Regan's Rumblings: 30 Teams, 30 Answers

This week, I will look around the league at all 30 teams and answer a question that many fantasy owners have about each of those teams.

Arizona – What's with Daniel Descalso's playing time?

Descalso was a borderline All-Star for a good portion of this year before a recent skid dropped him to .259/.357/.487 with 40 RBIs to go with his eight home runs. Descalso, though, doesn't top the depth chart at any position. He's seen most of his time at second base and third base, but the Diamondbacks also have Ketel Marte and Jake Lamb at those two positions. Descalso is 3-for-27 since June 16, so perhaps he just fades into oblivion.

Atlanta – What's Austin Riley's ETA?

Riley is rehabbing a sprained knee ligament, but he should be ready to return in the next week or so. After hitting .333/.394/.677 in Double-A, the 21-year-old moved to Triple-A where it's been not quite as easy (.284/.345/.431), but Riley is still expected to make his MLB debut this year. Johan Camargo has been adequate enough (.243/.353/.429) as the regular third baseman, but Riley is clearly the future. I'd guess about Aug. 1 for an ETA, but he'll need to hit his way there.

Baltimore – Where does Manny Machado go?

I can't imagine the Orioles deal him to the Yankees or Red Sox, but I guess if the price is right, it could happen. If Machado is dealt, look for the Orioles to use Danny Valencia and Tim Beckham as everyday players on the left side. Pretty depressing for Baltimore fans.

Boston – Which Rafael Devers will we see in the second half?

After an impressive 240-PA rookie season in which he hit .284/.338/.482, Devers is hitting just .234/.281/.414 this year, though his ISO (.180) has remained relatively stable in comparison to last year's .198. Devers' BABIP has regressed year-over-year from .342 to .279 while his hard-hit rate is up a bit, so some batting average improvement seems likely.

Chicago Cubs – How good Yu Darvish will be when he returns?

After last pitching in a big-league game May 20, Darvish could return this weekend against the Twins after a successful Monday rehab start in Low-A. Darvish has been a huge bust this year with a 4.95 ERA in eight starts, but his sore triceps probably had some impact on his performance. Darvish has an 11.0 K/9 and his velocity is fine, but his 4.7 BB/9 and 1.6 HR/9 are not so fine. Ultimately, I think he will rebound from his poor start.

Chicago White Sox – Will Yoan Moncada figure things out?

The upside is obvious, but Moncada has shown no improvement after hitting .231/.338/.412 last season. He's been worse this year at .227/.297/.412 while striking out at a 34.9 percent clip. Almost as disturbing is that his walk rate has taken a dive from 12.6 to 8.8 percent. Moncada just turned 23, so he has time to figure things out, but not sure I see that happening this year.

Cincinnati Reds – Can Matt Harvey be 12-team-mixed relevant?

Harvey is one of several Reds trade candidates, so they certainly hope that he can. Harvey has posted back-to-back W/QS games, though he also struck out just two in 6.2 innings in his last start. Harvey's 6.5 K/9 is well below what we saw from him when he was good, but he's vastly improved his control over last year (2.5 BB/9 vs. 4.6). After allowing 13 homers in his first 57.1 innings, Harvey has not allowed one over his last three starts. Tough to be confident in that continuing considering the lack of missed bats.

Cleveland – Does Shane Bieber give the Indians baseball's No. 1 rotation (when healthy)?

The team ranks third with a 3.40 rotation ERA (crazy to see Houston at 2.88), and that's with five starts and a 4.66 ERA from Adam Plutko and Josh Tomlin's disastrous 8.10 ERA in six starts. Meanwhile, the Indians have an ace (Corey Kluber), an emerging ace (Trevor Bauer), a guy who COULD develop into an ace (Carlos Carrasco) and Mike Clevinger's solid 3.03 ERA. Bieber in his three starts has a 2.45 ERA and 22:3 K:BB in 18.1 innings. Between Double- and Triple-A this year, Bieber put up a Gibson-like 1.29 ERA and 72:6 K:BB in 76.2 innings. Despite modest velocity (92.8 mph average fastball), Bieber has a fair amount of fantasy upside.

Colorado – What will the middle infield look like later this year?

It's most likely going to be DJ LeMahieu and Trevor Story, but LeMahieu has seen his OPS drop 150 points since winning the 2016 NL batting title. Story has shown nice improvement this year, sitting in 16 home runs while dropping his strikeout rate from 34.4 percent to a reasonable (these days) 26 percent. Meanwhile, the Rockies have a pair of elite middle infielders in Brendan Rodgers and the lesser-known Garrett Hampson, who has 30 steals already this year. Hampson is a level higher (Triple-A) than Rodgers, so perhaps he gets the call first, but Nolan Arenado needed just 18 games at Triple-A before he got the call in 2013, so perhaps Rodgers gets his shot in 2018, as well.

Detroit – When we will see Christin Stewart in LF?

JaCoby Jones is there now, but he's hitting .227/.276/.380 while striking out at a 27.6 percent clip and walking in just 3.8 percent of his plate appearances. Stewart, meanwhile, is dealing with a minor calf injury, but he's hitting .269/.351/.504 in Triple-A, though just .232/.304/.374 over his last 99 at-bats. The Tigers will probably wait until a hot streak to bring him up, but he offers big-time power upside.

Houston - What will be the impact of Kyle Tucker?

Left field has been a bit of a black hole this year with Marwin Gonzalez's regression from .303/.377/.530 to .238/.316/.369 year-over-year. Tony Kemp also isn't the solution, but Tucker certainly will be, and likely, very soon. He's hitting a strong .316/.384/.536 with 12 homers and 14 steals in Triple-A. In addition, in June, Tucker has hit .411/.450/.678 with five homers and seven stolen bases. He's a perfect stash in 12-team mixed leagues.

Kansas City – How much will Adalberto Mondesi play?

Mondesi is hitting a meager .184/.228/.288 in 234 plate appearances at the big-league level, but he hit .305/.340/.539 with 13 homers and 21 steals in 357 plate appearances in Triple-A as a 21-year-old last year, which is impressive. Mondesi should play frequently at second base and shortstop for the foreseeable future given the Royals' place in the standings. Whether he hits enough to last the year as a starter remains to be seen, but he'll get a chance.

Los Angeles Angels – Who's closing?

And who's going to be in the rotation with all the injuries? At closer you have Blake Parker, who has allowed five runs in his last five appearances while posting a 3.81 FIP versus last year's 2.75. He's the heavy favorite to lead the team in saves the rest of the way, but Justin Anderson, Jim Johnson and Cam Bedrosian could eventually be options as well. Anderson is interesting factoring in his 12.0 K/9 and 97.7 mph average fastball, but yeah that 6.7 BB/9 isn't good.

Los Angeles Dodgers – Can Max Muncy make the All-Star team?

His batting average might hurt his cause, but this year's Chris Taylor has shocked even Dodgers management by hitting .259/.401/.596 with 16 home runs in 207 plate appearances. He's seen time at first base, second, third and left field and has no real home, but he will continue to get playing time. The lefty swinger has been even better against LHP this year with a 1.045 OPS. Muncy's ideal spot would seem to be second base due to Logan Forsythe's lack of production and the growth in Joc Pederson this year. Muncy posted a .905 OPS at Triple-A last year for Oakland, but apparently the A's were too stacked at the big-league level, as he did not get called up.

Miami – Can Drew Steckenrider take over the closer role from Kyle Barraclough?

He's got the stuff to do so and is the clear No. 2 in the Miami pen. Steckenrider has a 3.41 ERA, 10.5 K/9 and 3.9 BB/9, but even better is his last 14.1 innings: no runs, 12:5 K:BB. Barraclough, though, has been just as good, if not better, over the same timeframe (no runs in 18.2 IP), so no change on the horizon unless his 4.2 regresses closer to the 5-plus marks he put up the prior two seasons.

Milwaukee – Can Brad Miller have 12-team-mixed value?

That might be a stretch, but Miller is poised to see plenty of playing time all round the diamond with the Brewers and is 2-for-6 with three walks in the early going with his new team. It's easy to forget that Miller hit 30 home runs for the Rays just two years ago, so while he'll be a batting average sinkhole, having a guy with power, playing time and multi-position eligibility can't hurt.

Minnesota – What can we expect from Byron Buxton?

Assuming he gets healthy at some point, Buxton will return and be the team's everyday center fielder, but what can fantasy owners expect this year and long term? In nearly 1,100 career plate appearanches, Buxton is a career .230/.285/.387 hitter. He did post a .893 OPS after the All-Star break last year, so I still have hope that he'll be an All-Star long term. I just can't invest much this year.

New York Mets – Peter Alonso or Dominic Smith?

Smith is getting the first look, but as the team's left fielder due to injures instead of his long-term position of first base. Through his first 46 plate appearances, Smith has put up an awful 17:1 K:BB, and even in Triple-A this year, Smith had just two home runs and a .713 OPS in 56 games. Meanwhile, Alonso in 76 games split between Double-A and Triple-A has hit .304/.432/.562 after posting an .883 OPS last year. He won't run at all, but this guy can hit. At some point he may be worth a stash in 12-team mixed redraft leagues.

New York Yankees – Will Gary Sanchez see Triple-A at-bats this year?

After a spectacular debut in 2016 and a .278/.345/.531 year in 2017, Sanchez is hitting just .190/.291/.433. The .243 ISO is obviously excellent, but that batting average is obviously ugly. Sanchez sports a .194 BABIP, and considering nothing stands out as anomalous about his batted-ball data, a run of good luck should eventually elevate that batting average. I do wonder, though, whether the Yankees will pursue a veteran catcher as insurance.

Oakland – Will Dustin Fowler be a platoon guy all year?

Fowler was 10-for-29 vs. LHP in Triple-A this year and .286/.350/.549 against them last year. Yet, he's not started against a single lefty this year in Oakland, yielding starts to Mark Canha who has a 1.024 OPS versus southpaws this season. If it were me, Matt Joyce and his .198 batting average would be on the waiver wire and both Canha and Fowler would be everyday players. Maybe eventually.

Philadelphia – Will Scott Kingery be fantasy relevant in 2018?

With all the hype behind Kingery this spring, his .229/.282/.331 effort has been terribly disappointing. The seven steals have helped, but after hitting 26 home runs and stealing 29 bases in the minors last year, he's three and seven in those categories this year. The injury to J.P. Crawford pretty much locks in Kingery as the team's shortstop, but this has been a long adjustment period. Kingery should eventually be a fantasy force, but I'm less confident now than I was in March.

Pittsburgh – Will the Pirates trade Felipe Vazquez?

Controllable through 2023 at reasonable salaries, this seems unlikely, but contenders will still come calling next month, so it's somewhat possible. Vazquez has taken a step back this year with a 4.4 BB/9 (2.4 in 2017), but he still has a 2.61 FIP versus 2.51 in 2017. Maybe the Pirates will look to cash in if he's pitching well in late July. Next up could be failed former Giants starting pitching prospect Kyle Crick, who has a 2.57 ERA.

San Diego – Will Manuel Margot make the Red Sox regret letting him go?

The return for Margot (and others) was Craig Kimbrel, so that seems unlikely, but they certainly aren't regretting it yet. That's due in large part to Kimbrel's dominance, but also to Margot's career .257/.301/.408 slash line. His 17.7 K% is an encouraging number and he's just 23, but despite his .318/.408/.518 line over the last month, I'm still a bit wary.

San Francisco – Who leads the team in saves the rest of the way?

With Hunter Strickland (hand) out until around early August, it could still be him, but that is unlikely. Sam Dyson seems to top the depth chart now, but Mark Melancon has the fat $15 million/year salary while Tony Watson could also see chances. Dyson will see opportunities in the short term, but I like Melancon for ROS. Melancon has a 2.89 ERA in his last 10 games.

Seattle – Will Mike Zunino post a 50-plus percent three true outcomes rate?

Maybe everyone knows this, but by way of explanation, the "three true" baseball outcomes are strikeout, walk and home run. With 11 homers, 10 walks, and 80 strikeouts in 199 PA, Zunino is at 50.8 percent, and given last year's 51.5 percent, I have confidence in a repeat. Zunino's strikeout rate is nearly 40 percent and his batting average ceiling is probably .220, but in two-catcher leagues, perhaps you can absorb the AVG hit.

St. Louis – Will the Cardinals bench Dexter Fowler?

After going 0-for-4 with a pair of strikeouts Wednesday, Fowler has an ugly .167/.273/.274. The 29 walks are nice, but that $82.5 million deal that Fowler signed prior to the 2017 season looks like one of the worst contracts in the league. Meanwhile, Tyler O'Neill has a 1.017 OPS in Triple-A and Harrison Bader has shown some fantasy potential with five homers and seven steals in 154 at-bats. Fowler obviously wouldn't be playing without a bloated contract, but at some point, that should end.

Tampa Bay – The Rays will deal Sergio Romo, right?

A veteran on a one-year deal on a non-contender, Romo seems unlikely to be the Rays' closer much longer. Even if he sticks, though, that 4.68 ERA inspires little confidence. Jose Alvarado seems like the popular pick to be next in line, but don't sleep on Diego Castillo and his 1.46 ERA.

Texas – Will the Rangers free Willie, Willie Calhoun?

Calhoun was supposed to tear up Triple-A in April and be on the big-league roster by May at the latest, but here we are in late June and he's still in the minors. Calhoun through 74 games is hitting .277/.323/.409. Mediocre, but in his last month or so, Calhoun has been better – .298/.330/.452. He'll be up this year, but it's telling that he wasn't promoted when Ronald Guzman went down with a concussion this week.

Toronto – Will the Jays get rid of Russell Martin?

Martin is owed approximately $30 million through 2019, but given he's hitting .168 in 212 plate appearances this year. Martin could be done. Cutting a guy owed that much money doesn't seem to be Toronto's way, but the Jays could still look to the future as early as July and make him the backup and prospect Danny Jansen the starter. Jansen has hit .299/.413/.424 through 57 games for Triple-A Buffalo, so factoring in a surprising four steals, Jansen profiles as a solid fantasy catcher.

Washington – Will Carter Kieboom be the next elite Nationals prospect to get the call?

Kieboom is 20 and has just seven games at the Double-A level, but those seven games yielded a .321/.345/.500 line. Juan Soto, however, had just eight games at that level prior to his promotion, though Soto was ranked higher at that time than Kieboom is now (RotoWire's No. 18 prospect). Kieboom, though, is a shortstop, and the Nationals have Trea Turner there. Perhaps if Ryan Zimmerman misses additional time, the Nationals could go with a Daniel Murphy/Trea Turner/Kieboom/Anthony Rendon infield, though that seems unlikely now.