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Engel's Angles - Darvish's Struggles, Alcantara's Breakout and More

Scott "The King" Engel gives his take on some interesting headlines from recent fantasy baseball news. This week, we look at very early results and how some intangibles and health issues can factor in overall outlooks for spotlighted players.

Each week, I will be bringing you my latest insights from around the Fantasy world. For now, I will be gathering storylines from around Major League Baseball.

This week, we look at very early results and how some intangibles and health issues can factor in overall outlooks for spotlighted players. Is it too early to panic about Yu Darvish? Is Sandy Alcantara for real? Let's take a look at some of the most interesting storylines from Week 1 of the fantasy baseball season.

Editor's Note: Scott Engel is a 20-plus year veteran of the fantasy sports industry and an inaugural member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association’s (FSWA) Hall of Fame. Check out his Insider series by subscribing to our Premium MLB Package.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball lineup tools and resources:

 

Less Than Impressive Starts

Those who believed that Yu Darvish was a great value pick this spring were slapped in the face immediately when he walked seven and allowed three runs in Saturday’s start against the Rangers. Pitching coach Tom Hottovy told the Chicago Tribune that Darvish may have been too hyped by pitching his first game of the season at his old Texas ballpark. This is an intangible part of the game that fantasy owners must consider. Not only did Darvish want to put the memory of a lost season behind him quickly, but he also wanted to do so against his former team in their home venue.

Many other notable starting pitchers began the season with rocky outings, so maintain some confidence in Darvish for his next start Thursday against the Braves. Atlanta is hitting .221 with just 11 runs generated so far and Darvish should be a good DFS play.

-I have completely avoided Joey Votto this year and recommended that fantasy owners do the same. In fact, some fantasy analysts in the preseason wondered if Votto had any lingering back issues. Such speculation is unfounded but did not add any confidence to my outlook on him. Votto has heard the talk, as he recently wore a “Decline Phase” T-shirt during a recent pregame workout. Well, it’s too early to tell anything from one series, but Votto does not have an RBI yet. His pre-2018 history suggests Votto could still rebound and maybe last season was an aberration. But the drop-off was so instantly sharp that I remain skeptical and at age 35, continued struggles in the power and RBI departments are highly likely.

-Maybe Josh Donaldson needs to contact Joey Votto’s T-shirt company? He has one hit in his first 11 at-bats. I believe injuries may finally have caught up to Donaldson at this point of his career. I am not just saying that because of a few bad games, either. Yes, he did hit 33 homers two years ago, but he also hit .246 that season. An age of 33 years old does not mean the end for many players, but he has been plagued by a lot of health problems over the past three years that have accelerated his progressive decline. I would deal Donaldson to a believer if you drafted him.

 

Breakout Players to Watch

-There does not seem to be much excitement coming out of Miami, but Sandy Alcantara may have delivered a breakout performance in Sunday’s win over Colorado. Alcantara pitched eight shutout innings, allowing just four hits and striking out six. Most impressively, Alcantara did not issue a single walk. That was a very positive sign for him when you consider he walked 23 batters in 34 innings pitched last season, and control was an obvious concern entering 2019. Neil Walker noted that Alcantara’s slider was working well, and the Marlins pitcher also said his secondary stuff was effective. If he can maintain command and keep throwing other pitches besides his heater effectively. Alcantara could continue to flourish. Alcantara is owned in only 4.3 percent of ESPN leagues right now.

-The Tigers juggled their lineup for Sunday’s win over Toronto. The most notable change Ron Gardenhire made was to boldly put Jeimer Candelario in the leadoff spot, and he responded with a career-high five hits after going 1-for-12 with seven strikeouts to open the season. Candelario hit .224 with five home runs and 15 RBI in 192 at-bats in the leadoff spot last year. Most importantly, he only had a .314 OBP. He had two RBI on Sunday. This is a trend to monitor to see if Candelario can run with the lineup change and show even more signs of improvement in 2019. Josh Harrison hit .091 as the Detroit leadoff hitter in the first three games. Harrison obviously has more speed, but cannot utilize it if he is not getting on base. The move can possibly boost the confidence of Candelario.

-After 26 at-bats, Domingo Santana is hitting .308 with three home runs and 10 RBI as the Mariners offense has been impressive as a whole very early. Jon Morosi of FOX Sports recently indicated that all Santana needed was a comfortable spot in the lineup to call his own. He believes if Santana plays well, other teams may start calling Seattle to see if they can trade for him. But the Mariners may want to keep him for a long time. Mentally, it seems Santana has started to settle into his new home quickly after being bounced out of position in Milwaukee. Having a good level of comfort with a new team could go a long way to Santana regaining his 2017 form for fantasy players who spent a later pick on him this season.

 

Not Exciting But Still Effective

-The Rangers certainly landed a “glue guy” to stabilize the longtime third base position left empty by Adrian Beltre. Asdrubal Cabrera seems to be the unsexiest of acquisitions in the real and fantasy world. Yet he is already making a quick mark with a .455 average, two home runs, five RBI and five runs scored. You can certainly expect a .270 average and 20-plus homers, which is really good for a late flier. If you make an offer for him now, some other owner will think he is duping you because of his hot start. But you won’t have to give up much and will end up with great depth production. Cabrera does not get enough respect from fantasy players and fans, but he is considered a clubhouse and lineup stalwart to his teammates.

-Kole Calhoun is hitting .313 so far with a .375 OBP and a .625 slugging percentage. The Angels really need Calhoun to keep stepping up with Justin Upton out and not much else power-wise in the lineup. Justin Bour can hit homers in bunches, but when he is cold, Calhoun has to step into that void. Last year, Calhoun hit 10 home runs in July, so he is capable of filling a power gap. The pressure is on Calhoun right now, so you will either see him respond to your fantasy delight, or swoon to the point where you will have to replace him in your lineup. We’ll know soon which scenario applies.

More 2019 Fantasy Baseball Advice




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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Travis Etienne Jr.

Needs to Bounce Back in 2025
Wan'Dale Robinson

Wants More Downfield Opportunities this Season
Quinshon Judkins

Arrested on Saturday for Battery and Domestic Violence
Terry McLaurin

Could be a Holdout at Training Camp
Roger McCreary

a Candidate for a Contract Extension?
Max Fried

Exits Start With Blister
Mike Evans

Buccaneers Could Have Difficult Time Retaining Mike Evans
Charles Cross

Could Sign Extension Before Training Camp
Xavier Restrepo

One to Watch Going into Training Camp
Calvin Ridley

Appears Re-Energized
Mark Andrews

Still a Key Piece in Ravens Offense
Ndamukong Suh

Officially Announces his Retirement
Jaylen Waddle

Motivated After Disappointing Season
Tre Harris

Still Unsigned
Hunter Dobbins

to Miss Rest of Season With Torn ACL
Nolan Arenado

Held Out of Lineup on Saturday
Alexandre Sarr

Plays Well in Summer League Loss to Phoenix
Yang Hansen

Looks Good on Friday Night
Carlos Correa

Sitting on Saturday
Austin Riley

Placed on 10-Day Injured List
Nolan Arenado

Exits Friday's Contest With Sprained Finger
Jake Burger

Expects to Play on Saturday
Erik Karlsson

Open to Move Away From Pittsburgh
Zach Hyman

Hopes to be Ready for Start of Next Season
SJ

Jeff Skinner Joins Sharks on One-Year Contract
Wyatt Langford

Records Four-Hit Night
Cal Raleigh

Homers Twice, Drives in Five
Cody Bellinger

Swats Three Homers in Victory
Jake Burger

Leaves With Quad Discomfort on Friday
Carlos Correa

Exits Game With Mild Ankle Sprain
Edward Cabrera

Dealing with Posterior Elbow Discomfort
Austin Riley

Leaves Game Early on Friday With Abdominal Tightness
Kon Knueppel

Struggles in Summer League Win
Rafael Devers

Dealing With Back Inflammation
Walter Clayton Jr.

Plays Well on Friday Night
Cody Williams

Scores 21 Points in Summer League Loss
Kyle Filipowski

Leads the Way on Friday Night
Teoscar Hernández

Teoscar Hernandez Returning on Friday
Sauce Gardner

Wants to be Highest-Paid Cornerback
Rhamondre Stevenson

Heading into an Important Season
Minnesota Vikings

Josh Metellus, Vikings Have Mutual Interest in Extension
Tua Tagovailoa

2025 Could be Tua Tagovailoa's Last Season in Miami
Rashawn Slater

has "Full Confidence" a Deal Will Get Done
Byron Buxton

Returns on Friday
Isaiah Jackson

Signs Three-Year Extension
Jake Meyers

Placed on 10-Day Injured List With Calf Strain
Brandon Lowe

Placed on 10-Day Injured List With Oblique Tightness
Kodai Senga

Reinstated to Start on Friday
Alex Bregman

Officially Activated and Starting on Friday
Marvin Bagley III

Joining the Wizards
Herbert Jones

Signing Extension with Pelicans
Jacob Toppin

Returning to Hawks
Chicago Bears

Bears Extend General Manager Ryan Poles
Dalton Knecht

Avoids Serious Injury
MarShawn Lloyd

in a "Much Better Spot" Heading Into Training Camp
Javon Small

Signs Two-Way Deal
Dustin Hopkins

Browns Still Counting on Dustin Hopkins
Ryan Reaves

Traded to Sharks
Vladislav Kolyachonok

Moves to Dallas
Matt Dumba

Lands in Pittsburgh
Mackie Samoskevich

Re-Signs with Panthers on One-Year Deal
Josh Manson

Inks Two-Year Extension with Avalanche
EDM

Isaac Howard Signs Three-Year, Entry-Level Contract With Oilers
Tallison Teixeira

Set For His First UFC Main Event
Derrick Lewis

Set To Headline UFC Nashville
Gabriel Bonfim

Looks For His Third UFC Win
Stephen Thompson

Returns At UFC Nashville
Steve Garcia

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Calvin Kattar

In Dire Need Of Victory
Morgan Charrière

Morgan Charriere A Favorite At UFC Nashville
Nate Landwehr

Aims To Bounce Back
MMA

Austen Lane Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Vitor Petrino

Set For His Heavyweight Debut
Tuco Tokkos

Set To Open Up UFC Nashville Main Card
Junior Tafa

Set For Light-Heavyweight Bout
Jalen Williams

Signs Contract Extension With Thunder
Alijah Martin

Agrees to Two-Way Deal With Raptors
Tristan Vukcevic

Set to Return to Washington
Anfernee Simons

Celtics Are "Actively Trying to Trade" Anfernee Simons
NBA

Alex Ducas Heading to Australia
Dominick Barlow

Inks Two-Way Deal With 76ers
Jordan McLaughlin

Spurs Re-Sign Jordan McLaughlin to One-Year Deal
Dylan Harper

Out Thursday, Expected to Play Saturday
VJ Edgecombe

Diagnosed with a Sprained Thumb
Gary Woodland

Looking to Find Rhythm at Scottish Open
Aaron Rai

Brings Consistent Play to Scottish Open
Maverick McNealy

a Solid Value Play at Scottish Open
Aldrich Potgieter

Making Scottish Open Debut
Tom Kim

Looks to Rebound at Scottish Open
Brian Harman

a Safe Option at Scottish Open
Luke Clanton

a Sneaky Value Play at Scottish Open
Sam Burns

Looking to Stay Hot at Scottish Open
Nicolai Hojgaard

May Feel More at Home in Europe
Harry Hall

Showing Fine Form Heading to Scotland
Ryan Fox

Playing Well Since Early Spring Struggles
Max Greyserman

has Solid History at the Genesis Scottish Open
Harris English

Aims High for Scotland Next
Corey Conners

Primed for the Genesis Scottish Open
Daniel Brown

Attempts the Scottish Swing Again
Jacob Bridgeman

Needs Putter to Work at Genesis Scottish Open
Scottie Scheffler

Headlines Field at Genesis Scottish Open
Rory McIlroy

a Smart Play for Scottish Open
Adam Scott

Looking to Build on History at The Renaissance Club
NASCAR

Sepp Straka Not Likely to Find Momentum at Scottish Open
Justin Rose

Hopes Month Hiatus Helps Him Bounce Back at Scottish Open
NHL

Tyler Johnson Retires After 13 NHL Seasons
Jack McBain

Inks New Five-Year Deal with Mammoth
Cam York

Re-Signs with Flyers for Five Years
Jake Knapp

Fits the Mold for Success at The Renaissance Club
Ty Gibbs

Finishes Second at Chicago and Advances in In-Season Challenge
Alex Bowman

Defeats Bubba Wallace in In-Season Challenge, but Not Without Controversy
Alex Bowman

Bubba Wallace Wrecked by Alex Bowman Again, Putting Playoffs in Doubt
Michael McDowell

Throttle Failure Ends Michael McDowell's Chances to Win at Chicago
Austin Hill

Earns First NASCAR Cup Series Top Ten at Chicago
Tyler Reddick

Scores a Strong Third-Place Run at Chicago
Kyle Busch

Matches his Best Career Finish At Chicago on Sunday
Denny Hamlin

Fights his Way to a Top-5 Finish at Chicago
William Byron

has his Worst Weekend of the Season at Chicago
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