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The Itch

Author: The Itch

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The Itch

Prospect News: Stash List Volume 1: Skenes The Mountain

April 28, 2024 | Fantasy Baseball Prospects, Featured | 45 Comments

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So here’s the issue off the top: Jackson Holliday is not on this list. I mean I haven’t written yet, in full, but he’s not gonna be on this list. One of the few rules I’ve created to help me create this document throughout the season is that once you’re a big leaguer in the current season, you’re off the list. Holliday cashed those major league game checks, so he won’t be represented here. I suppose he’d be first here, but I’m not even gonna think about it because one of the key points here is to highlight players who might not be rostered yet. I’m not even sure we’re late enough into the season to reach that objective in most leagues, but that’s irrelevant to the ultimate Ultimate goal of creating interesting, readable fantasy baseball content. I don’t think I’m doing that in that last sentence. Might need a quick walk. 

Please, blog, may I have some more?
The Itch

Prospect News: Invasion Of The Boeve or Pain Don’t Hurter

April 24, 2024 | Fantasy Baseball Prospects, Featured | 22 Comments

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Orioles OF Heston Kjerstad was recalled after laying waste to Triple-A for a few weeks. He started in right field on Tuesday and should be in the lineup most nights from here forward. Baltimore continues to be perplexing in their efforts to fold these talent waves into the roster build, so there’s always a chance Kjerstad goes cold and winds up back in the minors, but I’m betting against that at this point, which is exactly what I would’ve said in spring training, so yeah . . . very helpful stuff from me. 

Please, blog, may I have some more?
The Itch

Prospect News: Orelvis Seeks His Blue Jays Shoes

April 21, 2024 | Fantasy Baseball Prospects, Featured | 30 Comments

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Rockies OF Jordan Beck (22, AAA) is where it’s at right now, slashing .328/.419/.738 with five home runs, one stolen base, two turntables and a microphone. Colorado’s not getting much of anything from anyone in the outfield, and if past is prologue, Kris Bryant will be on the injured list for quite a while, and OF Sean Bouchard still won’t have much runway on his starting spot. I’m hoping he will because he’s earned an extended look, but I’m also hoping Beck finds a way into that lineup sooner than later. Chaining themselves to the final stretch of Charlie Blackmon’s career isn’t helping the organizational depth chart. 

Please, blog, may I have some more?
The Itch

Prospect News: Always Look On The Leiter Side Of Life

April 17, 2024 | Fantasy Baseball Prospects, Featured | 41 Comments

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Big week for redemption-arc prospects, particularly Rangers RHP Jack Leiter and Astros RHP Forrest Whitley. Leiter is scheduled to make his major league debut Thursday, just a couple days before he’ll turn 24 on April 24. He has not fared well as a professional, logging ERAs of 5.54, and 5.07 in two extended stretches in Double-A heading into 2024. Leiter’s command has been much better this season, as seen in his 0.98 WHIP and 38.6 percent strikeout-minus-walk rate across 14.1 Triple-A innings. He’s pulled an interesting trick of becoming found money after being the 2nd overall pick in 2021. Could provide a nice boost if he gives the Rangers anything this year. 

Please, blog, may I have some more?
The Itch

Prospect News: Tonight Is Right For Lonnie White Jr.

April 14, 2024 | Fantasy Baseball Prospects, Featured | 26 Comments

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Astros 1B Joey Loperfido (24, AAA) already has nine home runs in 12 games this season while the major league club is getting minimal production from Jose Abreu and Jonathan Singleton. Abreu is making $19.5 million this year and 19.5 again in 2025. He has a wRC+ of negative 32 in his 12 games this season. Here’s what I wrote about Loperfido when I ranked him my number one in my Houston Astros Top 10 Prospects for 2024 Fantasy Baseball: 

“A seventh-round pick in 2021, Loperfido produced better than average lines at each step along the way until a difficult 32-game stint in Triple-A to close out the 2023 season. In the box, he’s a 6’3” 230 lb lefty with power. In the field, he’s a right-handed thrower with enough athleticism that he’s a real option in center field. In 84 games at Double-A, he slashed .296/.392/.548 with 19 home runs and 20 stolen bases. I’m pretty bullish on his chances to carve out a role for himself in center or a corner outfield spot or at first base.”

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The Itch

Prospect News: Keep Up With The Jacksons Or If The Sock Fitts

April 10, 2024 | Fantasy Baseball Prospects, Featured | 24 Comments

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Congratulations to the Orioles for finding a new way to manipulate the collective bargaining agreement! SS Jackson Holliday will be called up today and retain eligibility for the bonus prizes set aside for players who break camp with the big club. Why? Who the hell knows!? Turns out the contract language has nothing to do with opening day. A player just has to spend 172 days in the majors. If the Orioles held Holliday down another month for super two reasons, he could still come up and win rookie of the year, earning that year of service time regardless of the organization’s efforts to own him for as long as possible. This way, they can have their cake and eat it later, maybe. If Holliday struggles, they can send him back down and recoup the season of service. If he’s good, he’ll be a front runner for rookie of the year and win them a draft pick and some pool money. Real feel-good story stuff. Holliday is slashing .333/.482/.595 with a 14.3 percent strikeout rate. These 11 days in the minors have clearly been essential for his development. 

Please, blog, may I have some more?
The Itch

Prospect News: Embrace Your Inner Gil or Justin’s Foscue Face

April 3, 2024 | Fantasy Baseball Prospects, Featured | 14 Comments

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Rangers IF Justin Foscue was promoted to take the roster spot vacated by injured 3B Josh Jung, who got plunked in the wrist and broke a bone for the second straight season and will reportedly need about six weeks to recover. Foscue figures to mix in with Ezequiel Duran and maybe Josh Smith, so it’s hard to say how many chances he’ll get in the early going; nonetheless, it’s good for Foscue even if it felt like a big ole fuskyou to my 15-team dynasty team that doesn’t presently have a back-up third baseman. 

Please, blog, may I have some more?
The Itch

Prospect News: Surviving Final Cuts or Mize To The Max

March 24, 2024 | Fantasy Baseball Prospects, Featured | 58 Comments

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The Orioles did their thing week, demoting SS Jackson Holliday and 3B Coby Mayo despite both belonging to what might be Baltimore’s best opening day lineup. I got a kick out of a recent article claiming the Orioles didn’t get where they are by tanking. I like the project, as a position-statement-type writing assignment. Tough side to support. I mean sure they Rule 5 drafted Anthony Santander and played him every day until he was functional. Sure they landed Adley Rutschman and Gunnar Henderson and Kyle Bradish via strategic quitting. They also did other stuff, but that doesn’t change the fact that they lost as badly as possible for several years to get to where they are now. They did smart stuff, for sure, but I don’t know why it’s bad to call this reality by its name. 

Please, blog, may I have some more?
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