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About ale522
sports and financial markets enthusiast. Native San Diegan, diehard Padres, adopted Warriors and ex-Chargers fan
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ale522 has written 1566 articles so far, you can find them below.
Deebo Samuel Has Yet To Make Impact
In an intense competition for reps, San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel knows there’s no time for complacency. Samuel, one of eight wideouts vying for six roster spots, knows that “everybody’s life’s on the line”. The second-round pick out of South Carolina is touted as a playmaking wizard but has yet to emerge from... Read More
DeForest Buckner Back On Practice Field
San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle DeForest Buckner (toe) returned to practice Sunday after missing two days. Buckner, a fourth-year player, led the team with 12 sacks last year and recorded 17 tackles for loss. With his toe issue a thing of the past, Buckner is safe to deploy as an IDP who should be a... Read More
Kendrick Bourne Performing Well Under Pressure
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Kendrick Bourne has emerged early in training camp, per CSN Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco. Bourne is amongst eight Niners wideouts vying for six spots on the 53-man roster. Entering his third season, Bourne went undrafted out of Eastern Washington so having odds stacked against him isn’t unusual. Bourne led all... Read More
Jalen Hurd's Stock On The Rise
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jalen Hurd is getting reps in the slot and shaping up to be a red zone threat. The team’s third-round pick from Baylor was a former running back and while he hasn’t lined up in the backfield, has taken a few carries from the flank. Hurd is a monstrous 6’5”,... Read More
Dante Pettis Returning Punts In Camp
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Dante Pettis is in the driver’s seat to return punts this year, per NBC Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco. Pettis struggled last year in the position but appears to be ready for the task. The second-year Pettis emerged as the team’s top wideout last season and should be first mate to... Read More
Nick Bosa Living Up To Hype
San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa appears as advertised early in training camp. The second overall pick of the 2019 draft has continued to surprise, recording sack after sack. Bosa was renowned for his lower-body power and hand technique and so far things are going swimmingly. Compared to former first-round linebacker Aldon Smith, Bosa... Read More
Points Leagues Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 19
Welcome to the RotoBaller waiver wire column that skews towards points league. Yes, there is positive correlation to standard 5x5 scoring but in our format, specific categories matter less and the accumulation of total stats is the ultimate objective. We’ve hurdled the Midsummer Classic and turning towards home for fantasy baseball season. While some league... Read More
Wil Myers Riding Six-Game Hitting Streak
San Diego Padres outfielder Wil Myers went 3-for-5 on Friday with a run and RBI against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Once relegated to the bench, Myers was given a fresh lifeline with the trade of Franmil Reyes and is riding a six-game hitting streak. The 28-year-old is enduring a brutal season, slashing .229/.323/.410 with 13... Read More
Nick Mullens Emerging As Quality Backup
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Nick Mullens continues to have a strong camp, per ESPN’s Nick Wagoner. The second-year Mullens was thrust into the limelight last season and performed solidly as a rookie, with 2,227 pass yards, 13 touchdowns and 10 picks in eight games. Although the starting job belongs to Jimmy Garoppolo (knee), Mullens appears... Read More
Niles Paul Cut By 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers cut tight end Niles Paul on Friday. With stud tight end George Kittle and rookie Kaden Smith in the fold, the Niners opted to waive the veteran and sign free-agent tight end Daniel Helm instead. Paul will likely get another shot with an NFL team but he’s miles from fantasy relevance.... Read More
Dee Ford Dealing With Knee Tendinitis
San Francisco 49ers defensive end Dee Ford is dealing with knee tendinitis. Ford was officially limited in practice but there shouldn’t be concern about his long-term health. The 28-year-old Ford recorded 13 sacks and seven forced fumbles with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2018 and was a prized free-agent signing for the Niners. If his... Read More
Matt Breida's Versatility On Display
San Francisco 49ers running back Matt Breida is getting reps in the passing game while continuing to show his explosiveness on the ground. ESPN’s Nick Wagoner tweeted that Breida was lining up “all over the place”, including kick returner. Breida proved his toughness in 2018 by playing through myriad injuries, racking up 1,075 scrimmage yards... Read More
Jimmy Garoppolo Told To Scramble Wisely
In seemingly contradictory statements, San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan indicated he wants quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (knee) to run more but also “never just look to scramble.” Garoppolo, recovering from ACL surgery, has been ruled out for the team’s first preseason game as he preps for a return to game action. Taking Shanahan’s comments... Read More
Josh Naylor Receives Vote Of Confidence
San Diego Padres outfielder Josh Naylor should get an extended audition in the big leagues with the departure of Franmil Reyes. Naylor, recalled from Triple-A on Thursday, will likely share left field duties with Wil Myers as a left-handed platoon bat. The 22-year-old Naylor has registered a .640 OPS with three homers in 116 plate... Read More
Joey Lucchesi Victimized By Bullpen Meltdown
San Diego Padres starter Joey Lucchesi suffered his sixth loss Thursday against Los Angeles Dodgers, allowing four earned runs in 5 2/3 innings. The end result looks poor but Lucchesi was cruising before unraveling in the sixth inning, with the bullpen ultimately sealing his fate. The lefty yielded four hits and three walks overall with... Read More
Hunter Renfroe Launches Homer Number 30
San Diego Padres outfielder Hunter Renfroe cranked his 30th home run Thursday against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Renfroe continued his dominance of left-handed pitching by taking starter Clayton Kershaw deep for a solo shot, his only hit in five plate appearances. With the trade of Franmil Reyes, Renfroe is back full-time in his native right... Read More
Kyle Juszczyk And Jeffery Wilson Held Out Of Practice Tuesday
San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk (foot) and running back Jeffery Wilson (calf) were held out of practice Tuesday. Juszczyk appears in no danger of missing meaningful practice time and is a lock to make the roster as one of the few pure fullbacks left in football. With 30 catches last season, Juszczyk will have... Read More
Jerick McKinnon Could Be Activated Thursday
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan suggested running back Jerick McKinnon (knee) could be activated from the PUP on Thursday. McKinnon, who missed all of 2018 with a torn ACL will look to receive his first meaningful snaps with the Niners while battling with Tevin Coleman and Breida for playing time. The versatile McKinnon... Read More
Jalen Hurd Showing Fiery Side Early On
San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver Jalen Hurd isn’t backing down to veteran bantering early in training camp. The third-round pick was recently involved in two altercations, after which head coach Kyle Shanahan indicated he doesn’t endorse fights but supports guys getting “competitive and angry”. Hurd will need to straddle that line while battling amongst... Read More
Franmil Reyes Traded To Cleveland
The Cleveland Indians have acquired outfielder Franmil Reyes, per The Athletic’s Dennis Lin. In a three-way trade, the Indians are shipping starter Trevor Bauer to the Cincinnati Reds for outfielder Yasiel Puig and receive Reyes and pitcher Logan Allen from San Diego. The deal sends the Reds No. 1 prospect Taylor Trammell to the Friars.... Read More
Taylor Trammell Traded To Padres
The Padres have acquired Cincinnati Reds prospect outfielder Taylor Trammell, per The Athletic’s Dennis Lin. As part of a three-team deal, the Friars will ship outfielder Franmil Reyes, pitcher Logan Allen and infielder/outfielder Victor Nova to the Cleveland Indians, The Reds receive stud starter Trevor Bauer in return. Trammell, the Reds No. 1 prospect and... Read More
Luis Urias Off To Sluggish Start Since Recall
Since being recalled on July 20, San Diego Padres second baseman Luis Urias is 1-for-16 and batting .075 overall in 2019. However, he has drawn four walks and scored four runs since returning. The Padres No. 2 prospect was absolutely raking in Triple-A, posting a .998 OPS, but has yet to acclimate to the big... Read More
Nick Bosa, Deebo Samuel Sign Four-Year Deals
The San Francisco Giants signed defensive end Nick Bosa and wide receiver Deebo Samuel on Thursday. With four-year deals, the Niners first two picks of 2019 will have a full training camp to prep for the season. Bosa, the second overall pick out of Ohio State was a beast with 17.5 sacks and 29 tackles... Read More
Eric Lauer Can't Survive Three Frames
San Diego Padres starter Eric Lauer was awful on Thursday, lasting just 2 1/3 innings against the New York Mets. It was death by a thousand cuts for Lauer who yielded six hits and three walks that led to four earned runs. Lauer has been volatile this season, with both spectacular starts and forgettable clunkers.... Read More
C.J. Beathard And Kendrick Bourne On Bubble
The San Francisco Chronicle’s Eric Branch believes quarterback C.J. Beathard and wide receiver Kendrick Bourne are at risk of not making the team in 2019. Beathard has appeared in 13 games in his two-year career and was next man up last year after Jimmy Garoppolo (knee) went down. However, after posting a disappointing 8:7 touchdown-to-interception... Read More
Matt Strahm Rediscovering Groove From Bullpen
San Diego Padres reliever Matt Strahm picked up his fourth win Wednesday against the New York Mets. Spelling starter Dinelson Lamet, Strahm completed two perfect frames, fanning four. Since returning to the bullpen, Strahm has flourished with a 1.59 ERA and eight strikeouts across 5 2/3 innings. While he might make a handful of spot... Read More
Dinelson Lamet's Value Capped By Managed Workload
San Diego Padres starter Dinelson Lamet allowed two earned runs but lasted just four innings Wednesday against the New York Mets. Lamet was pulled after 80 pitches, missing out on his first victory despite striking out six. He relinquished four hits and a walk. Through four starts since returning from Tommy John surgery, Lamet has... Read More
Michel Baez Tosses Scoreless Inning In Debut
San Diego Padres reliever Michel Baez recorded a scoreless inning in his major league debut Tuesday. Baez limited the New York Mets to a single in his middle-relief appearance to kick off his career. The Padres No. 5 prospect and No. 70 in baseball was recently promoted from Double-A where he registered a 2.00 ERA... Read More
Chris Paddack Inefficient In Queens
San Diego Padres starter Chris Paddack was ineffective on Tuesday, allowing three earned runs in a loss against the New York Mets. The fiery rookie needed 88 pitches to survive five innings, yielding five hits and two walks. He struck out four and served up two critical long balls to veteran second baseman Robinson Cano.... Read More
Tevin Coleman In Driver's Seat
The Athletic’s Matt Barrows expects San Francisco 49ers running back Tevin Coleman to head the charge in 2019. Having formerly worked with head coach Kyle Shanahan in Atlanta, Coleman’s incumbent role shouldn’t be a surprise after his signing this offseason. The dual-threat Coleman tallied 1,076 scrimmage yards and nine touchdowns in 199 touches last season... Read More
