I will be starting a new weekly column called Stash or Dash Fast. The Stash players are players that I recommend you add that should be available on most waiver wires. However, the Dash Fast players are players I recommend you drop or stay away from whether that means trading, or dropping them to the wire. Let’s get started.
STASHÂ
Nick Pivetta SP, Philadelphia Phillies (32.1%)
Pivetta has had quite the break out season for the up and coming fighting Phil’s. With the recent emerging presence then sudden fall of Vince Velasquez and total dominance of Aaron Nola the Phillies are searching for some rotation depth. Pivetta was acquired in the Jonathan Papelbon deal that sent Pivetta from the Red Sox to the Phillies in exchange for former all-star closer Jonathan Papelbon. Pivetta has come rushing onto the scene in the 2018 season posting a head-turning 3.10 FIP while holding an incredible K/9 of 10.37. His most recent start was against the Baltimore Orioles, where the only mistake Pivetta had was one of the first pitches of the game when Adam Jones took him deep over the wall. Pivetta would only give up two more hits the rest of the game and struck out 11 more. Pivetta has been very solid all year he had a little bit of a rough patch where he was knocked around a little bit, but it appears that he is back to full form. Pivetta offers high strikeout potential as well as quality start potential. I believe Pivetta should be owned in most leagues.
Jorge Soler OF Kansas City Royals (67.6%)
Jorge Soler was a highly rated Cuban prospect, in fact, one of the highest rated Cuban prospects we have seen in a long time. When he went to the Cubs he just never found his grove, he was added to a Royals lineup that was looking quite weak with the departures of Eric Hosmer and Lorenzo Cain. After hitting under .200 in 110 AB’s with a strikeout rate over 30%. There was not much to be expected from Soler to start the 2018 season. However, since the 2018 campaign began, Soler has been raking! Soler has lowered his strikeout rate almost 10% and increased his walk rate by 3%. Soler is getting on more and seeing the ball better. The biggest stat that stood out to me was Soler raised his BABIP almost 200 points. The 2017 season Soler’s BABIP sat at .203, right now, it sits at an even .400. Soler’s WRC+ is top 15 in all of baseball that sits at 155, which is a total improvement from his last year’s mark, which was 32. Soler has made a total improvement to his game and it looks like he has finally adjusted to major leagues pitching.
DASH FAST!
Christian Villanueva 3B San Diego Padres. (43.7%)
April ended and Christian Villanueva sat at the top of the batting average leaders, sitting at .331. Villanueva went 25 of 74 with 8 home runs, 19 RBI’s and an astounding OBP of .441. Villanueva came from literally nowhere, he wasn’t on anybody’s radar, but now we know why. Since the calendar has flipped, Villanueva has gone 4/44, hitting .091 with a .130 OBP and 2 home runs with 3 RBI’s. It appears the league has adjusted to Villanueva and he hasn’t quite adjusted back. I don’t see Villanueva going back to his old April self. There are many other options at the third place spot on the wire. I would try and trade him to see if anybody will give you any value. If not, then the waiver wire seems to be his new home.
Garcia Starting Pitcher Miami Marlins (48.6%)
Jarlin Garcia was another guy who got off to a fantastic start to the season. At the end of April Garcia’s ERA sat at 1.29, one of the lowest in the leagues. I was never that high on Garcia mostly because his FIP and XFIP were well above 4 and never really made its way down through his incredible start to the season. Meaning, Garcia was incredibly lucky. His ERA has shot up since the calendar has turned, he’s given up 12 runs in 16 innings, putting his ERA at 6.75. Also, another reason to get rid of Garcia is there is really no strikeout potential, in the month of may, he only has 10 strikeouts, and his K/9 sits at an underwhelming 6.28. Garcia’s FIP has risen to 5.25 now, and it should stay there, don’t expect Garcia to return to his old self soon if he intends on doing so, he needs to strike more batters out and induce more ground balls. I believe most owners could find some sort of value on the trade market for Garcia. If not, he is another guy who will sooner rather than later owned in less than 20% of leagues.
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