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Aug16 2021 Chat
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Brent Hershey
12:06
Welcome, all ... dog days are here with just 7 weeks left; lotsa things still happening. For many, standings points await ... so let's get to the questions!
Rich
12:09
Hi Brent. Time to cut bait on Bader in a 12-team mixed OBP league?  He looked great in July (82 CT%, 1.021 OPS), but his skills and results have cratered in August (61 CT%, .490 OPS). Any signs of an imminent turnaround that I might be missing?
Brent Hershey
12:09
Still kinda a Watchlist fave for me overall b/c the improvements have been seasons-long (when healthy). But in a 12-team mixer, especially if you're in the race, that August return of his notorious swing and miss is concerning. So yeah, there's probably better options out there at this point for you.
Ron
12:15
Hi Brent, thanks for answers to our nuanced questions. This is what makes me a HQ devotee. A pick 7 of 9 for ROS question: Would you cut Steele and Pineda in a deep weekly league where is W are heavily scored,  and keep 1. Rasmussen (upside and headed to 5IP), 2. Barria (solid), 3. Gil (he will get another start), 4. Mitch White (upside and headed to 5IP), 5. Cortes (pitching well and hard to cut despite crowded rotation), 6. Reynaldo Lopez (upside and headed to 5IP), and 7. Stripling (worth waiting for injury?)?
And an easier follow up: Brinson has more HR+RBI then Seth Brown ROS?
Brent Hershey
12:15
IMO, we need more nuance in many things right now. Easier question first ... Yes, I'm about ready to ride Brinson for now, esp w the power/speed potential combo he provides.
And for the rest, the two cuts from that list would be Gil (love the long-term talent, but don't think he'll get many opps for Yanks ROS) and likely Lopez (would question 'upside' given his lengthy rocky past). If you want to play the Reynaldo game, then Rasmussen would be next for me (just so hard to trust Rays w/ SP, esp in a Wins-heavy lg). Good luck ... seems like lots of risk there.
David
12:19
Brent thank you once again for your time, HQ Subscriber, What is you evaluation on Triston McKenzie as a keeper? Is he top or a middle rotation guy? This question is a little about yesterday, but as the latest player analysis he has been throwing strikes at an elite clip and FPK is pretty good. As always thank you
Brent Hershey
12:19
Appreciate the sub for sure ... I think McKenzie is more likely a middle-rotation guy b/c of inconsistency so far that I fear will continue. He'll always have that #2 upside, but will he be able to put it all together to reach it? He's young and has shown flashes of it, so it's possible — and why for right now, I think he's absolutely a keeper in case it clicks. But I'd also keep expectations in check by thinking of him as a high-K mid rotation type.
Mark
12:24
I'm out of contention in my AL-only Scoresheet league, so I'm collecting as many prospects as I can.  I'm torn on Bo Naylor.  Consistently gets high grades from this site (and many others), yet also has consistently underwhelming numbers year after year.  What is your opinion on him?
Brent Hershey
12:24
Well, I think he's worth collecting at this point, but wait until the season's over before making a keep or not decision. I still trust the high scouting grades coming into 2021, and when I saw him live in June there were some positives that let me to believe he could find his stroke again. Obv, has yet to happen -- but I'm willing to give him the 5 weeks left in the MiLB season to turn it around some and see if any other info comes out (hidden injury, some other issue, etc). Might be time to move on at that point, but again, if you've got roster room (which you probably do in your case, no harm in having him on it)
Vince
12:28
Top contender in 12-Tm, H2H Roto, but weak in HRs, Runs & RBIs and have been juggling 2B & 3B. ROS rank most value: Longoria, Toro, C Hernandez, B Rodgers, Kiki Hernandez, Lowrie, Sano, Wisdom. Any other WW IFs possibly that you like better? Thanks!
Brent Hershey
12:28
Really can't comment on your WW, but will rank these with HR/Runs/RBI in mind: Longo / Cesar / Rodgers / Kiké / Toro / Lowrie / Wisdom / Sanó. Seems to me Longo and Cesar (having underrated power season, and now in a better lineup) are standouts of this group.
Brian K
12:33
Hi Brent, Will we see Shane Baz from Tampa before the September Call ups if at all?
Brent Hershey
12:33
I think it's likely we see Baz at some point, given how the Rays work (aware of their MLB arms and spreading out their bullets for the postseason, but also having their best power arms available for October, etc). What role that would be in, and when it would happen is less clear to me. But he's killed it so far in six Triple-A starts (36/8 K/BB in 26 innings), so would be tough to say he's not ready
chass11
12:38
Is Tristan McKenzie the real deal going forward?
Brent Hershey
12:38
Recapping above ... Cautiously optimistic, and love that he's in the Indians coaching/development hands with the SP success they've had ... but a practical start-to-start consistency will be the key for him in reaching his ceiling. For example, in his 17 GS this year, he's had 6 outings with 0 or 1 ER allowed, and 6 outings with 5 or 6 ER allowed, and all are scattered throughout the season. Give me a six- or seven-start run of 0-2 ERs (or K/BB level) before I buy in totally.
Jim
12:40
Any chance of Mason Thompson rising up the relief ranks for the Nats by September? Or does his sinker-heavy arsenal limit him to set-up and those occasions where double plays are needed in the 6th and 7th?
Brent Hershey
12:40
Yes, there's a chance of him becoming a significant back-end bullpen piece over time, and a reason to track the Nats here late this year. Love this pickup for them, and he'll be attempting to prove himself out of the spotlight here in the final 7 weeks of the season.
Jim D
12:43
Hi Brent - saves choices - Colomé, bender, Floro, s Barlow - confusion re who's in in Miami, Colome is hold your nose choice - any wisdom to offer? Thanks much!
Brent Hershey
12:43
Yeah, would likely rank em in the order you have here if you only care about ROS saves (not a knock; just reality). Though wouldn't argue if Floro/Bender were flipped; agree that situation is tough to call. Didn't think the Barlow I'd prefer at this point in the season is Joe ... but here we are. :-)
Ron
12:45
Hi Brent, in H2H points league and we start 3 OF, I have Harper, Marte, Reynolds, Robert, and Pham. ROS outlook on Pham now that Tatis is in the OF mix
Brent Hershey
12:45
Yeah, I think that def affects Pham for sure; and likely puts him last on your 5-man depth chart. Your choice of Reynolds v Robert for #3 is one you'll be making for the rest of the year, I'd think.
Frank
12:48
Anything to get excited about Schwindel?  Pretty impressive past week or so.
Brent Hershey
12:48
I'm skeptical given his age and 'meh' track record. Though these guys do pop up in these situations from time to time (playing out the string on bad teams) and our power metrics like him in the small sample. Good park, obv ... could be a ROS fill-in if you're only looking for power, but doubt there's anything there long-term.
Infield Question
12:50
In a NL only 12 team Scoresheet league, and looking for some infield help in a supplemental draft. Who do you like better between Wilmer Difo and Jace Peterson?
Brent Hershey
12:50
Peterson fairly easily, esp given OBP and bb% history. Think his chances of PT down the stretch are better also.
Guest
12:53
looking for a Catcher to stream this week in a points league: currently have Garver, thinking about dropping for Diaz (Col) or  Stephenson (Cin). Any thoughts?  At DH, I am thinking between K'Bryan Hayes, Kolten Wong, or Luis Urias.  Thoughts on that?  Playoffs are on the line!!!
Brent Hershey
12:53
Our weekly hitter ratings love the Reds this week, so that would lean me towards Stephenson even though Diaz is at home. CIN also 7G vs. COL 6. Would probably go Wong over Hayes (again, K'B's matchups @LA @STL make for a tough week). Good luck!
Ron X
12:57
Hi Brent - H2H points league and have Aguilar and Cron at 1B Aguilar has been super consistent, but Cron at home this week. Looking for pearls of wisdom on what to do
Brent Hershey
12:57
Tough call ... Aguliar's consistency and 7G week probably tip the scales for me; though again by the weekly hitter ranks we do, COL is much higher, so wouldn't fault you to choose that route. But I'd lean volume in this case
JC
1:01
Huge week for me. Need 3 of these---Maeda, Snell (at Coors), Gil, Josiah Gray, E Hernandez---in order if you don't mind and thank you
Brent Hershey
1:01
I see it's Huge Week Week! Maeda / Gray / Snell / Elisier / Gil according to our ranks ... but could see bumping Snell for Elisier b/c of the venue. Good luck!
Save & HR needed
1:03
12-tm NL only.  Need saves (lost Hand) & offense (lost Mookie).  Kennedy & Jansen available.  Both have been shaky & Phils heating up.  Who best ROS?   Bellinger & Soler available, who gets more HR/RBI?
Brent Hershey
1:03
I would trust Jansen more ROS; Soler has finally got things rolling; we're still waiting on Bellinger. Woulda been crazy to say this in March, but seems like Soler might be the choice here.
JC
1:06
Thanks...but I forgot Ober...can you place him in the list above??
Brent Hershey
1:06
Our ranks love Ober this week .. he's an easy switch for Snell. Maeda/Gray/Ober.
Brent Hershey
1:06
Great Monday hour as always, gang! Find me and all of our great fantasy baseball content at BaseballHQ.com -- continue to grind even as that 'other sport' calls! Of course, feel free to reach out/ follow/ interact on Twitter @BrentHQ. See ya next week!
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