Fantasy Baseball SP Roundup 3/31: Hicks Are For Bids

I hope everyone enjoyed our yearly tradition of Justin Paradis writing an April Fools’ edition of the SP Roundup while I took over for his graphic! Don’t fret, the real SP Roundup is here – there’s no way I would let y’all down like that.

Welcome to the SP Roundup, my daily fantasy baseball article reviewing every starting pitcher’s performance from every Monday game. I apologize for the jokes written in my delirium in advance. Have questions? Ask me during my office hours on Playback.tv weekday mornings from 10 am-12 pm ET.I hopI

Jordan Hicks (SFG) @ HOU (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 36% CSW, 72 pitches.

Sometimes during the spring I do a complete reversal of opinion. I’m not one to “stick to my guns” and ignore something just because I held a different opinion prior. Jordan Hicks was such an arm after a questionable 2024 and sitting 93/94 mph until he showcased a pair of starts at 97+ mph, even flirting with 98 mph. I patiently waited to see if he would replicate it against the Astros Monday night and he did just that, leading to a fantastic line of 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 36% CSW, 72 pitches. 

The sinker was glorious at 98 mph (remember, it was 94.5 mph last year) with 75% strikes and absurd precision along both edges of the plate and it was paired with 77% strikes on his sweeper against a RHB-heavy lineup. This was the dream we had of Hicks when he originally became a starter and it was so dang easy watching him cruise through the Astros lineup.

We shouldn’t expect 70%+ strikes on sinkers and sweepers every game and when he faces a LHB squad, the splitter will have to wake up, but hot dang, Hicks looked awesome. Grab him everywhere you can and enjoy the ride for as long as he’s at 97/98 mph on the sinker and finding strikes.

 

Let’s see how every other SP did Monday:

 

Brady Singer (CIN) vs TEX (W) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 2 BBs, 8 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 92 pitches.

I think it’s becoming clear that Singer can actually make this work. He’s added a heavy dose of the four-seamer into the mix, and merging it with the sinker is making it tough for batters to connect with either one, while the slider is still a strong offering. Kinda. It wasn’t at its best here at 55% strikes and just five whiffs as this truly was a day of spotting sinkers and four-seamers on both sides of the plate. I’m actually starting to buy into Singer and it’s freaking me out a little. What have I become?

Germán Márquez (COL) @ PHI (ND) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 20% CSW, 83 pitches.

Hot dang, look at you! Enjoy that Gold Star with your Colorado friends. The Rockies starters have only allowed 2 ER total in their first four games (thanks Feltner) and it’s kinda hilarious. Come on fella, let’s get our ERA as low as possible while we’re not in Coors! No, I don’t truly understand why this worked with 17% CSW on both the four-seamer and sinker, but let’s just be happy for the Colorado rotation. They don’t have it easy, you know.

Kris Bubic (KCR) @ MIL (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 8 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 35% CSW, 95 pitches.

It was incredibly fun watching Bubic dominate against the Brewers and while I’m absolutely encouraged and can see how this can continue to work with his flat attack angle four-seamer at 18″ of vert, the changeup and breakers were far behind the heater. Bubic has had a tendency to locate his changeup poorly, and the sweeper + slider mix to LHB wasn’t nearly as outside as we wanted it to be. It’s not the biggest shock – Bubic has a history of decent but imperfect command – and it’s my biggest hesitation with grabbing the megaphone and announcing his arrival. I’d be grabbing him where I could, though there will be bumps along the way given the imprecision.

Martín Pérez (CHW) vs MIN (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 0 Hits, 3 BBs, 9 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 93 pitches.

Six no-hit frames with nine strikeouts?! Duuuuude. He was dealt a RHB-heavy lineup and the Twins are not a strong lineup at all, allowing Pérez to conquer with changeups down-and-away incessantly, along with cutters for nearly 33% called strikes. He didn’t give in after attacking early with the cutter and I love it. I guess we’re streaming him against the Tigers up next, eh?

Drew Rasmussen (TBR) vs PIT (W) – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 70 pitches.

He looked so fun. There were more mistake pitches than I expected, but the Pirates couldn’t handle his mix of 90/91 mph cutter, 95/96 mph sinkers and four-seamers, and the rare sweeper. He just served stupid good pitch after stupid good pitch (50% cutters!) and he carved up five innings in a flash. Yeah, this is legit and you cannot let go. He will be up to six frames before the end of April and looks like a guy ready for a 2.80 ERA and 1.05 WHIP. He’s that kind of “Imma throw strikes and y’all can’t do anything with them” arm. But yes, we need to see more and against a tougher team before I can truly believe that potential is ahead.

Tyler Glasnow (LAD) vs ATL (W) – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 3 BBs, 8 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 38% CSW, 79 pitches.

Aces gonna ace. A lovely King Cole and I’m glad he isn’t getting served the same Win luck as last year. So far…

Cristopher Sánchez (PHI) vs COL (ND) – 5.1 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 93 pitches.

He’s at 96/97 mph velocity with two extra inches of horizontal break on the sinker (nearly 20″!) and settling on 7.1 feet of extension. That’s leggggit. The changeup did its normal routine of 12/40 whiffs as well, while the slider is still a bit of a problem. He had some gorgeous front-hip sinkers to RHB in this one, though, and it’s hard not to get hyped. Hopefully, that hit-per-IP continues to stay under 1.00 and the co-shares of the Gallows Pole are a regular occurrence. If only the cutter was actually real…

Bowden Francis (TOR) vs WSN (W) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 2 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 91 pitches.

Cool, I’m happy for you Francis. I still don’t really like your heater and splitter combo + a 44% CSW curve at 50% strikes that is clearly there for free real estate before the count gets too deep, but I want every pitcher to be dope. Including you. Do you mind making it a little more convincing, though?

David Peterson (NYM) @ MIA (W) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 9 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 89 pitches.

Yeah, this was a solid outing from Peterson. Sure, there were a few more fastball mistakes than ideal, but they entwined with a whole lot of dotting the edges, while the slider and changeup looked great. This was the Marlins, though, and he’ll get a test against the Jays up next. I’m not sure if I want to roll with Peterson there.

Miles Mikolas (STL) vs LAA (ND) – 5.1 IP, 2 ER, 2 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 80 pitches.

…Nick. …NICK. jiowefWHOA! Sorry about that. You did it again. I’m sorry, I can’t help but drift off to sleep reading Mikolas’ lines. It’s just such a bad fastball. Only 30% sliders?! YOU’RE SLACKING.

Kyle Hart (SDP) vs CLE (W) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 80 pitches.

Ayyyy the changeup did well to RHB! 6/20 whiffs is a lovely sight for the slowball while the sweeper was able to sneak in for called strikes. It’s the only way this can work given his sketchy low 90s heaters and maybe we’ll be able to turn to him for some streams down the road. Not next time out? Against the Cubs? Absolutely not.

Ben Brown (CHC) @ ATH (W) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 75 pitches.

I’m glad he got a Win, but that’s a Dusty Donut y’all and I cannot express enough how he’s not made to go six strong without a better heater and without a proper third pitch. That curve is gorgeous, though.

Jackson Jobe (DET) @ SEA (ND) – 4.0 IP, 3 ER, 3 Hits, 4 BBs, 3 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 79 pitches.

I was jazzed to get our first start of Jobe and after a promising first frame, Jobe was unable to accelerate and instead we saw the threads fray. This will take a little longer than we’d like, sadly, and I’ll be lowering him on The List closer to Jack Zippo. The ceiling is fantastic, but you may be better off going with more definitive options in the short term. Sigh.

Grant Holmes (ATL) @ LAD (L) – 4.0 IP, 4 ER, 4 Hits, 4 BBs, 3 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 20% CSW, 89 pitches.

This wasn’t a game to start The Real Estate Broker and he struggled with his two best pitches, the curve and slider. Welp, ignore it and set your sights on Holmes getting Miami in his next start. Clay or Grant? Yes. No, which on—YES.

Ronel Blanco (HOU) vs SFG (L) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 3 Hits, 3 BBs, 6 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 92 pitches.

Not a bad start from Blanco, but not the best. I’m encouraged to see the slider alive and kicking and I think there’s enough among everything else to be a worthwhile Toby for a bit. I’m fine starting him against the Twins up next.

Tyler Anderson (LAA) @ STL (ND) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 91 pitches.

Hey Anderson, can you get that changeup down please? Signed, every 15-teamer manager who wants to reliably stream you this season.

Cade Povich (BAL) vs BOS (ND) – 4.1 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 8 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 94 pitches.

Eight strikeouts?! Sure, I guess so. Everything else looked as expected from Povich, from middling heaters to a changeup that returned just 3/9 strikes. At least the curve returned a 45% CSW with many strikes and a fair number of whiffs, but it’s not enough to get me on board. I don’t buy the strikeouts and sadly expect many starts with these ratios.

Michael Soroka (WSN) @ TOR (L) – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 83 pitches.

Soroka was lifted from this game with a biceps cramp – the best news after seeing a pitcher leave a game with a trainer nursing an elbow. Before then, he was leaning into high heaters and a Dancing With The Disco slider, which isn’t a guaranteed blueprint for success when the heater sits 94 mph with poor movement. I think you can do better streaming, assuming Soroka is healthy to go next time out.

Sean Newcomb (BOS) @ BAL (L) – 4.0 IP, 4 ER, 8 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 64 pitches.

It was a fun idea to get a fresh set of teeth in Boston, but this new comb wasn’t worth purchasing. You knew that.

Elvin Rodríguez (MIL) vs KCR (L) – 4.0 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 64 pitches.

You know, Elvin actually has an interesting four-seamer with 19″+ of vert at 94 mph, but the command isn’t there and the cutter companion doesn’t support him nearly as well as it needs to. I feel for the Brewers – that rotation is as makeshift as it gets.

Luis L. Ortiz (CLE) @ SDP (L) – 4.2 IP, 7 ER, 9 Hits, 4 BBs, 2 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 90 pitches.

You really shouldn’t be rostering Ortiz at this point. There are so many others to trust who don’t have an L smack in the middle of their name. That’s the reason you’re out? Yeah, why else would be? Ohhhh, the performance. Yeah, that too.

Carmen Mlodzinski (PIT) @ TBR (L) – 3.2 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 66 pitches.

He throws hard at 96/97 with a 1.6 HAVAA but can’t locate it upstairs and has to rely on mediocre sliders over the plate to get strikes. Nope, not for me until we get a game where the four-seamer overwhelms.

Joey Estes (ATH) vs CHC (L) – 4.0 IP, 6 ER, 9 Hits, 4 BBs, 2 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 16% CSW, 85 pitches.

You chose this over Spence. YOU MADE THIS BED. You can still try a different mattress in like five days if you want, you know. Spence is still looking pretty good in the pen…COME ON, THE TEAM FORMERLY KNOWN AS OAKLAND.

Cal Quantrill (MIA) vs NYM (L) – 4.0 IP, 6 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 20% CSW, 90 pitches.

I mentioned this could work if the splitter was cooking. Well, The UnQuantrillfiable returned 49% strikes on 33 splitters. Soooooo. No. He doesn’t have it. Rats. I know, that line was so convincing. YOU NEVER KNOW.

Kumar Rocker (TEX) @ CIN (L) – 3.0 IP, 6 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 74 pitches.

He’s down to 95+ mph and served LHB plenty of them down the pipe without much help. The curve was abandoned for the slider after the absolute opposite in the spring, and it’s a good call given the slider’s success against RHB (8/32 whiffs, 41% CSW), but even that got laced along the way. Rocker’s clear problems against left-handers have me believing he’s made to close for this team and will get the boot once Corbin is ready. Move on if you haven’t yet.

Emerson Hancock (SEA) vs DET (L) – 0.2 IP, 6 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 0 Ks – 2 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 39 pitches.

Sigh. We had zero expectations and I’m still disappointed. Poor kid. He wasn’t ready and was thrown into the fire straight out of camp with Kirby’s injury. There is a Toby in there, but he just needs more time, time none of us fantasy managers should give him right now.

Chris Paddack (MIN) @ CHW (L) – 3.1 IP, 9 ER, 6 Hits, 4 BBs, 2 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 89 pitches.

Oh no. Oh no no no. Funny enough, he actually did a great job against LHB, but that’s not the problem. RHB saw 93 mph four-seamers (not hovering 95 mph) and a slider that had a few moments but ultimately did little to keep batters from having a field day. Sigh. Sure, he’ll likely have better games than this possibly as soon as his next time out (vs. HOU, blegh) but the lower velocity than what we saw in the spring and the lack of strong slider that has haunted him throughout his career equates to a clear “I’m gonna get a drink” escape as you hope Paddack doesn’t force you into another conversation for the rest of the party.

 

Game of the Day

 

Kodai Senga vs. Sandy Alcantara – I want to see Senga at the top of his game and y’all know I have a Sandy Crush.

But Nick?! Where are the streaming picks? – I’ve moved them to the daily SP Matchups & Streamer Rankings article.

Have Questions? – Join my morning Playback.tv livestream! I answer all questions there for free: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm ET Monday through Friday.

Featured image by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)