This will be a brief post, but I wanted to share a couple of items I’ve produced, including my latest post on Just Baseball and my Sleeper MLB picks for tonight’s games.
Just Baseball: Breaking Down Vinnie’s Hot Second Half and Future in Kansas City
Today, my second post for Just Baseball dropped this morning, and it can be found at the link below.
Here’s a snippet from the piece, as I discuss why extending Pasquantino, who becomes arbitration-eligible this offseason, is not an easy situation, especially with Jac Caglianone on the roster.
An extension for Pasquantino to buy out his remaining three years of arbitration (and maybe a free agency year or two) sounds great on paper. However, that could take away resources that might instead go toward a possible extension from Garcia, who’s been worth 3.2 fWAR more than Pasquantino this year and 3.6 more than Pasquantino over his career.
Additionally, the Royals have another power hitter who can play first base on their 40-man roster in Jac Caglianone. While Caglianone has been playing more right field this year, he started his professional career as a first baseman, and that may be the better position for Caglianone in the long term.
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Sleeper MLB Picks for August 27th Games
In addition to Underdog Fantasy, I also dabble in Sleeper’s Daily Picks format, which is similar to Underdog’s format. I use Sleeper in a couple of my fantasy football leagues, and I became a fan of Sleeper’s interface as well as the Daily Picks game, especially when it comes to MLB selections.
Here are my picks for tonight’s evening games, including the Royals’ series finale against the White Sox.
Casey Mize didn’t look great in his last start against Kansas City, as he gave up three runs on nine hits in 5.2 IP. The Royals hit him hard, but didn’t cash in enough with runners on base. In a more hitter-friendly yard like Sutter Health Park, I think the Athletics can get to him, with Nick Kurtz being the primary culprit (which is why I picked the over 5.5 fantasy points for him).
Chase Dollander for the Rockies throws some serious stuff, but he doesn’t get a lot of strikeouts (18% K rate), and his xwOBA (.369) and xSLG% (.491) are high. Add that with a hitter-friendly yard in Houston, and I think the Astros could get to him, with Carlos Correa being the one to lead the charge (over 1.5 hits).
Lastly, I went with Kansas City’s Ryan Bergert to collect more than 4.5 strikeouts against a White Sox team that ranks 15th in strikeout rate. They have been better in the second half (their K rate is nearly three percent lower after the All-Star Break). However, with Luis Robert Jr. out and coming off a rough loss on Tuesday night, I think Bergert and the Royals build on the momentum and keep the South Siders in check.
Photo Credit: Charlie Riedel/AP Photo
I would sign both to a five year extension. On the condition that they both waive their right to nix a trade. That would make both very valuable. Cars can play RF, where his arm is a plus. I, personally prefer Msikel’s bat at 2b. We could persuade one of our catchers to switch to 3b, where their footwork, reflexes and arm is a big plus and keep the other at catcher. Putting either of them at third and Maikel at second is an offensive improvement. The big issue becomes who plays at if. I would transition Massey there, if he can hit a workmanlike .265 wit .320 OBP and 14 to 20 homers with better than average fielding. With that lineup. Ysbel may actually get a better selection of pitches to swing at. We trade India for a reliable bench player because Adam Frazier won’t last forever.
I am not averse to extensions for both. I also think Cags has the arm, but playing outfield in K is a lot different from Werner Park in Omaha. As for Maikel, yes, his bat does profile better there, but he doesn’t have the skill set to play 2nd. He’s bounced back a lot defensively this year, which is due to him playing more third. I also think we have seen his bat progress a lot this year. I feel better about him being a 14-20 HR guy than Massey at this point.
I agree about trading India, though I think the return will be little. He may be a non-tender candidate this offseason if we can’t find a trade partner.