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Bullpen Banter: What Happens In Chicago If David Robertson Misses Time?
by Eric Stashin (aka The Rotoprofessor)
David Robertson threw in bullpen today. Went well. He has experienced some regular ST soreness. But Robin Ventura doesn’t sound concerned.
— Dan Hayes (@CSNHayes) March 26, 2015
David Robertson: “It’s not even dead arm. It’s just you tweak something. You have a little soreness. You just try to get it right.”
— Dan Hayes (@CSNHayes) March 26, 2015
The White Sox and Robertson can try to downplay this, but it’s obviously something we need to monitor closely. Time will tell if it develops into an issue or not, but fantasy owners need to be prepared for the White Sox to look at alternatives. Luckily they have some options, so let’s take a look:
Zach Putnam
He was impressive last season, not only posting a 1.98 ERA over 54.2 IP but doing it while showing strikeouts (7.57 K/9), control (3.29 BB/9) and groundballs (53.1%). He also showed significantly more upside in the strikeout department, with a 13.7% SwStr% and 36.0% O-Swing%.
Since 2011 in the minors he owns an 8.71 K/9, 3.29 BB/9 and 47.3% groundball rate, so the numbers certainly appear realistic. He also showed last season that he had the ability to get out both left-handed hitters and right-handed hitters:
- vs. LHH – .235/.310/.314
- vs. RHH – .167/.253/.216
If given the opportunity he’d be well worth owning.
Jake Petricka
He showed elite groundball stuff last season (63.4%), but struggled with his control (4.07 BB/9) and posted fewer strikeouts (6.78 K/9) than Putnam. He also showed less strikeout potential, with a 7.5% SwStr% and 28.9% O-Swing%. Sure he had 14 saves last season, but that doesn’t mean he’s guaranteed an opportunity.
He has a history of control issues (4.23 BB/9 in the minors since 2011) and he also showed a significant split:
- vs. LHH – .303/.382/.448
- vs. RHH – .203/.301/.248
Conclusion
While Petricka may have been the favored choice last season, there clearly are a lot of concerns hanging over him (including battling his own arm issues, which he too is downplaying). While Putnam has had a poor spring thus far, he has the higher upside. If Robertson is forced to miss time, he’d be the player we’d target even if everyone were healthy.
Sources – MLB.com, Fangraphs, Minor League Central
Make sure to check out all of our 2015 rankings:
- Catchers
- First Basemen
- Second Basemen
- Third Basemen
- Shortstops
- Outfielders: 1-20 | 21-40
- Starting Pitchers: 1-20 | 21-40
- Relief Pitchers
*** Make sure to order Rotoprofessor’s 2015 Fantasy Baseball Draft Guidel! The guide comes complete with projections of over 600 players, expended rankings, sleepers, Top 50 prospects, Top 40 “New” dynasty prospects and so much more (including constant updates up until opening day). For just $6 you will get everything you need to dominate your fantasy league! For more information and to place your order, click here. ***
Source: http://rotoprofessor.com/baseball/?p=25734
