Spring is on its way! The RCLs are up and running, Grey’s busted through his rankings, and it’s not negative 100 outside my house for once. As if the opening sentences didn’t generate enough excitement, the dynamic duo of Castle Grey-Shitz is back for another week of big audio dynamite. This time we come correct with the top 25-30 shortstops for 2018 Fantasy Baseball from the Book of Albright. We dig in on Carlos Correa’s value, debate Alex Bregman’s running ability, use our meh emojis for Corey Seager, before moving on to Chris Taylor, Xander Bogaerts, Javier Baez, Elvis Andrus, Trevor Story, and many more. Just another week here with Ralph & Grey! Finally, please make sure to support our sponsor by heading over to RotoWear.com and entering promo code “SAGNOF” for 20% off the highest quality t-shirts in the fantasy sports game. It’s the latest edition of the Razzball Fantasy Baseball Podcast:
Find all of the 30 Minor League Previews, and Offseason Rankings on the Minor League Index
On Twitter as @ProspectJesus
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Good content but almost unlistenable with all the background noise on Ralph’s end
@ST: Close the door! CLOSE THE DOOR!
@Fungazi 2.0: It’s killing me guys, I’m sorry. I thought the mute worked.
@Ralph Lifshitz: No biggie, you guys are awesome
@ST: Sorry guys. My youngest was sick and I guess my mute button doesn’t work.
@Ralph Lifshitz: You are the man Ralph, it was still great.
Hey Ralph!
I’ve been chasing you from post to post with this question… I’m beginning to think we are no longer over-the-internet friends!?!?
Should be mentioned – all the pods you’ve done so far have been fantastic. Thank you for that.
We can discuss this as the preseason unfolds but I’d like to get your early thoughts on my keepers. I have too many great options (in my opinion), which I guess I shouldn’t complain too much about.
I’ve medal’d 4 out of the last 5 years (1st twice, 3rd twice, and 6th) so I was considering taking a slightly more long-term view with my keepers this year than I normally would.
I only get 4 keepers (4 keepers / 10 team league / so 40 off the board). Each can be kept in the round they were originally drafted in for two additional season… then they move up 2 rounds each year.
The Obvious (I think):
Alex Bregman – Round 24 – starts moving up next year
Bryce Harper – Round 5 – already moving yearly
Ronald Acuna – Round 24 – starts moving up in 2 years
Less Obvious:
Ozzie Albies – Round 24 – starts moving up in 2 years
Whit Merrifield – Round 24 – starts moving up in 2 years
Robbie Ray – Round 19 – starts moving up in 2 years
Jose Berrios – Round 24 – starts moving up in 2 years
I also have Conforto, Clevinger and Alex Wood (all in that 24th round) but I don’t think they are in the conversation with the others?
Thoughts? Help!?!
@RICE: I’d go Albies. I could have sworn I answered this. Sorry if I didn’t
@Ralph Lifshitz: It’s cool man! We see you busy.
Just keep cranking out these great pods!
I am leaning Albies too but thinking about those Ray K’s…
@RICE: That’s the struggle, how valuable is Ray compared to what’s available.
@Ralph Lifshitz: I won’t know who all is kept this season until after I submit my keepers. If last year is any indication, only 7 of 40 keepers were SP’s.
I think it’s safe to keep Albies and draft from the pitcher pool. Less injury risk keeping the hitter too.
NEED TO KEEP TEN – help me if you can
Anthony Alford
Yoenis Céspedes
Harrison Bader
Ian Desmond
Derek Fisher
Clint Frazier
Austin Hays
Manuel Margot
Jeimer Candelario
Franklin Barreto
George Springer
Jonathan Schoop
Ryan McMahon
Marwin González
Raimel Tapia
Marco Estrada
Álex Reyes
Hyun-Jin Ryu
Dillon Maples
Josh Hader
Ryan Madson
Matt Shoemaker
16 TEAMS – KEEP 10
16 teams
Roster Positions: C, 1B, 2B, 3B, SS, LF, CF, RF, Util, SP, SP, SP, RP, RP, RP, P, P, P, BN, BN, BN, BN, BN, BN, BN, DL, DL, NA
Batters Stat Categories: Runs (R), Doubles (2B), Triples (3B), Home Runs (HR), Runs Batted In (RBI), Stolen Bases (SB), Batting Average (AVG), On-base + Slugging Percentage (OPS)
Pitchers Stat Categories: Wins (W), Saves (SV), Strikeouts (K), Holds (HLD), Earned Run Average (ERA), (Walks + Hits)/ Innings Pitched (WHIP), Strikeouts per Walk Ratio (K/BB), Quality Starts (QS)
@mrbasketball: Springer, Schoop, Margot, Cespedes, Hays, Reyes, Desmond, Hader, McMahon, and Frazier.
What is Bellinger’s long term upside in regards to BA and OBP? I know he has has monster power, but will his avg and on base skills keep him from becoming an all around contributer? Also, will he be able steal double digit bases long term?
@Randy: I think his OBP skills are great. He’s 22 and coming off a season with an 11.7% Bb%. He’s only going to get better. He may never hit .300, but he’ll have .375+ OBP years.
hey ralph. in a 16 team dynasty league, h2h, 6×6 with OPS and k/bb extra cats plus QS instead of W. we roster 276 prospects and I need to determine who I’m going to drop so I can participate in the draft. I traded my 1st, 2nd, and 3rd rd picks last year to make a successful charge at the title so i’m going to be drafting really late.
I have caratini, mountcastle, blankenhorn, andres gimenez, yu cheng chang, starling, pache, jhailyn, yusniel, kiriloff, luzardo, pete lambert, alex reyes, funkhouser, de la cruz, ragans, fernando romero.
right now i’m probably throwing caratini, blankenhorn, funkhouser, lambert, and de la cruz back. I’m torn on whether i should toss back gimenez and/or chang. Gimenez seems like he’s tracking to be a better IRL prospect than fantasy so even though he has some support, not sure I feel like he’s going to break out this year. as for chang, i like his general profile as one that has a chance to have some nice value even though he’s more under the radar. so who would you drop from my minors list? and would you keep gimenez and/or chang?
thanks ralph.
yo ralph, need some help bud. Slow auction draft started for my dynasty league. Do you have any rankings available? We each have $120 and 12 spots to fill. Minor leaguers count nothing until they are promoted and then start at $1 then go up $4 each year. Keep as long as you want. Ohtani just went for the max 109. Guess im not getting him. Guerrero is already at $50. What kind on strategy would you employ here? Thanks!
Ralph! Awhile back you talked about doing a paid for prospect bible. I’m in, man. I have thought about it multiple times over the past couple months- every time I read a list written by someone else I think, “is this fo real?! What would Ralph say about this?”
I question, though, would I pay for just a top 500? Maybe, if it was updated more frequently. Or, definitely- if it were multiple lists. Such as, if you included your general list, maybe an OBP list, maybe a dynasty list that included major leaguers, as well. Maybe this Bible includes the Book of Lance?
I dont know exactly what it looks like but I think its a good idea.
Hey Ralph, no salary 15 team, keep forever, Dynasty question…..trade my DeJong for a first round (overall #3) pick where I would draft K. Hiura? Thanks.