JotCast | Justin Mason Baseball Chat

Justin Mason Baseball Chat

Justin Mason

9:53

Will begin at the top of the hour as long as we have enough questions in, so ask away!

9:56

In the meantime, please follow me on all my social media's (twitter, tiktok, facebook, youtube, and instagram) at JustinMasonFWFB! I am doing 30 team preview podcasts in 30 days on the FWFB podcast as well as three episodes a week for the Sleeper and the Bust so definitely make sure you are subscribed there as well!

Kate

10:01

Looking at jazz Chisholm, I don't have any doubts about the power or speed. How much confidence do you have in him for avg/obp and ability to stay in the field?

Justin Mason

10:03

The biggest concern with Jazz is clearly the health at this point. I think the average will usually be determined by the BABIP, but .235-.255 is what I would expect. The question is can he stay on the field long enough for him to have a monster season? I want to believe he can, but right now that is hope more than anything else.

10:03

Keibert Ruiz optimism without the shift? cant train that eye

Justin Mason

10:06

Let's first remind ourselves that it isn't a "ban on the shift" as teams can still shift, just not as drastically. We also have no idea exactly how much this will help/hurt players. I like Ruiz, but his biggest issue is barrel rate. If he can't lift the ball with power than he won't be very interesting in fantasy. That being said, I like to bet on this kind of profile because the contact skills are so good.

Guest

10:06

We all know there will be more SB in 2023. If everyone is going to steal 4-10 more bases, then the incremental jump is meaningless. Who is going to take the opportunity to run more (personally and via team philosophy) to really crank out those extra steals on top of the natural, rule-change bump?

Justin Mason

10:08

I am looking at teams that have run a lot recently. Rangers, Marlins, Guardians, Cubs, Phillies, Royals, and Yankees all had over 100 team stolen bases. Add the Diamondbacks who led MLB in SBs in the second half.

Kate

10:09

Eovaldi lost some velo as the year went on last year. Do you think that comes back this year? Can we read anything into the contract the rangers gave him? They've done well with these mid-level FA arms recently.

Justin Mason

10:09

With the money the Rangers have thrown around, I am not necessarily reading a ton into it yet. I want to see what his velo looks like when pitchers and catchers report.

John

10:10

Am I wrong in thinking that the high K SP's are even more valuable with the new rule changes this year? SB will be up, which will increase RISP. The shift is gone which could hurt groundball pitchers. The only thing the new rules don't hurt for pitchers are the strikeouts. Am I overthinking this?

Justin Mason

10:12

When the rules were announced, I thought the exact same thing. That being said, I think I definitely was overthinking it a bit. Teams will still shift some and pitchers will adjust as well. I think it definitely hurts the ground ball guys, but maybe not as drastically as we first thought.

Bob OdenKirk

10:12

So this January is really gonna be dead, huh?

Justin Mason

10:13

Yeah, but that's because we had such a great December. Hopefully this means we won't have players unsigned in March

Kate

10:13

How do you think the twins handle save chances between Lopez and Duran (at least to start the year)?

Justin Mason

10:14

I think it will be frustrating. Lopez probably gets a lot of the share with Duran getting the high leverage role. Don't be surprised if two or other three names jump into the conversation as well.

Kate

10:15

Brandon Lowe's down year seems to have been pretty clearly caused by the back injury. How confident are you in a bounce back this year?

Justin Mason

10:16

If healthy, I think he is a steal, but I likely won't be taking the gamble except when he is one of my last picks because he finished the year on the IL and there's no way to know if he is healthy. If he looks good in Spring Training, I may come back on board.

gunnar henderson

10:17

what kind of stat line do i put up in my first full year? do i get SS eligibility in season or stick at 3B?

Justin Mason

10:20

I think he gets SS eligibility at some point, but I think it takes a while. That being said, I am really worried about his platoon splits and don't know that he runs as much as others think. He is an avoid for me.

Guest

10:20

Feel okay having LeMahieu in a MI spot at this point? or too much uncertainty? have him in two places with keeper deadlines of 1/31. thanks!

Justin Mason

10:21

Depends on depth of league, but I love LeMahieu and think he is pretty underrated.

Nick

10:21

I'm coming off a championship in a 12 team points league, where we keep 5 and I'm torn in which way to go. The players increase in cost each year and the X indicate where I'm leaning.

J. Urias SP 7th Round
W. Smith C 10th Round
X F Tatis SS 13th Round
X A. Riley 3B 15th Round
X J. Rodriguez OF 17th Round
X K Tucker OF 18th Round
R Ray SP 20th Round
X V. Pasquantino 1B 25th Round
N. Lodolo SP 25th Round

Justin Mason

10:22

Tatis, Riley, Rodriguez, Tucker, Ray.

Tempted to do Vinnie P over Ray though

Dynastic query

10:23

Hi Justin, think Andres Gimenez is a 20/20 type going forward? I’m thinking about trading for him in a 15-team h2h dynasty league. His underlying numbers have me concerned if he will build on his progress or if he has peaked. Think he’ll get better and he’s worth a slight overpayment? Thanks again Justin and happy new year!

Justin Mason

10:24

I don't think the power gets better and it likely regresses some. I do think he could increase the SBs. The average will come back to earth as he had a really high BABIP. 12-15/25 with a .265 average seems right

Guest

10:25

When does Francisco Alvarez make it up to the Mets?

Justin Mason

10:25

I think he is up pretty early. I wouldn't be surprised if he makes the team out of spring.

Mrs. Featherbottom

10:26

What are your thoughts on Vinnie Pasquantino for 2023?

Justin Mason

10:27

I have really come around on Vinnie P. I love guys with ELITE bat to ball skills and he has that in spades. I also think the power could tick up a little. 25-30 homers and a 280-300 average.

Jesse

10:28

Keeper question: 12 team (deep, so plays like a 14), one catcher league - Realmuto in the 3rd or Luis Castillo in the 3rd? Other keepers likely to be Dansby, Schwarber, Sandy, FTJ, Webb if it matters.

Justin Mason

10:29

Neither are worth a third necessarily, but with inflation, maybe it does. I love Realmuto and while I tend to punt catchers in a 1-catcher league, I think he gives you a advantage at the position.

Guest

10:29

Will Brendan Donovan develop respectable power to make him fantasy relevant?

Justin Mason

10:30

I do not

10:30

Eury Perez or Daniel Espino in dynasty?

Justin Mason

10:30

Perez

Jim