The GTA video game series will always be one of my favorites. I always appreciated the attention to detail, but at the end of the day, they were fun to play. Who doesn’t like carjacking people, “talking” to prostitutes, and causing mahem? Ok, maybe not the greatest game from a morality perspective. Anyways, one of the hallmarks of any of the GTA games was thievery, whether it be cars, banks, or friends, which is exactly where my mind ported to when I saw Greg Allen (29.7% owned – increase of 22.4%) was one of the most added players over the past week. Who? Exactly. I get it. SAGNOF. And since the beginning of the month, Allen is batting .306 and has 7 stolen bases. Here’s the thing, though. That lofty batting average is fueled by a .340 BABIP. The strikeout rate has been 11.9%. For the season, that number is right under 20%. Here’s the thing Part Deux. Allen’s OBP on the season is .285 and the walk rate is 3.6%. And he bats at the bottom of the order. Here’s the thing Part Tres. Allen is a .240-ish hitter. Low walk, low average batter that hits at the bottom of the order. TRASH
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On August 1, 2018, the National Hurricane Center began tracking a storm off the coast of Oakland. Residents did not flock to Costco to stockpile supplies or board up their windows in preparation, even though it was classified as a Category 1 hurricane. Granted, the residents don’t even flock to Alameda Colisuem on a good day. On August 3, 2018, “El Laureano” made landfall. It got a knock and drove in some runs, but mostly struck out. It languished in the Bay Area for a few weeks, but then started getting stronger. Exhibiting power. Causing an excitement that engulfed the area like a blanket of fog. Then BOOM, BAM, POW! “El Laureano” aka Ramon Laureano now has a .280/.321/.480 slash with 3 home runs and 3 stolen bases. What to make of this tropical force?
Ramon Laureano is a 24-year-old outfielder from the Domincan Republic. He is 5′ 11,” 185 pounds and bats from the right side of the plate. Laureano was drafted by the Houston Astros in the 16th round of the 2014 MLB Draft. In 2017, he was traded to the Oakland Athletics. You all probably know him for this, though:
Please, blog, may I have some more?On July 31st, there was a great disturbance in the force, as Tommy Pham was traded from the Cardinals to the Rays. The black hole was subsequently filled by an innocent-looking 24-year-old with 315 major league plate appearances, Harrison Bader (43.4% owned – increase of 29%). Then it started happening. Each pitch thrown was met with anger. Each cleat dug further into the dirt until the shoe twisted, then churned the ground, causing a volcano-like explosion hurling a 190-pound mass of anger down the base path. The innocent-looking 24-year-old was no more. The hate. The anger. It all manifested to unveil….Darth Bader. He of the 46.8% hard hit rate. He of the .242 ISO and .576 SLG. If I compare the numbers from the month of August to the rest of the season (74 PA vs 223 PA), the swinging strike rate is down 2%, the chase rate is down 4%, contact rate is up 5%, hard hit rate is up 14%, and ground ball rate is down 10%! Could be a case of the small sample size, but it could also be that he’s playing regularly now. Regardless, there’s going to be some regression, as a .432 BABIP is unsustainable. With that said, the power/speed combo is too enticing and we all know that the force is strong in St. Louis. TREASURE
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Bear or Bull: Yes, Jose. Saves Can Have a Face
August 21, 2018 | 2023 Fantasy Baseball | 7 Commentsby: Son
Life is about value. If something is rare, then it’s value increases and the owner will be reluctant to part ways with it. If something is in abundant quantity, then the value decreases and spending above market value price on it is sub-optimal. Since we are in the heart of fantasy football draft season, it only makes sense to talk about the late-round quarterback strategy. In leagues that require only one quarterback, it doesn’t make sense to spend high draft capital at the position because A) it is the most predictable position B) it is matchup dependent C) even if every owner in a 12-team league drafted two, that still leaves nine starters on the waiver wire. The same concept applies to Grey’s SAGNOF theory, except for slightly different reasons. Paying up for saves doesn’t make sense because the position is volatile with tons of turnover. Therefore, saves can be found on the waiver wire. In both instances, They Ain’t Got No Face because we have no issue using ’em, them losing ’em. But that doesn’t mean we can’t fall in love. That’s the ultimate, right? Like going to the club and, instead of a one-night stand, you find the partner that you want to spend all of eternity with. You say no way Jose? I say hip hip Jose, as in Jose Leclerc.
Please, blog, may I have some more?The role of a museum is to collect and preserve objects of cultural and historical importance. Often, the contents within remain relatively static over a short period. Everything can’t be great! Over time, though, things do become great and are eventually moved into a museum. Most are small enough to not cause a stir, but there are a select few times when it’s Must See TV. In October of 2012, I remember when the Space Shuttle Endeavour was transported from LAX to the California Science Center via the streets of Los Angeles. A site to behold before arriving at its final resting place. Those feelings I had back in 2012 are the same ones percolating within me now when I see Ryan Zimmerman (41.4% owned – increase of 27.8%) doing his thing. He missed close to three months due to injury, but since his return on July 20th, this is what Zimmerman has been doing: .365/.443/.731 with 4 home runs and 7 doubles in 61 plate appearances. The walk rate is 9.8% and strikeout rate is 18%. The ISO is .365! The hard hit rate is 50%!! There’s obviously going to be regression, but don’t forget that he hit 36 home runs last season and has gone yard 260 times in his career, which puts him tied for 207th all time! Zimmerman will be given occasional rest days and there’s always the chance that he gets sent to the museum sooner rather than later, but until then, you won’t find a better hitter with the combination of power and plate discipline on the waiver wire. TREASURE
Please, blog, may I have some more? Bear or Bull: See Willy Hit. See Willy Run. Free Willy?
August 14, 2018 | 2023 Fantasy Baseball | 11 Commentsby: Son
I have mixed emotions regarding zoos. It’s nice that there is a confined space where I can observe animals that I’d never be able to see outside of Youtube videos. Unfortunately, it comes at the expense of the well-being for the animals. They are not allowed to roam free in their natural habitat and do what they do. I often put myself in place of the animals. If aliens abducted me and put me in a cage, that would kind of suck. But what if they fed me and provided a La-Z-Boy, a computer, and PS4? And threw in a mate from time to time? Without having to do work? What?! Now, what if they forgot the wifi? That’d be inhumane as F. Anyways, I sometimes question whether every animal would be happy to be free from the confines of a zoo. I lean towards yes for most, but not so sure about the ones that are constantly being hunted out in the wild. That’s a stressful way to live. Anyways, being free means different things, depending on the perspective. How about in the context of Willy Adames, a player that’s owned in 7.5% of ESPN leagues but has a .405/.425/.622 slash with 4 stolen bases since August 1st? Free as in readily available to acquire? Free as in he is finally being unleashed? Or free as in you should let him go from your roster?
Please, blog, may I have some more?Since being acquired from the Twins, Lance Lynn (43.9% owned – increase of 27.1%) has pitched 11.2 stellar innings for the Yankees: 7 hits allowed, 0 earned runs, 1 walk, and 14 strikeouts. He’s the toast of the town! So much so that the Ls have been replaced by Ws. Are people forgetting that he has a 4.58 ERA and 1.54 WHIP on the season? Let’s break it break it down. The two games pitched in pinstripes were against the White Sox and Orioles. Two teams that are both top 10 in striking out against RHP. His next scheduled start is against the Rangers, a team that is 4th in striking out against RHP. I get the euphoria and understand why people are in a tizzy to acquire him. Lynn is a really good pitcher against righties: 10.39 K/9, 4.18 BB/9, 27.2% K%, 0.76 HR/9, and 3.72 xFIP. Against lefties? 6.70 K/9, 6.28 BB/9, 15.2% K%, and 5.16 xFIP. The Orioles threw out a lineup with 2 lefties: Peterson batting 2nd and Davis batting 5th. Yeah. The White Sox have 4 lefties in the lineup, but two of them have strikeout rates in the 35% range. Now, the Rangers have Gallo, who strikes out 33% of the time against righites, but the rest of the left-handed batters have strikeout rates under 25%. In addition, the Rangers have the 6th-best walk rate against RHP. Lynn has a 6.28 walk rate against lefties. The White Sox and Orioles? 6.9% and 7.3%, good for 27th and 25th respectively. There’s win equity for Lynn pitching for the Yankees now, but he’s definitely not a must-start pitcher by any means. It’s within the range of outcomes that he dominates the Rangers in his next start, but it wouldn’t surprise me if he gets lit up. TRASH
Please, blog, may I have some more? Bear or Bull: Aledmys Has Risen From The Fantasy Abyss
August 8, 2018 | 2023 Fantasy Baseball | 19 Commentsby: Son
Throughout history, there have been many of great things that have risen. I have to put bread at the top of the list. Christ was head and shoulders above the pack, but I had to deduct points due to the lack of video evidence. Men with or without erectile dysfunction would agree with me that the penis has to be in the top 3. On the other side of the spectrum, not everything that rises is good. Hollywood would disagree with me here, but Jason rising from the dead for another Friday the 13th was sub-optimal for those trying to have a good time. Ever seen the creatures that live at the bottom of the ocean? Don’t want those rising up to the surface. How could I forget cost of living? For fantasy baseball, the same dynamic plays out. A rising number in home runs, RBI, and stolen bases are a good thing for a batter. For a pitcher, not so good. Every once in a while, a player will rise from the depths of the abyss and become relevant. Aledmys Diaz is one such player. The question is will he stay up or return back to the black unknown?
Please, blog, may I have some more?When you go to the club….DISCLAIMER: It’s been a looooooooong time….your eyes are attracted to the lights and sexy, scantily-clad girls dancing on the table/speaker/2-feet high heels. They are the show pieces and provide a good time whether you engage with them or not. The true treasures, though, lie in the shadows. Not the ambivalent […]
Please, blog, may I have some more?Ahmed a guy the other day while I was cruising down the street in my ’64. Jacking tha freaks, clocking tha dough. Went to that park….Ha! I met Eazy-E once at the Fox Hills Mall. RIP. Gangsta Muggsy Bogues. Ok, enough silliness. There are 7.4 billion people in the world. So many different experiences and perspectives. I was watching the Korean version of “American Idol” with my mom and just kept thinking that there is so much talent in the world. Some never get discovered or are given the chance to showcase their skills for one reason or another. The same in the baseball world. How many kids get overlooked or just don’t have the resources to market themselves? Or how about just walking around the neighborhood? Do people still do that? Here in LA we just drive around cars and ride electric scooters. Anyways, one of the beautiful things about life is that on any random day, in any random place, you can run into a person, thing, or piece of information that has an impact on your day. Well, the other day, Ahmed a player that is 6.8% owned in ESPN leagues and is 79th overall and 7th for his position in home runs hit on the year. Nick Ahmed. Bear or Bull?
Please, blog, may I have some more? One Man’s Trash: Back, Back, Back, Back…
July 26, 2018 | 2023 Fantasy Baseball | 24 Commentsby: Son
Chris Berman was so awesome back in the day. The entertaining style and passion that he exuded made watching highlights so much more enjoyable. “Rumblin’, bumblin’, stumblin…..tick, tick tick, tick, tick tick….he could go all….the…way,” were staples for football. For baseball? Outside of the bevy of nicknames he coined for players, he’s best known for “back, back, back, back….gone!” for every home run hit. Now, it was cool for the first hundred times, but after the 10,000th one, I wanted to cut off my ears. Home Run Derby? Where I had to listen to it every few seconds on repeat for over an hour? I’d rather listen to my kids whine and cry in one ear, while the other would have a track of fingernails scratching a blackboard. In a nutshell, I wish it was back, back, back, back….gone for real. Now, it took me a long time to get over back to school sales and Baby Got Back, but I’m older and more mature now, so I’m open to things coming back. Which is a good thing because there are two players that will be coming back to baseball after being gone for a long time and could be worth your time.
Please, blog, may I have some more? Bear or Bull: How Much Wood Would a Grichuk Muck If…?
July 24, 2018 | 2023 Fantasy Baseball | 10 Commentsby: Son
I’ve always been fascinated with players breaking bats with their legs and head (freaking Bo Jackson). The strength it requires and the fact that their muscles are so freaking developed that they basically have an armor plate boggles the mind. Granted, this is coming from a guy that is the favorite sleeping place for his kids because the stomach is so plush and comfortable. It also makes me question why we still have wooden bats in the game. Don’t we have the technology to manufacture a bat that mimics a wooden one but doesn’t splinter or break? Save trees and save money. Seems like a win-win all around. The wooden bat companies must have some powerful lobbies. Anyways, players break bats when they get frustrated from striking out. Randal Grichuk has a career 29.2% strikeout rate, but doesn’t break bats. Imagine the damage he’d cause if he didn’t have the Zen-like composure or enlightenment of self-awareness? I am not Tony Robbins so I give no shits about “emotional mastery.” But I do care about the prospects of Grichuk being a fantasy viable asset.
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