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Jul7_2025 BHQ Chat
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Brent Hershey
12:01
Greets, Monday chatters, and welcome to July! Will get to it, but want to make sure folks know to check out our First Pitch Arizona info on the site. Best registration rate for a couple weeks yet. Our 30th event will be a great one — hope you can join.
OK, on to the Qs ...
Jeffrey
12:01
Brent, I hope your season's going well on and off the field! I haven't had the chance to catch you much this year, so I hope you don't mind me asking a few "quick-hitters".

  1. Tyler Freeman: A flash in the pan or does he have staying power? I think his profile, position versatility, and circumstances make for an interesting watch.
  2. Ben Rice: As a catcher, just how valuable can this guy be this year and next? Top 5 seems reasonable, doesn't it?
  3. Joe Boyle: After stashing him for a while, I finally got to let him roll today. Man, did he look good! Are you in?

Thank you for all that you do!
Brent Hershey
12:01
Thanks for joining today, Jeffrey!
  1. Definitely interested; more as a BA/SB play; big jump in contact rate this year. Just 26. Not sure I'm sold yet on like a keeper asset, but would ride this wave for now for sure.
  2. Yeah, quite the red Statcast page, and BABIP says he's due for a BA spike. Like both rest of season and long-term; but wonder if he will gain enough CA eligibility for next season. If so ... not sure about Top 5 going into 2026, but looks like Top 5 for 2025 end of season is reasonable, yes.
  3. I am, and wish I had him in more places.
Judley
12:03
Brent, back by popular demand, it’s another version of “Would you rather!” From a dynasty perspective, which players who you prefer to roster for the next 3-4 seasons?

1. A. Chandler Simpson OR B. Tyler Freeman
2. A. Junior Caminero OR B. Austin Riley
3. A. Wyatt Langford OR B. Yordan Alvarez
4. A. Julio Rodriguez OR B. Jackson Chourio
5. A. Reid Detmers OR B. Abner Uribe
6. A. Eury Perez OR B. Logan Webb
7. A. Andrew Painter OR B. Joe Boyle
8. A. Nick Kurtz OR B. Samuel Basallo
9. A. Augustin Ramirez OR B. Ivan Herrera
10. A. Zach Neto OR B. CJ Abrams

BONUS: A. Isaac Paredes OR B. Manny Machado

You’re the best!
Brent Hershey
12:03
Love these ...
  1. A
  2. A
  3. A, more all-around production
  4. A slightly (though past year or so is a bit concerning)
  5. B, pure reliever
  6. A
  7. A
  8. A
  9. B, broader skills base, more likely to retain CA elig
  10. A, batting average advantage
  11. BONUS: B; just a better player
the Koz
12:05
Hi Brent...Scoresheet AL only dynasty...which longterm outlook do you like better, not only for this season, but also beyond:  Gavin Williams or Will Warren.  And would you trade  Porcelain Royce Lewis for either of them?  thanks for your consideration, as always.
Brent Hershey
12:05
Think I lean Warren; trust his growth path more than Williams, who continues to befuddle with all the balls/walks. Not sure that Warren alone is enough back for Lewis (WW just doesn't have the track record yet). No problems with dealing Lewis, but think there should be a market for more than just Warren.
Guest
12:08
1) Deep NL-only 5×5. Want to preserve my great ratios but not fall behind in Ks. FAAB choices are Morejon, Vesia, Montas, Flexen, Maton, Grant Anderson, T. Banks, Suter.
I’m right to reject Montas, Singer, D. Fuentes and Pallante because they could wreck my ratios, right?
Brent Hershey
12:08
Likely, yes ... though Montas has shown bits and pieces in the past of bigger upside and curious how he settles in with the Mets. He's the one I might roll the dice with if you go starter. Otherwise, Vesia and Morejon stand out.
New Closers
12:14
1) Who will be the new closer in WAS if Finnegan gets traded?  2) Who is the closer in PIT if Bednar and Santana are traded.  Ferguson is also a FA next year.
Brent Hershey
12:14
  1. Ferrer has the most holds, highest leverage index, and best skills of the remainder of that pen. But .. also has that  5+ ERA. New manager is going to play a big part, too. Need to watch closely for a few weeks.
  2. Who knows ... in that situation, would like to see Ashcraft get a shot, but it's probably unlikely.
In both cases, the team is so bad that it's likely not going to be a lot of opps. Tough type to stash.
Bob
12:14
I have a transaction limit. Should I drop Matt Shaw to activate Jake Burger or just keep Burger inactive and hope Shaw improves?
Brent Hershey
12:14
WIthout any other info, I'd make this move.
Guest
12:15
Hi Brent,

16 team H2H points league. $430 cap, 40 player roster - 23 active & 17 bench. Deep league. We start 5 SPs.

My top 3 SP are no-brainers: Valdez, Bubic, Woo.

The 4th & 5th starters from: Cabrera, Boyd, Bibee (2 starts), May. I've listed them in my order of preference, though Bibee's double stat is enticing - but only if he were more consistently effective.

Thanks again for answering my question.
Brent Hershey
12:15
For this week, I'd stick with your order and go Cabrera/Boyd.
AL only
12:17
Month of July only, 5x5 AL-only, looking for steals. Who do you choose from Ezequiel Duran or nick eaton? How long do you think Colby Thomas has to wait before getting some regular ABs?
Brent Hershey
12:17
Duran; think he gets more opps with that squad.

OF injury of some kind, and/or Denzel Clarke wearing out his welcome with the bat. Could be a bit for Thomas.
Dave
12:17
Joe Boyle and Emmet Sheehan are both available on waiver wire.  Which is a better pick-up?  or pick both?
Brent Hershey
12:17
Sheehan slightly over Boyle, but would make a run for both if you can
Michael
12:17
Hope you enjoyed the long weekend- ROS1.Sheehan or Darvish ? Do you like both? 2. arraez, Lopez, gurriel, freeman ( col) or castellanos- top 2-3
Brent Hershey
12:17
  1. Sheehan pretty easily (we've seen him have success this year), but still am intrigued with Darvish. Expectations are lower, though.
  2. Arraez and Lopez
Don Dringus
12:18
What day is the hq top 50 prospects released?
Brent Hershey
12:18
Wed, July 16
Guest
12:19
Hi Brent,

16 team H2H points league. Pick 2 of McNeil, Stott or Baty for this week.
Thanks again for answering my question.
Brent Hershey
12:19
Stott and ... Baty, I think
Hoyasaxa
12:21
Hope you had a great time celebrating Amerrca’s birthday, Brent. Start Teocar this week? And inquiring minds want to know, I want to know — Baty or India or Estrada at 2B this week who do we like for Runs and OBP? Lastly, will we see Bryce Miller back in form in August? Thank you as always, sir.
Brent Hershey
12:21
Real-life lineup decision for Teo. He's in today, I'm starting; he's out, I'm likely pulling for this week. Baty or Estrada -- our figures say Mets have a favorable matchup week. And I'm passing on Miller; too much risk at this point.
Beano
12:25
Hello Brent! NL 10 team 5x5. Time to cut bait on Vientos? And is Y Fernandez a guy we should FAAB & expect meaningful ROS stats- or a so/so dart throw?
Brent Hershey
12:25
NL-only is tough for this Vientos question. I've moved on in mixed-15s (and therefore also in mixed 12s), but mono league calculus is tough; depends on the options. Straight-up for Yanquiel, for instance? Eh, I'd probably hold MV, as Yanquiel is only a so-so dart throw for me. Plus is Coors; minus is how they've dealt with rooks in the past. Plus, it's Mickey Moniak's town, now, apparently :-)
Broken Bat
12:26
The Shelly injury, ie. cracked bone in elbow, Do you recall any similar injury to pitchers and how they performed when they returned. Seemingly not as bas as ucl surgery but still foggy what lays ahead.
Brent Hershey
12:26
Nope, very few comps. Think best course is to bite bullet and cut, unless you've got unlimited injury spots. The fact that if/when he is able to get back in Sept, that looks like ATL will be well-cooked by then, doesn't seem to line up well for fantasy utility.
Guest
12:27
5x5 12 team daily.  I need SP, Gavin Williams killing me, of course I drop him & he pitches well.  I’m targeting ROS Crochet or H Brown? Any under the radar guys that are strong ROS Gusto, Walter or Boyle.
Brent Hershey
12:27
Brown slightly > Crochet
Like Gutso the most, then Boyle and Walter
will
12:28
AL only 4x4 ros 1.boyle or fitts 2 SGL or SWR 3. baldwin or Dubon 4. canzone or lukes. Thank you Brent!
Brent Hershey
12:28
  1. Boyle
  2. SWR, though not 100% convinced yet
  3. Baldwin
  4. Canzone fairly easily
Shark
12:31
Do you think Joe Boyle gets a spot in the rotation, or just piggy backing all year?
Brent Hershey
12:31
Anecdotal, but piggybacking rarely has staying power at MLB level for whatever reason. Could the Rays make it work? Sure. Does whether Boyle starts the game or enters in the 3d or 4th matter? Not to me; might even increase his win potential if this is the case. Also, very possible this is a couple-week trial, goes well, and Boyle gets his own spot. Regardless, like him as a fantasy pickup
Steve
12:33
Cam Schlittler might be called up this week, does he have upside for 12 team mixed leagues this year?
Brent Hershey
12:33
Not right off the bat, no, in a 12-mixed. If you feel you need to take him ahead of seeing how he adjusts, just know that could well be rocky (IE, remember when Chase Burns was going to light up the baseball world?)
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