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Feb 22, 2021 Chat
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Brent Hershey
12:03
Happy Spring Training, all ... are you in the best shape of your life? Ready to take questions here -- quick reminder that including some context for your league (size, player pool, any non-traditional aspects) is helpful in getting a good answer. Also, better specific than open-ended. IE, "Who's your sleeper?" might get left in the queue if other options.
Ground rules outta the way, let's roll!
The Straw
12:06
Drop day is a few weeks away. In general terms, what's the best way to decide whether to keep those 2 or 3 "on the bubble" players or not?
Brent Hershey
12:06
Wait until the last minute in case "big" news breaks  -- an injury that directly or indirectly could affect your bubble guys' playing time, for instance. Otherwise, try to balance all sort of context factors -- your league keeper and inflation history, player age / experience levels, MLB team situation of those bubble guys, whether you're all-in or likely rebuilding. I don't feel like there's one silver bullet -- and have fun with it! Good luck!
David
12:08
Marcus Stroman has a solid reputation as a ground ball pitcher. With the addition of Lindor at shortstop and the subtraction of Cano at second base their infield should be significantly better
Brent Hershey
12:08
Not a question, but ... yes. Wouldn't go overboard w/ Stroman, but need to keep that improved Mets IF defense in the back of one's mind during prep and drafts.
David
12:13
Marcus Stroman is an acknowledged ground ball pitcher. With the improved Mets infield ( add Lindor at ss, subtract Cano at 2B) do you foresee a noticeable  positive effect on Stroman's ratios.  Even a 5-10% change would reduce those numbers to a level where he becomes a $10 to $12 starter. Currently he is at $5. Thoughts?  Thank You.
Brent Hershey
12:13
Ha! I didn't read ahead, obviously ... apologies! I think you could be overestimating the Lindor Effect. For me, he's in that later range of pitchers that I'm considering, and there are some positive qualities here ... improved D being one, but also work ethic, veteran guy who should be strong and give you decent innings, etc. Not sure I'd bump him too far in double-digits, but like Stro more than in some other years.
DrDave-BBHQ
12:16
I have Dylan Moore for $10 in an 11 team auction AL-only, 23 man roster, $260 salary limit.  Do you see him as a keeper, profit potential?
Brent Hershey
12:16
In an AL-only, I'd think he's certainly in the keeper conversation (if not a lock) at $10. I don't think there's much more ceiling there, but depending on your positional eligibility rules, he could be valuable. The multi-pos guys are worth another look this year, as you may want to keep your bench filled with pitchers, and being able to move a guy like Moore around is helpful. So not sure there's a ton of pure profit potential, but think you're right to consider him a keeper for 2021.
Slappy
12:20
Hi Brent, What is the likelihood that there will be minor league baseball in their actual minor league cities? MILB just doesn't work without lots of fans. Baseball America reported last week that teams need about 40% capacity to break even, and here in Charlotte the number is much higher. Seems to me teams need their AAA franchises within a short drive of their major league team, so guys don't have to fly in and thereby break Covid protocols, while putting all other minor leaguers in the team's Spring complex. Please convince me otherwise! Thanks. PS--Looking forward to First Pitch!!!
Brent Hershey
12:20
See you at First Pitch; thanks for the shout-out! Got some good things planned. As far the minors, I think the likelihood is good, but no one really knows for sure. It's still going to be a tough year for many MiLB franchises. The April start for AAA, then May start for the rest is trying to address these concerns. I think they'll push it through if they can -- whether that is the 'smart' or safe thing to do is another issue, unfortunately. But I think you'll see them attempt to make SOMETHING work after cancelling the 2020 season.
HarrytheK
12:25
With no DH in the NL, does it make sense to keep K. Schwarber over Dom Smith in an OBP league as final keeper?
Brent Hershey
12:25
Been a Schwarber fan, and walk rates certainly have been better than Dom, but think I go Smith here. Believe in the changes he made in 2020, younger, feel like Mets will make sure he's in that lineup. That said, no problem drafting Schwarber; think there's a rebound in him. But Smith the stronger keep IMO
Glenn
12:30
Anthony Santander is currently outside the top 200 of the rankings my league drafts from. Is he someone worth pushing up a round or two in a shallow roto league?
Brent Hershey
12:30
Think Santander is one to keep an eye on; noted his Forecaster box as such when we prepping the book last fall. That said, in a shallow league, think need to be careful about shoehorning too many potential breakout players instead of proven producers. We have him proj around 260 with 27/82 power numbers over the full season, though there's upside from that. All depends on what you other choices are in that range, and what your team construction is. Deeper leagues, love the Santander play.
Peter
12:35
Hi Brent. Please rank the following 2B for a 10-team 5x5 (OBP) league: Altuve, Hiura, Lowe, Biggio, McNeil
Brent Hershey
12:35
Our proj say McNeil, Altuve, Lowe, Biggio, Hiura. My gut might move Lowe/Biggo up a spot or two, and Altuve down, given age, career directory, etc. But McNeil a clear #1.
yazzman
12:36
Hello. I am in my third year of enjoying your products. Two of the stats you provide xWHIP and SwK do not appear with the downloadable projections. I input these manually. I am curious about that decision and can not figure out what to do with Player ID or MLB ID. Can player boxes be converted for editing out the undesirables?
Brent Hershey
12:36
Thanks for the note, yazzman. Best to forward that question to support at baseballhq.com; we'll lend a hand there. Thanks!
Jeff
12:42
NL only OBP league   If you had your choice of a player you could keep for only one year, and had needs at all positions, which would you pick of these three, and why:  Yelich, Story, Bellinger.
Brent Hershey
12:42
I'd probably lean Story and take the OBP hit (relatively; he's a distant #3 of that for this trio). Gives you more in the other 4 categories. Counter argument would be that SS if deep, but really so is OF. Yelich would be #2; think there's significant rebound there and like him better for 2021 than Belli. Tough call; good luck.
Katman
12:49
Gavin Lux is currently projected for 402 ABs. That seems like a stretch, barring injury. Think he gets there?
Brent Hershey
12:49
Trick question? lol Yes, we believe in Lux right now; though I can acknowledge that could seem like the upper limit of his 2021 PT. Seems as if perceptions of Lux as a player have moved a ton off of not much info -- a 60-G season that was so much different than any season before. Obv we'll be monitoring that LA 2B position throughout the next weeks and will adjust PT% as necessary. But we like him at 2B better than Chris Taylor right now, yes.
DrDave-BBHQ
12:51
The Yankee outfield looks pretty crowded at this point.  Do you foresee Clint Frazier with substantial playing time or will he be platooned?
Brent Hershey
12:52
Latest seems to say Frazier gets the primary PT; Gardner more of a reserve. I'm here for it and hope it happens.
Randy
12:52
How are you viewing Jareed Kelenic now that he will be up by late April? Are we looking at a possibility of 120 to 140 games from him this season?
Brent Hershey
12:52
Another PT% to monitor, for sure. Tho I'd really feel more comfortable with believing that statement if I trusted the source of it more, given his other comments. But right now, yes, we could be low on Kelenic's PT%.
Bob
12:53
Which catcher have you been ending up with the most in your early drafts? I personally like Mitch Garver's profile.
Brent Hershey
12:53
Ding-ding! Lots of BHQ love for Garver. Also think Danny Jansen could be better than many realize.
kevin
12:55
our league is thinking of implementing Quality starts and doing away with wins for pitchers. With the way pitching staffs are nowbeing handled , for example, openers and guarding innings coming off a covid shortened season,  is this the time to consider this move?
Brent Hershey
12:55
As per traditional QS (6IP, 3 ER or less), I think those overall numbers are going to continue to fall, especially in this shortened season. I've got some affinity for straight IP as a category if you're replacing wins. After all, getting outs is what you want a pitcher to do, right?
Beano
12:57
SF question(s) - what will become of W Flores and A Slater this year? PT will be tough if there is no DH. I think Flores goes from a $10 guy to a $3 guy...
Brent Hershey
12:57
Yeah, think they are both in a tough spot ... still like Wilmer's skills, and his multiplle IF positions, but finding enough AB will be tough as SF rebuilds.
Alex
12:59
What adjustments should be made on draft day for Realmuto?  Could his injury seriously impact playing time and/or likelihood he comes back and performs as projected?
Brent Hershey
12:59
Right now, very little adjustment. Was early enough here in spring that as along as there's no setbacks, I think the time he misses (if any) in the reg season  is negligible. And just a clean break from what I understand; no ligament damage and doubt there will be concerning long-term effects.
Shep
1:01
Give us this year's Aaron Nola/ Cronenworth.
Brent Hershey
1:04
Whoops ... wrong button. And figure you mean Austin Nola; so how about someone like Tyler Freeman (SS, CLE) or Lewin Diaz (1B, MIA)
Dennis
1:04
Hi Brent, what are your thoughts on the Marlins starting pitching? Where would you rank them versus the balance of the league from a fantasy point of view.
Brent Hershey
1:04
Huge potential, but with all the pitfalls of youth. As we've seen with prospect Edward Cabrera already (arm issue). Would not over-invest, therefore. Take a shot at one of Sixto, or Alcantara, or Lopez (tho he's prob a bit safer), but keep expectations in check. Would be very fun -- but unlikely -- that they all develop at the same pace this year.
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