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2208 - Outfield Sleepers Mar 10, 2024

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Fantasy Baseball Live – March 10, 2024
Segment 1 - News and Notes
1.Noelvi Marte gets suspended for 80 games to start the season after testing positive for a BAN PED. Given the length it takes to test, I’m wondering if he tested positive last season.
a.When sports leagues try to convince us that PEDs are out of their league, it seems like they are more hopeful or just trying to convince us that their product is clean. Your thoughts…is Marte an anomaly or just a young kid who got caught?
b.Break down the infield for the Reds to start the season.
2.It appears that Mookie Betts will gain SS eligibility after the Dodgers moved Gavin Lux to second with concerns about his ability to make the throw.
a.I know we people get excited about what Ohtani can do, but moving from the outfield back to shortstop after not playing there for years is pretty impressive. I’m not sure fans have a true appreciation for this.
b.Given this news, would you give pause to drafting Gavin Lux as a sleeper? It's not the lack of SS eligibility, but it appears he is not completely healthy.
3.Tommy Edman will start the season on the IL. Dylan Carlson gets another life. What about Victor Scott II?
4.Joey Votto signs a minor league deal with the Blue Jays. Any interest?
5.Nathaniel Lowe will start the season on the IL. It looks like Justin Foscue will get a chance. Also, this might give more confidence that Wyatt Langford will come North with the team. Although he’s been a monster this spring, keeping him down would be tough to do. Your thoughts?
a.What happens when Lowe returns?
6.Fascinating article this week in the Athletic from Rangers head physician Dr. Keith Meister (he’s the inventor of the brace elbow surgery). His position is that many of the injuries occurring with pitchers are now just not velocity, but the expanded use of sweepers and power change-up (turbo change-up). I surmised that added horizontal movement from sweepers would tax the arm, but the power change-up was something I had not considered. He said it came a lot from how hard the player had to squeeze the ball. When you look at the pitchers with the highest change-up velos, it’s a little scary.
7.Lucas Giolito has a UCL tear and is getting a second opinion, but TJS looks likely. This will be his second.
8.Mason Black could be start the season in the Giants rotation. Any interest?
Segment 2 – Outfield Sleepers – Please have five or so.
1.Jaren Duran (OF, Bos, ADP=167) – When I did my targets in December, his ADP was 200
2.Henry Davis (OF, Pit, 295) – When I did my targets in December, his ADP was 441
3.Riley Greene (OF, Det, 163) – He’s looking increasingly like he’ll start the season with full-time at-bats. Hits the ball hard with speed. Step up?
4.Dylan Crews (OF, Was, 570) – Yes, Wyatt Langford could be a monster, but people are forgetting about Crews and he’s free in drafts
5.Chase DeLauter (OF, Cle, 669) – He’s better than Ramon Laureano. Look for him in the second half.
6.Andy Pages (OF, LAD, 747) – I love the setup here despite no room at the inn.

2207 - National League Impact Rookies and Sleepers Mar 08, 2024

Show notes

The following players are discussed:

Yoshinobu Yamamoto (RHP, LAD)
Noelvi Marte (3B, Cin)
Jackson Chourio (OF, Mil)
Michael Busch (1B, CHC)
Maysn Winn (SS, STL)
Jung Ho-Lee (OF, SF)
Shota Imanaga (LHP, CHC)
Joey Ortiz (3B, Mil)
Kyle Harrison (LHP, SF)
Marco Luciano (SS, SF)
Pete Crow-Armstrong (OF, CHC)
Gavin Stone (RHP, LAD)
Dylan Crews (OF, Was)
Tyler Black (3B, Mil)
Paul Skenes (RHP, Pit)
Jordan Lawlar (SS, Ari)
James Wood (OF, Was)
Jackson Merrill (OF, SD)
Jared Jones (RHP, Pit)
Andy Pages (OF, LAD)

2206 - Shortstop and Thirdbase Sleepers Mar 06, 2024

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Segment 2 - Infield Sleepers – One or two at each position. Mine are listed.
d. Shortstop
i. Brayan Rocchio (Cle, #47)
ii. Darrell Hernaiz (Oak, #53)
iii. Jackson Merrill (SD, #48) – He’s been moved to the outfield and this should make an easier path to the Majors
e. Third Base
i. Ke’Bryan Hayes (Pit, #17)
ii. Maikel Garcia (KC, #21)
iii. Bryan Ramos (CHW, #66)
Segment 3 – When will these rookies make their debut and where should they really be taken
1. Jackson Chourio (Mil, 148 ADP)
2. Wyatt Langford (Tex, 154)
3. Jackson Holliday (Bal, 197)
4. Junior Caminerio (TB, 235)
5. Kyle Harrison (SF, 273)
6. Jordan Lawlar (Ari, 359)
7. Paul Skenes (Pit, 364)
8. Kyle Manzardo (Cle, 408)
9. Tyler Black (Mil, 455)
10. Drew Thorpe (SD, 598)
11. Colton Cowser (Bal, 602)
12. River Ryan (LAD, 743)

2205 - Sleepers for Catchers, First Base, and Second Base Mar 03, 2024

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Segment 1 - News and Notes
1.Ronald Acuna tweaked his knee, and it was bad enough to do an MRI that revealed only inflammation.
a.What do you do with this news if you have an upcoming draft?
2.Some players in danger of missing opening day – We will talk about each player/situation
a.Alex Manoah and Yariel Rodriguez – Who would the Blue Jays turn to for the fifth starter?
b.Vaughn Grissom – Who would get the second base reps?
c.Justin Verlander has yet to throw in Spring Training
d.Gunner Henderson is still recovering from his oblique injury but has started taking batting practice
e.
3.The Giants sign Matt Chapman to a 3-year, $54 million contract.
a.Thoughts on the signing
b.Who looses playing time in San Francisco
4.Yamamoto started his first Spring Training game and looked good – 2 IP, 1 hit, 2 K’s, 0 BB
Segment 2 - Infield Sleepers – One or two at each position. Mine are listed.
a.Catcher
i.Luis Campusano (SD, #17 catcher off the board)
ii.Drew Romo (Col, #68)
b.First Base
i.Rhys Hoskins (Mil, #19)
ii.Kyle Manzardo (Cle, #32)
c.Second Base
i.Gavin Lux (LAD, #24)
ii.Thomas Saggese (STL, #57)

2204 - National League Prospect Sleepers Mar 01, 2024

Show notes

The following players are discussed:

Thomas White (LHP, Mia)
Christian Scott (RHP, NYM)
Sal Stewart (3B, Cin)
Carlos F. Rodriguez (RHP, Mil)
Jansel Luis (SS/2B, Ari)
Thayron Liranzo (C/1B, LAD)
Rayner Arias (OF, SF)

2203 - Reviewing an expert draft of LABR Feb 28, 2024

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Rich interviews Tim McLeod about his LABR Draft last week.

2202 - Pitching Sleepers Feb 25, 2024

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Segment 1 – News and Notes
1.Help me understand the Marlins signing of Tim Anderson. He’s there starting shortstop after posting a .245/.286/.296 slash line. That’s a .296 SLG! Nothing in his data points to a bounce back. Tim, what are they doing?
2.Riley Greene and Manny Machado were both questionable entering spring training but are scheduled to make their debuts next week. Are you moving them up in your draft rankings?
3.The Pirates signed a player! Mitch Keller signed a 5-year, $77 million contract this week. It seems pretty cheap, given how little pitching there is.
a.Stat line for 2024 – IP, Ks, and ERA
4.Yuki Matsui looked impressive on Thursday. He struck out the side in 12 pitches. Remind everyone of your view on the Padres bullpen situation.
5.Casey Mize appears to be ready to go this spring, and few people are talking about him. He was a target of mine in Dynasty League startups, as people seem to have forgotten about him. After all, he was drafted 1:1 just a few years ago. Your thoughts on him?
a.BTW, did you see that Skubal was throwing 100 MPH last week?
6.Kodai Senga. Yikes. Any early thoughts on who the Mets will turn to?
7.Aaron Judge this week said that his injured toe will require “constant maintenance” for the REST OF HIS CAREER! What? Do you downshift at all on him at the draft table? What about in Dynasty Leagues?
a.Speaking of the Yankees…did you see Giancarlos Stanton? He looks like he lost 40 pounds.
Segment 2 – Pitcher Sleepers.
We will start to lay out our sleeper for the year. Please come up with five guys. My guys are below with a few extras.
1.Pablo Lopez (Min, 37.6) – Ace-level quality that you can get in the third round
2.Shane Bieber (Cle, 140.59) – His velo has taken a tick up this season, and that has been a problem for him over the past couple of years. I’ll take a gamble in the 9th round.
3.Nestor Cortes (NYY, 238.31) – Cortes’ data looks great and if he can stay healthy, he’s a steal in 15 to 16th round.
4.Casey Mize (Det, 415) – If he’s healthy, there are some pitch changes he’s made that should play well.
5.Christian Scott (NYM, 644) – With the injury to Senga, I like the setup for Scott this season.
6.Nick Nastrini (CHW, 665) – Four pitches, fastball up to 96. He’s a bit of a fly-ball hitter, and that could be problematic in Chicago, but overall, there is a #3 starter upside.
7.Cade Povich (Bal, 809) – The Orioles will need pitching help this season and I believe Povich could help. It’s a 94 to 95 MPH fastball with a high spin from the left side. He just needs to throw more strikes.
Close

2201 - AL Prospect Sleepers Feb 23, 2024

Show notes

The following players are discussed:

Henry Lalane (NYY)
Santiago Suarez (TB)
Enmanual Bonilla (Tor)
Yariel Rodriguez (Tor)
Bryan Rocchio (Cle)
David Festa (Min)
Echedry Vargas (Tex)

2200 - Closer and DH Preview Feb 20, 2024

Show notes

Fantasy Baseball Live – February 18, 2024
Segment 3 - DH Preview
Segment 4 - Closer Preview
Close

2199 - Top 10 mistakes to avoid at the draft table Feb 18, 2024

Show notes

Fantasy Baseball Live – February 18, 2024
Segment 1 – 10 mistakes to avoid at the draft table
1.Here are my five
a.Don’t fall in love with a player and overdraft him.
b.With catchers and pitchers reporting, it’s time to downshift on the big five Boras clients who have not signed.
c.I know people are buying into the hype of Yamamoto, and he could be great. Be careful not to overdraft him, as he’s yet to pitch in the major leagues. He’s going as a fantasy ace. Just understand the risk if you make the pick.
d.Best shape of my life translate into (I might have screwed up last season). I put on 20 pounds of muscle many times, translating to putting on weight (some good, some bad). VS. My fastball has increased velo by a meaningful amount. I’m going to add more launch to hit more home runs.
i.Look for tangible changes, not platitudes, to alter your draft plan.
e.If you don’t like a player, don’t draft him, no matter what others say. I will retell my Yasmanny Tomas story.
Segment 2 - News and Notes
1.The spring has started off very poorly for the Orioles
a.John Means admits he’ll likely start on the IL
b.Even worse, Kyle Bradish has a torn UCL. He received a PRP injection and hopes to pitch again after rest and rehab. Uh oh...
2.The D-Backs sign Randal Grichuk. Any interest? Who loses playing time?
3.Josh Jung has been pushed back 2 to 3 weeks with a left calf strain. Any concerns?
a.Does Justin Foscue get a chance this season?
4.With the addition of Dan Voglebach to the Blue Jays, A lot of online mems going around about the size of some of the Blue Jays (Vlad, Kirk, and Manoah)
a.That said, Vlad has lost weight, and Manoah also looks to have. Thoughts?
5.Whitt Merrifield signs with the Phillies for $8 million, and it looks like he’ll be the super-sub.
a.Stat line for 2024 – AB, HR, SB and BA
6.With the injury news and possible trade involving Kenley Jansen all over the place, you are suggesting people pick up Chris Martin. Can you elaborate?

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