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September7 2020 Chat
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Brent Hershey
12:03
Happy Labor Day all, even in the midst of this crazy time! Thanks for showing up on this holiday. Heading into the final three weeks of the regular season; time's a-wastin for those fantasy races. Let's get to answering some questions ....
The Koz
12:08
EGAD!!  What has happened to the catching community...have expectations fallen so low that a .150 avg is completely acceptable?   Is there any offense on the horizon with this position, or will it be all about defense?
Brent Hershey
12:08
Yeah, the bar has been lowered recently, though I feel like there have been some surprisingly OK performances in this sprint—Max Stassi, The Austin Nola Experience, Kiner-Falefa in his last gasp at CA eligibility in many leagues to name a few. But looking forward, yes, I think there are some bats to come—Campusano in SD, Bart taking the next step, Smith/Ruiz in Dodgerland. Plus ... be on the lookout for the next 'veteran' that you forgot about to put it together at the plate. Sometimes they don't have long-term staying power (sideways glance at you, Mitch Garver) but the play can be just short-term it one year at a time.
Jeff
12:13
Happy Labor Day, Brent! Rowdy Tellez has had an interesting season thus far. He's a bit of a post-hype guy and has made big contact gains. Mixed with the willingness to hit to all fields, are you intrigued at all by the Jays 1B/DH?
Brent Hershey
12:13
Thanks, Jeff! Yeah, wow, must confess I knew he was doing better, but didn't realize the amount of gains Tellez has made in his plate skills this year until peeking just now. At 25 years old, I'm definitely intrigued. The downside is that Vladdy's move to 1B quicker than I thought relegates Tellez to a DH-only, which some MLB teams more than others like to spread out over more than just one player. But given what Tellez has done this year, maybe the Jays roll with him as primary DH going forward. He's really had the year that I thought Josh Bell was set up for; says one who has rostered Bell on several teams.
Jeff's Roommate
12:18
Brent! I always appreciate your time, especially on the holiday. Between D.L. Hall, Josiah Gray, Matt Liberatore, and Joe Ryan, who are you targeting to be the potential ace of your staff in the next 3 years?
Brent Hershey
12:18
Jeff's Roommate! At first pass, I don't really consider any of those four "ace" material, in the sense of a traditional year-in-year-out no-brainer. Don't get me wrong—they will be fantasy contributors, but not ones I think about right now in a "future dominator" category. But, I'd probably loosely rank these Liberatore, Gray, Hall, Ryan as guys I'd want on my future staffs. Have to love what LA has gotten out of their talented arms young arm recently, so if you'd want to flip Gray and Lieberatore, I'm good with that; those two are close in my mind and a half-step above the others for me right now.
David
12:28
Happy Monday, Brent. I have the chance to acquire Royce Lewis in my keeper league for a seemingly discounted price. How good do you think he’ll be? Is there a player you could compare his ceiling to? Thank you, as always!
Brent Hershey
12:28
If you feel like it's a discount, then go for it. He was #6 overall in our pre-season prospect list and we have him with impact-potential rating, even through he struggled some in 2019. The freakish athlete characteristics is what's driving his profile, a power/speed combo that will likely play in the middle of the diamond somewhere. The risk portion is a noisy swing and struggles against RHP. I think his ceiling—again, best-case—would be skills in the Luis Robert mold, maybe a half-tick lower. There are some questions about how Lewis' hit tool will transfer to MLB, but pop, run, and athleticism as a defender. Admittedly, I thought Robert's hit tool would take longer to materialize, and so feel like there is similar risk here with Lewis. (We had Robert #3 on our prospect list)
Paul
12:33
Quick question, Brent! Any sleeper reliever “aces” you think could turn into team closers next year? #lastplaceteamlookingahead
Brent Hershey
12:33
Yes, have a couple -- and as always, these may or may not be sleepers depending on your league situation. In no particular order, I'm a big fan of the skill sets of Jordan Romano (TOR), Josh Staumont (KC), Jonathan Hernandez (TEX) and Hunter Harvey (BAL). Realize those are all AL guys, but all have taken steps forward in 2020. Lucas Sims (CIN) is probably deeper down the depth chart, but an intriguing arm for me in the NL.
The Koz
12:36
How do you feel about Austin Meadows?  Was last year for real in terms of what we can expect moving forward, or will it perhaps end up being his outlier?  I don't really see anything encouraging this year..
Brent Hershey
12:36
Yeah, I'm also disappointed in Meadows' 2020. I still believe in his 2019; that's the type of impact we witnessed in the minors during his healthy seasons. But ... the health stuff is a concern. Meadows is young enough and skilled enough that I'm willing to hand-wave 2020, though agree it's not a nice line to look at. Walk rate has remained the same, but he certainly can't be the contributor we thought with that 10-percentage point dip in contact rate for sure. I'm still on board in keeper leagues, though.
The Koz
12:41
I don't know if you have a limit on questions to be asked, but here I go again haha...in your humble opinion, what is the best way to set a batting order in scoresheet?
Brent Hershey
12:41
Sure, I take multiples when it works ... but this one deserves a long answer, heh. So I'll keep it brief: often put my best hitters in 1-2-3 slots (not necessarily that order), just to maximize their AB. OBP heavy at the top; high SLGers in 3-6 spots, maybe a higher OBP but lower BA guy in #9 this year or in ALs. Do certainly look at platoon splits for moving guys around in the order, as well as in/out of the lineups.
For those wondering, Scoresheet is a fabulous weekly simulation game that runs of this current year stats. Totally different experience that roto or H2H, but tons of fun. Check it out if you get the chance.
Rich
12:44
Will Khris Davis be given an opportunity to break out of his slump?
Brent Hershey
12:44
Really does not look promising. Skills in the midst of a steep two-year dive; OAK a playoff team with other options. He's a vet I'd be cutting in many formats right now.
Beano
12:47
I cleverly bought Segura this year for $19. Is it safe to waive him? Or will he be a $19 guy next year? We keep guys for 2 years if we want (10 team NL 5x5)
Brent Hershey
12:47
Yeah, it's safe to waive ... not sure at this point I'd consider him a strong or even lukewarm keeper at $19 for 2021. Still just 30; strong history so likely to rebound ... but someone you should be able to buy back for less if you really like him next season. Keep your options open during draft day.
Dave
12:52
Hi Brent.  These chats are great.  Clint Frazier or Dom Smith this week?
Brent Hershey
12:52
You all are great! How about Dom Smith this year? Great strides; increased his value with ability to play OF. Super story.  That said, this is close ... our weekly rater says opponents are about the same (strong week for both); Yanks have 1 more game than Mets. Seems like Dom is playing more than Clint, though. I'd stick with Smith, but Frazier is justifiable also.
Eddie
12:55
Brent, which teams have the most games left to play and how would that impact your lineup strategy in H2H leagues (if at all)?
Brent Hershey
12:55
Simple math will tell you part #1; certainly those teams who were COVID-affected are in that discussion. And yes, that should play a role each week. For instance 14 MLB squads play at least 7 games this week, but four MLB teams play only 5. significant difference, especially on the hitting side. You want volume, even for those 7-inning DHs
WayOffBase
12:59
Which one of my youngsters do I put in for Tyler Mahle this week -- Cease, Javier or Pablo Lopez; or just hold him?
Brent Hershey
12:59
Big Mahle fan here; 2-start week but our numbers say matchups are 'meh'. Lopez (1 start) rating is better; not sold on Cease or Javier's weeks. I'd choose between Mahle and Lopez, depending on how important the second start is to you in your standings; likely with a slight lean towards Lopez.
Rich
1:01
Hi Brent. Ke’Bryan Hayes is off to a BABIP- fueled hot start, but he’s also hitting the ball very hard, albeit with a lot of ground balls. Is he worth a pickup in a 12-team mixed OBP league?  What kind of production would you expect ROS from him?  Thanks!
Brent Hershey
1:01
Hoping for a hot finish is all we can do at this point for most of our players. Probably marginal consideration in a 12-tm OBP league; I'd bet there are safer veterans in your FA pool. Not crazy to give it a shot (he's got the PT wrapped up, it seems), tho. Nutso year, right?
DeepLeft
1:03
Would you bench 1B-LaMonte Wade or C-Sisco in favor of playing  1B/C-Plawecki, ROS? Thanks for laboring on Labor Day!
Brent Hershey
1:03
Ugh, so much want to be on the Sisco bandwagon ... but he's still making it difficult. With Plawecki's injury yesterday, though, think I'd just hope for a Sisco hot streak
Beano
1:05
These chats are great! thanks for doing them. Is Tyler Rogers worth having? I imagine he will get a save or two - but he isn't good -right? Am I missing something? anything?
Brent Hershey
1:05
Depends how badly you need saves, so, in order: #1: Maybe. #2: No, he's not good. #3: Probably not. #4: He seems to have the inside track to save chances right now.

Good luck; I'm in the same boat in one league.
DeepLeft
1:05
Just saw Plawecki got hurt (listed day-to-day), so I'll keep things the way they are. Sorry to disturb.
Brent Hershey
1:05
/thumbs up/; no problem.
Guest
1:06
thoughts on Tejay Antone, C. Baragar and C Shreve?
Brent Hershey
1:06
Intrigued by Antone; might consider over these last few weeks. Not so with the others.
Brent Hershey
1:08
And another down! Wow, will miss these once the regular season has ended in three weeks. Thanks to all for participating; enjoy the games starting ... right now! I'll be back next week, same time/place. Hit me up on Twitter with a follow and/or question @BrentHQ. Find loads of amazing fantasy baseball content at BaseballHQ.com. See ya next week; thanks!
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