Luis Castillo-Mariners-SP
Luis Castillo went 6 IP and gave up 2 ER on 7 H, 0 BB, and 9 K's against the Cubs. Castillo has a 5.82 ERA and 1.66 WHIP through four starts. His surface stats paint an ugly picture for someone supposed to be one of the game's best pitchers. However, his underlying skills look fine. He is missing bats (24% K) and showing good control (5% BB). His 3.53 SIERA is right in line with what he has done throughout his career. Castillo has been burnt by bad luck (.446 BABIP) in his short sample. He is also a notoriously slow starter so there isn't much to be worried about despite the high ERA and WHIP. He's got a tough start coming up in Coors Field against the Rockies.
Javier Assad-Cubs-SP
Javier Assad went 5.2 IP and gave up 2 ER on 4 H, 1 BB, and 6 K's against the Mariners. Assad had three strong starts to start the year (16.2 IP, 4ER, 11 H, 5 BB, and 18 K). He has shown the ability to miss bats (28% K) but that hasn't been backed up by an increase in his swinging strike rate (8% SwStr) making it unlikely to stick long-term. He also does not have good control (9% BB) which is going to hurt him if he doesn't miss many bats and doesn't have a .237 BABIP. His pitch mix and velocities are the same so this is just a hot start to the year and not something to buy into long term. His next start will be at home against the Marlins.
William Contreras-Brewers-C
William Contreras was 2-4 with an HR (4), 1 R, 1 RBI, and 1 BB against the Orioles. He hit leadoff in this one which was different from being second, which is his normal spot in the order. Contreras has been red hot to start the year (.375 AVG with 4 HR, 16 R, 15 RBI, and 0 SB). He has picked up where he left off last year with an above-average strikeout rate (19% K) combined with hard contact (12% Barrels and 66% Hardhit). He is still hitting too many groundballs (51% GB) but that is his only flaw that isn't a flaw because all it does is lower his homerun potential. Contreras is a legitimate hitter who plays catcher making him an elite option.
Gunnar Henderson-Orioles-SS
Gunnar Henderson was 2-3 with 1 R and 1 RBI against the Brewers. Henderson has hit leadoff in every game that he has played this year after bouncing around in the order last year. Being the primary leadoff guy is going to increase his at-bats which is good for his counting stats in addition to the overall strength of the Orioles lineup. Henderson is hitting .233 with 3 HR, 10 R, 10 RBI, and 3 SB. The average is not what you hoped for but that is mostly due to bad luck (.262 BABIP) because he is crushing the ball (12% Barrels and 56% Hardhit). There is nothing to be worried about and he is going to get hot real soon.
Brayan Bello-Red Sox-SP
Brayan Bello went 5.1 IP and gave up 2 ER on 6 H, 2 BB, and 8 K's against the Angels. Bello has a 3.92 ERA and 1.21 WHIP through 4 GS. He has had success mainly due to a .271 BABIP. However, he has made improvements that haven't shown up yet. His strikeout rate is just 17% after 20% last year but he has improved his walk rate (5% BB), swinging strike rate (12% SwStr), and Stuff+ (104). These are great signs of his future success. He like the other Red Sox starters, has thrown his fastball less (-13%) and his offspeed more (SL +8% and CH +6%). He is a young pitcher on the rise. Bello gets a plus matchup on the road against the Pirates.
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