Fantasy Baseball SP Roundup – Brito Slay

Welcome to the SP Roundup, my daily fantasy baseball article reviewing every starting pitcher’s performance from every Sunday game. I apologize for the jokes written in my delirium in advance. Have questions? Ask me during my office hours on Twitch weekday mornings from 10 am – 12 pm ET.  

Jhony Brito (NYY) vs SF (W) – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 76 pitches.

Two weeks ago, I had very little awareness of Jhony Brito and here he is on the big stage, dominating the Giants for 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 76 pitches in a Sunday victory. Yeah, that’s Gallows Pole as he earned 11 whiffs on changeups while pumping 95-97 mph heaters and dropping curveballs for 50% called strikes, and it makes you think, doesn’t it?

I like what Brito does, even if it likely doesn’t come with a strikeout-per-inning moving forward. His heaters do a good job of mitigating hard contact (just three hard hit balls!), while the changeup is a legit weapon to left-handers and sometimes to right-handers. I really wish he had a better breaking ball, though, as it’s the last piece of the puzzle for him to soar into legit excitement. Without it, he’ll soar against LHB focused lineups (like this one) and struggle a bit to put other opponents away.

Now, if Brito were going every five days, he’d be a decent add. Not incredible without that breaker, but a solid one as long as he doesn’t face elite offenses. He was optioned to Triple-A after this start as the Yankees are able to go four-man for a moment, but he could return to face the Guardians late next week and I wouldn’t count that out as a stream with him stretched to 80+ pitches. Something to think about but not be too aggressive on.

 

Let’s see how every other SP did Sunday:

 

Tyler Anderson (LAA) @ OAK (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 93 pitches.

He’s lower in velocity and the changeup isn’t missing as many bats, but he’s good enough and that’s all you need to be against the Athletics. Anderson is just a streamer, which means we turn down starts against the Jays and Red Sox up next.

Jeffrey Springs (TB) vs DET (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 0 Hits, 1 BBs, 12 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 41% CSW, 81 pitches.

Oh dang. I may have my mixed feelings about Springs the human, but I have to appreciate 9/28 changeup whiffs mixed with a four-seamer that elegantly earned called strikes all game to return a 43% CSW, propelling him to a King Cole. He did a better job against left-handers with his sliders, and while we’re all sad he was taken out with a no-hitter, it’s the right call in his first start of the season. His pitch separation is still phenomenal, executing the BSB with four-seamers up and changeups down to right-handers, and as long as he’s able to handle the full-season workload, he’ll be steadily rising up my rankings.

Mike Clevinger (CWS) @ HOU (W) – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 3 BBs, 8 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 98 pitches.

Ummmmm what. I had zero expectations for this outing from Clev and here he comes, tossing fastballs around 95 mph after sitting 93/94 last year + a solid slider that returned a 36% CSW. I’m a bit amazed he was able to survive out and over the plate with his four-seamer against right-handers all afternoon, and while I have my doubts there’s an actual resurgence coming, he gets the Pirates next. After taking down the Astros like this, he’s sure to succeed there…right? That has to be how this works.

Seth Lugo (SD) vs COL (W) – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 7 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 93 pitches.

Whoaaaa Lugo has a new slider! I guess I shouldn’t be surprised by a guy with SL as his initials. It’s slower and loopier and returned just 1/13 CSW, but it got him a ton of strikes and helped support his big curveball (which is still fantastic) and a four-seamer that snuck over the plate for 44% CSW. Yeah, I’m down with this, y’all. Sure, he needs to spot some pitches a bit better (especially the slide piece. And getting the hook a bit further down in the zone), and I’m against starting him against Atlanta next weekend, but the Brewers and Diamondbacks should be fine, making for a solid pickup on a winning ball club. He’s dependable, y’all.

Graham Ashcraft (CIN) vs PIT (W) – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 95 pitches.

Well well well, if it ain’t Ashy Grahmy chucking a harder slider 41% of the time for 31% CSW. The command was a bit all over the place and Pittsburgh is awfully easy to disassemble, but he gets the Phillies twice now and without Harper and Hoskins, Ashcraft may have something here that takes them down. As long as he lands those sliders for strikes and prevents too many cutters/sinkers from leaking over the plate, it can work.

Noah Syndergaard (LAD) vs ARI (ND) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 78 pitches.

He’s sitting just 92/93 mph, but the slider is back to 90 mph velocity and…2/19 whiffs. It’s a good-looking changeup and his overall pitch separation is better than expected. This could work, though not with this many strikeouts. Like me finishing this article in time to get extra sleep tonight, get that notion out of your head.

Joe Ryan (MIN) @ KC (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 80 pitches.

Yessss. Ryan hit 96 mph in this one (and still sat 92 mph like last year) while showcasing his new sweeper that returned a…19% strike rate. Sigh. It’ll click at some point, be patient. At least the splitter looked solid and picked up the slack. He has a challenge up next against the Astros and I’m in for it. You got this Joe, make the adjustment.

MacKenzie Gore (WSH) vs ATL (W) – 5.1 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 4 BBs, 6 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 93 pitches.

Hey this was pretty good! His fastball attacked batters effectively, his slider found the zone a ton, and his curve nibbled the edges consistently. If this is what we get each time out, sign me up. That’s a major IF given the military training it’s been through (and Gore’s volatility last year) and I’d prefer not to test it out inside Coors next week.

Kodai Senga (NYM) @ MIA (W) – 5.1 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 3 BBs, 8 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 88 pitches.

He had a bit of trouble in the first (typical for a debut!), then settled down and leaned on his filth to take down the Marlins. He’s likely going to have these Cherry Bomb tendencies throughout the year and all we can do right now is embrace his glorious early schedule (MIA & OAK next!). Quick note – he hit 99 mph today while sitting roughly 97 mph across 32 pitches and didn’t earn a single whiff. Something to think about.

Zach Davies (ARI) @ LAD (ND) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 83 pitches.

Funny story, I had Davies and Clev as the two worst plays in the streaming ranks – what do I know?! – and while I expected Davies’ changeup to be good (it honestly wasn’t that great), I had my doubts he could do much else. He did a stupid good job getting his sinker up-and-in to LHB, which I’m skeptical sticks around. Let’s move on.

Martín Pérez (TEX) vs PHI (W) – 5.2 IP, 1 ER, 8 Hits, 3 BBs, 7 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 35% CSW, 98 pitches.

That’s a Dusty Donut with a horrendous WHIP but a trifecta of a W, 1 ER, and seven strikeouts. He’s the same man as last year with a bit less velocity on the sinker and I prefer to not dance with the devil in the dark sunlight. Or something like that. It’s Texas, isn’t that what they call it? Dark sunlight? Yeah, isn’t that the name of the gritty country album that comes out once a year?

Bailey Falter (PHI) @ TEX (L) – 5.1 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 72 pitches.

We cared about Falter last season as the Phillies faced a boatload of poor offenses down the stretch, but with this being a new season n all, he’s gonna look more like Mr. Balter if you get my drift. The good news is that he faces the Reds twice in a row now and I’d wager he comes through at least once. How productive the ceiling is has me not risking it, but hey, you could do worse. May even steal a Win while you’re at it.

Eric Lauer (MIL) @ CHC (W) – 5.1 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 89 pitches.

Hey, that’s a great line from Lauer! Surely he was sitting 93/94 on his fas–OH NO. Lauer sat 90.1 mph on his four-seamer as everything was 3-4 ticks down. Sure, it went his way today, but hot dang if there’s ever a sign of “hey, don’t trust this” it’s that. Don’t forget, this time last season he was pushing his 93 mph heater into 94/95 mph territory. Yikes.

Brad Keller (KC) vs MIN (L) – 4.2 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 4 BBs, 6 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 88 pitches.

We were hoping for Rad Keller and while we didn’t get Absolutely Bad Keller, we did get “I’m still Mad” Keller. I’m sad, Keller.

Austin Gomber (COL) @ SD (L) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 79 pitches.

That’s the first PQS of the year going to Gomber and none rejoiced. Okay maybe some of y’all bold folks in NL-Only leagues, though I’m sad to report that his slider and curve weren’t the exceptional offerings of old. Don’t pursue this until we see something spectacular.

Joey Wentz (DET) @ TB (L) – 5.1 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 72 pitches.

He’s not that bad, y’all, especially with an extra tick and change of velocity on everything in his arsenal. 4/16 changeup whiffs mixed with a 35% CSW cutter is pretty cool, though he’s gotta fix the four-seamer’s terrible control. 12/27 strikes is an atrocity. You’re going to see a fantasy-worthy stretch from Wentz at some point this season, the challenge will be when to jump on the train.

Luis Garcia (HOU) vs CWS (L) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 91 pitches.

Blegh. After Urquidy struggled against the ChiSox, Garcia followed suit, even with his cutter earning twelve whiffs on the night. There wasn’t a whole lot of support for the pitch, though, similar to what plagued him in the second half of last season. The Twins and Rangers are next and that’s not the greatest of matchups, but Garcia could pull them off if there’s anything in that arsenal to be a proper companion for his cutter.

Tanner Houck (BOS) vs BAL (W) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 40% CSW, 70 pitches.

The slider was fantastic – 50% CSW (!) across 20 thrown – and while he was effective with cutters and sinkers, I’m not sure I think Houck has suddenly clicked into place. You may want to take a shot against the Tigers next week, though. That slider could steamroll them across 75-80 pitches.

Jordan Montgomery (STL) vs TOR (W) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 91 pitches.

If you asked me to predict what line The Bear would give us today, it would have been this. A poor set of ratios that are just bad enough with three strikeouts but a chance for a Win as he faced one of the best offenses in the majors. Just 1/35 whiffs across his changeup and curve is wildly unexpected, though. Yeeeeesh, that’s gonna change against the Brewers and Pirates next, that’s for Scherzer sure.

Vince Velasquez (PIT) @ CIN (L) – 4.2 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 86 pitches.

Yeaaaaah. I’m still shocked we’re at the point where we’ve accepted Velasquez having a regular rotation spot again. At least he’s featuring a new tighter curve that returned 44% CSW, but that clearly doesn’t mean a whole lot, does it. The schedule only gets tougher now and the Pirates are still the Pirates despite all the anti-piracy ads they’ve been served. You wouldn’t download an ace, would you? Let’s be honest, if Pittsburgh could, they would. Instead, they download a contract to serve to a random SP #7 starter on the market. I feel like they could be better at their swashbucklin’. Just saying.

Trevor Rogers (MIA) vs NYM (L) – 4.1 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 84 pitches.

Rogers ran into some early trouble and never got settled in properly. He’s essentially two-pitch now with four-seamers and changeups and I’m still waiting for the slider to come back into play. I’m not sure why I am, though, it feels like a silly thing to wish for from Popeye at this point. I Yam what I Yam. Good ole near-palindromic sentences. Anyway, it’s a tough early schedule for Rogers and we don’t have a clear path of this getting better from an arsenal standpoint. Maybe some good fortune comes his way early in starts and he finds a groove, but is that really the gamble you want to take in your 12-teamers?

Jameson Taillon (CHC) vs MIL (L) – 4.0 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 63 pitches.

Dangit, I was hoping for a better day at the park for Taillon. He introduced his new sweeper, though he featured it just four times and stuck with heaters + cutters for 2/3 of his offerings. His command wasn’t nearly as good as we’ve seen in the past, but I’m not ready to write him off after this one. It’s not the easiest up next with TEX and @LAD, but I think I’m starting him against Texas and taking it from there. It is a date in O.Co after, you know.

Marco Gonzales (SEA) vs CLE (ND) – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 1 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 69 pitches.

Can we really be upset at a Toby being a Toby? No, scorpion, we can’t. Now please, enough with the water cooler talk and take me across the river.

Ross Stripling (SF) @ NYY (L) – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 95 pitches.

Stripling wasn’t his best, but this wasn’t a poor outing save for the third inning where he allowed a laser HR to Judge and a MONSTROUS bomb to Stanton. I still worry a bit that the slider/heater aren’t the best complements to the changeup, but Stripling did a solid job locating the breaker in this one. If he keeps that up, he’ll put up better results than today as he faces the Royals and Tigers next. JEEEEEEEZ. Yeah, that’s a dream. Enjoy.

Cal Quantrill (CLE) @ SEA (ND) – 4.2 IP, 4 ER, 8 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 19% CSW, 89 pitches.

Wait, when was Quantrill traded back to the Padres?! Huh? What do you mean? He’s returned to being So-So Cal. NICK. This is the floor we all knew was apparent but haven’t seen a whole lot across the last 21 months or so. I wonder how long it stays. Maybe I’ll leave some milk out for it. Then it will stay longer. Okay…water? HOW ABOUT NOTHING!? Well we can’t let it starve…YES WE CAN. I’m gonna go to sleep now.

Jared Shuster (ATL) @ WSH (L) – 4.2 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 5 BBs, 1 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 79 pitches.

Noooooo, they got to Jared. Shuster labored tremendously in the first in his MLB debut, walking many and failing to find his footing. However, once he got out of it, he failed to allow another run across his next 3.2 frames, flashing an elite changeup to go with a decent heater and breaker with an intent to dive under right-handed bats inside. The promise is still there and I’m not going to tell you there’s no hope against the Padres next weekend. You’re likely better off not taking the chance, though.

Ken Waldichuk (OAK) vs LAA (L) – 5.2 IP, 6 ER, 9 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 96 pitches.

Fortunately the control wasn’t the issue here and I liked his massive amount of hiLoc% four-seamers. Sadly, there was nothing else to support it, allowing guys to tee off it. It’ll come, give Waldichuk some time on the wire to cook, first.

Cole Irvin (BAL) @ BOS (L) – 4.0 IP, 6 ER, 8 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 88 pitches.

Hey Cole, sorry buddy. You’ll find your groove later this month, don’t worry. Maybe not against the Yankees, but who knows. You have your moments with your command and it’ll come back.

Chris Bassitt (TOR) @ STL (L) – 3.1 IP, 9 ER, 10 Hits, 0 BBs, 0 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 18% CSW, 57 pitches.

Hooooo dear. The velocity was still down (1-2 ticks, not 2-3 ticks, but still) and the Cardinals jumped on everything he threw. It’s hard to see this after all the questions and concerns of the pre-season, but don’t rage drop him, please! The Angels and Tigers are up next. At least give it a few starts first. If he can’t give any signs of production after that, then fine, do what you must. You have my sympathies.

 

Game of the Day 

Reid Detmers vs. George Kirby – I want to see 95+ mph from Detmers and hopefully some exciting secondary stuff from Kirby. Let’s goooooooo.

But Nick?! Where are the streaming picks? – I’ve moved them to the daily SP Matchups & Streamer Rankings article.

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Featured image by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)