Sep21_2026 BHQChat
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Brent Hershey
12:01
Good final Monday of the regular season, all! Been a pleasure to spend an hour-ish with you all most Mondays of this season. Appreciate your questions, insights, etc all season long. Right now there is plenty of room in the queue, so don't hesitate to fire away if ya got questions. Should be able to get to everything this week!
Willie in NJ
12:08
Thanks for the chat.  It seems this year had more than its share of disappointing early rounders:  Vladdy Jr, Julio Rodriguez, Skenes, Tucker, Gunnar Henderson to name a few.  Looking to 2027 and beyond which of these are most and least likely to make a comeback?
Brent Hershey
12:08
Not just SEEMS ... it definitely did. We've actually got a whole session planned at First Pitch Arizona (final di$count expires tonight!) addressing just this question. And I'm sure it will be chatted about a lot during the offseason, too. Crazy year.

For me, I think Skenes is the most likely to bounce back. Would not be surprised if we learn of a minor injury or something that he pitched through that with an offseason of rest, heals up and he's back to pre-2026 levels. That level was SO good before this season. If I had to take a hitter rebound, I feel like Gunnar's underlying metrics have not changed that much, and a BABIP swing has been part of it, too. Plus still just 25.

Prob Tucker, given the multi-year run of disappointment, is the one of that group I'll be most wary of investing a lot  into in 2027.
Bones
12:10
Is Eric Hartman a top 10 prospect in the near future?
Brent Hershey
12:10
Near future as in 2027? No. Swing-and-miss concerns is still something he has to address. No doubt will be a big riser in 2027, but I don't think he cracks the top 10 this offseason. A year from now, if he shows adjustments? Then it's possible. Good prospect; but some questions in front of him yet.
Dave
12:14
Hi Brent- Championship Week in H2H points:   For the week, can you rank Jared Jones, Z. Matthews, Gausman, and Jax.  Need 2 of Canzone (6 in SEA), Paredes (4 at SAC), Sp. Jones (7 games), and Cags.  Wil. Contreras or Langeliers (6 in SAC)?  Thanks for the help all season!
Brent Hershey
12:14
Jones top SP for sure. Our numbers say to go with Gausman next for a single start ... though Zebby of course is lined up for 2 starts and both seem good. Jax is fourth, both in rating, and having the most role questions (TB setting up playoff rotation).

Canzone and Paredes for the hitters; and Langeliers for C.  Feel like BOS will be careful with Contreras this week coming off the HBP.

Oh, and good luck!
Rick
12:22
Thanks Brent for making Mondays better all year. In a Dynasty League, how would you rank these 3 frustrating players? Royce Lewis (will he ever come close to his prospect expectations?), Colt Keith (Do you expect another level and will they ever let him face left handers?), and Baty (good last month a sign of things to come or just a replacement type player?) Thanks again. Any off season chats planned?
Brent Hershey
12:22
Appreciate the kind words, Rick!

I'd rank my dynasty pref list here as Keith first (I do think there's another level, though the platoon issue is a valid concern). Lewis/Baty are similar risks to me. I think I slightly prefer Baty — but both have not developed as I anticipated. I wonder if Lewis' time in MIN is limited; he seemed to be energized initially by the demotion and shift to 1B -- but now he's a the wrong end of the defensive spectrum, and I'm not sure he's shown the consistent bat to warrant projecting him as a regular. It's one spot the Twins could upgrade this offseason. Baty's versatility and this last spurt could give him another chance. That's how I'd view it.

Offseason ... gonna be tricky with the lockout looming. Maybe we sneak a couple in if, like last time, there's a flurry of moves/signings right before the Dec 1 anticipated date. Otherwise, maybe occasionally until the two sides get it together. But tough to commit to anything a this moment.
Jacob
12:25
Hey Brent, wanted to be sure to let you know how much I appreciate your advice.  I went several years getting so close to winning my league, and now I am on the verge of getting back-to-back championships.  Thank you to you and the staff at HQ!  One last question for the year: how do you see the 2027 Cardinals catcher situation playing out?  Picked up Leonardo Bernal when he came up, and he's been fantastic.  How will they balance Bernal, Herrera, and Rodriguez?
Brent Hershey
12:25
So awesome to hear, Jacob; congrats! Gonna be a fascinating watch with the STL embarrassment of catcher riches. Reminds me of TOR back a few years ago (Kirk, G Moreno, Jansen). Given Herrera's defensive shortcomings relative to the other two, I could see a scenario where he gets traded, and the team goes into 2027 with a Bernal/Rodriguez timeshare, with each getting significant DH time when not behind the dish. Bernal has been a great add in how he's adapted quickly. But could also be where Rodriguez stays down to start 2027, and Bernal/Herrera split time to start.
jerrry
12:31
Thanks for the help all year...two last lineup questions....Wins are up for grabs, please rank...  Kikuchi, Kremer, Perdomo, Irvin, Molina, Pecko, Ritchie                                                                -lastly does Ohtani play this week? I need 6 from the following list Ohtani, J Young Wash, Lile, Delauter, H Hernandez, C Simpson, Mesa Jr, Trout, Langliers, Stowers         THANK YOU SO MUCH
Brent Hershey
12:31
You're welcome, Jerry ...

Wins: Eww; our model doesn't like any. I'd lean Kikuchi or Kremer -- veterans over younger kids in this case

Yes, I think Ohtani returns. Cuts from this list are Young WAS, Heriberto, Trout (worry about injury), Stowers

Good luck!
Beano
12:31
Hello & thanks - as always! One quick query - is Casey Mize toast? Is he worth the risk of one last NL start?
Brent Hershey
12:31
Yes, worth the risk against ARI, who will be out of it.
Dandy Chiggins
12:34
Hi Brent! Always look forward to your chats. Thanks for doing them! Have Jasson Dominguez as keeper option. NY seems down on him since he spent most of the year in minors. Does he need a change of scenery to be relevant again? Is he a better long-term option than Evan Carter?
Brent Hershey
12:34
Would agree that Dominguez could benefit greatly from a change of scenery. I'd slightly prefer him over Carter - who still can't hit lefties. If Dominguez stays in NYY ... then maybe you roll w/ Carter; but feel he's always overrated b/c of that great postseason AND the fact folks talk about him like he's an everyday option.
Lou
12:42
Thanks for all the chats this season, Brent. NL only,  5 x 5, 12-team, sitting just 2 points out of first with lots of category volatility. Last FAAB today. Looking at two SF players in the hopes of getting the odd save or an SB or two. Can either Trent Harris or Grant McCray come through for me? I saw that Lee might be dinged up, which could help McCray see the field.
Brent Hershey
12:42
Hmm ... Harris is pretty interesting, though saves are just crazy to try and time. BUT, as per our Reliever Usage charts, he's fresh, so could well see a couple outings this week. The type of team and/or situation where maybe they throw him into a saves spot here in the final week. I'd likely lean that way if you have to choose between the two.

McCray, though, also is not a bad shot ... Eldridge's injury also a factor (another potential lineup spot open).

Good luck!
Redat
12:46
Q1: Active or bench? 4x4 rotisserie, 10 teams. I’m protecting ERA and WHIP ratios to remain in first place. Wins a bonus, but not at expense of ratios. Can’t move the saves category.

Can start 5-9 of the following: 
Drew Rasmussen, Zack Wheeler, Cade Cavalli, Albert Urena, Logan Gilbert, Reid Detmers, Taj Bradley, Jake Bennett, Mason Miller, Andres Munoz, and Bryan Hudson. Cal Quantrill (IL) can hold a 5th spot with no damage if starting only 4. Thanks so much!
Brent Hershey
12:46
Rasmussen, Wheeler, Cavalli, Bradley, Detmers, Urena Miller, Munoz, Hudson would be my 9. Maybe Bennett instead of one of the Angels.
trick
12:48
Apologies if a version of this already posted:
W's could swing the whole thing as 5 teams within 2, but ERA, WHiP and Ks are also close. Need 5 of the following:

Peralta @ NYY
J Ryan v TEX
Seymour @ NYY
Soroka @ COL (yikes) & SD
Saurez v CLE
Jax @ PHI
Johnson @ SEA
Brent Hershey
12:48
Peralta, Ryan, Seymour, Suarez, Jax. Soroka tempting, but feel like blowup potential is a bit too great.
Commish
12:50
HI BRENT.I have an opportunity to pick up Corbin Burnes and I am trying to decide my keeper list for next season.Do you think he will be worth keeping for next year……thanks for all your help this year.
Brent Hershey
12:50
Context matters .. in an NL-only, definitely. In a mixed ... could be. All depends on price (if auction or draft, etc).
Dandy Chiggins
12:51
Gonna face a tough decision this offseason on whether to keep Jake McCarthy. He's burned me in the past, but looks too good to throw back in a 15-team league where we keep 12. Love to hear your thoughts?
Brent Hershey
12:51
Yeah, especially if he's back in COL to start the year, feel like he's established himself there for a nice little run. And should be within reason for a 15-tm, 12-keeper league.
vince
12:56
Brent, I predicted Cease injury and posted on social media before the ASB was even over. how do these guy not correalate the injury to the hard throwers and limit their innings. Bul pens are there for a reason. $230 milliion,. 120 pitches and then 118 before the break, and then he pitched in the ASG. im A long time pitching coach, never had an arm injury. had many a SP mad at me for yanking him early too. your thoguhts please. thank you, and for all your help
Brent Hershey
12:56
I think the reason is that there's no studies (nor are there ways to do a scientific study with control groups, etc) that definitively link pitch counts, velo, injuries. Every body (arm) is different. To me, it's one of the great mysteries of this game.
Alan
12:59
Tough decision in my H2H points league today with a lot on the line. Looks like there is a pretty decent chance the Phillies skip Cristopher Sanchez later this week if the team clinches a postseason berth by then. I can't afford a zero and am considering a batter like Edman instead (we have flex spots). Thoughts?
Brent Hershey
12:59
Yeah, that could well be ... Sanchez's timing is kinda in that weird in-between spot. They probably throw him for a couple innings next weekend if they've clinched just to tide him over to Tue/Wed of WC series. But it's tough to know, and may depend on whether those couple innings would help. Edman could make sense, too.
Broken Bat
1:00
Hopkins of Rays was just brought up, and looking at his pitches in last two games, he is showing decent location on a couple of pitches. Is he the secret late inning weapon of Rays for playoffs since Baker is trending south. * but still good.
Brent Hershey
1:00
Possibly ... but I think they would have brought him in sooner to test out in Sept if that's what they had in mind. Think this role is more likely for Hopkins next season.
Redat
1:00
Thanks so much, Brent! First time here...Appreciate your time and the chat
Brent Hershey
1:00
Welcome; thanks for the contributions Redat!
DrDave
1:01
On the cusp of my 11th AL title in 41 years, just want to say thanks to all the gang for your help over the years.
Brent Hershey
1:01
Wow, another great promo! Congrats!
Brent Hershey
1:03
Finishing out the year ... thanks again. Remember to have fun with the final lineup choices, even if the stakes are high. Once you make your decisions, sit back and enjoy the games as much as possible. Glad to be of help this year, but I see it as just providing some assistance; you all make those final calls. Anyway, look forward to the next time we meet, and hope many of you already are or will consider a BHQ subscription. We've got some good offseason things planned, and keep our fingers crossed that the lockout is short.
Thanks again ... chat soon!
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