Sean Burke needs to turn things around soon. (MLB.com)
This week, struggling rookie Matt Shaw was sent back to Triple-A; another scuffling hitter, Paul DeJong got hit in the face by a pitch; and Minny SS Carlos Correa is hurting… again. Other Fantasy baseball stories we’re tracking include…
Sean Burke Getting Slaughtered
In the Covid-shortened 2020 season, the Chicago White Sox managed 35 wins in 60 games – their best winning percentage since 2005, when they were World Series champions.
In 2021, they made the playoffs again despite some regression, and it’s been all downhill since. The Pale Hose dropped to .500 in 2022, plummeted to 61 wins the following year and were historically bad last season (41-161).
Somehow, they are even worse this season, having dropped two straight and eight of their last 10 to again find themselves in the AL Central cellar, with a 4-12 mark. One of the reasons they have been so awful is because they keep struggling to make contact against right-handed pitching.
Of course, the pitching hasn’t exactly been lights out, either… not bad, but not great. Among the biggest disappointments early on has been starter Sean Burke. He looked surprisingly good in three late-season starts (and one relief appearance) last September, going undefeated while posting a tremendous WHIP. Was luck involved? Sure. But it was a promising sign heading into 2025. And he built on that with a splendid season debut.
But to say Burke has regressed since that opening start is an understatement of epic proportions. After getting shredded by the A’s on Tuesday, he’s now dropped three straight while giving up five homers in just 10 2/3 IP. Burke’s record is poor and his WHIP is unsightly. Needless to say, he’s being dropped in most Fantasy leagues in which he was owned (which wasn’t many to begin with).
He actually has a pretty good fastball (see video below), but control is an issue (even if it’s improved since he arrived in the majors).
It’s a small sample size, but if you look at Burke’s combined MLB results over the last two seasons, he looks like a decent pitcher with solid command, but his performance this year suggests he won’t be long for the rotation. Hell, even a team as bad as the White Sox can’t keep trotting him out there every five days.
Jake Meyers Getting On Base
In 2022, the Houston Astros won the World Series for the second time in six years, but have regressed since, dropping to 90 wins and then just 88 last year. Now, before you start to feel sorry for them, remember that they have still made the postseason eight straight years and nine of the last 10. [Insert tiny violin here.]
But change has arrived, and that was evident when the team made a huge trade in December, sending star outfielder Kyle Tucker to the Cubs for a package of mostly younger players, headlined by top prospect Cam Smith. Tucker was a year away from free agency, so instead of letting him walk, Houston opted to deal him to help fill needs in the rotation and at corner infield.
It’s been a sluggish start to the season for the Astros at 8-10, but they’ve held their own lately and remain a strong bet to make the playoffs (-112 as per FanDuel).
With Tucker gone, Houston has needed others to step up, and while we would hardly call it a breakout, outfielder Jake Meyers has been better so far this season. On Tuesday, he snapped a mini slump with a season-high three hits while driving in a run and now has hits in seven of the last 10 games before Wednesday. He’s been doing a great job of getting on base so far this month.
Meyers isn’t seeing quite as much action so far, but more showings like this could change that, especially if these emerging on-base skills prove to be genuine and sustainable. We recommended him as a waiver wire add in June, but that didn’t work out so well as he was unable to maintain his scorching May pace and was never quite as productive over the remainder of the season.
For now, consider Meyers a solid addition in NL-only leagues and someone worth tracking in mixed formats.
Waiver Wire Pick of the Week
Bobby Miller, SP, Los Angeles Dodgers (ESPN: 7.3 per cent; CBS: 17 per cent): Miller was hurt early last season, not returning until mid-June, and things did not go well at all after that point as his control was atrocious. He had to begin this season back at Triple-A, but after recording a 2.25 ERA in the minors, he’s been recalled to make his season debut on Wednesday. Before investing heavily in Miller, do note that he’s remained wild at Triple-A, but no one doubts his immense talent and upside. His changeup was his best offering last year, but he’ll need more than that to stick in the bigs this time around. For our money, Miller is definitely worth a long look.
RotoRob Tune of the Day
Legendary pop band Bee Gees were formed by the Gibbs brothers (Barry, Robin and Maurice). In 1975, they released their 13th album, Main Course, and the second single was “Nights On Broadway,” a tune that peaked at No. 7 on the American Billboard Hot 100 chart.