I’m channeling some inner-Albright this week. Seat of your pants son! Speaking of Grey, I used the photo he took of me giving him the Larry Bird for my new avatar since it made sense to me that I should use Grey’s photo on his site. In other news, I shook up my top-100 this week as we get to the third leg of the 400-meter stretch run relay. If you’re not in the top-60, then you can be cut at any time. If you are hot, ascending, or the type of player who can go on a monster power or speed run, then I want you. Obviously, I couldn’t get everyone here, for this isn’t the Top-120, but you may notice the name brands in the bottom of the list. They are there because it’s difficult to cut some of them, but if you must, then you must.
I liked last week’s creeper format and it makes sense for me to do it again. I have so many characters this week, it feels like a Cannonball Run movie. I just hope it doesn’t turn into a face slapping outtake collection. We have different players here at Razzball, and I need to think about them, I can’t be a full-time roto snob. This time of year, we always get an extra dose of H2H questions and I will support their creeper needs. Don’t worry my roto friends, I still love you the best, but I have to give the customers what they want… OPTIONS! The roto guys are in a similar boat too, as any major slump can kill you if your opponent is Schmotatoing their way to a title. Without further BS, here are my creeper picks:
- Nick Castellanos, 3B (14%) – I was a little surprised to see he was this under owned in E$PN. Really people? Grey would say it means that 86% of all E$PN leagues are dead. The kid has been rosterable for the last month and a half. He hasn’t been that different from Brandon Belt or Trevor Plouffe since the break and their ownership is much higher. His track record surely creates trust issues but this is a little ridiculous. I even have them, he deserves to be in the top-100, but it doesn’t feel right knowing how bad he can be. With three games to close out the week at the Rogers Centre and one game to open the week in Cincy, I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t mention this. He crushes lefties and gets to face two of them who have given up a combined 36 dongs this year. What’s that?… Oh, and Hitter-Tron says he is a $14.1 play next week. H to the T is a pushy mofo.
- Preston Tucker, OF (10.8%) – What happened to PT? It’s been such a roller coaster with him. *yells into pillow* Okay, all better… not really. He gets three games in the Bronx, all against right handers and that’s really all I needed. We know he can drop dongs on a dime, and call me weird, but the comp that Dave gave him to Matsui back in May is stuck in my head right now.
- Colby Rasmus, OF (6.4%) – I guarantee you he hits a bomb on Monday. He’s the off-day dongmeister, dong-a-ramma, dong-a-dee-dong-dong, the donnnnnnng. (The following was brought to you by Sky.) To steal a trick from the Grey’s bag of tricks: He gets three games in the Bronx, all against right handers and that’s really all I needed… and that’s me quoting me above.
- Jason Bourgeois, OF (0.1%) – I want to be stats rich b*tch! What I need to get there is some Bourgeois delivering off the back of the proletariat. I’m hoping for petty or maybe I’m being petty with Bougee? With him leading off in Cincy while B-Ham is down is tempting me for some SAGNOF! He’s got 25 steal speed and should be locked into the top spot this week when he gets four at home and three at Miller Park.
- Mark Reynolds, 1B,3B (2.4%) – Chase Field has nothing but love for right-handers, and when you mix in two lefties on the hill you get some creeper wood. I’ve said in the past that I don’t always use the most scientific means of helping decide who to play. Sometimes to break a tie I go with unmeasurable’s such as going back to a former home ballpark. It happened the other day with Marlon Byrd when in his first game with the Giants he went yard in P-Town… where he used to play… and already hit 3 bombs this year… yup… uh-huh… rama lama fa fa fa. Like Byrd, after he leaves P-Town, Reynolds will be a rocket reducer when he leaves the desert… see what I did there. Oh you didn’t click the link? Your bad.
- Tyler Saladino, SS,3B (4.2%) – I hear this scratching at my window the other night around 2:30 and when I walk over to see what’s going on, I find the Hitter-Tron in my backyard motioning for me to come outside. I put on my robe and slippers and go out back to find him hammered on carburetor cleaner and smoking spark plugs. He slurs in my ear that he’ll trade me a creeper for a bottle of 10W-30 and that cute little toaster he can see through my kitchen window. I obliged, only because I just wanted him to leave and if I didn’t he would break in later and steal my toaster anyway. Long story short, his tip was Saladino who gets a full slate at home, a $12.7 valuation, has some speed and MI eligibility. Need anymore?
The Top 100 Hitters
- Anyone else here taking issue with your Wong? Going back to July 1st, he has put up a line of 18/2/12/8/.203. In that time his ISO has been 0.080 (yikes) and since the start of August has seen his groundball rate go up to a season high 54.4% and his line drive rate to a season low of 12.3%. Now for the good part, okay maybe it’s the “not that bad” part. His K rate is down and walk rate is up for August and has been unlucky at the dish. I still think he is a great talent and should be back on track for part of the stretch run. He’s a Cardinal,that’s what they do. Having Cadillac expectations for second year breakouts is always Russian roulette that can end up with Catera reality.
- This one goes out to Mike… his Phillies have really started showing some leg and a little more cleavage. I’m not a Phillies fan and never will be but I heart Mike and think it’s worth noting that the Phillies have scored the 13th most runs, are 14th in RBI’s and swiped the 16th most bags since the break. In school teacher speak that’s a report card of B/B-/B. Can I get a we’re not the worst group hug chant? Every year I start to crush on teams that are out of it because we get to see what kind of heart and pride these players have. Doobie Herrera has really been pouring it on the last 7 weeks and should of been on this list before. After a solid April, he hit a lull for two months but now is coming on strong and batting third for the Phils. His August line of 16/2/8/5/.365 either matches or surpasses every monthly total on the year….and he still has 10 more games left. The other side of my Phillies lust was boosted by the trade of Utley. Cesar Hernandez has 2nd base locked down including the leadoff spot. I love me some Phillies, I almost had Howard in here but I still think there is a chance he gets moved. Damn, I forgot to talk about Mike’s new crush. Can I get some love for Aaron Althgrrrrrrr! I hope to have him on this list sometime next month.
- Before I leave I wanted to talk about Mike Fiers and his no hitter. I wouldn’t be holding him or running out to add him because following a no no the fringish guys usually take a dump…or at least it feels that way. The above photo shows a substance in his glove that according to him, “I don’t know what they are talking about. It could be a different lighting or camera angle or a lot of things. I don’t know“. Hahahaha, good for him, playing dumb is the best defense. Like they say, if you ain’t cheatin’ then you ain’t tryin’. I really hope this doesn’t get turned into a big deal in the media. As a hat owner of both clubs involved in the no-hitter, I’m cool with it. Fiers is helping get Mattingly fired and at the end of the day that is all that matters. Wait, I don’t write about pitchers. What am I doing here? Sorry, I gotta go, see you next week.
You can follow Jack Full of Hate on Twitter if you want.
Tucker optioned?
@John coakley: looks like that happened last night. There are plenty of other options
@J-FOH:
Yep. Still fun to read this stuff and get opinions. Always best to go with your own instincts as we should know our team needs best.
@John coakley: good point….at this point in the season knowing team needs helps us help you
Good to see Crush make the top 10. You did shake it up…but im not mad at any of the moves.
I like this format for the creeper post better too…
Jay Bruce cooled off to fast for me. I think Sano will crack the top 20 before its all said and done…
Keep up the good work!
@The G: thanks…I doubt sano gets top 20 billing anytime soon. The format is only late season or whenever I feel like it
love the gif! love Doobie! love Altherr! so much love! love you J-FOH!
@Mike: *wipes tear* you inspired that Phillies take like a boy in a hospital needing a home run from the babe. Althgrrrrrrrrrrr! Is a tiger.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tcVPVXGoww
“maybe I did overextend myself…” ha!
@Mike: hahaha. O’NEIL is Franco
I have one spot for either Inciarte or Byrd. My other OFs are Cain, Harper, K Davis, Maybin, Heyward. Do I start Inciarte or Byrd? With that move I have to drop either the OF not starting or Moose-tacos. Who to start and who to drop? Thanks
@Oranje: add Incarte and drop mouse
@J-FOH: thanks. Start Rendon or Odor at 2b?
@Oranje: Odor
Speaking of the Severino…that kid looks nasty. Needs to get his splits under control but that should come with time. Whew.
*as the richmeister* The Sev man, looking really sharp, cruising in the sevatorino…..I needed the roster space
I didn’t even know you originally had him. Was surprised to find him available, though.
@Sky: I had him this whole time. I didn’t like 2 of his next 4 starts and couldn’t waste the roster space. It was a tough call between him and Liriano
Yo,
Thanks for the rankings as always.
Getting down to keeper time in dynasties. OBP league.
CI keeper Pedro Alarez vs Carlos Santana?
OF keeper Sin Soo-Choo vs Hunter Pence?
Thanks!
DAVE
@Dave: Santana and pence
@J-FOH:
Thanks. That seems obvious to me, but Alvarez actually has better numbers across the boards than Santana except for BBs. I think Santana is the better player, but his average this year is horrendous.
@Dave: In dynasty I want santana
Hey man, just wanted to take a minute to say,
I remember seeing you around the boards here, giving the occasional advice but asking a bit too from Grey and the boys here. And then you started writing for them.
About week 7-8, I remember it—your writing started to take shape. And you hit a nice stride and ain’t let off. Really like your tempo, and the advice you give, and think you stack up well with the group of lions writing for this site bro.
Where the fuck’s Allnuts by the way? That dude’s piece on Rivera’s cutter was a thing of beauty.
I wrote for a season for another couple root sites, but couldn’t sustain the grind.
Just want to say you put together a solid column, and damn glad to be reading ya. You deliver. Thanks man.
Now tell Jay I got alotta dosh riding on football leagues this year and I’m count in on his sorry ass to lead me through, if ya could..
Cheers.
@David Niven: Thanks for that, the second year of creeper has been a lot easier. I’m not sure about Allnuts, I think he is just a casual contributer. Probably best to ask Grey about him.
would you drop j.bruce for chris coughlan? need to preserve my lead in my league and bruce hasn’t been the best option.
@TayTay: what kind of league is it and what are the settings?
@J-FOH: haha, sorry, long day. Its a 12 man league, 7×7 categories. OBP and SLG. Its a keeper league but I don’t plan on keeping either of them.
@TayTay: no worries, just want to help the best I can. I’d go Coghlan
I think I need to move an 3B today in my 12 team 7×7 OPS keep 6 players forever dynasty (1 must be a pitcher of 4, and if you keep 5/6 another must be a pitcher). I have Arenado, Bryant, (both of whom I kept) and Sano. Sano is my SS in my yahoo league and I have the other two as 3B and UTIL (no CI slot in the league).
If there’s any area to boost in my team, it’s my OF. I have McCutchen (keeper), Melky, Eaton, Choo, A. Garcia. (I platoon these for my 4 OF spots).
I’m very much in contention this year, but think I should move someone today since Sano won’t have SS eligibility next year. Am I correct to try and move him of the 3? What kind of OF should I target? Plan would be to regrab Ian Desmond (who I dropped) or some other waiver wire SS if I move Sano.
@Pete: Id move Sano for an OF keeper. Are you saying Desmond is available in the FA pool?
@J-FOH: thanks, yes he is.
@Pete: grab him yesterday.
12 team h2h steals/net steals
C Lucroy
1b Edwin
2b odor
3b Arenado
Ss lindor
Of Khris Davis, Deshields, upton, Bruce
Util rendon
Bench shaw
I have one open spot do I add Caesar Hernandez, Ozuna, burns, gose,inciarte,fowler,castelannos
Do I drop any of my guys for those also. Need more speed
@Yadira: Add hernandez and Inciarte, you can drop shaw
Puig or Khris Davis
Gose, bourgeois, or Hernandez for steals
@Dn: after getting a few days Puig has come back hitting in both his games. I would hold Puig if you own him for another week.
Hernandez
Appreciate the write-up J-FOH. I got a UTIL position that I typically just rotate the hot bat through. Been playing Alvarez there but his playing time is sporadic and the Pirates always pull him in the later innings for a defensive replacement. Thinking bailing on him for Castellanos. Agree/Disagree? Also which catcher would you go with this week in an OBP league? Jaso, Wellington, Gattis or Norris. Hope you had a good weekend. Thanks.
@Slim Nincompoop: I could do either Inciarte, Garcia or Castellanos for Alvarez.
@Slim Nincompoop: thanks, I like Inciarte in that group. Gattis to play it safe Castillo for upside
@J-FOH: Appreciate it.
@Slim Nincompoop: no prob
Is buxton worth keeping next season over someone like Stroman? in the 15th round of keeper H2h? Grey messed my Chi up this week with no MC talk
@ROTO OVERLORD: Buxton over Stroman
Hey, Jack Full! Leake, Gio or Walker ros? Thanks!
@Jerry: all pretty even. I’d look at ros stats rudy sets up and their schedules
Great work all season Jack! Hey, quick pitcher question for you, Liriano has been struggling later. SON likes him for tonight vs. San Fran. What do you think? give him a break til he pitches a good game or are you souring on him – Thanks
@Gray’s Sports Almanac: I own him too and looked at his numbers the other day. He’s been unlucky lately. Im starting him tomorrow, the Pirates have been killing teams so the win upside is there and SF has very little to fear in their line-up.
@J-FOH: Good call man, lil rough on the whip, but I’ll take it!
Thanks man! I’ve got him starting tonight, you have him starting tomorrow?
@Gray’s Sports Almanac: hahahaha, I’m stuck in Saturday
Ok, thanks! What about Hammel or Gio the rest of the way?
@Jerry: Hammel
Your new picture wins for creeper of the week.
@Zeus: you should see me in my windowless van
Seriously though, aren’t we at the point in the season that ratings no longer matter? Now it’s just a which player will help your team in a particular category and not Jared Fogle you in others?
@Zeus: agreed, I’ve been feeling the same as I write these out. Maybe I’ll run some ideas off grey and see if I can split this up somehow. Divide players into categories like: Five Tool, Power, Speed,
@J-FOH: glad to hear you thinking the same way. The “fantasy community” gets so hung up on rankings that it doesn’t see the forest through the trees. I think at this time of year you already have a steady base in stats and there are only so many ways to improve your lot.
It even works like this earlier too. It’s OK to lose value in a trade if it makes your team more complete.
Not to mention this time of the year most other sites go over completely to meathead football because the meatheads don’t win baseball.
@Zeus: nice rant
With regular playing time, how far away is a guy like Conforto from this list?
@thorbs: I’m not seeing him get that.
hey good stuff, can i sign up for a dose of h2h advice
who’s a better bet to be helpful starting 9/14 injured Duda or injured Holliday? For my young SP, any idea if Nola and Rodon will be shut down? I don’t think Severino will be (although they’ll use 6 man rotation). thanks
@dom: duda….not sure. I’d ask JB tomorrow about innings with those guys
Yo J-FOH. I know you’ve got Hanley in the 60s, but in my league he only qualifies at OF. With how awful (and hurt) he has been, do you run out Avisail Garcia instead of Hanley this week? I’m thinking yes – right now, Hanley seems a constant risk to float out a nearly empty week.
@Skeezix: I don’t mind you dropping him I just wouldn’t do it for avisail. Who else is available? Any schmotatos?
@Zeus: nice rant!
Not sure what N Cruz has to do but….wow! Slow respect..don’t you think? MVP MOST years!
@Sam Smoooooooth: I don’t get the question?
Hi J-Foh, I have to give you credit in your rankings throughout the year. You don’t jump to conclusion on small sample sizes. That being said I have to set my roster for the season. What combo would you rather have; Chris Heston & Charlie Blackmon or Trevor Bauer & Kyle Schwarber? This is a points league with steals worth 2 points. The league is a salary cap league, so the same players can be on multiple teams. Thus the availability of guys like Schwarber and Blackmon.
Thanks
@Eric: What is a home run worth? Im leaning Schwarber and bauer since heston will probably have some starts skipped to control innings.
@J-FOH</a
A hr is worth 8 points.
@Eric:
On paper it would appear the Cubs have a tougher schedule than the Rockies.
@Eric:
As an addition to my question, we start all guys on our roster, so I take a zero from Heston while he is in the minors. Not sure if that is better than Bauer’s potential meltdowns. Bauer appears to have a more difficult schedule than Heston. But who knows exactly which games they will start.
@Eric: OK, I am going on and on here. A HR is actually 4 points. You get 2 for the run scored and 2 for the rbi!
4 guys for three spots, which is not the title to a gay sequel of 2 girls one cup.
1. Coghlan 2b, odubel ss, deshields 2b, duffy 2b. I need stolen bases, but am not exactly home and hosed in the power categories. Obviously Odubel stays, because he’s the only shortstop. I’m thinking, as much as it pains me to get rid of a Creeper of the Week graduate, of dropping Coghlan.
Starting on Thursday, he faces lefties in 6 of his next 9 games and is in a rather strict platoon. What do you, or any other commenter that happens by, think?
2. I’ve seen you mention you’re into punk. You listen to much of the earlier Brit bands like Cockney Rejects, Sham 69, or Stiff Little Fingers?
@Fred Garvin MP:
Stiff little fingers were one of my faves.
@Jj: You are truly a man of taste sir.
@Fred Garvin MP: HA!
1) Id go DeShields to get more speed. Duffy can be pretty boring
2) Damn, I havent heard anyone drop Sham 69 in 20 years. I listen to a little of the Brits, mostly LA and west coast punk
@J-FOH: So I’m clear, go ahead and drop Cogs, but keep Delino and Duffman?
I like Cogs more than Duffy, as you do, but he’ll be a burden to my roster for the better part of a week.
@Fred Garvin MP: it’s a tough call, sounds like the right call for your team
@Fred Garvin MP: you just stirred my memory pot with those bands. It took me a moment to remember my skinhead friends I had that were into the groups you mentioned.
@J-FOH: I was into the ska/punk shows when I was a bit younger. Still listen to the above bands and some other punk/anti-racist Oi! bands.
@Fred Garvin MP: I never got into oi. I think I have the business somewhere. Most my punk was American although I did enjoy some of stiff little. I never enjoyed Ska music. A few tracks at best. Funny this reminds me of what a large scope the “punk” label really is. It can mean so many different things. Uncivilized chaotic harmony. It’s always better when they can’t play very well
@J-FOH: Definitely grew out of ska, and have had discussions/arguments about what constitutes a punk band. I the Mr. T Experience is probably the line between what is punk and what is not.
@Fred Garvin MP: I looked up Mr T exp. Thats like power pop. Needs more Violence https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6BuoXNGbMg
Trade Springer a $4 keeper with another 2 years on his contract for Puig who has one left at $4?
@Tom:
leaning towards keeping Springer another year.
@Tom: Keep Springer
Keeper league with 14 keepers with 2 na keepers
who will help me more this year with the number one waiver claim Turner or olivera
I think it’s Olivera but is turners longterm value just to good to pass up?
Current team is Schwarber, abreu, Cano, Davis, Duffy, Dozier, Bautista, Betts, Peralta, Marte, Frazier, Fielder, Brantley, Reyes, Rendon
Kluber, Scherzer, Bumgarner, Zimmerman, Martinez
@Slimbo: its really a coin flip and neither are a keeper at this point. Your team is pretty stacked already…I prefer Turner
I have Bellt and Jose Reyes at the bottom of roster. I know to start Belt vs righties only. What do you think of Jose Reyes the rest of the year? Only start in Coors? drop? Head to head points league.
Thanks, great stuff all year…
@Nitro: I’m h2h you can lose reyes. I’d hold belt. What’s best available to replace reyes?
michael Taylor
Herrera
Solarte
Piscotty
A Garcia
Shaw
Thanks!!!
Also:
Rusney
Coughlan
@Nitro: herrera feels safest
Which 2 outfielders would you start this week?
1. Parra has 7 games, but faces 4 lefties, Away: 7 (@KC,@TEX)
2. K. Davis – only 5 games, one vs. Carrasco, Home: 3 (CIN) Away: 2 (@CLE)
3. Adam Eaton – 7 games, faces 3 lefties, Home: 7 (BOS,SEA)
4. Brett Gardner – 6 games, faces 1 left, Home: 3 (HOU) Away: 3 (@ATL)
@Sean: Gardner and Davis
Week 21 playoff frenzy. Asdrubal or Hechavarria, Lucroy or Grandal, Bruce or Betts, Coughlin or Schoop. Logjam at DH, Beltre, Calhoun, Belt ?
@Chucky: Asdrubal, Grandal, Betts, Calhoun
Hey now!
If Wong is going to be sitting here and there, who’s your choice as a gap filler? Dietrich, Coghlan, Wilmer, Scooter and Josh Harrison are all available in my 14-team h2h OBP league…
@SteveNZ: Hey, my old buddy Steve, and when I say old Im just bitter that you are way older than me and look way better. Diet is hot right now and I like him for the moment. Long term I like Cog best here but considering he plays a lot of lefties coming up will most likely be sitting in those. If this is a bench bat I say go Cogs, but if you need someone to plug in right now then I go diet. I hope that makes sense.