UPTON DROPPED

After hitting second the Tigers have finally decided to demote Justin Upton to 5th in the batting order Wednesday. It’s a move that has been a while coming now as Upton is lost for the moment as the league leader in strikeouts while batting .208 with a .299 SLG. He’s too good to continue to struggle like this unless he is hurt, so this is a nice time to buy low on the continually dismissed, but highly productive, outfielder, despite what we’ve seen to this point.

I’M PREDICTABLY STRUGGLING

Everyone was all over Juan Nicasio this spring. Well, everyone but me. It’s like folks were ignoring history simply because Ray Searage was Nicasio’s pitching coach with the Pirates. It’s only been four starts, admittedly not enough to draw a complete conclusion, but here is what we’ve seen. The strikeouts are continuing with 21 in 20 innings. The walks, as expected, have been there with 4.95 per nine. The result is a 4.50 ERA and 1.35 WHIP. He’s posted a mere 1.05 GB/FB ratio and he’s done all this with an extremely low .260 BABIP. It’s not likely to get much better.

Have we made contact with aliens?

I’M PREDICTABLY SUCCEEDING

Carlos Martinez had an impressive first season as a starter last year going 14-7 with a 3.01 ERA and a K per inning. Alas, he had shoulder issue at the end of the year, and concern about his wing lingered into the 2016 season. Through four starts there’s aren’t many concerns. CMart appears fully healthy as he’s gone 4-0 while averaging seven innings pitched per outing. His ratios also sparkle as he has a 1.93 ERA and 0.86 WHIP. Carlos has also dropped his walk rate, down from 3.16 last season to 2.57 as well. All that is impressive. A couple warning signs though. (1) His K-rate, over a batter per inning last season, is down at 6.43 per nine this season. (2) He’s posted a 4-year low in his ground ball rate. (3) His 1.27 GB/FB ratio is miles away from his 1.93 career mark. (4) His BABIP is an out of control .182. The most important thing, the key to his success, is his health. He has it now. He will be productive at the low end, a star at the top, as long as that continues.

BATTING ORDER CHANGE

The Rays have finally made a batting order switch, one that was long overdue. Logan Morrison, arguably the worst everyday player in baseball this season, was removed from the #2 hole and dropped to 6th as the former sixth hitter, Brad Miller, was elevated to number two behind Logan Forsythe. Neither man has performed, but Miller is simply put a better hitter and better option to be in the two hole. “There’s no timeframe whatsoever,” manager Kevin Cash said. “I’m not the biggest fan, personally, of changing a lot. Let’s see how this shakes out, and if we’ve got to continue to adjust, we’ll do that.” I’m still sticking by Miller as a guy you want on your club, but his production this season has been dreadful. Keep the faith if you can.

HEALTH UPDATES

Charlie Blackmon (toe) is set to play all nine innings down at High-A Modesto Wednesday night. He went 0-for-4 Tuesday, and though there is still long-term concern with his toe, it sounds like he could return to the Rockies for the weekend series.

Yoenis Cespedes was supposed to return to the lineup Wednesday for the Mets after his pinch hitting exploits Tuesday. Nope, not so much. The Mets will give Cespedes and his leg even more time off. Cespedes is resting against Wednesday, and with an off day Thursday for the club, the belief is that he will return to the starting lineup Friday. Uh huh. He might return Friday, fine, but this just goes to show you that Cespedes is one slow healer.

Alex Cobb, working his way back from Tommy John surgery, threw 25 fastballs off the mound Tuesday and felt good. “I think the best part of it is I’m focusing on my mechanics and I’m not focusing on anything else,” Cobb said. “I’m not worried about my elbow or the way the ball is coming out. I’m worried about my mechanics lineup to get my pitches to do what I want them to do. That’s a great sign. It’s a good sign mentally to be focused on that.” He hopes to return to the rotation after the All-Star break.

Ben Revere is out with an oblique issue. He’s set to begin his minor league rehab assignment Wednesday night. It sounds that, barring a setback, that he will be back with the Nationals next week. His return will likely send Michael Taylor back to the bench. Taylor has not taken advantage of his playing time chance as he’s produced a simply pathetic .562 OPS (.203/.243/.319).

Maybe you should spend some time meditating. It can save your brain.

PLAYER MOVEMENT

Cody Anderson and his 7.65 ERA and 1.90 WHIP is headed to the minors. As predicted before the season started by yours truly, the Indians were making a mistake going with Anderson over Bauer.

Francisco Rodriguez has been activated off the family medical emergency list after missing three games. He’s converted four saves for the Tigers though he has a mere three strikeouts versus four walks over 6.1 innings. It’s too early to panic with the 34 year old, but keep an eye on things.

MONSTER ROOKIE PLAYER PROFILES

Jose Berrios (Player Profile) and Sean Manaea (Player Profile). Find out why I would take the Twins hurler over the A’s lefty.

 

Ray Flowers can be heard Monday through Friday, 7 PM EDT and Friday on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio (Sirius 210, XM 87). You can also hear Ray Sunday nights at 6 PM on the channel talking fantasy sports. Follow Ray’s work at Fantasy Alarm and on Twitter (@baseballguys).