Carlos Rodon is finally earning his salary. (Sports Illustrated)
Paul Skenes continues to rack up the Ks; Gerrit Cole is getting closer to returning; and Manny Machado has a hip flexor strain. Here’s what other Fantasy baseball related stories we’re following…
Carlos Rodon’s Big Bounce Back
As alluded to above, the Yankees’ rotation will soon get a massive boost with the return of ace Cole. But the fact that this staff has thrived without him is one of the top stories of the first half.
AL ROY candidate Luis Gil has been the biggest revelation, but where would this rotation be without a huge bounce back effort from Carlos Rodon?
On Wednesday, Rodon helped lead the Yankees to a seventh straight win by turning in another stellar outing (six innings, three hits, two runs, no walks, nine strikeouts), so we sure hope you were rolling with him in DFS play. But this start was certainly not unique for him; since getting shelled in his first outing in May, he’s tossed six straight games with three runs or fewer allowed, cutting his ERA six-tenths of a run in the process.
Rodon’s first season as a Yankee was marred by injury and ineffectiveness, but thanks to five wins in May, he’s already topped last season’s victory count by five — in one fewer start — putting him on pace for his finest winning percentage ever.
Improved control has led to a much better ERA, putting him a lot closer to his 2021-22 form than what he showed last year. Rodon’s slider looks devastating right now (see video below) and he’s finally living up to the massive contract the Yankees gave him, but given his injury history and previous back issues, we wouldn’t blame Fantasy owners for trying to sell high.
Dennis Santana’s New Role
The Yankees have matched their season-high with this win streak and are now tied for the best record in baseball, so small wonder they are the overwhelming favourites to win the AL East (-440) at FanDuel.
Just about everything is going right… just about.
Long reliever Dennis Santana is among the few Pinstripers who hasn’t exactly been lighting it up. Quite the opposite really, as he’s been lit up to the tune of six hits and five earned runs over 3 1/3 frames covering his last two outings.
It’s been a weird season for Santana, as he’s authored many scoreless outings, but when he gets scored on, it’s almost always for multiple runs. Two years ago, we actually thought he had closer potential, and he did manage his first career save while earning 20 holds that season, but his bottom line results were no hell.
He was worse with the Mets last season and has been slightly better this year, earning two saves, but just one hold, mostly pitching in a role that is unlikely to offer any Fantasy value. But there are positives. Santana is unbeaten, has the best WHIP of his career and has adapted fairly well to a bulk inning gig.
No, we’re not recommending adding him to your team, but his FIP (3.85) tells a different story about his season, so don’t be surprised to see him post better ROS results.
Dominic Leone On Borrowed Time
Way back in 2015, we ranked Dominic Leone just outside of the top 60 relievers, suggested he was a “promising young arm.”
Flash forward nearly a decade and the now 32-year-old journeyman looks to be on his last legs. Leone landed on the IL a couple of weeks ago with an elbow woe — just one game after returning from a back injury.
Clearly, his body is beginning to break down, and the results have followed suit. Leone is winless with an ugly 1.70 WHIP and his K rate has dipped in each of the last two seasons. He’s been easier to hit this Year, and while he has occupied a setup role, that’s more a product of a White Sox bullpen that lacks depth than anything he’s done to deserve a high leverage position.
It’s been a decent run for a 16th round pick, but the end of the line is coming soon for Leone.
RotoRob Tune of the Day
Nirvana was founded by lead singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain and bass player Krist Novoselic. From the 1992 compilation album Incesticide, here’s a previously unreleased, alternate version of “Been a Son.”
