The San Diego Padres might be the most fun and interesting team in baseball, and fantasy managers sure should be keeping a close on eye on them before Monday's MLB trade deadline. After all, Padres right-hander Garrett Richards could not escape the first inning in his Thursday outing versus Seattle, so perhaps the franchise will look to add a starting pitcher. The Tommy Pham injury left an unproductive hole in left field and most teams could use more relief help, especially this one after losing both Kirby Yates and Drew Pomeranz.
I have said and written this more than a few times recently, but I would wait no longer to add top prospect MacKenzie Gore, a mature lefty who would instantly impact the Padres pitching staff -- as well as that of fantasy managers. Gore, available in 90% of ESPN standard leagues, could realistically get the promotion at any time, especially with more than half of San Diego's season now completed and the team in need of pitching help. The Padres claim Gore's role will be as a starter and, in this case, I believe them. This is positive news.
Anyway, while I do not expect Gore to pitch in Denver's Coors Field this weekend, here's a list of 10 other generally young pitchers who are slated to pitch over the next few days. For some of them, either in real life or fantasy, it could be a rather big deal.
Triston McKenzie, Indians: His debut certainly went well, with 10 strikeouts and only one run permitted. Fantasy managers wasted no time making him the most-added player in the sport. That was quick! Still, with Zach Plesac percolating, the pressure is on for each outing. This one comes in St. Louis.
Sixto Sanchez, Marlins: This right-hander fired more than a few 100-mph pitches in his successful debut, but fantasy managers in ESPN leagues were still twice as likely to have added McKenzie. I think that could be a mistake, but time will tell. Sanchez seems safer to keep a rotation spot. He faces the Rays.
Corbin Burnes, Brewers: Similarly, missing bats is not a problem for this breakout option, as he boasts 36 whiffs in 26 1/3 innings. I think we can rely on this big arm regardless of the role, but it sure would be nice if we knew the team was going to keep him in the rotation. Perhaps this weekend against the now-rolling Pirates helps in that respect.
Dylan Cease, White Sox: He has five consecutive outings with no more than two earned runs allowed, and his team certainly provides him plenty of offense, but I worry about the walks and an oddly tepid K-rate. I think we can trust him versus the Royals, but long term, I am not 100% sure just yet.
Austin Voth, Nationals: The defending champions lack reasonable rotation replacements for Voth, who has provided nary a quality start in five chances. This could be it. Why should you care? Well, Voth looked fantastic in the final month of 2019, but the Nationals might have to trade for assistance if he struggles at Fenway Park this weekend.
Griffin Canning, Angels: Somewhat along the same lines, Canning should not be as bad as his current numbers say. The Angels are in a far different situation than the Nationals, but they must have hoped Canning would finish the fifth inning in more than one of his first six starts. Perhaps he achieves this versus Seattle.
Brad Keller, Royals: Something had to give for this sinker-baller when he permitted no runs over his first three outings -- and it did when the Cardinals touched him for five runs earlier this week. Keller still has yet to permit a home run, and the White Sox hit a whole lot of them. This should be intriguing.
Dylan Bundy, Angels: Not quite as young as these other fellows, Bundy rose to the top of the most-added list but has permitted four runs in both of his past two outings, though in his most recent one only two of those scores were of the earned variety. Still, a rough outing this weekend against the Mariners and Canning probably goes on the most-dropped list.
Alec Mills, Cubs: Left-hander Jose Quintana is finally healthy and awaits a rotation opening, but Mills has pitched well in four of his five starts. It's hardly a given that Mills will make the team's decision an easy one. Add Quintana if you prefer, but he is no longer the White Sox version we all loved.
Chris Paddack, Padres: It seems unfair to judge this right-hander when his weekend outing comes at Coors Field, but Paddack had a seventh-round ADP in ESPN live drafts and his 5.15 ERA is a problem. Still, even if the Rockies shell him, my advice would be to keep Paddack around or to even trade for him. Unless there is an injury, Gore is not going to be replacing him.
Other random MLB thoughts
Dodgers right-hander Walker Buehler developed a blister on his pitching hand and that is the official reason the organization has for sending him to the injured list. The truth is the Dodgers boast ridiculous depth and all that matters is October. Fantasy managers might not like it so much, though. Still, Buehler probably pitches next week so you cannot bench him. Add Tony Gonsolin for his weekend start. He has made three starts, allowing nary a run, and the Dodgers barely need him!
Mariners second baseman Shed Long Jr. homered in one of the team's two games on Thursday and stole a base in the other. Whether or not that counts as a "combo meal" is up for debate. What isn't in dispute is that Long is showing nothing in batting average, yet I still think a fantasy relevant option lurks. Long cannot hit left-handed pitching yet, so perhaps a platoon is in order. Still, he has pop and can run.
Seattle wisely traded a rejuvenated Taijuan Walker to Toronto on Thursday, and the Blue Jays certainly needed help, but this is a right-hander whose 4.00 ERA does not match the 4.93 FIP. Walker has benefited from a .225 BABIP and left-handed hitters are having fun with him. I would be careful in fantasy.
I remain somewhat skeptical of Padres outfielder Wil Myers because much of his best offensive work has come against left-handed pitching, but his walk-off homer on Thursday came off right-hander Dan Altavilla. Myers was also more fun when he stole bases. He still has time to do so.
We've got a big, roster-changing weekend ahead for the Yankees, as prospect Deivi Garcia could appear, and he is worthy of fantasy attention in deeper formats. The club says Clarke Schmidt is unlikely to get a promotion, which seems odd because he sure seems ready. Meanwhile, DJ LeMahieu could come off the injured list, and Aaron Judge could take his place. Most franchises would be a mess with all these injuries, but the Yankees should cruise to the playoffs.
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