The state I teach in recently enacted a no phone bill into law. Like, there are to be no phones in classes, by teachers or students, or something like that. I’m happy and sad at the same time. I love my phone! I named it Bob and call it my third child. Literally. I will miss it. It’s like sending a kid to boarding school.
There are good things, yes. I’ll be able to concentrate more on my job. Bathroom breaks might be a bit longer to check stuff. And of course, it’s good for kids (and me) to phone detox for a while.
It’s the change that’s hard. And to connect it to fantasy baseball, makes me think about the White Sox new 3B, Colson Montgomery.
Montgomery came up as a SS, peaking as the ninth ranked prospect by MLB..com. I saw him play in the minors at that spot, and while he couldn’t hit seemed comfortable. He logged only four games at third before coming to the majors at that spot.
Like Manny Machado before him, he’ll likely stick at third as long as the defense is capable. But you don’t care about that. Can he hit, though? He’s fifth at third base on the player rater. Has he adjusted to the change that quickly?
His 162 pace has him with 45 dingers. That’s really good! 149 RBI pace, and going on a limb thinking that the Sox probably aren’t good enough to sustain that. The average, sustainable based on the metrics. So thinking, probably a .260 average, slow the HR and RBI paces, and still a usable player. Another young third baseman, although adapting to a change, is in the stable.
So, given the new law, and trying to tie a theme or something, what apps will I miss, and what is the player that represents it?
YAHOO FANTASY SPORTS
Their platform, I should say, not their new AI-generated content platform. Years ago, I went to that website so often that it was flagged and blocked for everyone! Ironically, since then, I’m actually better at the leagues, more disciplined. But still, the old reliable is my favorite. While I can’t leave it on the desktop like I used to, it’s still the most used app on Bob the Phone.
In the last month, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is hitting .319 with a .950 OPS, only four home runs, but hey. That’s incredible, consistent, boring value. The last two months, Jays in a pennant race and Vlad leading the way, that’s why he’s been my number one at the position (and this year, a bonus third base eligibility!). Everyone should stop nitpicking this guy and appreciate what he’s doing. Keep coming back, and you won’t be disappointed.
DISCORD
Remember when everyone had their open chats, like ESPN even, and you would send in a question, and flaunt your genius question to your friends when it got answered? No? Just me? Well, Discord is like a constantly updating version of this. Now, I’m picky, and I only do a Cubs one, Bulls writer group, and Razzball (more of a reader there than contributor), but there’s just a stream of good comments if you find a good one. And if not, just leave!
Bryce Harper is that constant stream of fantasy goodness. Recovered from a minor wrist issue, his last 30 days have tallied 8 HR and a 1.066 OPS. He’s okay. You were okay to leave when he was struggling, but Harper still is the second best player on the corners.
X
Nah, won’t miss that one. That stupid app. I click on literally one dog rescue video, and then inundated with animal videos. Don’t even think about engaging with something political. I had one little comment on one little school choice thread, and I get all the politics. They’ve over-algorithmed. I want just sports. Let me be, X.
Similar to X, I’m not sure Austin Riley is worth it anymore, at least not at cost. He keeps getting worse, for one. He was only hitting .260 with 17 HR when he was hurt, again, for a second consecutive season. This season and last, the OPS was under .800. He’s declining in quality.
Under the hood, his strikeout rate has skyrocketed to 28%, bottom seven percent of the league. Compounding that, his contact quality has cratered. Bottom five percent in squared up rate is not a recipe for success. I think that’s it. I won’t miss X, and I won’t miss Austin next season. If they both make some tweaks, welcome back.
DUOLINGO
I teach in a heavily Hispanic area. I took five years of Spanish in high school. (5 credits worth, Spanish 1 was middle school) but can’t converse. I thought it would be the perfect thing. A teaching app! Why hasn’t this ever been done before? No, have not heard of Rosetta Stone! Well, that habit lasted a week, long enough to accidentally call a short girl a window shade. Bad idea from the start for me, a guy who is notorious for not finishing projects.
Javier Baez was never a long term play. Great story. Fun player. But the last 30, his average is .212. His OBP is the same. The K rate is over 30. You know where I’m going with this.
NURSE’S OFFICE
Alec Bohm is hitting live pitching and on track to return next week
Jonathan Aranda is droppable after breaking his wrist. He says he wants to come back, but the Rays are struggling, and wrist things linger anyway. Great season, but try to replace him. Yandy Diaz would be a start.
There it is for another week. Get prepared for the school year, detox these kids from the phone. Touch grass, sand, rocks, ocean, anything. Have a great one!