With all the technological advances of the past 50 years, there’s something magical about listening to a vinyl record.
It’s amazing to hear the sound quality of Pink Floyd’s “The Dark Side of the Moon” and Neil Young’s “Harvest” from technology that should have been outdated years ago.
Even with its blemishes and imperfections, it offers audiophiles a direct link to the past.
When it comes to fantasy baseball, it’s important to remember that just because something is old and previously used (and maybe a little damaged), it doesn’t mean it has no value or should be discarded.
Sometimes, that trumps everything else.
From 2016-2022, Robbie Ray struck out 11.5 batters per nine innings, making him one of the best strikeout pitchers in baseball.
During that span, he went 68-54 with a 3.89 ERA and a 1.281 WHIP. Unfortunately, the lefty pitcher underwent Tommy John surgery and flexor tendon repair in May 2023 after making one start with Seattle.
Fast forward to Wednesday, and Ray was back on the mound for the first time in 448 days, this time pitching for the Giants.
After an ugly 34-pitch first inning in which he allowed two walks and two hit-by-pitch strikes, Ray regained his composure and breezily completed the next four innings against the Dodgers.
He struck out three consecutive batters in the second inning and then struck out at least one in each of his next three innings (including two in the fifth inning).
Ray only pitched five innings, but did not allow a hit, struck out eight and only struck out 22 batters on 86 pitches (including seven curveballs and six sliders).
His four-seam fastball had a 47.4 percent strikeout rate, his slider had a 54.5 percent strikeout rate and his knuckle curve had a 77.8 percent strikeout rate.
Even more good news: His fastball topped out at 95.2 mph, according to Statcast.
Though he only made one start, it was a promising debut for the 2021 Cy Young Award winner.
It’s a promising start for the former ace, who has struck out 11.0 batters per nine innings and held opponents to a .232 batting average over his 11-year career.
This is a great opportunity for fantasy managers to add a proven pitcher to their team, who was rostered in just 20.1 percent of ESPN leagues as of Friday.
Let’s take a look at other veteran pitchers who are returning from injury (or are in the process of returning) and could contribute to your fantasy team.
Alex Cobb is another Giants pitcher who hasn’t pitched in a major league game this season as he is recovering from offseason hip surgery and a shoulder injury.
The pitcher has a 22-18 record with a 3.79 ERA and 8.7 strikeouts per nine innings over the past three seasons, allowing three runs or fewer in 57 of his 74 starts in that span.
Cobb is nearing a return, having made five minor league starts with a 1-1 record and a 2.76 ERA while striking out 11 in nine innings.
That includes a five scoreless innings performance with four strikeouts in a Triple-A start on July 20. He could be back soon and is one to keep an eye on.
Clayton Kershaw is 36 years old and not quite the same dominant pitcher who went 143-51 with a 2.25 ERA and 0.938 WHIP from 2011-2019 and won three Cy Young Awards (and the 2014 MVP award).
However, when healthy, he remains a very valuable player in fantasy.
He made his long-awaited season debut Thursday after offseason shoulder surgery, giving up six hits and two runs in four innings with six strikeouts and a strikeout rate of 19.4 percent.
The veteran left-hander, who is rostered in fewer than 50 percent of ESPN leagues, should provide plenty of value late in the innings as long as he doesn’t end up on the disabled list.
From 2021-2023, Rays left-hander Jeffrey Springs went 16-6 with a 2.53 ERA, 10.6 strikeouts per nine innings and 2.3 walks per nine innings.
He was 2-0 with a 0.56 ERA and 13.5 strikeouts per nine innings for a 0.078 ERA in three starts before undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2023.
As he prepares to return to the majors, guess which pitcher has posted 10.1 strikeouts per nine innings and just 1.6 walks per nine innings in 12 minor league starts?
There is no set timetable for his return, but the 31-year-old is on the roster in fewer than 10 percent of ESPN leagues and is one to add to your watch list.
big hit
Taj Bradley SP, Rays
He has not allowed more than two runs in any of his past nine starts and has a record of 5 wins and 1 loss with a 0.82 ERA, 65 strikeouts, a .162 batting average allowed and a 13 percent strikeout rate.
Lawrence Butler, outfielder, Athletics
In his first 19 games this month, he batted .412 with nine home runs, 26 RBIs, 19 runs scored, three stolen bases, a 1.423 OPS and a 20 percent strikeout rate.
Michael Wacha SP, Royals
He hasn’t allowed more than three runs in any of his past 11 starts and has a 6-2 record with a 2.56 ERA and a .211 ERA.
Ezekiel Tovar, SS, Rockies
He was on an 11-game hitting streak through Friday, batting .431 with five home runs, 12 RBIs, 10 runs scored and a 1.248 OPS.
A big miss
Ben Rice, 1B, Yankees
In his first 13 games since hitting three home runs and scoring seven RBIs against Boston on July 6, he went 4-for-46 (.087), struck out 21 and had an OPS of .443.
Javier Assad SP, Cubs
He issued eight walks in his first two starts after being placed on the disabled list and posted a 4.76 ERA, .348 batting average and 11.26 FIP in those appearances.
Brandon Nimmo, outfielder, Mets
Through Saturday, he had struck out 18 in 45 at-bats, batted .083 with one RBI and a .350 OPS.
Evan Phillips RP, Dodgers
He has allowed at least one run in six of his last 10 appearances, missed two saves, allowed four home runs and posted a .324 ERA.
Check your swing
– Dylan Cease, who pitched a no-hitter on Thursday, has allowed just two hits in his last three starts (22 innings) while posting a 3-0 record with a 30-for-7 strikeout/walk ratio, a .031 batting average allowed, a .187 OPS and a 16 percent strikeout rate.
– Randy Arozarena batted .158 with eight home runs, 19 RBIs, a 28.7% strikeout rate and a .568 OPS in his first 56 games with the Rays, then batted .284 with seven home runs, 18 RBIs, 20 runs scored, nine stolen bases, a .903 OPS and a 19.6% strikeout rate in 44 games before being shockingly traded to the Mariners.
– Gerrit Cole must be glad he won’t be facing the Mets again this year. He’s 0-2 with an 11.17 ERA and a 4-6 strikeout-to-walk ratio in two starts. The Amazings batted .357 with seven home runs and a 1.342 OPS against him.
– Speaking of the Mets, Jeff McNeil had a miserable first half of the season with a .216 batting average, five home runs, 24 RBIs and an OPS of .591, but in the first seven games of the second half he batted .417 with four home runs, nine RBIs and an OPS of 1.423.
Francisco Lindor has also been strong as the Mets’ leadoff hitter through his first 59 games, hitting 73 hits in 241 at-bats (.303 batting average), with 15 home runs, 42 RBIs, 44 runs scored, 14 stolen bases and a .955 OPS. Through his first 21 games this month, he is batting .305 with nine home runs, 22 RBIs and a 1.095 OPS.
— Miami’s Xavier Edwards had at least one hit in 18 of his last 21 games through Friday and was batting .384 with eight RBI, 12 runs scored and five stolen bases for an .892 OPS.
– Brent Rooker has 27 hits in 68 at-bats (.397 batting average) with nine home runs, 23 RBIs, 20 runs scored, four stolen bases, 14 strikeouts and 11 walks for a 1.329 OPS in his first 19 games this month, improving his batting average from .261 to .289.
Everything you need to know about MLB betting
– Tyler Fitzgerald became the first Giants rookie (since Barry Bonds) to homer in five consecutive games and entered a seven-game hitting streak over the weekend. He is batting .393 with nine runs scored and one stolen base for a 1.571 OPS through his first 10 games this month.
– AJ Puk was traded to the Diamondbacks after not allowing an earned run in his last 14 relief appearances and going 25-3 with a strikeout-walk rate, .074 strikeout average and 19% strikeout rate in that span. He is 4-4 as a reliever this season with a 2.08 ERA, 9.8 strikeouts per nine innings and a .159 strikeout rate. He figures to function as a left-handed setup man for closer Paul Sewald.
This week’s team name
Just a little from the top
