You know things have really gone sideways when you’re out on the sexiest of the sexy guys like Elly De La Cruz. If you see Elly De La Cruz and think, “Ya know what? I don’t like what I see there,” then you just might be in the No Fun Zone. The NFZ is a place that is no fun to be. It’s kinda in the name. It’s like the DMZ without the threat of nuclear war. What fun is that? It’s like TMZ without Ben Affleck juggling Dunkin’ poorly. “Ben Affleck is carrying coffee from Dunkin’ and not spilling it! Let’s take pics for TMZ!” No, no one says that! People want Ben Affleck spilling shizz! Not drafting Cole Ragans is yet another example of Ben Affleck carrying an order of Dunkin’ in perfect containment. It’s just no fun. “Look at my fantasy team, it’s not wild and insane and out of control. It’s perfectly well contained like this perfectly stacked coffee and donuts in the arms of Ben Aflleck.” What a bore! Sadly, we must be a bore when it comes to Cole Ragans. I know what you’re thinking, “Ragans avoids the crack of the bat! Can’t Cole trickle down some fantasy value when drafting like two sugar packets on the inside of a thigh?” I wish it were that easy, but I can’t get down on that jelly bean, Mr. T, as Nancy might’ve said. So, what can we expect from Cole Ragans for 2024 fantasy baseball and what makes him overrated?
PSYCHE! Before we get into the post, wanted to announce that we’re doing a 15-team, auction draft next Tuesday (2/27) that starts at 6 PM EST. It is a FAST auction, not SLOW. You must be present, and it’ll likely take 4 hours total. It is $150 to join. Rules are here. To signup click this link. Anyway II, the Cole Ragans overrated post:
The wrong type of guys are liking Cole Ragans. The people who worry about things like: Stuff. I’m not talking Stuff+. I’m just talking about people who like Stuff. Capitalized. I get it, his Stuff is drool-worthy. His fastball went up three miles per hour from 2022, and landed somewhere in the range of “Day-um” and “Yum-mers.” A Da-yum. Not many Da-yums come along every year. I’d be goofy eh-eff if I ignored his ticks up on the speed-ball. I am not. It is also very funny (to me, at least), that even in Cole Ragans’s breakout last year, you have to qualify it with, “He was great in his breakout, except for September.” Dudes and five lady dudes, that means he was good in August and bad in September. That’s the breakout they’re talking about. One month good, one month not good. That is, how do I say this politely, not smart. That’s not a breakout, that’s a good month! His problem:
My God that command is atrocious. His September BB/9 was 4.8. I’m sorry, that’s unstartable in most leagues in today’s game where a walk equals a triple. Does it help that his K% is still solid? Sure. But look at these numbers: 36.6% K% and 6.2% BB% in August vs. 27.3% and 13.2%. See the problem? If he’s not commanding his stuff, it doesn’t matter it’s capped Stuff. No one is falling for the banana in the ol’ tailpipe if he can’t deliver it down the pipe. You can’t strikeout a farmer if you can’t hit the broadside of a barn. Cole Ragans needs to fix his command that he’s never been able to harness for his entire career let alone for longer for than a few weeks. In September of last year, Cole Ragans had a chase rate of 29.3%, which was the 28th worst in the league, sitting between Ty Blach and Lucas Giolito. Cringing emoji that is holding its nose.
Usually never mention wins in these type of posts, but the Royals won’t give Cole Ragans any. Sorry. Maybe he gets lucky, right? Well, you know who gets lucky on wins? The pitchers who can stay in the game and command the strike zone. The guys who give up free passes, which causes them to leave earlier from the game? They’re not usually the recipient of lucky wins. So, no wins, no WHIP, because of command, and maybe his ERA is hurt by the command. Hey, the 29th starter off the board on the regular for one category, strikeouts? Okay, doesn’t seem great, if I’m being honest. His capped Stuff is also going to cap his fantasy value. Avoid him in drafts and stamp Cole Ragans a schmohawk!
