Tag: Wilin Rosario

Rosario Still Available

Wilin Rosario has played seven games since his return from the disabled list.

Analysis: Thus far this season Rosario has 4 home runs in 31 games played. That isn’t bad but the .234 batting average is a concern. Rosario’s BABIP is about sixty points below his career average so the batting average should tick up a bit sooner than later. He’s a career .273 hitter(.285 at home) so there isn’t much to worry about on that front. Rosario has never had much of a walk rate so we can dismiss the lack of walks but I do like that he has cut down on his strikeouts this year.

We also have to keep in mind that Rosario has 49 home runs over the last two years which is the most for a catcher from 2012-2013. He’s also in the top five among catchers in runs batted in during that two year span. It is obvious that Rosario just came off the disabled list and hasn’t played to his potential this year but he remains a must own.

Wilin Rosario is available in 10-25% of fantasy leagues.

Stock Rising- Wilin Rosario

Wilin Rosario is second among all major league catchers with 23 home runs this year. Despite the power from the twenty-three year old, he remains available in seventy percent of fantasy leagues.

Analysis: Wilin Rosario is second in homers, tenth in runs batted in and eighth in runs among major league catchers. He’s putting up great fantasy numbers for a catcher yet he remains available in tons of leagues. It may be that he plays in Colorado or that he still qualifies as a rookie but he does not get much love in the fantasy world. He is on a tear right now, Rosario has homered in three consecutive games and has raised his slugging percentage up to .545 in the process.

I understand that many owners have given up at this point in the fantasy season but putting the best fantasy roster together should remain a priority regardless of the standings. At this point in the season only nine catchers have more than fourteen home runs, so it doesn’t make any sense to stick with a guy like Alex Avila who is owned in more leagues despite trailing Wilin in all five roto categories.

Selling High- Carlos Ruiz

Carlos Ruiz is the best fantasy catcher thus far this season but things should be turning for him sooner than later.

Analysis: A catcher with a .349 batting average and 13 bombs before the All-Star break has to be named Joe Mauer, right? Wrong, that line belongs to lifetime .275 hitter Carlos Ruiz. This is definitely Ruiz’s career year, he has already broken his previous career high of nine home runs by four bombs and we aren’t even at the break yet. But, if we dig a little deeper we can see where his numbers should be at season’s end.

Ruiz’s BABIP this year is 63 points higher than his career average, resulting in the super inflated .349 batting average. His HR/FB rate of 19.4% this year is a career high while his career average HR/FB rate rests at 7.6%. To put it in perspective, Ruiz’s HR/FB rate this year is higher than Miguel Cabrera’s career average of 18.3%. With guys like Wilin Rosario and Jarrod Saltalamacchia available in many leagues nationwide it just may be the smart play here to flip the red hot catcher for a team need. Expect 2009-2011 Carlos Ruiz type numbers from here on out.