Fantasy Baseball from Prospect361.com

The following players are discussed:1. Tyler Black (Mil)2. Kyle Manzardo (Cle)3. Frederick Bencosme (Bal)4. Cole Carrigg (Col)5. Ralphy Valazquez (Cle)6. AJ Blubaugh (Hou)7. Jaden Hamm (Det)

Fantasy Baseball Live – April 21, 2024Segment 1 – Review of the weekend gamesAdditional Questions:1.Blake Snell – Yikes!2.Yariel Rodriguez – Another nice outing. What’d think?3.As you know, I liked Maysn Winn better than Jordan Walker, but I didn’t expect Walker to be this bad. What happened? His strikeout is up; he’s showing zero power (.283 SLG). WOW!4.Will Shota Imanaga be a better fantasy option than Yamamoto?5.Max Scherzer will start a rehab this week. Maybe 3 weeks or so?Segment 2 – Waiver WireSegment 3 – Closer ReportClose

Take 10 with Tim – April 19, 2024 – 8 am ET1.    We had two big prospects get the call and make their MLB Debut.  Are you interested in either player?a.    Andy Pagesi.    Does he get full-time at-bats?  If so, what does the outfield in LAD look like?b.    Jack Leiteri.    He was a little shaky on his first start against a Quad-4 lineup.2.    The Red Sox pitching duo of Kutter Crawford (21.1 IP, 0.42 ERA, 10 K/9, 3.4 BB/9, 0 wins) and Tanner Houck (26.2 IP, 1.35 ERA, 9.5 K/9, 0.68 BB/9 3 wins), have been terrific.  Are you buying their starts?3.    What one or two players that you drafted that you wish you would have left for someone else?4.    Who is your early personal MVP on your teams.  A guy you believed in and took earlier than others?5.    We have passed the 10% mark on the season.  What advice do you have for fantasy managersa.    Managers who are doing well.b.    Managers who are struggling.6.    Over-Under gamea.    Mike Trout – 35 home runs (currently has 8)b.    Mike Trout – 15 stolen bases (5)c.    Brice Turang – 40 steals (9)d.    CJ Abrams – 25/25 (5 and 3) – Has he become a Top 5 SS (drafted 9th).  Witt, Gunnar, Abrams??e.    Jordan Westburg – 25/15 (4 and 2)f.    Jared Jones – 200 strikeouts (32 K’s in 23 innings)g.    Reid Detmers – 200 strikoeuts (30 K’s in 22.2 innings)h.    Kyle Finnegan – 30 saves (7 currently) – Who would have thunk it!7.    Esteury Ruiz.  He got the call – hit a pitch hit home run the day of the call.  Two days later, he hit another one (a bomb that went 412 feet and left the bat at 109.8 MPH).  He also stole a base.a.    What’s going on here?b.    Why does their field manager, Kotsay, not seem excited for the kid?8.    Did you hear the interview with Peter Fairbanks?  If not, here it is.  Rich Wilson on X: "Kind of hard not to like Peter Fairbanks after this." / X (twitter.com)a.    So refreshing to hear a player say that he sucks.b.    Ok, are you worried?  Who should fantasy managers be picking up in case he really does suck?9.    What hitter are you targeting for this weekend’s FAAB?10.    What pitcher are you targeting for this weekend’s FAAB?

The following players are discussed:1. Joey Loperfido (Hou)2. Andy Pages (LAD)3. Abimelec Ortiz (Tex)4. Luke Keaschell (Min)5. Lazaro Montes (Sea)6. Santiago Suarez (TB)

Fantasy Baseball Live – April 14, 2024Segment 1 – Review Weekend GamesAdditional Questions and Observations1.Holliday has been struggling and over his first three games he’s 0 for 11 with seven strikeouts. Please ease the nerves of Holliday’s fantasy managers.2.Talk about struggling, Maikel Garcia has been struggling. Do you think he’ll be dropped from the top of the lineup? Demoted??3.Yariel Rodriguez started Saturday’s game and looked great. 3.2 IP 1 ER, 6K.a.Kevin Gausman continues to struggle. At least his velo was back. He’s got NY this week. Do you sit him?4.Bobby Miller hits the IL with shoulder inflammation. Of course, he did.5.Ronel Blanco gave up a run. I didn’t think this was allowed…6.Your call on MacKenzie Gore continues to look really good. He was great on Saturday. Granted it was against the A’s, but the stuff looks great. Is he starting to put it together?7.Talk about great. How about Nick Lodolo’s first outing of the season? In 5.2 IP, he gave up one hit and struck out 10! Holy Moly. Can this guy stay healthy?Segment 2 – Waiver WireSegment 3 – Closer ReportClose

Take 10 with Tim – April 12, 2024 at 8 am ET1.    Jackson Holliday gets the call.  Kind of makes you wonder why he didn’t just go North with the team?a.    Stat line for 2024 – HR, SB, BA2.    Four hitters off to hot starts – Should we be buying into this?a.    Tyler O’Neill (ADP=221) - .343/.489/.857, 6 HR, 10K/8BBb.    Ryan McMahon (223) – .383/.464/.553, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 12K/8BBc.    Alex Kiriloff (356) – .324/.385/.647, 1 HR, 5K/3BBd.    Dominic Canzone (486) – .233/.303/.567, 3 HR3.    Four pitchers off to hot starts – Should we be buying into this?a.    Tanner Houck (393) – 12 IP, 2 wins, 0.00 ERA, 17K/2BBb.    Brady Singer (428) – 13.1 IP, 1 win, 0.68 ERA, 14K/2BBc.    Cody Bradford (483) – 19.1 IP, 3 wins, 1.40 ERA, 17K/2BBd.    Paul Blackburn (486) – 13 IP, 1 win, 0.00 ERA, only a 4.85 K/94.    Five hitters off to slow starts – Should we be worried?a.    Ronald Acuna (1) - .256/.383/.308, 0 HR, 4 SB, 13K/7BBb.    Julio Rodriguez (3) - .196/.255/.216, 0 HR, 2 SB, 18K/3BBc.    Nolan Jones (49) - .157/.246/.235, 0 HR, 1 SB, 23K/4BB, 40% K-Rated.    Paul Goldschmidt (76) - .182/.294/.250, 0 HR, 0 SB, 16K/6BBe.    Henry Davis (234) - .156/.293/.219, 0 HR, 0 SB, 12K/6BB5.    Five pitchers off to slow starts – Should we be worried?a.    Luis Castillo (32) – 15.2 IP, 0 wins, 6.89 ERA, ERA, 18K/4BBb.    George Kirby (39) – 14.1 IP, 1 win, 8.16 ERA, 13K/2BBc.    Jesus Luzardo (86) – 15 IP, 0 wins, 7.20 ERA, 17K/9BBd.    Zach Eflin (83) – 17 IP, 1 win, 6.35 ERA, 15K/2BBe.    Joe Musgrove (106) – 18.1 IP, 1 win, 6.87 ERA, 17K/7BB6.    I decided not to start Ryan Weathers against the Yankees, and of course, he pitched well and got the win.  I like him, but the strand rate is pretty high as he’s walking too many.  What should fantasy managers think for the season?  Stat line: ERA, WHIP, Ks and Wins7.    Dylan Cease is off to a strong start.  How are you feeling about him the rest of the way?  Is he more the pitcher of 2022 or 2023?8.    I was going to ask if Dylan Cease is a sell-high guy.  Let me ask you this?  Is there such a thing as a sell-high pitcher anymore?  You can argue with pitching as thin as it is, why would you sell anyone?  What’s your thinking on this long-held fantasy adage?9.    Which one hitter will you be targeting in this weekend’s FAAB?10.    Which one pitcher will you be targeting in this weekend’s FAAB?

The following players were discussed:1. Heston Kjerstad (Bal)2. Agustin Ramirez (NYY)3. Cam Collier (Cin)4. Rayne Doncon (Min)5. Yariel Rodriguez (Tor)6. Chase Dollander (Col)

Rich and Tim discuss Major League Baseball's pitching crisis

Segment 2 – Review of this weekend’s games Segment 3 – Waiver Wire Segment 4 – Closer Report

Take 10 with Tim – April 5, 20241.Five hitters with hot starts – Which ones are you buying?a.Maikel Garcia - .280, 3 HR, 7 RBI,1 SB, 7K/1BB.b.Michael Conforto - .391, 3 HR, 7 RBI, 7K/2BB.c.Jarren Duran - .393, 0 HR, 6 SB, 6K/2BBd.Brice Turang - .438, 0 HR, 6 SB, 5K/1BBe.Luis Campusano - .400, 1 HR, 7 RBI, 1K/0BBf.Jeremy Pena - .400, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 3K/1BB2.Five pitchers with hot starts – Which ones are you buying?a.Shane Bieber – 12 IP, 10 hits, 0 ER, 20K/1BBb.Garrett Crochet – 13 IP, 8 hits, 2 ER, 16K/1BBc.Nick Pivetta – 11 IP, 8 hits, 1 ER, 13K/1BBd.Aarron Civale – 12 IP, 8 hits, 2 ER, 14K/2BBe.Clay Holmes – 4.1 IP, 3 runs, 0 ER, 2 HB, 1K/0BB, 3 saves (leads the league)3.Four disappointing starts from hitters – Which ones concern you?a.Evan Carter – 0 for 15, 1 SB, 2K/6BBb.Anthony Rendon – 0 for 19, 5K/1BBc.Ramon Urias – 0 for 13, 1K/1BB – Jackson Holliday is hitting .400 with 2 HRsd.Kris Bryant – 1 for 19, 10K/2BB4.Three disappointing starts from pitchers – Which ones concern you?a.Mitch Keller – 2 starts, 6.55 ERA, 8K/4BBb.Michael King – 2 games, 6.14 ERA, 11K/10BBc.AJ Puk – 2 starts, 9.00 ERA, 6K/9BB5.The Yankees, Tigers and Angels are leading their respective divisions after the first week in the American League. The Braves, Pirates, and Dodgers in the National League.a.I don’t think anyone is buying the Angels, but what about the Pirates and Tigers?6.We had a no-hitter from some guy named Ronel Blanco. What’s your take here? Will he be a target this weekend for you? How much are you will to spend?7.The Pirates acquired Joey Bart after the Giants placed him on waivers. a.Bart has just not developed. Did this surprise you?b.Does this concern you that Henry Davis will lose playing time?8.Were you surprised that the A’s sent down Esteury Ruiz? Both the manager and GM were adamant that they wanted him to be selective at the plate.9.What hitter will you be targeting for this weekend’s FAAB?10.What pitcher will you be targeting for this weekend’s FAAB?

The following players are discussed:1. Shota Imanaga (CHC)2. Jackson Chourio (Mil)3. Braden Shewmake (CHW)4. Kyle Harrison (SF)5. Jared Jones (Pit)6. Yoshinobu Yamamoto (LAD)7. Paul Skenes (Pit)8. Owen Caissie (CHC)9. Junior Caminero (TB)10. Jackson Holliday (Bal)11. Connor Norby (Bal)12. Jack Leiter (Tex)13. Carson Whisenhunt (SF)14. Quinn Priester (Pit)15. Joey Loperfido (Hou)

Join us at Patreon.com/Prospect361 for ad-free podcast and tons of great Dynasty League and traditional one-year fantasy baseball information.Notes:Segment 1 – Review games of the weekendAdditional Notes1.Phew – Yamamoto had a better game on Saturday.2.Oswaldo Cabrera is off to a strong start. 3.Mookie Betts is also off to a strong start.4.Brice Turang and CJ Abrams are leading the league in three stolen bases.5.The Yankees have taken three straight from the AstrosSegment 2 – News and Notes1.Royce Lewis is out with a quad injury and will be re-evaluated in a month. They promoted Austin Martin, but I assume Willi Castro gets the at-bats. Is there enough playing time for you to recommend Martin?a.Is Royce Lewis the next Byron Buxton? Tons of talent but just can’t stay healthy/2.Sean Murphy made it through seven innings before injuring his LAT and will be out for a while. I assume Travis D’Arnaud is the guy?3.Justin Steele is hitting the IL, and the Cubs are promoting Ben Brown. A lot of people are excited about this. Are you?4.Can we conclude that Esteury Ruiz is a platoon outfielder…and on the wrong side?5.Jackson Holliday went 3 for 4 and missed the cycle by a triple. Three balls were hit over 100 MPH. He did make an error, though, so I guess the Orioles are right—he needs more time in the minor leagues.Segment 3 – Waiver WireSegment 4 – Closer Report

Take 10 with Tim – March 29, 2024 – 9 am1.Opening Day Game - Reflections2.What team will be this year’s Baltimore Orioles – A team that appears to have turned the corner?3.Give me three bold predictions for the 2024 Seasona.The Pirates make the playoffs, or at a minimum are relevant into late August.b.Jackson Chourio hits 20 home runs and steals 40 bases and will be a first-round pick in 2025.c.Shane Bieber wins the AL CY Youngd.Victor Scott takes over center field for Dylan Carlson and plays so well, that Carlson gets Wally Pipp. Oh yeah, Scott steals 50 bases and is this season Esteury Ruiz.e.Ceddanne Rafaela finishes is a finalist in ROY voting.4.Fantasy Award Predictionsa.A hitter that jumps up into the top echelonb.A pitcher that jumps into the top echelonc.A hitter and a pitcher that nobody is talking about today, that everyone will be at the end of the season5.Annual Awards Predictions (Favorite and Dark Horse) – This will count as two questionsa.ROYi.American Leagueii.National League b.CY Youngi.American Leagueii.National Leaguec.MVPi.American Leagueii.National League6.Post Season Predictiona.American League Champions Seriesb.National League Championship Seriesc.World Series7.What one hitter are you targeting for Sunday’s FAAB?8.What one pitcher are you targeting for Sunday’s FAAB?

Segment 1 – The WeatherSegment 2 – PercotaSegment 3 – 12 things I’m anxious to see this season1.How do Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery get along this season? – Discuss the whole Broas setup this offseason and their having big seasons could go a long way to re-establishing Boras as the elite of elite agencies. If not, there might be a sea change in agency representatives.2.Did the off-season training for Shane Bieber, Casey Mize, and Ryan Weathers truly make them better pitchers, or is this just Spring Training noise?3.Giancarlo Stanton looks physically great, but will that translate into success on the field? He is the active leader in career home runs at 402 and still has a solid shot at 500. However, he’s 34, so he needs to have a bounce back year in order to stay on that pace.4.Does Wyatt Langford pull a Mike Trout. There is not only some physical resemblance, but both made the minor leagues look easy and moved through quickly. Trout was a high school kid, but Langford is an older college player.5.Will the Orioles outsmart themselves with Jackson Holliday? Will he stay down longer than we all think? I’ll explain.a.If he finishes in the Top 2 of ROY, then he automatically gets a year of service credited. b.If he doesn’t start the year on the 40-man, the Orioles can not get a draft pick if he finishes in the Top 3 of ROY voting.c.Bring up the signing of Tony Kemp.6.Which Rookie not named Langford or Yamamoto will be Rookie of the Year?7.Does Maikel Garcia add more power? 8.Will Estuery Ruiz be a true one-hit wonder? a.Will he get full-time playing time?b.There have been rumors of improved plate patience. Is that real?c.Side note – Is Victor Scott II going to be Estuery Ruiz 2.0?9.Is Jarred Kelenic any good?10.Will Nolan Jones take the next step, or will that .401 BABIP cause such a correction that managers who drafted him in the fourth round, are not going to be happy?11.How good will Yamamoto be?12.Is Gerrit Cole going to be ok or will he join the TJ Club?a.Will Carlos Rodon and Nestor Cortes return their 2022 form?b.Will Juan Soto have that magical season where he hits 50 home runs and drives in 120 with 120 runs scored?

Fantasy Baseball Live – March 24, 2024 – 12:30 pm ETSegment 1 – News and Notes1.The Ohtani Saga – I’ve written about this and even recorded a podcast on it. Would you care to weigh in?2.Any takeaways from the Korean Series?3.Blake Snell finally found a home earlier this week and will join the Giants’ staff sometime in April. I’m torn. I love where he landed, but I just hate the setup for fantasy managers. A new team, and rushing to get ready just doesn’t feel good.a.Your thoughts?4.The Mets signed JD Martinez to a one-year, $12 million deal. Have the early shares of Mark Vientos expired worthless?a.JD Martinez hit 33 home runs last season. How many does he hit this season?i.Note: His exit velocity has been up and down over the past few years, but last year it was 93.4 MPH with a hard hit rate of 55% and a launch of 16.9 degrees.5.Wyatt Langford starts the season in Texas, and Jackson Holliday will call Norfolk his home.a.Are the Orioles just being cheap? When do we see him in Baltimore?6.Max Meyer also makes the Opening Day roster. Any interest?7.The Rangers signed Michael Lorenzen to a one-year, $4.5 million contract. He’ll be starting at least early in the season. Any interest?Segment 2 – Waiver WireSegment 3 – Closer ReportClose

Rich breaks down the Ohtani mess and what it could mean for baseball and all involved. He also discusses the latest on the coup occurring at the MLB Players Association. Finally, he reviews Yamamoto's first outing.

Outfield1.Tommy Edman drops2.Wyatt Langford has to make the Ranger's opening-day lineup, doesn’t he? 3.Parker Meadows looks like a legitimate ROY candidate. 4.Ceddanne Rafael has to break camp in Boston?5.Lawrence Butler having a good Spring and right now has to move up from his current #140 ranking.Starting Pitching 1.The following in my Top-30 in order are all hurt and likely to start the year on the IL. Garrett ColeKevin GausmanKodai SengaEury PerezKyle BradishJustin VerlanderIn addition both Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery haven’t signed. Other injuriesGavin Williams #41Braxton Garret #43Lucas Giolito #61Alek Manoah #104•On a positive note Shane Bieber has looked great and needs to move up. Luis Severino has had a very good Spring as well. •Casey Mize needs to move up. A.J. Puk at #130 looks poised to start the year in the rotation. The only healthy starter in Miami that was projected to be in the rotation is Jesus Luzardo???•Paul Skenes looks to be ready. The Pirates aren’t. I returned to my 2023 SP Rankings, and 18 of the top 50 are currently hurt. One is suspended, and two are unsigned. Only 3 of the Top-10 starters heading into 2023 will start the ’24 campaign. Relief Pitching The loss of Devin Williams has moved the Brewers pen from the #1 slot to a bottom five ranking.

Segment 1 - News and Notes1.Gerrit Cole has been shut down for a month with nerve inflammation in his pitching elbow. He will pick up a ball at that point to test things. a.This blows for people who drafted Cole in the first round.b.Who gets the starts for the Yankees?2.Eury Perez's elbow is also barking, and he’s meeting with a surgeon this week to get a diagnosis. a.Another top-10 pitcher is gone. This is when I would like you to discuss your pitching narrative below. Only three of the top-10 starters in 2023 will begin the 2024 season, and 18 of 50 are hurt.b.Who gets the starts in Perez’s absence?3.Devin Williams will be out for three months. Yikes. He was a top 3 closer off the board. Who do you pick up? – Miguel, Uribe, Payamps4.Taj Bradley will start the season on the IL with pectoral discomfort. Who gets his starts in Tampa?5.On a positive pitching note. Scherzer and Verlander are getting closer to picking up a baseball.6.There was a big trade this week with the Padres on the move again. They acquired Dylan Cease for Drew Thorpe (the second time he’s been traded this offseason), Jairo Irarate, Sammy Zavala, and Steven Wilson.a.Do you like the move for fantasy managers who have drafted Cease?b.Do you move up Thorpe in your rankings?c.c. The Padres do this a lot: trade for big names. Will it work this time? The last I looked, they were in the same division as the Dodgers.7.Shota Imanga has looked better than Yamamoto this spring. It had to said.Segment 2 – Updating Tim’s RankingsFirst Base1.I’d move Rhys Hoskins up ahead of Sal Perez. He’s having a good Spring. Second Base1.Drop Tommy Edman down below Gavin Lux. The wrist isn’t coming around and he is starting the season on the IL. It could turn out to be a long-term issue.2.Drop Zach McKinstry down into the 30’s. He won’t be a full-time bat. 3.Drop Jonathan India down. 4.Move Brendan Rodgers up into the mid-20’s. 5.Joey Ortiz at #65 moves up into the high 20’s with the trade to Milwaukee. 6.Drop Taylor Walls down. Starting the season on the IL. Third Base1.Drop Noelvi Marte. A reserve pick in 15-team ReDrafts. 2.It looks like the Joey Ortiz trade bumps Tyler Black down the board, as it should. 3.Colt Keith should slide up a few slots. Shortstop1.Oneil Cruz has to move up. 2.Jackson Merrill has to move up as it looks like he’s making the Padres as the CF. 3.Masyn Winn and Brice Turang should be bumped up.

The following players are discussed:1. Wyatt Langford (Tex)2. Parker Meadows (Det)3. Evan Carter (Tex)4. Kyle Manzardo (Cle)5. Colt Keith (Det)6. Bryan Rocchio (Cle)7. Nolan Schanuel(LAA)8. Jackson Holliday (Bal)9.Junior Caminero (TB)10. Nick Nastrini (CHW)11. Darrell Hernaiz (Oak)12. Colton Cowser (Bal)13. Ceddanne Rafaela (Bos)14. Chase DeLauter (Cle)15. Curtis Mead (TB)16. Brooks Lee (Min)17. Jackson Jobe (Det)18. David Festa (Min)19. Bryan Ramos (CHW)20. Justyn-Henry Malloy (Det)21. Will Warren (NYY)22. Clayton Beeter (NYY)23. Jonny Deluca (TB)24. Orelvis Martinez (Tor)25. Justin Foscue (Tex)26. Chase Hampton (NYY)27. Jack Leiter (Tex)

Segment 1 – Breakdown of Tim’s Tout Wars TeamSegment 2 – Overreacting to Spring Training Stats (What do we make of it)1. Miguel Andujar (OF, Oak) – 10 for 23, 4 HR, 10 RBI, .435/.458/.9572. James Wood (OF, Was) – 9 for 24, 3 HR, 6K/6BB., .375/.500/.7503. Wyatt Langford (OF, Tex) – 7 for 23, 4 HR, 9 RBI, 9K/4BB, .304/.414/.8264. Henry Davis (C, Pit) – 6 for 18, 3 HR, 8 RBI, 5K/2BB, .333/.381/.8335. Colton Cowser (OF, Bal) – 6 for 15, 3 HR, 7 RBI, 6K/3BB, .400/.550/1.0006. Ryan Bliss (OF, Sea) – 7 for 18, 3 SB, .389/.450/.4447. Ismael Munguia (OF, SF) – 9 for 13, 2 HR, 4 SB, .692/.714/.1.1548. Tylor Megill (RHP, NYM) – 8 IP, 4 hits, 1 HR, 13K/2BB9. Ryne Nelson (RHP, Ari) – 8 IP, 9 hits, 3 ER, 12K/1BB10. Jhony Brito (RHP, SD) – 8.1 IP, 9 hits, 3 ER, 10K/0BB