Major League Baseball is a results business, and unfortunately, if you aren’t getting them, shiny peripherals can’t always save you.
That’s the situation with Cleveland’s Danny Salazar. There’s plenty to like about a pitcher who owns a 10.40 strikeout rate per nine innings to go along with a 3.76 walk rate. There’s much less to like about his 5.53 ERA however, even if he owns a .369 BABIP and 15.1 percent home-run -to-fly-ball percentage.
Someone who misses bats as much as Salazar does should get better results over the long haul. But he’s not going deep into games- Salazar has thrown seven full innings just once this year. He’s failed get through five innings in four of his eight starts. Bad luck or no, he's burning up the bullpen every fifth day. Friday, the Indians made the change, shipping Salazar to Triple-A.
The @Indians select contract of LHP Kyle Crockett from Double-A Akron; option RHP Danny Salazar to Triple-A Columbus.
— MLBRosterMoves (@MLBRosterMoves) May 16, 2014
Fantasy owners who have held Salazar are no doubt disheartened by the news. But don’t give up hope. His stuff remains electric, as shown by his strikeout rate. He should be back at some point and it may not be all that long of a wait. If an overzealous owner cuts bait and you have the roster spot, consider grabbing Salazar. Pitchers who whiff over a batter per inning don’t come along every day. And if he struggles over his first few starts at Triple-A, you can move on.
But one pitcher’s loss is another one’s gain. Trevor Bauer will be recalled from Triple-A to take Salazar’s place in the rotation and he’ll be given an opportunity to stick. Bauer got one start in the majors this year and was excellent, allowing two runs (one earned) over six innings against the Padres back on April 9. Most importantly, he struck out eight and walked just two.
That improved control has been the biggest reason for optimism for Bauer this season. A pitcher who has never managed a walk rate below 3.84 batters per nine innings at any level of professional baseball, Bauer’s walk rate is down at 2.74 in 46 Triple-A innings this year. He’s posted a strong strikeout rate, 8.61, as well.
His first two starts are brutal – against the Tigers and Orioles – but there’s plenty of reason for optimism. Grab Bauer immediately if he’s available on your wire in all leagues. You might just get the pitcher fantasy baseball thought it was getting back in 2012, when he was one of the brightest pitching prospects in the game.