Is Burnes Back? Lawlar Promoted, Waivers Adds & More! (5/12 Fantasy Baseball Podcast)
May 12, 2025
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Corbin Burnes dazzles with seven shutout innings, sparking debate about his return to form. Tomoyuki Sugano shines with adjustments against right-handed hitters, while Lucas Giolito offers glimmers of hope. The D-backs promote promising prospect Jordan Lawlar, and standout performances surface from pitchers like Ronal Blanco. Injury updates, especially for Blake Snell, loom large as fantasy managers weigh their options. Exciting waiver wire picks and matchup evaluations keep the fantasy landscape dynamic!
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Quick takeaways
Corbin Burnes showcased his potential with seven shutout innings against the Dodgers, igniting optimism for fantasy managers looking for top-tier pitching.
Jordan Lawler's promotion to the majors follows an impressive minor league season, generating excitement but raising concerns about his playing time and defensive readiness.
Lucas Giolito's increased pitch velocity signals a positive trajectory post-Tommy John surgery, making him a potentially valuable asset for fantasy leagues.
Deep dives
Corbin Burns' Impressive Performance
Corbin Burns delivered one of his best starts of the season with an impressive seven shutout innings against a formidable Dodgers lineup. He struck out five while allowing only five hits and two walks, showcasing his ability to mix pitches effectively, particularly a standout changeup. Although there are concerns about the sustainability of his performance, especially regarding his cutter's effectiveness, this outing serves as a reminder of his potential as a top-tier pitcher. With a matchup against the Rockies in his next game, he is expected to be a strong start for fantasy managers.
Tomo Yuki Sugano's Continuing Success
Tomo Yuki Sugano continues to be a reliable option in the Orioles' rotation, notching another strong outing with seven and a third innings, one run allowed, and no walks. His success comes despite a relatively low strikeout rate, prompting questions about how sustainable this level of performance is. Sugano's ability to maintain a low ERA even with less-than-ideal peripheral statistics reflects on the unpredictable nature of pitching. As he faces the Twins next, he's an intriguing option for fantasy players, but caution is warranted due to potential regression.
Lucas Giolito's Improved Velocity
Lucas Giolito showcased an uptick in pitch velocity during his latest start, which is an encouraging sign for his value moving forward. He managed six and two-thirds innings of one run ball against the Royals while striking out five batters. The increase in fastball and secondary pitch velocity is promising, as it aligns with expectations of a return to form after Tommy John surgery. While further monitoring is needed, Giolito could be a useful asset in fantasy leagues if he maintains this momentum in future outings.
Reynaldo Blanco's Career-Best Start
Reynaldo Blanco achieved a career-best performance with eight shutout innings against the Reds, striking out an impressive eleven batters. His command over secondary pitches has improved, and the move away from a reliance on his fastball has shown positive results. Considered a relatively low-profile pitcher, Blanco's recent displays suggest he has the potential to be a valuable fantasy contributor. As he gears up to face the Rangers next, keeping him in the lineup could yield favorable outcomes given his current form.
Jordan Lawler's Potential Impact
Jordan Lawler has been promoted by the Diamondbacks after an impressive performance in the minors, including a .336 batting average, six homers, and thirteen steals at Triple-A. While his call-up generates excitement, concerns linger regarding his consistent playing time and defensive readiness, especially as he transitions between various infield positions. His ability to hit well in the minors suggests that he can provide value to fantasy teams, particularly in deeper leagues. The hope is that he can translate his success to the majors and secure a more permanent role while showcasing his upside.
Is Corbin Burnes back (2:30)? ... Tomoyuki Sugano keeps dominating (5:53). ... Lucas Giolito did some nice things Sunday (13:17). ... Ronal Blanco, Tarik Skubal and Jasson Dominguez all shoved this weekend (19:20). ... BREAKING: the Dbacks are promoting Jordan Lawlar (26:24). ... News (36:55): Blake Snell needs a second opinion. ... Evan Carter flashed some power and speed (47:24). ... We had a bunch of interesting waiver wire pitchers this weekend (50:30). ... What are the updates on polarizing pitchers (1:01:08)? ... Start or sit these pitchers (1:07:38)? ... We wrap up with leftovers, bullpens and streamers (1:15:19).
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