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What is up party people and welcome to Opening Day 2024. Drafts are done and the real action is about to start. So what am I watching now that Spring Training is over? Like many of you, I want to which hot spring performances carry over into the regular season. I know, I know, you should always take spring numbers with a big ole grain of salt but it’s still fun to dream. I don’t want o overreact to a family small sample size but I do take notice of guys who have had some hype behind their name when they show out. If you want to stay on top of the next hot prospect to make their debut, and you should, there is no one better than Razzball’s own Itch. The analysis is top notch, I just adapt it to a points leagues format. Let’s all kick back, and take in some baseball.

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What is up party people. Real baseball is finally upon us. As fun as Spring Training is, the real thing is just so much better. Last week we covered my Top 50 players for points leagues and now it’s time to dive into the next 50. I actually really like a lot of the guys ranked here and more than a few of them have the potential to shoot up into the top 50. And let’s be honest more than one of these guys will end up way higher by the end of the season if things break right for them. Actually the end of this list is particularly spicy and I can’t wait to watch them. So happy drafting and remember that you don’t win your league at the draft. I’ll be here all season to help you work the wire and gain an edge.

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What is up party people? We are back in the thick of spring training and draft season. That means rankings are the talk of the town and I am here to guide you. ADP is a guide but it’s also a trap, go get your guy. Fantasy is always way more fun when you have the players that you like to watch. So let’s have some fun and win some leagues.

 

1)  Ronald Acuna Jr – I’d be lying if I said there wasn’t a moment of panic when I heard the news he was going in for some tests on his knee, but thankfully it’s just mild irritation. He’s the best player on the board and, frankly, it’s not even close. I’m taking him first overall 11 outta 10 times.

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What is up party people? With the regular season now in the final week it seems like an appropriate time to take a look back and see where that can help us next year. There will be much more to unpack once the season ends but for now here are some quick hitters about some of the top players this season.

Shohei Ohtani – You had to know I was going to start here. Despite missing the month of September he will likely finish as the number 1 player this season. It feels like we’re used to it at this point but honestly that’s wildly impressive. He possesses a ceiling that is unlike anything I have ever seen. Unfortunately, that ceiling will not be there next season after undergoing a not quite Tommy John surgery. Reportedly, the procedure went well and he is expected to be ready to rock by the time next season rolls around… purely as a hitter. There’s also the matter of his impending free agency. I really don’t know where to rank him for next season and it will definitely be influenced by his chosen team. No matter where he ends up, he should be an elite hitter, but without pitching he’s not the slam dunk we’re used to.

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What is up party people? We’re almost to the point of reflection on the season but we’re not quite there yet because there are still championships to win. I won’t lie to ya, at this point the pickings are slim so this one is gonna be short and sweet. You don’t want the guy that might be good in the future, you need the guy that’s good right now. And with that allow me to introduce you to  Matt Vierling. The man was a Razzball sleeper going into the season and while he didn’t blow us all away he has still been a very solid option. Actually, I think he has been more than a solid option. A .262 average and only 9 home runs is certainly nothing to write home about At this point in the season he may just be the most under valued player out there. I am actually very surprised that he is still this widely available at this point in the season.

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What is up party people? September really is in full swing now. For those of you fantasy football gurus out there, the Razzball crew has you covered. However, since you’re here I think it would be fair to assume that your interests lie beyond the gridiron. The diamond calls to you. If you build it, they will come. We have entered crunch time, where championships are decided.  As we get down to the nitty gritty, the options get way more limited. As much as I would love to recommend a guy who is available in 90% of leagues, the truth is that you need results not speculative adds. However, sometimes the stars align a gem such as Logan O’Hoppe is there for the taking. His season can be summed up fairly briefly. He was a highly touted rookie who was billed as an impact bat at catcher (aka fantasy gold) who actually looked like he might deliver on his potential. Then disaster, a shoulder injury knocked him out of action for what appeared to be the rest of the season. I am as surprised as anyone that he wasn’t shut down until next year. I guess that wasn’t really all that brief of a summary but the upshot is that he his back. Not only is he back, he looks better than ever. In the last week alone he has smoked 4 bombs. If you need help at catcher (and like most of us, you probably do) let Logan take your team over the top. May the odds be ever in your favor.

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What is up party people? He is risen. Jordan Walker has finally come to be. Loved him tons in the preseason (as did the whole Razzball crew) and these past two weeks have been heaven. Power was always one of his calling cards and oh boy has it been on full display. Beyond that light tower power is the ability to hit for a strong batting average. League average has fallen to .250 so he’s already way above that at the .274 he’s rocking this season. Just like his power numbers should spike I think that he can boost his batting average up into the .280 or .290 range. Heck he could even challenge .300 and if that happens… Oh boy, the sky is the limit for him.

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What is up party people? Did you know that we are about to go into the biggest weekend for fantasy football drafts? If you’re a fantasy addict like me, you have a draft or 12 coming up. In that case, I would like to direct you to a wonderful resource to help you gain an edge. Oh yeah, Razzball does fantasy football too. But I digress, you’re obviously not reading for my fantasy football advice, you want to know how to finish out the fantasy baseball season. And for that, I applaud and thank you. You’re here, you made it . You have a team that is still contending and that’s a beautiful thing. Are you looking for a guy who is totally free? You know that I’m about to bring up Wade Meckler again., and no, I don’t get paid for how many times I mention him. He was a mystery box when he made the jump to the show and well, he’s still a mystery box. His batting average is looking good but he hasn’t shown any power or speed (wow, he sounds great). The mystery box could still be anything.

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What is up party people? The weeks keep flying by and the hits keep on coming. Some are better than others. Tommy Pham – When he’s not getting into a screaming match with fans he’s actually been hitting the ball pretty well. That’s now 13 straight games with a hit for him, very impressive. There’s also a sprinkling of power and speed mixed in. At the risk of getting slapped, let’s call this what it is: just a hot streak. Call me biased but I’d rather have Joc Pederson.

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What is up party people? Football season may be just around the corner, but don’t let that distract you from the most exciting part of baseball season, the stretch run to October. If you’ve stayed the course and are still reading I can only assume that you are still in the running for your league’s championship. For that I say, good job so far but there is still much work to be done. For crying out loud, there’s still a month and a half of baseball left. Now is the time to really load your team for the final push.

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What is up party people? What if I told you that Cubs hitters are lighting it up right now? Yeah not the team I was expecting to give us a gaggle of fantasy bats but here we are. Fantasy points can come from anywhere so enjoy the ride and with whatever magic they’re cooking maybe look into grabbing any and all Cubs hitters who are still available.

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What is up party people? The Trade Deadline has passed and I guess that means we have kicked off the stretch run of the season. Seriously, where did the time go? August is upon us and that means we’re only a month away from September call-ups to tease us with their potential only to be let down next year when the start in they have a great spring only to start in the minors. Yeah, I’m probably getting ahead of myself but here we are. Some big names were moved (Justin Verlander back to the Astros and Max Scherzer to the Rangers) Obviously, you already know the kind of numbers they can put up with Ks and innings. Their respective moves shouldn’t change that but both could be in line for a boost in the wins department. Wins are always a tough stat to chase but we can hope that moving to a better team will at least set them up for more dubs.

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