With the time when prospects are called up and Memorial Day upon us, it's appropriate for us to take this time to walk past the fallen rookies of the past. Sorta like the Rites of Passage walk on Survivor when they burn all of the Survivors' belongings that didn't make it to the end. When I write it out, it sounds like something Germany did in the 1940s. Any the hoo! Here we have the number one pick in the 2008 MLB draft, Tim Beckham. Actual Keith Law quote, "(Beckham has) the best chance of anybody in this draft pool to be a superstar." Not Buster Posey (drafted a few picks after him), but Beckham. Next up, Jesus Montero and Zach McAllister. Actual Keith Law quote from a chatscript: Question, "Could Montero be an All-Star level 1B?" Answer from Law, "Yes." Question, "How do you project McAllister?" Law answer, "At least a #3." At least! These are fun, let's do more! Another question posed to him, "I've heard contrasting things about Dustin Ackley's power. Based on what you've seen what is Ackley's ceiling in terms of HR/year?" Keith, or Klaw as he calls himself, said, "I could see 20-25. I'd say Ackley's chance for 30 HR power is 20%." Okay, one more (though I could do this all day) actual Keith Law quote, and this one is classic because he name drops his alma mater. In 2009, someone asked him, "Shouldn't Teheran be higher on (Law's prospect) list than Jeff Locke?" Keith said, "Are you asking me or telling me? When I first got to Harvard, there was this variety show that some upperclassmen put on during freshman week, and one guy had a funny routine about "flexers" -- students who would ask bogus questions that were really designed to state opinions or try to show off knowledge. (Grey comment, "Sounds like a riot!") Obviously, the answer is "no," since I ranked Locke over Teheran. It's incredibly naive to ignore probability when ranking prospects." I do enjoy a pompous ass. I wonder if he has a post.harvard.edu email address. Of course, he does! Shoot, his email is likely [email protected]. So, what in the Hans Christian Anderson does this have to do with Carlos Correa? He's a sure thing right now. That doesn't mean he's a sure thing. A lot of shizz happens between Matt Bush signing a contract and having his tiki torch snuffed out with his 4th DUI while singing Free Bird. Just like it's also true that Albert Pujols was drafted in the 13th round. I'm reminded of the William Goldman quote about Hollywood, no one knows anything. What we do know is the Astros are winning and have no reason to keep down the hitting Correa. He looks like a young Hanley. Just remember, so did Xander Bogaerts. Anyway, here's some more players to Buy or Sell this week in fantasy baseball:
Monthly Archives: May 2015
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Every so often, we get reminded that players sometimes just need minor mechanical or mental adjustments to finally unlock their potential. As we all know, [player]Chris Colabello[/player] profiles as the classic quad-a player, lacking statistical precedent to sustain success in the bigs. I saw his insane average over 50 ABs and wondered if he changed anything from his approach from when he was with the Twins to warrant further review. Last year, Steve Pearce proved that a breakout (temporary as it might have been) is possible for players their 30s and I need not remind anyone of how bad Encarnación and Joey Bats were to start their careers.
So many people are fanatics about Shark Week. If you don't know what I'm talking about, just log on any social media outlet on July 5th of this year. I would advise not doing so unless you like endless rants by teenagers who are fascinated with sea creatures. Instead, you should play some DraftKings fantasy baseball. Maybe the real Shark will be pitching that day. With his 4.00+ ERA, I'm not sure they even call Jeff Samardzija the Shark anymore actually (maybe he's like a toothless shark or something). He just happens to be pitching today, and he will be in my lineup. The Twins can make any right handed pitcher look good this year. Samardzija has looked rough this year, but he is coming off of an 8 inning, 3 ER performance. We know he has the capability to be an ace. He finally looks right and has a great match-up to go with it.
New to DraftKings? Scared of feeling like a small fish in a big pond? Well try out this 25 teamer of Razzball writers and friends to wet your DK whistle. Just remember to sign up through us before you do. It’s how we know you care! If you still feel helpless and lonely, be sure to subscribe to the DFSBot for your daily baseball plays.
Yesterday, Jacob deGrom threw 8 IP, 0 ER, 1 hit, zero walks and 11 Ks, screaming at the top of his lungs that Metco will now be known as deGromercy Park, and if you missed deGame, then feast your eyes on deROM, because your underwear is now firmware after what he did to Wong -- 2 Ks. Or if you're Asian, then deNom-Nom-Nom, or into deRom-Com with meGrom Ryan and would be the deBomb dot gov. Okay, okay, deCalm down, deGrey, you sound like you're trying to teach Gibberish to a foreigner. I was concerned about deGrom in the opening month, but he's turned on the jets recently (sorry, Sharks). His K-rate is 8.7, walk rate is 2.1 and his xFIP is 3.26. That's a little less than ace numbers, but not too far less. Solid number two, which is actually a good thing in this example. By the by, can someone get in touch with deGrom for me? I have a chapstick called deGrom Lip Balm and I need an endorsement. Anyway, here's what else I saw yesterday in fantasy baseball:
Greetings! How's your week going? Swimmingly, I pray. How's mine? First off, thanks for asking, for it's much appreciated. I have a 88-year-old Grandmother with a severe alzheimer's and a broken hip, so things could certainly be better. That's without mentioning what is seemingly a wasted season for Corey Dickerson and sliding in at dead last in one my RCL leagues. Ahhhhh, the Elder Gods have decided among themselves to test me this week, seeing if I will wilt and ball up like a baby as if I were Lindsay Lohan after her coke dealer began screening her calls. Say one thing for Tehol Beddict, he's a artist. And I WILL NOT stop pouring out my heart and soul into this Razzballian scripture, not until my final breath. With that being said, I'm exhausted, so let's move along shall we.
I am Tehol Beddict, and this is, DISGRACE/DELIGHT! TAKE HEED!
Bear or Bull: For Whom the Beltre Tolls
May 21, 2015 | 2023 Fantasy Baseball | 50 Commentsby: Big Magoo
Congratulations are in order for Adrian Beltre. Last week, he became the newest member of the 400 home run club and only the 52nd player in MLB history to accomplish that impressive feat. Only three other active players - Alex Rodriguez, Albert Pujols, and David Ortiz - are in that company. To put it into historical perspective, Beltre is one of only four players to spend at least 75 percent of his career at third base and reach that milestone. The other three players are Mike Schmidt, Eddie Mathews, and Chipper Jones. Two Hall of Famers and one soon-to-be HOFer. That's some rarefied air. Or maybe that's just the sausages and peppers that I had for dinner making a return visit. We'll go with the former. Sorry to any of our girl readers who are (were) reading this. It was nice knowing you!
Closer Report, Week 7: Goodbye Mr. Happy, and a Snake Committee?
May 21, 2015 | Closers, Middle Relievers | 40 Commentsby: Smokey
Big changes since last week kibitzed away and lot's of rankings went up and down. The regions in the south seem to be upping the border patrol in regards to the save situation, as both Texas and Arizona are forming committees. For this week, I would rather focus on the desert instead of the burbs of Arlington. So with the demotion of Addison Reed and a full on committee type approach, I am throwing my sombrero on Enrique Burgos to stay, maintain, and hold the job. I have touted him on two previous occasions as the "next gunslinger to be" down there, and well, guess what? He's here... sorta. Until Chip Hale realizes that he has a 60's sitcom name and gets his head out of the Archie comics, we may be stuck withe the veteran preference type thing. We shouldn't be, but most likely will be. We have seen what Zig-Zag has done and Reed? Well, he's cooked in my eyes. Enrique is the goods. He is the typical high 90's fastball having nonsense closer that you want. His minor league numbers suggest a high K rate, an occasional propensity to give up a walk, but he is young and sealing his oats. Be semi-patient, he has 18 total innings above A-ball. So far in the majors, he has 20 k's in 11 plus innings. That is pretty nasty.
I was in Baltimore yesterday, watching AL Cy Young winner Roenis Elias toe the mound for the Mariners. King Felix who? During the game, I was keeping tabs on my DraftKings lineup, which ultimately failed me in the end.
I was texting back and forth with my buddy, who is newer to DFS games. We have seemingly different strategies when it comes to setting our lineups, where I will always pay up for at least one stud pitcher and fine a bargain pitcher with upside for my second slot. He, on the other hand, prefers to find two cheap pitchers with strikeout upside. I explained my reasoning for how I do it. I feel that elite pitchers are the surest bet in fantasy, where even the best hitters get out seven out of 10 times at the plate.
It didn't work for me yesterday, but you know what they say about trusting the process, right? That's something I plan on doing, but when I look at the slate today, I get a little sick. There are only six games, but the pitching may be worse today than it has all year long.
Here's hoping for the best.
Straight to the cash, homie.
New to DraftKings? Scared of feeling like a small fish in a big pond? Well try out this 25 teamer of Razzball writers and friends to wet your DK whistle. Just remember to sign up through us before you do. It’s how we know you care! If you still feel helpless and lonely, be sure to subscribe to the DFSBot for your daily baseball plays.
I get props at my mention 'cause I vex y'all. So Wada Wada want! He's so funny with the 88 MPH gas that he flaunt! Where'd you get your information from, huh? You think that Tsuyoshi can front a fantasy rotation when revelation comes? You can't front a fantasy rotation on that! Sweeter than that Jason Hammel guy with Ready Whip topping? Goin' from streamer to streamer kickin' it wall to wall! Well, I'll be calling out you people who draft a number one starter! It's wack when you're jacked, someone take Strasburg from me, he can't throw no harder! As you can bet I think I'm losing my league this time. This time I'm losing my league. So, Tsuyoshi Wada looked terrific yesterday in his first start of the year, if just not fully stretched out -- 4 2/3 IP, 2 ER, 5 baserunners, 9 Ks. He was solid last year (7.4 K/9, 2.5 BB/9, 3.25 ERA in 69 1/3 IP). The Ks from yesterday likely won't be the norm, but he should be solid for most mixed leagues once he gets stretched out, which should be by next game. I'd definitely grab him, and you can't front on that! Anyway, here's what else I saw yesterday in fantasy baseball:
In a surprising move, the Nationals promoted infield prospect Wilmer Difo to the majors yesterday when Jayson Werth hit the disabled list. In some ways it makes a lot of sense, as Difo was already on the 40-man roster and hitting well in the minors to start the season. This move reminds me of the Twins jumping Jorge Polanco to the majors last year to fill a need on their major league roster - opting to temporarily go with an unproven player already on the 40-man instead of shuffling the entire deck. Difo is still pretty raw, and raw prospects are a lot like raw eggs. All the "stuff" is there, but it's usually a good idea to cook 'em. It's uncertain exactly how the Nats will use him going forward given that their current infield seems to be working just fine. So while I don't expect Difo to stick this year once the Nats get healthy, this presents us with a good opportunity to peek at his profile...
The short answer is: It's made some of us very rich.
As someone (in some small capacity) involved in the online fantasy baseball industry, it is impossible to ignore the massive changes over the past couple years due to the rise of daily fantasy baseball.
Before "The Rise" it seemed like fantasy baseball was losing, a little bit more each year, a portion of its casual participants. This undoubtedly put a strain on people trying to make a living by doling out fantasy advice. Also the fact that even people who avidly consumed fantasy baseball content were reluctant to ever pay for it only added to the problem.
(Kudos to Grey by the way for doing a good job of catering to the casual player and creating an atmosphere where people are also happy to throw a few bucks his way.)
