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Apr26 2021 Chat
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Brent Hershey
12:03
G-Monday, chatters! Thanks for coming out -- either in person or ahead of time. Reminder to help me out with context (league size, pool, diff categories, etc) for the best answers. And pick/rank a player from a list ALWAYS better than "give me a sleeper!" With the house now clean ... let's go!
Beano
12:04
Any word on Christian Walker?
And, if I may, any thoughts on the following as NL 5x5 injury fill-ins?:
12:06
mateo, DJ peters, j devers, ty Taylor, c Ray?
Brent Hershey
12:06
No inside scoop on Walker, unfortunately -- other than obliques are a pain and can linger. Like Mateo the best from that list, and I'd prob rank them in that same order. Exhibit A as to why only-leagues are tough (but rewarding!)
HarrytheK
12:08
In a weekly lineup league, stick with Ryu (glute injury) or roll with extra reliever who may get saves (Graveman) or Alex Wood (Rockies at home)?
Brent Hershey
12:08
Sure sounds like Ryu will be fine, but it's a tough call. Graveman gives you a really good option, esp if saves is a team need. I'm just not a Wood believer at this point (too much injury risk). Maybe he'll change my mind w a good start, and in that park.
Patrick
12:10
Hi Brent. Thoughts on Adolis Garcia, who is coming off a pretty scorching week?
Brent Hershey
12:10
I think he'll play, b/c of the TEX situation (Leody no doing it). There will be lots of Ks and BA risk, but power is legit and has some speed, too. I'd look to add and just hold if I can ... but for right now, not expect long-term (IE year-long or beyond) success w/ the holes in his swing. Fun player, tho.
Nicholas
12:13
Is Austin Meadows someone you would consider to be a cornerstone keeper player in leagues that are 10-12 teams? Or does playing for the Rays, who are never shy about being weird with playing time, diminish his value?
Brent Hershey
12:13
Meadows can do lots of things to help your fantasy team; I've got him rostered several places, including a keeper league. I think he's a borderline 10-12 team cornerstone type. But also feel like if he caught fire and became the player we thought, I trust the Rays to recognize that and not do weird playing-time games w/ him. They'll ride him — and actually, that might be your best indication to your question — IOW, follow closely how the Rays treat him in terms of everyday player or not.
Rich
12:18
Hi Brent. Thanks for chatting. What do I make of the new low-strikeout, softer-contact (86.3 MPH average EV) Matthew Boyd?  His ERA indicators are also over the map: FIP 2.98, Statcast xERA 3.27, xFIP 4.91, SIERA 4.68, BHQ xERA 4.55, actual ERA 1.82.  I’d sell high but I don’t think many people are buying. How can I decide which indicators to trust?  Should I expect an ERA in the 3’s or 4’s going forward?
Brent Hershey
12:18
This is one I'm watching closely for the reasons you state. Given the changes (so far -- remember it's early) to Boyd's profile, maybe this is what works for him? I'd keep trade discussions ongoing; and it would depend on your needs and what's offered back. BUT, if nothing suits you, fine to hold, too -- I do feel like a lg-average ERA is possible. Good test for him this week in Chicago vs. W Sox
Greg
12:22
AL Closer questions- I saw that Josh Staumont got a save this weekend and his stuff has been nasty this year so far. Do you see him getting more saves or possibly taking the closer role sometime in 2021? Also, Jordan Romano is back but gave up a few runs in his first game. Will Toronto slowly put him back in the closer role or do you see him and Dolis sharing the role going forward?
Brent Hershey
12:22
For right now, seems like both KC and TOR bullpens are going be committee affairs, which obv wreak all kinds of fantasy havoc. Where I can, I'm staying away from these, but realize it's not always possible. I was heavily in the Romano camp once Yates went down, but the Merryweather situation says to be that they're going to mix/match also. I don't feel confident that any one or two 'traditional' closers will emerge from those two clubs. I'm not against rostering Staumont or Romano ... but it's basically a guessing game on the weeks they might get saves.
Jack
12:25
What is your opinion on Tarik Skubal long-term? Taking up a dynasty league spot and not sure if his upside justifies it. Thanks
Brent Hershey
12:25
In a dynasty context (especially when you can bench him), have no problems with Skubal. Has the stuff to be a dominant pitcher, but will take some time. I think relating mechanics will be big (and tough, as it is will taller/lankier frames). But if he finds consistency there, control will improve and stuff could take off. In a dynasty context—right now—my opinion is it's worth waiting for.
Uncle Rico
12:31
Good morning, Brent! This read is my favorite part of my Monday.

Today, I ask about Jazz Chisholm. He seems to have a little Tatis to his game. How hard she fantasy baseball participants be working to acquire this guy, before it's too late?
Brent Hershey
12:31
I'm honored, Uncle! Jazz certainly has the Tatis flair, but I'm still a bit skeptical he can keep this up long-term. For profiles like his with lots of swing/miss, seeing how he performs over a longer season is paramount for me. See Luis Robert's 2020 monthly splits for instance. That's not to say he'll flop; and maybe amount of the power-speed combo will make the coming low BA moot. But certainly a fun player to root for, but I don't see the long-term impact on the Tatis level.
Jeff's Roommate
12:33
I'm in a league with both AVG and OBP as a category and can't get enough of players like Adam Frazier and Luis Arraez. Are these profiles appreciated enough?

Always love your insight!
Brent Hershey
12:33
Thanks! Given that unique scoring setup (I'd say in most leagues, it's either BA OR OBP), probably, no, those profiles don't get enough appreciation (for you). I'd just say given your setting, keep going and ID the players YOU know will do well in your format. Sounds like you're on the right track!
Frank the Tank
12:37
Hi, Brent. Rays fan here! I'm curious. When do you think we see Wander and Brujan in the big leagues? And does Tampa's success (winning games) make it more or less likely it happens this season? Sure seems like both could jolt TB's offense.
Brent Hershey
12:37
There's an argument to be made that both could really be ready -- and yes, the O could use a boost it seems. I'd have to think with Wander (more than Brujan), that they won't bring him up until they've committed to playing him every day. And that means committing to moving their other pieces around to make that happen (and deciding where his position will be for 2021). With Brujan, he could even come up first—has higher minors exp than Wander, could bounce around to several position in classic Rays fashion. In a purely winning games perspective, sure checks out that Wander>Wendle at 3B, and I would hope they realize that. But for now, we wait.
ToddimusOpolis
12:38
Hey Brent - Question on Eugenio Suarez. Leaguemate just dropped him.  10 team H2H weekly league with 12 hitter starter spots and 7 categories: AVG,  OBP, XBH,  HR, R, RBI and SB.  Was definitely thinking of picking him up even for the bench until he turns it around.  Anything else cause for concern or reasons I  shouldn't pick him up?? Thx!
Brent Hershey
12:38
No; you should be on this, esp if you have the bench room. Not the perfect player for your format, but should be plenty valuable.
Curious Jorge
12:42
A last minute question, hopefully before the buzzer sounds :-)

It seems like there's a trend of pitchers finding their best success after the age of 30. Some guys, at 34, 35, are throwing as well as ever.

In sports, older players are usually devalued and easier to obtain, especially in keeper leagues. In fantasy baseball, everyone loves the young, emerging aces. It sure seems as safe as ever to lean on guys like Scherzer and Kershaw, while also targeting guys like Maeda, Greinke, Lynn, and Eovaldi over the Anderson/Plesac/Luzardo types.

Thoughts?
Brent Hershey
12:42
Plenty o' time! While not making a blanket statement and just rushing to pick up every mid-30s pitcher, I do think your perspective has some merit, and is a area to exploit depending on how blinded your leagmuemates might be by the latest shiny new toy. Tip-toeing though the older injury risk pitchers is part of the equation—but being willing to take on some of that risk can work in your favor, also. I approve!
Reds Fan
12:43
Brent!! Kendall Graveman. How quickly does he become the dominant closer that we all need? =)
Brent Hershey
12:43
Like his chances out there better than some, give the CL landscape. He's also a hold if it would seem like Montero grabs the job (back?), as RM sure looks like a primo Dipoto trade candidate. Crazy how good Graveman has become, given his fungibility as a SP just a couple years ago. Great story.
Quagmire
12:45
HQ has done great work in sell-high/low bats the past couple weeks. Any buy-low bats you'd be targeting if your team needs offensive help?
Brent Hershey
12:45
Thanks; appreciate our subscriber support. Keep your eyes out for buy-low targets; they will be coming soon, not the least of which is through our 2021-based Fact/Fluke columns, which start up again in earnest on Saturday.
Frank
12:48
Mitch Garver isn't doing my team any favors (10-team, 5x5 w/ OBP, 1 C league) with his dreadful start. Some of the higher OBP guys available... Stallings, Murphy, Roberto Perez and Narvaez. How would you rank them as a replacement?
Brent Hershey
12:48
Yeah, I'm holding on Garver in several leagues (his underlying metrics still good) ... but most of those are 15-teamers with 2 C. In your context, worth exploring moving on. Narvaez is the hands-down leader of that group -- will not stay a this pace, but a long history of double-digit walk rates that should make him a plus-OBP contributor. Stallings is choice #2.
BADdoo?
12:50
It seems his strikeout rate is skyrocketing. So many skills! Is this just an anticipated adjustment period or should I be worried?
Brent Hershey
12:50
Yes; yes; and both. The next move is his; things move quickly in MLB. I'd feel better if his k% history in the minors wasn't so black.
Mugghead
12:53
Thanks again, Brent for taking the time to do this. I'm in a H2H points league and made the questionable choice of drafting both Sano AND Hiura this year. Any signs I can expect a turnaround from either/both of them?
Brent Hershey
12:53
Sano ... walk rate is up a bunch, and contact minutely better ... but wow, the rest is pretty rough.
Hiura ... amazing that his hit tool was his best attribute when coming up through the minors. I guess you can maybe lean on that as hope for a turnaround, but frankly it's currently flimsy. Unfortunately, lots of outs to likely continue from this duo in the short term. Prob not what you wanted to hear.
SP Searching
12:56
Any under the radar SP that could emerge? For example, what do you think about Luis Patino, Johan Oviedo, Spencer Howard, Corbin Martin, or any other current or recent minor league player contributing this year to a mixed league?
Brent Hershey
12:56
All are possible; those first two have me especially interested. Oviedo looked great in his only outing a few weeks back; will be watching his start on Wed. He's prob best bet here; Patino looked great yesterday but Rays could always mix/match his outings w/for a opener, etc. Howard/Martin are more stashes at this point for later; both with potential. Long season.
Dave
12:59
Zach Davies has been terrible. In NL only 5-by-5 league, Gomber, Gant, Fedde and Suter available. Would you drop Davies for any of these guys, and if so, in what order?
Brent Hershey
12:59
I'd probably take Gant first out of this group, and would consider Gomber, esp if you can reserve him when he's at home. Suter is also worth a look given his usage patterns. I've got a ways to go before I'm confident in Fedde.
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