This year, The Dynasty Guru will provide a weekly report every Saturday. The weekly report will link to TDG articles for the past week, touch upon notable player developments, and preview upcoming TDG articles for the next week.

This Week at TDG

Baseball

TDG Weekly Report, May 5-11, 2018 – last week’s report

Injury Outlook- It’s Time to Sell Kershaw; Senzel Concerns – expressing concern regarding Clayton Kershaw’s chronic back problems and mileage on his arm

Triple Play: The San Diego Padres! – analyzing Franchy Cordero, Joey Lucchesi, and Fernando Tatis Jr.

The Dynasty Profiler: Five Under-The-Radar Hitting Prospects (May, 2018) – examining Garrett Hampson and Will Benson, among others

Chasing Jaime Garcia – advocating Jaime Garcia as a streaming option

TDG Podcast, Episode 35: The One About Dustin Pedroia – discussing players coming off of injury and when to trade a “stud,” among other topics

Fresh Takes: Is Yangervis Solarte Due For Regression? – predicting regression for Yangervis Solarte

Is It Time To Panic on Chris Archer? – short answer: no, long answer: read the article!

Prospect Update, Mid-April – detailing notable prospect performances through May 15th, the good and the bad

Romancing Deep Dynasty Prospects – noting eight under-the-radar prospects to acquire in deeper leagues

Football

2018 Rookie Mock Draft – an early mock dynasty football rookie draft (guess who went #1?!)

Notable Player Developments

Major Leagues

• Major League Baseball suspended Robinson Cano for 80 games for violating the drug agreement. Meanwhile, he also underwent surgery to repair the fractured fifth metacarpal in his right hand.
• Cano’s extended absence necessitates a move from center field to second base for Dee Gordon. Although this has little impact this year, it has dynasty implications, as it means Gordon will be eligible at second base next year as well.
• With Adam Wainwright out through at least the All-Star break, Jack Flaherty should receive an extended look in the Cardinals rotation.
• Greg Bird and Dansby Swanson are on rehab assignments and should return to action shortly.
• The notable DL returnees: Jacob deGrom, Yoan Moncada, Yu Darvish, Justin Turner, and Jake Lamb.
• The notable injuries: Ryan Zimmerman (right oblique strain); D.J. LeMahieu (left thumb sprain); Keynan Middleton (right elbow UCL damage, Tommy John surgery recommended, out for the season); Jeimer Candelario (left wrist tendonitis); A.J. Pollock (fractured left thumb, out 4-8 weeks); Adrian Beltre (hamstring strain); Bradley Zimmer (left rib contusion); Joey Lucchesi (strained hip); Yoenis Cespedes (strained right hip flexor); Ryan Braun (back); Mike Soroka (right shoulder strain); Starling Marte (right oblique strain); Paul DeJong (fractured left hand).

Minor Leagues/Prospects

• Nearly five years after Austin Meadows was selected ninth overall in the 2013 draft, he finally received a long-awaited promotion to the majors. Rather than a potential fantasy stud, he likely will be only an average performer, with solid on-base ability, below-average game power, and above-average speed.
• Freddy Peralta made his very loud major league debut last week, striking out 13 batters over 5 2/3 innings. Despite his impressive performance, he lacks command (∼12% walk rate), he is small (5’11” and 175 pounds), and he has a wild delivery. Over time, Peralta likely is a multi-inning reliever, like teammate Josh Hader.
• Franmil Reyes also received a big league promotion following an epic May tear in which he hit an astounding .561/.647/1.317 with 4 doubles and 9 home runs over 12 games! A hulking 6’5″ and 240 pounds, Reyes led Double-A Texas League last year with 25 home runs and possesses huge 70-grade raw power.
• Although several TDG writers are smitten with Anthony Banda, this writer is not on the #bandawagon. On Tuesday, he arrived back in the majors, lasting 5 innings and allowing 3 earned runs and 6 hits. During the start, he only relied on two pitches (fastball and changeup), eliciting only 4 total whiffs.
• Renato Nunez waiver-tag continues after the Rangers cut him loose and the Orioles snatched him up.
• Alex Reyes is on a rehab assignment and already dominating.
• Other notable promotions: Jack Flaherty and Christian Arroyo.
• Estevan Florial suffered a fractured hamate bone in his right wrist that will require surgery, which normally takes 4-8 weeks to recover.

Next Week at TDG

Baseball

• TDG’s Triple Play
• Top 2018 MLB Draft Prospects, May 2018
• Dr. Mike’s Injury Report

Please feel free to post comments, questions, or your own observations!

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