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August31 2020 Chat
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Brent Hershey
12:04
Let's hit it crew ... the news is fast and furious; so I'll get to as many of these as I can.
12:05
Oh and the current line on AJ Preller trades during this hour is 1.5 ...
The Koz
12:08
Continued thanks for doing your Monday chats.  I was excited to finally see Deivi Garcia make his debut.  Are you able to name a handful of other prospects you look forward to making their debut later on this year?
Brent Hershey
12:08
Such a banner year for the rookies given everything. Two pitchers I was hoping to see, but not as sure now: Padres' MacKenzie Gore and Yankees' Clarke Schmidt. Gore's likelihood may get bumped w/ Clev in tow; and Garcia before Schmidt is telling. I know Schmidt is not on the 40-man so there are likely implications there. I guess Royce Lewis could be a possibility on the hitting side, but Twins likely would need to have an injury opening for that to happen at this point. Maybe M's bring up Trammell, though, too ...
David
12:10
Brent, it's great to have you back! Leodys Taveras. Just 21 and holding his own since being called up. How valuable is this guy in a dynasty league?
Brent Hershey
12:10
I like him better in a dynasty than a one-year right now. Surprised how well he adjusted in first week; wasn't sold that the bat would take off right away. But skills are there to produce; we've seen it in batting practice but not always on the field in the minors.
Paul
12:14
Brent, your feature is my absolute fav! The only thing I like more is the post-hype player. Let's talk Austin Riley. He's been heating up of late. Were you high on him as a prospect? If so, are you still high in him now? Thank you!
Brent Hershey
12:14
Riley def seems as if he's made some adjustments. I was a bit more lukewarm on him as a prospect and consider myself still a bit that way now; not sure that he'll be able to find enough contact to be a star-level player. Though that area has certainly improved in 2020 so far, and the power is obviously there. He's still young, but I see him more as a solid regular than a fantasy cornerstone type.
Jeff
12:17
Hi, Brent.  I hope you’re still doing well. Did you happen to catch Ian’s first career start? How good can this guy be?
Brent Hershey
12:17
Yeah, looked great for sure. There seems to be somewhat of a split on prospectors/analysts on what he'll be -- a mid-rotation guy or a possible #2/low #1 type. Even with the great debut, I'm more in the first camp, but another young guy like Riley that we need to give room to improve, also. I've picked him up in a couple leagues; interested to see how he handles rest of the season.
Jeff’s Roommate
12:19
Brent, I never get sick of these chats! Thank you for your time. How big are you on Spencer Torkelson? Is there a chance that we see him play in 2021?
Brent Hershey
12:19
Thanks, Jeff ... Yeah, seems if we get a "normal" 2021 (full spring training, minors season comes back, etc) ... that could be a change Tork shows up mid-season in 2021. One of the most developed guys in recent drafts that DET will find room for. Still might be pushing the timeline some, but should be a 2022 mainstay for sure.
Rich
12:24
Hi Brent. What kind of production would you expect from Ryan Mountcastle this year?  He’s been working on his plate discipline, and the early returns are good: 4 walks and 6 strikeouts in 8 games thus far. The power seems real, and he plays in a great park for hitters. Are you buying in a 12-team OBP mixed redraft league?  Would you rather roster Mountcastle or Longoria as your last hitter?
Brent Hershey
12:24
Mountcastle's bat has never been a question, and as he's been a low-walk guy in the minors, to see that improved walk rate (teeny sample size!) is encouraging. And he's here to stay; I'd think the O's stick with him even if he slumps. Power is definitely really and should give you HRs. But not sure I'd chase too hard in those league parameters, especially if Longoria is an option. Just this weekend realized the improvements he's made (better contact; hitting the ball harder); think he can be sneaky-valuable in the right situation in 2020. And still cheap, I'll bet.
Chris
12:29
Deivi Garcia had great first outing yesterday.  Thoughts on if Yankees find a place for him in the rotation the rest of the way?
Brent Hershey
12:29
Yeah, think it's possible, esp given the injury situation there, that he'll be in that end of the rotation mix. Could be used as 5th/6th starter to keep some of the other arms fresher (or healthier) for October. And if he excels there; could be a 1-2 inning bullpen piece in the playoffs. Like Anderson, want to see a couple more outings from him at MLB level before getting too crazy. But with that arsenal, he's fun.
Chris
12:33
Someone dropped Eovaldi in keeper points league.  He would cost a 21st round pick next year.  Still looking to compete this year though. Worth a pickup ?  Would drop Garrett Richards for him.
Brent Hershey
12:33
Eh .... think I'd pass on Eovaldi, esp now with injury concerns. Nice gains in walk rate so far, but peripherals good but not outstanding. I know Richards got trashed over the weekend and he's certainly an upgrade candidate, but not sure Eovaldi at that price would do it for me.
jazzraheem
12:37
Like everyone else, trying to grab a surprise or useful arm off waivers in 12-team Roto league.  Just grabbed Devi Garcia. Is he best shot for ROS profit among Bubic and Dunning? Anyone under radar that you like better?  Thanks!
Brent Hershey
12:37
I'd prefer Garcia to those other two at this point, so agree with you there. As far as under the radar, Gausman and Mahle might be (all depends on your league). Also still a believer in Spencer Howard and Toussaint, though both pitchers' outward numbers are ugly at the moment. But both have the stuff to get on a roll if given the shot by their MLB clubs.
Brent Hershey
12:38
/refreshes MLBTradeRumors; sees Mike Minor to the A's/C'mon, Preller!
Jeff
12:44
AL-only league. Starting catchers for LAA and Seattle just got traded. Are either of their replacements worth rostering and starting?
Brent Hershey
12:44
LA - No. If Max Stassi comes back at some point, he's shown enough to maybe be a consideration in an AL-only. But last report on him was "out indefinitely" and there's not much of a track record there.
SEA - Though he's not shown it yet, I still think Luis Torrens, who the M's got from the Padres, could hit given what I saw from him in the minors. But he's more of a 'key an eye on' guy than a fantasy starter right now. I've always liked Tom Murphy a bit, but he can never stay healthy (including now, out until mid-Sept). So ... the answer here is "No" also, unfortunately.
Ray
12:47
Hi, need to pick 2 RP for saves only. Bradley, Castillo, Staumont, Jeffress, H. Harvey, and G. Soto.
Brent Hershey
12:47
Man, you and me both; a couple of my leagues my closer situation has been blown to smithereens. (Too much Neris and Workman, lol). Of here, I guess I'd rank them: Bradley (crossing fingers he's still a D-Back at 4:01 ET today) <decent gap> Jeffress, Soto, Harvey, Staumont, Castillo. I'm a big fan of Harvey and Staumont, but if you're rostering this week, they're still stashes for saves. Later more likely than sooner, in other words.
Doug
12:51
Do you think the Indians' long-term plan for Quantrill is as a starter or bullpen piece?
Brent Hershey
12:51
Very valid question. Quantrill has seemed to perform better in relief than starting, but again he's young. Given the success in pitching development in that org (making Beiber and ace; big improvements in Plesac/Civale) it's not out of the question they view him as a starter, or will at least see what they have. But assuming Plesac stays put for now, looks like McKenzie slots in for good and Q heads to the pen. But I would not be surprised if they work him as as starter once 2021 rolls around.
Porcho Villa
12:57
Rebuilding for next year in a keeper league (5x5 OBP), and deciding which recent call-ups to keep on the roster. Can you please rank these four in terms of their likely 2021 impact: Adell, Bart, Bohm, Lux.
Brent Hershey
12:57
Whew; some big-timers here. I would probably go Lux, Bohm, Adell, Bart for 2021 -- but love them all in a keeper league. Lux and Bohm both stand out as more complete hitters, as far as advanced plate approach -- so, getting walks and higher OBP for you in 2021. I've seen more Bohm, but I'm so impressed with his ability to use the whole field AND turn on the power when needed. Saw this both in the past 2 weeks as well as when scouting him in the minors. Adell is a strong, elite athlete, but has enough swing and miss that he could take some time at MLB to adjust. Some of the same things with Bart, as well as taking on the most defensive responsibility possible. That raises the risk that his bat might suffer some early on. Hope this helps; you've got some good choices there.
Porcho Villa
1:01
Jake Cronenworth continues to consistently produce. Do you expect him to keep this up for the rest of this season and beyond?
Brent Hershey
1:01
Ha -- I definitely has a Cronenworth blind spot; he's one that I didn't see coming. But he just continues to produce. It sure seems like he's becoming entrenched there at 2B; skills are really good. I'd ride him this year for now and then re-evauate. But he could be much more valuable long-term than I anticipated.
Porcho Villa
1:02
Which C would you prefer to roster in an OBP format: Will Smith or Joey Bart?
Brent Hershey
1:02
I'd go Smith ... partially b/c of more experience, but also b/c of much better walk rates at this point in his career. Could change at some point, but give me more MLB AB at catcher than fewer in a call like this.
Jack
1:04
Hi Brent. I am curious what you meant about Clarke Schmidt not getting the call as "telling". Meaning "not yet ready" or possibly trade bait?
Brent Hershey
1:04
More in terms of the Yankees seeing Garcia ahead of Schmidt on the depth chart in choosing who to call up. Like I mentioned; I believe Garcia was on the 40-man roster and Schmidt is not, so not everything is equal per se. So maybe a tinge of "not yet ready," but more a window into the Yanks' front office thinking.
Brent Hershey
1:07
Good spot to end ... Awesome hour again as usual; here's to some more player movement in the next three hours. For all the hand-wringing about the deadline NOT living up to previous years; the teams (well, OK, mainly the Padres) have blown that open. Will be back next week as we'll be in the stretch run! Follow/ask me Qs on Twitter @BrentHQ; stop by BaseballHQ.com for a taste of what we have to help guide you through September and onto that championship trophy! Be well and safe all. See ya next week!
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