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In spite of a strong second half last year, Kyle Schwarber ’s draft stock took a hit in the preseason making him an interesting gamble despite his flaws. First, his play in left field can be flummoxing but it’s tolerated due to his bat. He may be a platoon player due to continued struggles versus left-handed pitching. But, Schwarber seems like a likeable guy and he’s hitting the ball well to start the season while being in the “best shape of his life”. He put in work this off-season changing his body and increasing core strength which seems to be translating.
Schwarber launched his seventh home run on Thursday night and driven 17 runs, the same as Aaron Judge , who went around 100 picks earlier in most drafts. Over the last 12 contests, Schwarber’s 15-for-41 (.366) with a double, five home runs and 14 RBI. It’s a stark contrast to last year when Schwarber’s through his first 21 games yielded a .213/.351/.375 slash line with three homers and eight RBI compared to this year’s .286/.398/.629 with the power numbers noted above.
It’s a small sample, but Schwarber’s cut his strikeout percentage by eight percent while increasing his walk rate by 3.6 percent through his first 83 plate appearances in 2018. As for the power, it’s legit. First, here’s his spray chart from the start of the second half, including this year prior to last night, courtesy of MLBfarm.com
Since the All-Star break last year, Schwarber’s hit 24 home runs in 256 at-bats (one every 10.7) and he’s carrying an unsustainable 41.2 home run per fly ball percentage with a hard hit rate in line with last year. Schwarber has his warts, but he also could hit 35-to-40 home runs this year with an outside chance of surpassing 40 as well. If someone’s selling high and your team needs power, he’s worth speculating on. By the way, Schwarber’s lowered his swinging strike percentage, chase rate and slightly increased his contact.
That Just Happened
Schwarber’s home run produced a one run win for Kyle Hendricks who fired seven shutout innings giving up only four hits with five strikeouts. Did you know Hendricks possesses the fourth best ERA of active pitchers with at least 100 starts for their careers only trailing Clayton Kershaw , Jacob deGrom and Chris Sale ? Me either.
White Sox second baseman Yoan Moncada joined elite company homering to lead-off a game in back-to-back contests before his Age-22 season. This list includes Paul Molitor (1979), Hanley Ramírez (2006) and Mike Trout (2012) with Moncada among the six total. Moncada extended his seven-game hit streak going 3-for-5 and over his last nine he’s scored nine runs with three doubles, five home runs, nine RBI and three stolen bases while hitting .371 for Chicago.
Teammate Welington Castillo ’s showing signs of life hitting his first home run since April second last night in Kansas City. It’s Castillo’s third of the season and he’s hitting .296 over his last 10 games.
Many, myself included, speculated on a power breakout for Jorge Soler this year given a clear path to playing time. He did hit his second home run on Thursday against the White Sox, but his last 15 games yields a .340/.465/.540 slash line. Soler will need to show this over a prolonged period, but if he can hit near .270 with 20-plus home runs, he’s much more interesting going forward.
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Another fun fact, Mike Moustakas moved into a tie with Dee Gordon and Jean Segura for first with his sixth infield hit Thursday night. Of course, Moustakas also has been reaching base 36.8 percent of the time this year with seven home runs and 16 RBI, but he’s willing to work against the shift.
Working for the third straight game, Edwin Díaz notched his major league leading 11th save giving up a walk with two strikeouts in Cleveland. He’s whiffed 25 of the 53 total hitters faced this year (47.2 strikeout percentage) and holding them to a .047 batting average against to this point. When he’s throwing strikes, Diaz proves to be filthy.
Tough night for pitchers in Baltimore on Thursday. Dylan Bundy ’s hot start came to a regressive halt. He allowed 11 hits, a career high, eight runs (seven earned) and a walk with four strikeouts (season low) versus Tampa Bay. It’s a blip, but a corrective one. On the other hand, Chris Archer also yielded 11 hits but garnered the win completing 5.1 innings allowing four earned runs with seven strikeouts. Who would you rather own going forward, Bundy or Archer? By the way, Archer’s yielded a home run in six straight outings.
Speaking of home runs, C.J. Cron ’s on a heater. He’s recorded a hit in 12 of his last 13 games hitting .327 in them and recorded multiple RBI games in four straight with four home runs his last four games. Wilson Ramos moved his modest hit streak to seven during which he’s hitting .407 and Mallex Smith swiped his fifth base while hitting .415 over his last 14 starts. Tampa Bay’s scored at least eight runs in five straight games. Yes, the Rays.
Manny Machado recorded his 10th multi-hit game on Thursday and he’s hit safely in 12 of his last 13 as well carrying a .380 average in the streak. Adam Jones tied Boog Powell for fifth in Orioles history with his 557th extra-base hit when Jones homered in the fifth inning, his fourth of the year.
After a slow start, Yonder Alonso ’s heating up. He hit his sixth home run, third in the last six game during which he’s 7-for-21 with six RBI.
Speaking of warming up, J.D. Martínez may be settling in for the Red Sox. He launched his fifth home run last night driving in three to move Boston ahead for good in Toronto. During his last 11 games, Martinez has 16 hits in 41 at-bats (.390) with eight runs, three doubles, three home runs and eight RBI. Craig Kimbrel notched his seventh save with a clean ninth inning and has closed out 17 saves in a row dating back to last year.
Comings and Goings
The good news, Ryon Healy returned to the Mariners lineup on Thursday. However, he batted ninth which would harpoon his counting statistics if he’s not elevated soon.
Boston will get Xander Bogaerts back on Friday but may have lost super-utility player Brock Holt due to tightness in his left hamstring.
In case you missed it, Eugenio Suárez returned to action on Friday. Apparently he’s a fast healer. This further stalls Nick Senzel’s arrival time, but it may be for the best.
Oakland optioned Chris Bassitt and opening day starter Kendall Graveman to the minors in order to activate Wilmer Font along with Yusmeiro Petit providing depth for the bullpen.
Burning Questions
Kris Bryant missed his third straight game, will he land on the 7-day concussion list or return to action? Can Didi Gregorius take his hot hitting on the road? What can Sean Manaea do for an encore starting in Houston after his no-hitter? Will Yu Darvish bounceback at home against the Brewers?
All of this and more will covered with the Round Up and Closing Bell debuting this weekend for the first time as well. Be sure to check back with Fantasy Alarm to stay ahead of the competition.
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