found my radar. Now, Dillon Gee hits the D.L. and manager Terry Collins is expecting a spot start will be necessary with the Mets busy schedule in the next couple of weeks. Syndergaard is at the top of his game right now in the very hitter-friendly PCL. His line with Las Vegas (not his odds) over 5 starts goes like this:
29.2 IP/20H/7R/8 BB/34K (with a 1.82 ERA/.192 BAA/0.94 WHIP)
In fact, just as I’m finishing up this blurb I’ve noticed the latest news – Syndergaard just got the call. He gets the start on Tuesday. Done deal. Grab him immediately. Don’t walk. Run. Stop the presses. I’m changing the headliner.
Watch List Candidates
Chris Young SP (10% owned in Yahoo Leagues) Does not yet have a regular spot in the rotation, but he looks to be a good pick-up if/when he does. Young has allowed just 4 hits in 17 IP with 16 K. his one start against the mighty Tigers was immaculate. He only went 5 innings (as he wasn’t completely stretched out), but he didn’t allow any hits and stuck out 9, with 3 walks. Young had a very good year with the Mariners last year, but experienced some arm fatigue at the end of the year. The 6’10” veteran should be the next in line for that elusive regular spot in the rotation.
Alex Colome´ SP (15% owned in Yahoo Leagues) A small yet promising sample size thus far should at least get this 26 yr old on your radar. He has faced two tough lineups – Baltimore and Boston – in their home parks, and came out of each game with a quality start. Each start lasted 5 innings, but he allowed only 3 hits vs the Orioles and 4 vs the Sox, giving up just 2 runs total. And with Alex Cobb now gone (Tommy John) for the year, Colome should get some regular starts – at least until Matt Moore returns from his own Tommy John procedure, which should be at some point in June.