Did you ever think we’d get to the end of the 2021 fantasy baseball rankings? You did? Wow, you had more faith than me. Some time around the top 60 outfielders for 2021 fantasy baseball, I thought we were gonna have to pack it up and start ranking something else, like the top 20 reasons why we weren’t finishing the 2021 fantasy baseball rankings. Never the hoo! Here we are now! Entertain us! Wait, that’s my job. Now that I think about it, why is Nirvana saying “Entertain us?” They were the band supposed to entertain us. Wait, were their concerts just mass karaoke singalongs where the audience sang to them? Hmm, will research this and get back to you! So, from the 2021 fantasy baseball rankings, specifically the starter rankings, comes a need for this post: The 2021 fantasy baseball pitchers’ pairing tool. This is where things get interesting! And by ‘interesting’ I mean massively confusing. If what you’re about to read were found scribbled in a notebook, the FBI would be watching me. If The Night Stalker stood up and read this at the next prison Meet N’ Greet, no one would blink an eye. Besides, of course, him being dead might raise some eyebrows.
For these pitcher pairings, I’m going to be using our (my) 2021 fantasy baseball rankings. Notably, the top 20 for 2021 fantasy baseball, the top 20 starters for 2021 fantasy baseball, top 40 starters for 2021, top 60 starters for 2021, the top 80 starters for 2021 and top 100 starters. You can also just get Rudy’s downloadable War Room by signing up for the Razzball Subscriptions. Okay, formalities out of the way. *rolls up sleeves, makes farting noise with hand under armpit, rolls down sleeve* Let’s get busy! Now, what is a pitcher pairing? It’s your plan for putting together a fantasy pitching staff. A course of action, of course — of acoursion, naturally. If you have A pitcher, which B, C, D, E and F pitcher goes with him? Which is different than ‘F this pitcher,’ that’s what you say by end of April about at least one of your starters. You should have six starters. The sixth starter is Nate Pearson or take whoever you want. I suggest an upside pick. Luke Weaver comes to mind. Or Caleb Smith. Dustin May also comes to mind. Triston McKenzie anyone? I’m going to assume you’re in a 12 team, 5×5 and some variation of 9 pitcher leagues like the Razzball Commenter Leagues, which are now in the process of filling up. Put on your pants and look presentable! Anyway, here’s pitcher pairings for pitching staffs for 2021 fantasy baseball drafts:
If your first pitcher is from the tiers: Sipping on your daiquiri, and Hanging out with Neil, Patrick, Harris
These tiers are from Bieber to Nola. If you draft someone from these tiers, you’ll probably lose your league or get lucky with your hitters. If you do draft one, I wouldn’t take another pitcher until the tiers, “Bon varyäge” and “Get fitted for a tuxedo shirt now.” Take one pitcher from one of those two tiers, then grab another starter from one of those two tiers or, “Sideways bosom.” Then grab another starter from, “Sideways Bosom,” “Got tix for your team’s home opener,” or “Dorf on Golf Presents: Fore!” or “Broken emergency anchor glass.” Then one starter from Anchor glass or “I’m using the milkrowave.” Finally, draft one more starter from a milkrowave. So, you’d have a rotation something like Shane Bieber, Jose Berrios, Jesus Luzardo, Kyle Hendricks, Sean Manaea and Triston McKenzie. Or you could have Gerrit Cole, Julio Urias, Kyle Hendricks, Chris Bassitt, Brady Singer, and Nate Pearson. Either of those staffs will probably net you 13’s in every pitching category in a 12 team league.
If your first pitcher is from the tier: Allusions (delusions?)
This tier is from Scherzer to Gallen. I’d pair any of them with anyone in their same tier or the tier, “The Safety Dance,” “Bon varyäge” and “Get fitted for a tuxedo shirt now,” but it’s not mandatory you grab two in the first two tiers. In other words, if I drafted Max Scherzer, I could see taking Zac Gallen or Brandon Woodruff or anyone from any of those tiers, but I wouldn’t reach either. If you do take two guys from those first two tiers, then move to “Bon varyäge” and “Get fitted for a tuxedo shirt now,” and take one guy. You will also be fine taking Woodruff and moving right to Bon varyäge or the tuxedo shirt. If you skip a 2nd starter in Allusions and The Safety Dance, then draft two guys in the Bon varyäge and/or the tuxedo shirt. So, you could have either something like Woodruff, Lance Lynn and Luzardo or Woodruff, Berrios and Luzardo. Either way, you then move along to Sideways bosom, Got tix? and a Dorf and grab a guy, then onto another Dorf, anchor glass or a milkrowave. Finally, one guy from the milkrowave. So, you’ll have something like Woodruff, Lynn, Luzardo, Kyle Hendricks, Ryan Yarbrough and Jameson Taillon. Don’t mind if I do! Or you could have something like Scherzer, Carrasco, Julio Urias, Patrick Corbin, Ryan Yarbrough, and Noah Syndergaard. That’s straight gorge. As in engorged.
If your first pitcher is from the tier: The Safety Dance
This tier goes from Hyun-Jin Ryu to Sonny Gray. This is likely the way I’m going in 12-team leagues and shallower. This would be ideal (and just as convoluted. Anyone that actually reads AND understands this post deserves a gold star and a head exam. “You, sir, are fit for the looney bin.”) My first pitcher will be from The Safety Dance, then two starters bon varyäge and getting fitted for a tuxedo shirt, then one starter from sideways bosom, got tix?, a Dorf and one starter from a Dorf, anchor glass and milkrowave. Finally, a milkrowave. So, you could have something like Sonny Gray, Kevin Gausman, Pablo Lopez, Kyle Hendricks, Ryan Yarbrough and Nate Pearson. You just won your league and games haven’t even started. You’re welcome. Could this post become more confusing? Short answer: no. Long answer: nooooooooooo. But let’s try…
Overall Thoughts
You can’t go wrong with a lot of different sets of pitchers. You probably could do fine with drafting only 3 starters and 3 great relievers and streaming. (Razzball Subscriptions are now open with the Streamonator.) If you stick to the pitchers I like, then you’ll do well matching them up any way you see fit. For unstints, I could see a lot of people saying Luzardo is being drafted closer to a number two vs. a number three, so do I reach for him? Sure. If you draft only pitchers that I like, then I have no quarrel with you. Wanna reach for Luzardo in the area when I’m saying bon varyäges are coming off the board? That’s cool with me. Just know you’re adding risk to your rotation.
TROUBLE AREAS
WHIP Issues – For every pitcher who is projected over a 1.23 WHIP, take one below. The quicker you do this, the better off you’ll be. For unstints, if you take Patrick Corbin, who I have projected for 1.24, you need to pair him with someone I have projected below a 1.23. Don’t pair Corbin with Tyler Mahle. Pair him with someone like Zach Eflin. Remember, the further you get into the rankings, the harder it becomes to find lower WHIPs. Side note: WHIP can be helped by closers and MRs… Or hurt by them.
What about the tier “Changing underwear every day in case you die,” or any starter listed in the top 100 starters who are in tiers not listed above. They are 7th starters or IL, minors or bullpen-bound. I wouldn’t count on any of them for anything. I like me some Edward Cabrera or a bunch of those guys, but are you really starting any of them every time out in April and risking a huge blow up or them just not being in the rotation, which would lead to a crushing April that leaves you in your fantasy baseball basement and a chance to start trading for keepers in May? You take a flyer on someone like Alex Wood, hope he works out and if he doesn’t, you decide whether to drop him in redraft leagues. He’s not your 6th starter.
K ISSUES – For drafters who follow my lead, this shouldn’t be much of an issue. You’re shooting for around 150/starter.
Overall Pitching Issues – Just about everyone, including yours truly, drops at least one of their starters by May 1st. Obviously, you want the best team coming out the draft, but it’s a marathon not a sprint. Starters always come out of nowhere on waivers to become productive. Always. Even in deep leagues.
BONUS FEATURE
Because we both know everything above this point was the gibberish of a mad mind, here’s an easy to use shortcut. Just click the pitcher you draft, then you’ll get a short list of the next pitcher you’re supposed to draft. Frank Voila, snitches! Now, have at it:
Grey!!!
Great PPP report. You the embodiment of the triple threat!
a. Am gonna love using the PPP in my draft! Thanks!
b. MLB quote of the day for February 17, 2021
1. Whammy Douglas, born February 17, 1935
‘(Branch) Rickey thought the eye would affect me. He told me I would never be able to field my position. I proved him wrong, though, and he eventually apologized. I think I led every league I ever played in with pickoffs at second base. People would say, ‘You can’t see second base, what’s going on?’ Rickey apologized down the road, though. He was an alright guy.’
Whammy Douglas on MiLB.com (Kevin T. Czerwinski, 07/30/2008, ‘Whammy’ racked up wins with one eye’, Source)
2. ‘Alan Wiggins, born February 17, 1958
‘We’d sit around and talk about pro ball, what was going to happen, how we’d do,’ Hollier said. “‘Alan and I were best friends. Neither of us had a dad, or much money, and we figured sports was our way out. Alan probably had less than any of us, but he wasn’t going to let that stop him. I remember once when he didn’t have any shoes to wear, so he wore these white Converse high-tops, and he didn’t care who laughed at him.’ What did matter was that Wiggins could out-run anyone in his bare feet. He knew he was going to play ball. He just knew it. All you had to do was ask him. ‘Alan knew he had superior talent,’ Stone said. ‘I remember one day I was working, and he said to me, ‘You know something, I’ll never have to work a day in my life,’ and he kind of laughed. You know something, he never did.'”
Los Angeles Times Staff Writer Bob Nightengale (01/13/1991, A Troubled Life, a Lonely Death : Former Padre Star Alan Wiggins Is Remembered by Friends Who Lost Touch With Him After Drugs Ruined Promising Career, Source)
3. Tony Phillips, died February 17, 2016
‘Phillips puts every ounce of energy into every game he plays. If it means fouling off six pitches before drawing a rally-extending base on balls, he’ll do that. If it means stepping in and out of the batter’s box to irritate the pitcher, he’ll do that. If it means breaking up a double play with a hard slide, he’ll do that. If it means moaning to the umpire, he’ll do that. He has a tremendous knack for getting on people’s nerves. He also has a tremendous knack for helping teams win baseball games.’
Sportswriter Bob Ryan in Baseball Digest (December 1995, Bob Ryan, ‘Tony Phillips Masters Art of Gaining a Winning Edge’, Page 70)
4. Steve Bechler, died February 17, 2003
‘Steve (Bechler) was a tough guy. He was a competitor. I didn’t know him that well, but I knew him well enough to know he loved the game and loved to compete.’
Baltimore Orioles Manager Mike Hargrove
c. Random Reggie Jackson quote of the day for February 17, 2021
‘The only reason I don’t like playing in the World Series is I can’t watch myself play.’
Cheers,
Ante
Ha, thanks!
B. Whammy Douglas is a great name— Tony Phillips died? These are getting sad — nice on Reggie!
Grey!!!
I’m sorry, I was in a somber mood this AM. I’m over it, hopefully my current joy will keep me afloat. Corona timeline problems are one thing but when you compound other problems with it things become somber. Anyway, like I said I snapped out of it.
Cheers,
Ante
Float on, floater!
“Aquarius and my name is Vegans”
How do you feel about balloon animals?
Man, that feature you put together at the end is really cool. Nice touch!
Thanks!
This post is always a highlight…and I’m sure you’ve answered this before, but why don’t you rank RP’s? or identify potential sleepers at the position?
Also, please tell me the yahoo fantasy ranklings is coming, it’s my fave post of the year!
RPs are ranked in my top 500 https://razzball.com/top-500-for-2021-fantasy-baseball/
RPs change so often we have a writer, Kerry, dedicated to RPs once a week
Yahoo rankings is coming
Hi. 20 team keep forever (keep 8)
Keeping bellinger, yelich, dj, bohm, maeda. Please help choose the remaining 3 to keep out of dylan carlson, corbin burnes, nick madrigal, ketel marte, kirilloff
Thanks
Ketel, Burnes, then toss up, I guess Carlson
Actually keep forever might favor Kirilloff
In the middle of a 1k NFBC DC, Kyle Lewis took at pick 180, I see you have him ranked at 40, quite a disparity there.
That’s crazy, what a steal
Do you dislike Giolito so much that you left him out!?
I think a whole tier is missing, “I yam disgustipated.” I have Flaherty in a keeper and couldn’t find him.
Guys I wouldn’t draft are not included, bc I wouldn’t draft them
If you had one as a keeper, or you refused to listen to me, click Bieber, it’s the same diff
I should have never questioned the Grey-te one. In my defense Jack was dropped and I only used a waiver to acquire. Thanks for all the work you do.
Ha, No problem! And he’s great for a waiver add!
Grey,
I received two trade offers in my keeper/salary cap league and needed your thoughts on them
Trade 1:
I give up: Franmil Reyes ($14) and Emilio Pagan ($6) and minor league prospect Ben Hernandez (RHP/KC)
I get: Syndergaard ($21) and minor league prospect George Kirby(RHP/KC)
Trade 2:
I give up: Kyle Tucker ($9) and Bo Bichette ($8)
I get: Miguel Rojas ($8) and Mike Trout ($40) planning on saying no to this one
Trade two looks like my type of proposal. You should definitely say no, unless of course you are in my league and I proposed it. In that case, please say yes.
Haha
These are not good
who should I offer for Syndergaard ($21) and Kirby.
My Roster:
C/1B Austin Nola (SD) $6.00
C/1B J.T. Realmuto (PHI) $22.00
1B/OF Cody Bellinger (LAD) $30.00
1B/3B Alec Bohm (PHI) $6.00
1B Freddie Freeman (ATL) $31.00
1B Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. (TOR) $7.00
1B Luke Voit (NYY) $18.00
2B Jose Altuve (HOU) $17.00
2B Nick Madrigal (CWS) $7.00
3B Alex Bregman (HOU) $21.00
3B Jose Ramirez (CLE) $34.00
SS Javier Baez (CHC) $21.00
SS Bo Bichette (TOR) $8.00
SS Xander Bogearts (BOS) $29.00
OF Michael Brantley (HOU) $16.00
OF Michael Conforto (NYM) $19.00
OF Adam Eaton (CWS) $7.00
OF Luis Robert (CWS) $14.00
OF Kyle Tucker (HOU) $9.00
UT Yordan Alvarez (HOU) $7.00
UT/SP Shohei Ohtani (LAA) $12.00
UT Franmil Reyes (CLE) $14.00
SP Trevor Bauer (LAD) $28.00
SP Yu Darvish (SD) $25.00
SP Deivi Garcia (NYY) $7.00
SP Clayton Kershaw (LAD) $20.00
SP Lance McCullers, Jr. (HOU) $11.00
SP/RP Tristan McKenzie (CLE) $6.00
SP Chris Paddack (SD) $6.00
SP Chris Sale (BOS) $17.00
SP Max Scherzer (WAS) $29.00
SP Luis Severino (NYY) $9.00
SP Julio Urias (LAD) $11.00
SP Brandon Woodruff (MIL) $16.00
RP Nick Anderson (TB) $7.00
RP Alex Colome (MIN) $11.00
RP Giovanny Gallegos (STL) $6.00
RP Brad Hand (WAS) $9.00
RP Raisel Iglesias (LAA) $10.00
RP Emilio Pagan (SD) $6.00
RP Tanner Rainey (WAS) $6.00
RP Will Smith (ATL) $7.00
Minor leaguers
C Dillon Dingler (DET)
C Adler Rutschman (BAL)
C Tyler Soderstrom (OAK)
1B Andrew Vaughn (CWS)
2B Josh Smith (NYY)
3B Kody Hoese (LAD)
3B/OF Ryan Vilade (COL)
SS CJ Abrams (SD)
SS Masyn Winn (STL)
SS Bobby Witt, Jr. (KC)
OF Tyler Gentry (KC)
OF Luis Matos (SF)
OF Heliot Ramos (SF)
OF Julio Rodriguez (SEA)
OF Drew Waters (ATL)
SP/RHP Mick Abel (PHI)
SP,RP/RHP Nick Bitsko (TB)
SP/LHP Braxton Garrett (MIA)
SP/RHP Yoendrys Gomez (NYY)
SP/LHP MacKenzie Gore (SD)
SP/RHP Hunter Greene (CIN)
SP/RHP Ethan Hankins (CLE)
SP,RP/RHP Cole Henry (WAS)
SP/RHP Ben Hernandez (KC)
SP/RHP Landon Knack (LAD)
SP/LHP Matthew Liberatore (STL)
SP,RP/LHP Shane McClanahan (TB)
SP/RHP Max Meyer (MIA)
SP,RP/RHP Carmen Mlodzinski (PIT)
SP/RHP Alexander Vizcaino (NYY)
SP/LHP Joey Wentz (DET)
He is looking for a 1B and RP
Adam Eaton
i offered him Eaton, doesnt want him
Brantley
who else?
Try him
Well he told me he is looking for 1B and RP
would rather keep Voit. Thats why I offered F. Reyes, Pagan and Ben Hernandez.
I’d keep Voit
Ah
should I offer Franmil, Pagan and Ben Hernandez for Thor and Kirby
Would prefer to send cheaper package
he said it would have to be those 3 (Franmil, Pagan and Hernandez) for Thor and Kirby
Doesn’t sound like it’s gonna work
im hearing that Austin Vaughn is in the mix to make the sox Opening roster. If that is true, then I need to move a 1B, So who could I move to get Thor?
Andrew
move vaughn? id move voit before vaughn
Why move either?
im going to see if he will do Franmil, pagan and Hernandez for Thor and Kirby
Okay
whew!
he wants to do Reyes straight up for Thor. Make the deal?
P.S. He is also giving me a list of players including Luke voit he would trade thor for
Sounds fair
what sounds fair Franimil for Thor?
here is the list of players he would trade thor for:
Luke Voit ($18)
Jose Altuve ($17)
Michael Conforto ($19)
Franmil Reyes ($14)
Wait, you didn’t post his whole roster too? Are you feeling ok today?
yes i did cram scroll up
sorry thats mine. This is his:
C Willson Contreras (CHC) $14.00
C Sam Huff (TEX) $7.00
1B/2B/SS Jake Cronenworth (SD) $7.00
1B/OF Ryan Mountcastle (BAL) $14.00
2B Starlin Castro (WAS) $11.00
2B/3B/SS/OF Tommy Edman (STL) $15.00
2B/SS/OF Ketel Marte (ARI) $19.00
3B Manny Machado (SD) $31.00
SS Tim Anderson (CWS) $27.00
SS Francisco Lindor (NYM) $32.00
SS Trevor Story (COL) $37.00
SS Fernando Tatis,Jr. (SD) $49.00
OF Mitch Haniger (SEA) $7.00
OF Bryce Harper (PHI) $31.00
OF Eloy Jimenez (CWS) $28.00
OF Alex Kiriloff (MIN) $10.00
OF Trevor Larnach (MIN) $7.00
OF Kevin Pillar (NYM) $6.00
OF Jorge Soler (KC) $12.00
UT Nelson Cruz (MIN) $18.00
UT Giancarlo Stanton (NYY) $20.00
SP Ian Anderson (ATL) $12.00
SP/RP Corbin Burnes (MIL) $16.00
SP Aaron Civale (CLE) $8.00
SP Gerrit Cole (NYY) $39.00
SP Max Fried (ATL) $16.00
SP Zac Gallen (ARI) $18.00
SP/RP Brusdal Graterol (LAD) $6.00
SP Michael Kopech (CWS) $11.00
SP Dinelson Lamet (SD) $19.00
SP Lance Lynn (CWS) $20.00
SP Kenta Maeda (MIN) $19.00
SP Matt Manning (DET) $7.00
SP Noah Syndergaard (NYM) $21.00
RP Kenley Jansen (LAD) $15.00
RP James Karinchak (CLE) $16.00
RP Rafael Montero (SEA) $10.00
RP Luis Patino (TB) $6.00
RP Alex Reyes (STL) $8.00
RP Taylor Rogers (MIN) $11.00
RP Devin Williams (MIL) $8.00
Minor Leaguers
C,UT Luis Campusano (SD)
2B Aaron Bracho (CLE)
2B Michael Busch (LAD)
2B Tyler Callihan (CIN)
3B Tristan Casas (BOS)
3B Nolan Jones (CLE)
3B Tyler Keenan (SEA)
3B Colby Mayo (BAL)
3B Miguel Vargas (LAD)
3B A.J. Vukovich (ARI)
3B Jordan Walker (STL)
3B/SS Gage Workman (DET)
SS Oneil Cruz (PIT)
SS Wander S. Franco (TB) $7.00
SS Marco Luciano (SF)
SS Freudis Nova (HOU)
OF Hunter Bishop (SF)
OF Peyton Burdick (MIA)
OF Roberto Campos (DET)
OF Alexander Canario (SF)
OF Corbin Carroll (ARI)
OF Brennan Davis (CHC)
OF Michael Harris (ATL)
OF Hudson Head (PIT)
OF Alexfri Planez (CLE)
OF Alek Thomas (ARI)
SP/RHP Shane Baz (TB)
SP Jhoan Duran (MIN)
SP/LHP DL Hall (BAL)
SP,RP/RHP Jared Kelley (CWS)
SP/RHP George Kirby (SEA)
SP/RHP Joe Ryan (TB)
SP/RHP Jonathan Stiever (CWS)
SP/RHP Simeon Woods-Richardson (TOR)
SP/RHP Jackson Rutledge (WAS)
This is an interesting approach to balancing your pitching staff. If the categories are balanced, couldn’t someone really burn everyone else by taking 2 pitchers back to back like Beiber and Cole or Degrom? I know they would have to get really lucky with their bats but people do stuff like that in drafts just to be assholes.
You’re only burning yourself if you take deGrom and Cole or Bieber
Grey,
Love your knowledge and humor. You are awesome. I’m in a 12 team H2H points league. How does your strategy for starting pitchers change in this format? Thanks.
Thanks! Points leagues you have to draft SPs more aggressively — we have a Points writer, who should be posting soon
I’m in a shallow 6-team 5×5 roto league that uses QS instead of W.
C, 1B, 2B, 3B, SS, 3 OF, 2 UTIL
3 SP, 3 P 2 RP and a 1500 IP max
4 Bench
I have the first pick in a snake and the benefit of getting a pick at end/beginning of each turn. Giolito and Nola would both likely be available in our 3rd round. There are some other good arms I’m guessing that wouldn’t make it to the 4th round too.
1. In my size league would it make sense to grab one of these arms as a reliable anchor in the third round at pick 36 or 37?
2. If not, when would you wait to grab your first SP in my league?
1. Yes, that’s a very shallow league — I like Nola of those two
Grey-using your strategy of waiting pitchers….Bundy pick..99…McCullers…127…..Gausman…pick 154…loaded up with Bo-Lou-Bob-Eloy-Yordan-won’t bore you with the rest of my team….14 team roto who’s up first Kiriloff or Kelenic thanks for all the great info!!
Kirilloff
Got Kyle Lewis at 155?
That’s not a question!! That’s what I call value! So far my OF is Eloy-Lou-Bob-two doors to fill!
Oh, yeah! Crazy value
I didn’t
Awesome post/tool. AL-only keeper league, who do you prefer next 3 years:
Yordan @ 10, 15, 20
Adalberto @ 1, 6, 11
I’m mulling over a similar keeper decision between those two. It’s an auction where Yordan is the cheaper one.
It really comes down to risk tolerance.
Do you think Mondesi is a legit MLB hitter that can stick at the top of the lineup or will he get faded to the bottom again everytime he slumps?
Does Yordan have chronic knee issues that will keep him off the field? DH is also a bummer.
Lately I’ve been trending toward Mondesi given the lack of steals in the league.
Mondesi’s got a low floor if his speed slips — Yordan can hit 35+ HRs for the next 10 years
I do fear Yordan ending up being a chronically injured guy but not sure how well placed that fear is. Also, as Grey says, Mondesi’s value is very much dependent on SBs and that is more likely to slip before Yordan’s power. I think if Yordan is cheaper in your situation, I would stick with him for potential. I’m dealing with a bit of a roster crunch at DH (Yordan & Franmil) so trying to figure out some possible trade options. I think in my situation Yordan and Adalberto are relatively close value-wise given Adalberto’s cheaper contract (and the general inflexibility of Yordan as DH-only). I probably would not consider it (i.e. I’d keep Yordan) if I were not in this roster crunch where I need to deal one of my guys.
Thanks! Yordan
Great stuff as usual. Was wondering id Hobbes is going to post that H2H rankings tool. Dominated a league with that thing last year.
I’d ask Hobbes if he posted it, I’m not sure
Deep 14-Team H2H OBP Keep 6 Forever + 1 Rookie League
Expected Keepers: Trea, Bieber, Rendon, Alvarez, Judge
Who would you pick as your last keeper:
Biggio (OBP league boosts his value but afraid of drop in lineup)
Buxton
Hoskins
Valdez (Pitchers come at a premium in our league every year; usually load up on bats early)
Luzardo
Who would you pick as your rookie eligible keeper (we have one NA slot during the season):
Julio Rodriguez (play the long game)
Andrew Vaughn (call up more likely)
Nick Madrigal (starts immediately but much less upside)
Framber or Biggio is your choice — I’d go Biggio
Vaughn
Hey my good man,
What do you think of my lineup thus far for that Bobby’s World draft we are doing:
c –
1B – Bellinger
2b – Dylan Moore
ss – Bo Bichette
3b – Rendon
of1 – Randy Arozena
of2 – Anthony Santander
Util – Franmil Reyes
Sp1 – Flaherty
Sp2 – Ryu
Rp1 – Hader
Still trying to determine if closer good in this format or not. Like Hader for K’s and saves hopefully
Thanks
Grey, of course your team is looking good to me.
U have snagged about 3 or 4 players just before I was going to take them but guess that is per usual during drafts it seems.
Thanks!
Hader wasn’t a bad pick at all. Its the closers that may not end up getting saves or lose the job early on that will hurt. So my general rule on them in these bestballs is top 5ish around their ADP (the later the better obvi)… or don’t bother with them at all. Unless everyone else ignores them and there is a few of them in Round 30ish or so that you feel good about holding down the job.
A guy getting 3 saves in a week is money in this format. But you walk that tightrope of it being a wasted pick with no way to add a guy from waivers.
I want no less than 12 bullets for Pitchers. If I can swing 13 or 14 Pitchers bc I’ve grabbed guys with Multi eligibility, then that’s even better!
Thanks Nux. I am very new to this type of format. Interesting to see how others have picked. By the way, you just took Luzardo on me and he would have been my next pick instead of Santander.
Think my hitting is not too bad but guess we will see!
Santander is good for this format. There is a guy named Derek Rhoades, you can find him on the Tweeter @drhoa3. He has a very helpful sheet to use for these drafts. I would recommend looking into that if you decide to do more of them.
Anyways, with his sheet, you can import the projections from Steamer. And Santander pops. Plus Grey is a big fan. So it was a good pick. I have him on a bunch of these. I’ve done like 20ish so far.
I’m in the same boat, Nux. Have Santander quite a bit in my 20+ leagues.
I pretty much just get my guys, knowing how difficult it is in the end game. Pretty much know who will be left.
In most drafts of any kind there is a core of players chosen in the first 5 rounds without much variance, then a group of mid range guys to fill in rosters, the last third is where you win and lose.
I like it, I couldn’t believe Hader fell so far — I was about to draft him
Hey Grey!
Great article! I’ve revamped my staff a bit in my 12 team 25 keeper dynasty league, what should my target categories be in the draft with these guys as the lead dogs of my staff:
Lynn
Kershaw
Stroman
Keuchel
Skubal
Thanks! You don’t have a #3 — you have two #1s, or #1 and #2, then falls to 4 and risky flyers that I don’t like
Thanks Grey!
What tier should I focus on to snag another starter? I have bats I can move.
You need a number 3 — McCullers starts the 3s
Lol, I’m embarrassed to ask, “what if Bauer is your first pitcher??, or, “where’s Lamet???…, it’s an awesome tool anyways!!!!
I wouldn’t draft those guys — but if you must — Bauer is around Cole, and Lamet is around Kershaw
In my rankings, I say guys I wouldn’t draft
Grey – any interest in Aaron Sanchez after he signed with the Giants (after supposedly hitting 98mph during his throwing showcase last week)? He’s been bad for quite awhile but 98 is 98…
Aaron Sanchez? The ex-Jays pitcher? Wow, that’s a throwback — I’m interested, like coming across an aardvark in the wild
LOL. Anyway he’s listed as the Giants’ #4 starter right now behind Gausman, Cueto, and Disco and ahead of #5 Wood.
Aw, no more Logan Webb?
He’s listed at #6. Another 5.50 ERA, 1.50 WHIP back end Giants starter. He’ll probably get starts once Wood goes down with his annual injury.
Wood goes down — hey now!
Will Smith the catcher – is there some production concerns since some ofThe Dodgers Pitchers do not want throw to him – did you hear anthing about this Grey
He’s pencilled in for around 400 ABs, same as most catchers
keeper dynasty league 16 teams KEEP 10 so in round 11 we start off with 161 pick
– I have 165 pick – I own Will Smith the catcher – and Yasmani Grandal and Marcus Semien -they are all mine I can only keep one here and Christian Vázquez is on the draft board I want to keep Semien because all the short stops are crap after him – I know with the number 5 pick I can get one of the 3 catchers listed above
so what do you think
to be honest here Didi Gregorius might be had at spot 165
I like Didi
Semien
12 team H2H pts, little bit pitching heavy in the stats, keep forever
keeping —tatis, acuna, soto
three of these
arenado, bregman, flaherty, snell, woodruff, sonny gray
thanks
Arenado, Flaherty, Snell
I entered in a $125 keep all dynasty. My staff is: 12 teams.
Darvish
Lynn
Bundy
Plesac
Gausman
P. Lopez
Bassitt
Eflin
E. Hernandez
Turnbull
L. Hendricks
R. Rodriquez
Bard
Two teams went mostly with prospects after round 3. I can’t play that way. I coached for over 30 years and play to win now.
Your pitching looks stacked, likely better than you need
I know right. for bats ;
Rizzo
Albies
Tatis Jr
Devers
Swanson
Riley
Conforto
Gurriel
Santander
Hays
Taveras
Edman
Plus others to fill out 40 man roster. I wouldn’t mind having one other team in the league. Most teams were drafting for this year but then started taking prospects.
We’ll seehow it shakes out with the possibility of trades and FAAb. Should be fun.
Wow, that’s crazy…You’re set for this year and next 5 years
Thanks for all of your work! Fantastic as always. Another draft question…. Wondering how much you would be willing to spend on Flaherty in a Dynasty/Keeper format (I think my league is looking at him in the 25-30 SP range and could be a good value). Or do you just stay the hell away?
12 Teamer H2H Points League
$1000 draft budget
Keep whoever you want with progressive cost each year
20-40-60-80-100-125-150-175-200 etc
Jose Ramirez – $125
Manny Machado – $100
Xander Bogaerts – $80
Ozzie Albies – $80
Lance Lynn – $40
Carlos Carrasco – $40
Luis Roberts – $40
Trent Grisham – $20
Julio Rodriguez – $20
Alex Verdugo – $20
Kyle Lewis – $20
Dustin May – $20
Kenta Maeda – $20
Framber Valdez – $20
James Karinchak – $20
No problem! In a points keeper, I’d go after Flaherty…Feels like an easy $40-60 pitcher
Cool. Thanks!
No problem
Very cool, did a few practice runs and came out with some good looking staffs. There are tough options at certain points with regards pitchers that are listed vs the ones that aren’t. Valuable for decision making comps. Another job well done
Thanks!
Finally ha
Doing NFBC signups tomorrow
no walker buehler on the page?
Because I said in my rankings I would not draft him
For the 1st time since I’ve joined Razzball, my 3d starter wasn’t on your list.
Ryu
Berrios
McCullers
Mahle
Bassitt
Eliezer
Walker
Houck
Richards
Patino
Shoemaker
Luis Garcia
Bryce Wilson
Fiers
Detmers
6 of these guys will act as a 7th s.p., until Garcia, Wilson, and Detmers come up.
McCullers? I like him this year, he’s in there
Not in your 3d group of starters.
Hmm…Not sure, but I like McCullers, and happily am drafting him — he’s in my rankings pretty high
Used your rankings to draft in my 15 team league. 1650 Max innings so i took a few extra starters on the back end since streamers might be harder to find with so many pitchers drafted. Double dipped on the safety dance tier since Grey fell and was good value. Plus the great name!
4- Snell
6- Grey
9- Marco (He’s basically Hendrix to me)
12- Sale (7 person keeper league so this was for next year)
13- Evoldi
17 – Yarbourogh
21- Kikuchi – I like him more than your rankings. 3.3 fip vs 5.17 era and 59.9% LOB. Bad luck!
23- Weaver
25- Descalfani
Contender or Pretender?
Looks great to me! Besides Kikuchi, I’d draft all of them…and I don’t love Kikuchi, but I’d draft him in a deeper league for IP
Hey Grey! In a H2H categories keeper league (OBP OPS and QS), who would you rather have:
Voit ($6)
Yordan ($8 – let’s assume he looks fully healthy in spring)
Bauer ($14)
Giolito ($8)
Randy Arozarena ($5)
Kyle Lewis ($5)
Other keepers will be dirt cheap Soto, Bellinger, Story, and Robert (insert chef’s kiss gif).
If I kept either of those pitchers, I’d probably just take $1-$3 SPs rest of way pretty much and stream like mad in this format.
Thanks!
All of them sound fine, do you want to take one of those SPs? Your hitters are great to start, so you can afford to keep one SP — they’re all good tho — Randy, Lewis or Yordan, yum
thanks – i prefer to keep all bats since we can only keep 5, but for some reason top 15-20 SPs all go for $30 – $60 (no joke) in this league. I usually forgo that bidding war and snatch up all the mid tier guys for cheap.
Meh, I don’t mind you keeping one SP in a QS league, but I’d prolly go Yordan if he’s OF or Randy, since you can redraft Kyle for cheaper
Cool, thanks! Makes sense. Yordan is UTL only, but we have 2 UTL spots, so no biggie.
Oh, then Yordan, Captain Woo Cubano!
I’m in an 8 team league with friends. 24 player team. I usually go 6 SP and 4 RP. We do SV + HLD so I never draft SV and people still haven’t caught on.
I usually win, but last year I ended up 5th. It was a weird year. I didn’t prep at all. This year I gotta take back my crown. How late can I wait to draft a pitcher?
I was thinking of drafting 2 of: Woodruff, Gallen, Ryu, Maeda, Lynn and then filling out 3 spots from the grouping you have of Carrasco (23) to Lopez (33) and then grabbing my last SP in round 19 before I draft my 4 RP.
Make sense?
Oh and in another league (I’m in 3) this is my rotation, I think you’ll be happy with it:
Ryu
Lamet
Bundy
Luzardo
Gausman
Mahle
Yes, I like a lot, but avoid Lamet
As long as you go with SPs I like, I don’t dislike… Woodruff is fine as a #1, Gallen is great…Maeda is awesome…These guys are all in this post
question: do you have any downloadable spreadsheets available with players’ ages on them?
I foolishly traded away a bunch of my draft picks for this year, but am still able to keep Flaherty and Woodruff for relatively cheap. Pretty pleased to rock these two and fill in the rest of my starters later.
@grey
Dynasty Lg: what’s your option on G Marquez?
I’m being offered A Ottavino and R Pressly for him.
What’s my option?
@grey… opinion sir!
Afternoon, Grey.
Question on keepers. 12 team H2H category.
Hiura – $6
Kyle Lewis – $11
Ketal – $6
Also have Bauer @ $28 and Sonny at $22 – though generally don’t keep pitchers.
So pick 2, if you would please.
Take questions to my newest post please
Sixto?
Pitchers in my rankings I say I wouldn’t draft, are not in a tool of pitchers I would draft
Hey Grey,
In a league that’s 12-team but no transactions (ie set it and forget it) how would that affect your overall philosophy on building a staff? Would you be more aggressive at all without the chance to stream?
No transactions? You have to build a stronger pitching staff than I’m recommending…You need at least one ace, top 10 SP, not first round tho…Prolly like around 35th overall…So 3rd round, vs 4th