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Jun21 2021 Chat
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Brent Hershey
12:03
Happy Noon in the East; and Good Monday whatever your timezone. Fun weekend in the majors, and much anticipation to come, given the Wander news last night. Let's hop to the questions ...
Ron
12:07
Hi Brent, who do you like more for the next month/ROS in a weekly points league (HR, RBI key): H Ramirez or Toro (will he stick)? And what save share (%) will Chatwood earn ROS in TOR? Thanks, as always.
Brent Hershey
12:07
I rostered Toro in a few places, but still view him mainly as a short-term replacement for Bregman. Ramirez seems like a better bet for more playing time ROS—plus seems like CLE is trying him out some—so I'd lean that way.
Maybe 5-10% for Chatwood saves the rest of the way? Still think Romano is the fave there; 28 pitches on Sat likely precluded him from coming in yesterday. But, as all things bullpens, this is fluid of course.
Beano
12:10
Two again! NL 5 x 5 :Thoughts on Zack Thomas as a fill in on my  staff?   Should I be looking to trade G Hampson?
Brent Hershey
12:10
Decent start for Thompson (pretty sure that's who you mean), but will have to earn rotation time if/when MIA gets some guys back healthy. But fine as a fill-in.  Decline in recent PT for Hampson is worth monitoring, maybe you explore a deal? Those double-digit steals are probably worth something -- either to you or a trade partner.
Junior
12:13
Happy (early) Monday, Brent! I've overslept for your chat the last couple of weeks, so I'm getting my question in before bed this go around =)

I'm trying to select my catcher for the future. Over the next 3-5 years, how would you rank Raleigh, Stephenson, Campusano, Varsho, and Ruiz?

My man crush on Varsho is fading. The speed potential is exciting, but he's done everything but hit in the MLB. Is Camp' my guy?

Appreciate the feedback!

Junior
Brent Hershey
12:13
Happy reading this after you wake up, Junior! Ahh, catching prospects ... I'd rank these guys Camp, Varsho, Stephenson, Raleigh and Ruiz. Patience is key with CA prospects, which is why I'm still interested in Varsho, who may still lose CA eligibility come 3-5 years. But maybe if he gets some extended PT here with Kelly out for a while ....
D-back Fan
12:15
good day!  any info on the status of Kristian Robinson?  is he doing ok?  Will he play this year? ever?
Brent Hershey
12:15
Have not heard, but like many others, my first concern is for his health. Hope he makes it back at some point.
Joey T.
12:21
Welcome to Summer, HQ'ers!

Brent, I'm starting to get very excited about Akil Baddoo. I grabbed him after his scorching start and held on until now. His patience, improving contact vs RHP, and blazing speed offers incredible potential. How good can this guy become?

Considering he's just 22 years old and producing NOW, I prefer him to highly ranked OF prospects such as Robinson/Lowe/Pache/Waters/Sanchez.

Am I delusional?
Brent Hershey
12:21
Has had a scorching month so far; perhaps under the radar some because 0 HR/RBI in June. And that is important -- the fact that he's adjusted after the slump. I'd continue to keep a close eye on his K% -- it's taken a huge step forward in June and if that continues, his ceiling certainly goes up. Also a VG point about him producing NOW as opposed to some of the others you list. Given the opportunity in DET, there's some strong potential fantasy impact here, yes. Perfect guy to hold and watch if you're in a rebuilding mode.

So, no—although still much TBD, you're not delusional with your optimism.
Drew
12:23
Do we expect Garret Hampson to blow up after(if) Story is dealt?
Brent Hershey
12:23
As per the previous answer, seems like that's still TBD. My hunch is that if/when, Rodgers is going to get the SS AB, which may open some up for Hampson ... but the fact that his PT now is kind of waning, and the Rockies have some frustrating history with getting young players involved, it's still wait-and-see mode for me. Would love to have them give Hampson that PT for sure, since both we and the Rocks need to find out what they have here.
GoSox!
12:27
hi brent, quick question!

hq has jarren duran ranked as a 7b.

due to his performance this season, do you think his ceiling is higher?

thanks!!
Brent Hershey
12:27
I think we would probably bump that up some if we were re-evaluating it today. The increased thump has resulted in more Ks and some additional BA downside that didn't exist when we made that rating. But the pure power/speed potential for fantasy production is intriguing for sure. I expect to see him in BOS sometime in the 2H, if not sooner.
Analyst
12:31
Will Roansy Contreras get a call-up?  Will he be any good?
Brent Hershey
12:31
A: TBD; could well be he gets service-timed this year given the state of things in Pittsburgh. Killing it at Double-A right now; but they'll want to see it in Triple-A later this summer, too. So could be more like a 2022 debut.
B: Yes, when I saw him live in May, it was a big-league starter package with two advanced pitches (FB/SL) and a chance for a league-average third (CH). Mid-rotation guy w/ K potential; maybe more. Worth tracking.
Brian from Toms River
12:35
Fraley has been pretty good of late. Is this a legit break out? What do you see for him the rest of the year?
Brent Hershey
12:35
Think we need to see more, as it's really only be a hot month, but I'm encouraged. We were high on him a couple years ago pre-injury, so not like it's out of nowhere. Swing/miss is a bit concerning, as well as where he fits into the SEA outfield long-term on a team with a couple other good young OF options and two possible superstars. He really should be grabbing this opportunity now for a long-term place in SEA.
Greg
12:37
Very short in SB category. Which likely call up minor leaguers should I be looking at?  Thanks
Brent Hershey
12:37
Duran, who we mentioned before, is one. Vidal Brujan (TAM) is another. So tough to know, though (1) IF/WHEN these guys get the call, and (2) if they will even be given green light once they get here. But those are two I would consider.
John
12:42
Wow, Matt Olson sure has been impressive. Is there anything abnormal fueling his lofty avg? Is it safe to view him as a cornerstone keeper league 1B?
Brent Hershey
12:42
Putting his bat on the ball. We loved Olson as a rebound candidate (see his Baseball Forecaster box), but more in the mode of a low-BA slugger type. But he's made HUGE strides in contact rate, which have held all season long. With his power skills, more contact can only be a good thing. And it's carrying him now. Even if that contact falls off a bit in the 2H, yes, he's a cornerstone type.
Glenn
12:45
Hi Brent. The Phillies are in your market - what's wrong with Bryce Harper? He's been incredibly underwhelming since the beginning of May and the HRs/RBI (the reason people drafted him) just aren't there.
Brent Hershey
12:45
Nagging injuries is my educated guess. Feel like the wrist (via the beaning) was worse than he let on, and since then his back has given him trouble, too. He or the team are unlikely to cite those here in-season, but my hunch is that those are affecting his current level of play. And especially w/ the back, that could be a longer-term issue that he'll have to manage.
DrDave
12:52
In a rebuilding year I suddenly find myself in 2nd place in a keeper league.  I brought up Kelenic with disaster results and started his clock.  Now I must decide whether or not to bring up Manning and Wander.  Is it worth the risk?
Brent Hershey
12:52
Kelenic (and really, to a lesser extent, VladJr's initial callup) is a cautionary tale for sure in this situation, but for me Wander is a tick above Kelenic re: likelihood he hits the ground running, and in your situation, I think you need to seize the moment and go for it. If you were bottom half of the standings and rebuliding and were able to not start his clock, then I'd hold. FWIW, I'm activating Wander in some leagues, and holding in others.
Manning's a different ball of wax; unless you're really hurting for pitching, I'd wait and see on him. Rookie pitchers so much more likely to struggle on initial call-up when compared to hitters, and the fact that it's not like he crushed Triple-A this year is a bit of a concern. Good luck!
WayOffBase
12:56
12-Tm Mixed 5x5  6-man reserve inc. IL, and weekly lineup changes.  With those parameters, what is the optimum number of pitchers to carry on reserve?
Brent Hershey
12:56
I'd say 4 is the optimum; but rarely ever get there between IL guys and maybe a rookie stash. But I try to give myself SP options to change week to week depending on matchups -- and if I can have 2 SPs to do that with, I prefer playing that game. (Figuring 1 extra bench OF, 1 IF when you can -- though this is where multi-pos guys play a huge role of course). No one set answer, though.
Tyler
12:59
Hi, folks. Anyone else psyched about Spencer Torkelson's rise? He seems to have already settled in to AA. Brett, do you think he's a possible June call-up next season? And who would you rather have long-term -- Tork or Vaughn?

Regardless, I love what the Tigers are building!

Tyler
Brent Hershey
12:59
Yep; great to see Torkelson rake and get promoted already, esp after a rough spring training. Hope to see that Erie club (who is stacked) early next month. Yes, seems like Tork will be up sometime early next year, depending on the CBA rules at that point. And prefer him to Vaughn. Is going to be hard to wrap our minds around a young and powerful DET squad, but that could be where we're headed to in a few years!
Guest
1:02
Do you think Blake Snell will turn it around?
Brent Hershey
1:02
The walk increase has been a killer. Yeah, his ERA is higher than it should be, but all those runners on base, with his HR propensity, does not add up to good things. Will get Ks, sure ... but overall I think he continues to disappoint as long as he's giving up walks at this rate.
Jays Fan
1:05
It's summer time in baseball! Thanks for taking the time to answer our questions, Brett. You're the best!

What's up with Cavan Biggio? Is he a buy-low target for building dynasty teams? Based on his performance the last couple of seasons, I'm not sure where he fits into TOR's plans, especially considering the eventual presence of Martin, Groshans, and others.

Any thoughts?

Thanks!
Brent Hershey
1:05
As you state the question—esp in terms of TOR future—yes, I think he could get squeezed out. The multi-position functionality is in his favor, though, and if your dynasty happens to be an OBP league, then that helps. But kinda wonder down the road some if Biggio doesn't get traded to make room for some of the other kids you mention. Maybe that helps his fantasy value ... I'm not 100% down on him ... but don't view him as a particular dynasty target.
Ron
1:06
Hi, Brent. Thanks for the enlightenment. Austin Voth pitching well, but no more than 3.0 IP this year. Chances of grabbing a rotation spot are less than seeing a snowman on the summer solstice?
Brent Hershey
1:06
Not that low, but no, I don't think he develops into a fantasy-relevant starter at this point.
Andrea
1:09
Brett, do you think that it's harder to predict MLB success based on MILB performance than it used to be? It seems like more minor league stars are flailing in the majors than before. How do you differentiate between true budding stars and potential AAAA players? Guys like Varsho, Adell, and Kelenic are potential examples/head-scratchers.
Brent Hershey
1:09
I chalk this one up at least partially to the pandemic and no MiLB last season. Pitchers can work out, dive into pitch design, etc ... hitters need to hit. And these guys didn't get competition-appropriate reps last year. But in a regular scenario, think it's a mix of MiLB performance and scouting-level observations/reports to try and determine who might make that transition the smoothest. In those terms, Wander will be the next test.
PhillyFanatic
1:11
Brett, 2 quick questions at the buzzer!

1) Alec Bohm. Are you worried about him?

2) Gavin Lux. Convinced he's a future stud?

Love your work!!!
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