Welcome to the Saturday edition of Ben’s Building Blocks! Each week on Saturday, I will highlight my favorite plays specifically for Super Draft. If you haven’t already signed up for SuperDraft, promo code KARMA will get you a $10 deposit bonus on your first deposit.
Pitcher
Cristian Javier (1.9x multiplier)- Javier has a solid 1.9x multiplier, and an even better matchup with the Seattle Mariners. Javier was rushed to the major leagues, but this is someone with pedigree and massive strikeouts in the minor leagues. Javier has looked the part through limited innings boasting a 3.87 SIERA and 26% strikeouts. The Mariners are one of the best matchups for an opposing pitcher, their lineup is full of youth and they rank 6th-worst in team wRC+ in 2020. I actually have Javier graded as the third-best option on this slate, so I will gladly roster him at nearly double points.
Building Blocks
JD Martinez (1.4x multiplier)- Martinez has a tough matchup on paper with James Paxton, but that won’t stop me from selecting him at this multiplier. Paxton has long been considered an ace-level pitcher, while his surface numbers look good this season there is more to the story. He’s been dealing with a massive velocity drop, which definitely can make him susceptible to worse outings. Martinez is known for his ability to hit left-handed pitching, and has a .492 xwOBA vs Paxton over his career.
Yordan Alvarez (1.35x multiplier)- Alvarez returned to the lineup last night and looked like he hasn’t missed a beat. He hit multiple hard-hit 95+ mph balls, including a three-run shot in his first AB of the season. Since being called up, he has the second-highest ISO on the Astros at .310. His opponent, Nick Margevicius, has struggled with power since being called up by the Padres last season. Between 2019-20, he’s surrendered a .190 ISO and 35% hard hits to right-handed batters.
Eric Thames (1.6x multiplier)- Thames has arguably the best matchup on the slate against Asher Wojciechowski. Since the start of last season, Woj has allowed a .275 ISO and over 40% hard-contact to left-handed batters. Thames has the second-highest ISO on the Nationals vs right-handed pitching (.266) and is up to fifth in the order tonight.
Written by Ben Hossler (Follow @BenHossler on Twitter)
