I was all about some of that young prospect snell early in the season, ranking Blake Snell within my top-75 preseason ranks. He destroyed the Minors in 2015, then was a little iffy when he hit the Majors for the first time. HE’S AWFUL FOREVER! As we see 95% of the time, initial failure means a prospect is forgotten, even if they start putting up solid numbers a month or two later.
And such was the case for Snell, who had a 3.86 ERA over his first 5 starts (passable), but a horrific 20:15 K:BB and a WHIP close to 2.00. He’s no Trevor Rosenthal! That aforementioned success in the Minors came with some control issues as well, so it stood to reason he might need a little more refinement. On top of that, I watched a few of his starts and his stuff looked a little too “loopy” for me. I have no idea if that makes sense… But it looked like a lot of huge rolling movement, with nothing crisp, ala a Corey Kluber or Jake Arrieta cutter. Just very bendy.
Things have gotten a lot better lately though, with a 24:11 K:BB heading into yesterday’s start against the Yanks in 24 innings. As such a highly regarded prospect and with good pure stuff that I think just needed that little extra “umpf” of crispness, I bought in heavily across my leagues and in last week’s ranks. But I figured it would be a good idea to see for myself if his breaking stuff looks a tad better than when I saw it in his 2nd and 3rd starts. Here’s how he looked:
First Inning: Snell’s first pitch is a 92 MPH fastball low and away to Brett Gardner. 93 right down the middle fouled off, 93 is outside, 93 is a little high, then 94 sails wayyyy high for a leadoff walk. Ruh roh. 93 high to Jacoby Ellsbury, and out comes some catcher names Luke Maile for a chat. Literally never heard of him. 91 MPH is in the top of the zone and flared to foul ground past third, but Evan Longoria T-Rex arms it and it’s off the tip of his glove. Ugh. So 1-1 count, and Snell’s first breaking ball is a slider at 81 in there for strike two, 93 on the hands saws him off for a foul, then a hanging slider on the inside of the plate is bulleted to first, but it pops out of Nick Franklin‘s glove and they can only get Ellsbury at first instead of a double play. Some rough fielding so far. 94 on the outer third to Carlos Beltran is fouled off, an outside curveball gets an ugly wave through it for strike two, high heat at 95 is fouled off, hard slider at 83 bends into the dirt, then that curveball at 77 goes 12 to 6 on the outside black gets a swinging K.
Beltran just couldn’t identify that pitch. Starlin Castro barely holds on an inside fastball 0-1, then 82 MPH slider makes Castro do this.
Yikes. Beltran had an ugly swing too, that’s some crazy whiffs. Then he drops in a curveball for 1-2, and it’s to the point now where I wanna GIF every pitch. And hell why not, 95 on the outside paints the black. Holy crap!
Second Inning: Tough to not be giddy with excitement with those 3 GIFs above, and Snell opens the 2nd with a 93 MPH fastball outside to Brian McCann. Slider drops low, 94 is outside, 3-0. Wahhh. 92 gets the call on the letters 3-1, 93 even higher is fouled back, then 3-2 is a 76 MPH curveball?!??!?!
Wow, at my GIF quota already! This is insanity! Then Snell goes a first-pitch change-up to Chase Headley at 85 MPH, then 95 blows him away with a foul back, 95 again in there fouled back, then sharp slider breaks into the dirt, 1-2. Even though it wasn’t close, that had the “crispness” I was looking for. As did an 86 MPH change-up that barely dropped out of the zone 2-2, change again dropping low is pulled weakly foul, 95 sails high, then 85 MPH change-up gets a surprise 5th GIF and we’re not through the 2nd inning yet.
95 blows Didi Gregorius away 0-1, 94 again upstairs gets another whiff, 95 sails way high as he kept climbing the ladder, 94 again up there fouled off, then a curveball that was dropping into the top of the zone gets an emergency hack through it for strike-out-the-side inning. Gregorius subtly tipped his helmet on it too. Unreal stuff. Had no idea this start was going to go this way.
Third Inning: Snell opens the third with a fastball low to Rob Refsnyder, fastball fouled off, then slider is hung a little in the zone – Refsnyder crushes it to third, and Longoria boots it. It would’ve been a tough play, but one he would usually make. They give him an error, so it won’t hurt Snell’s stats. Aaron Hicks tries to bunt and it rolls foul, then wait what?!?! They change the error to a hit. Lammmmme. Beautiful change-up gets Hicks swinging 0-2, fastball goes high, change-up absolutely paints the low outside black but is called a ball, awful umping. Snell then puts a change-up in the same spot for a weak infield fly. 93 in there to Gardner back to the top, big bendy slider goes low, and now that pitch reminds me of the loopiness that didn’t impress me before… Arghhh. Curve drops in there, curve again drops low and that one had some nice crispness (word of the day!), high fastball slashed foul, then high fastball again well out of the zone is slashed to left for a single. Gardner pretty much stood straight up out of his stance to hit that – credit the hitter there. Fastball high to Ellsbury, slider sweeps just outside, 94 fouled straight back, 2-1 is a 95 MPH fastball with good running movement that runs well outside but gets a whiff, fastball again but well high, 3-2 95 MPH fastball fouled off, 94 gets a check swing excuse-me tip backwards, then 95 at the letters is chopped to short, and Brad Miller steps on second and gets Ellsbury at first for an inning-ending double-play. Wooooo!
Fourth Inning: Still a 0-0 game and Snell drops in a change-up for a strike to Beltran, Beltran then makes another rough half-swing through a curveball 0-2, then 0-2 change-up is nubbed to Snell, and it somehow squirts by his glove for a lame infield single. Womp womp. Change-up again is in there to Castro, high fastball has him reaching for it and fouling it off, then an absolutely wicked curveball that bounces in the dirt about a foot in front of the plate gets a horrid swing for another Snell K. I so shoulda GIFfed that one, but I already started my GIF work at this point! I’m full up! Fastball gets a whiff from McCann, curve in the dirt bounces in 1-1, change-up flutters outside, 95 blows him away, 2-2 curveball bareeeeeeely has McCann holding his swing, then the payoff pitch is a slider that goes well low for another walk. McCann swung right through a fastball in the zone a few pitches before, I don’t know why he felt he needed a breaking ball there. Just showing off… Then a first pitch fastball on the hands of Headley is flared to left for a single. Luckily it had enough on it to keep the runners all on. So bases loaded, one out, and Gregorius fouls a high fastball off, then 95 on the inside edge is grounded pretty hard to second, and Snell gets another inning-ending double play. Woooo times twooooo!
Fifth Inning: The Rays finally get Snell some support and go up 2-0, and Snell misses low to Refsnyder 1-0. Change-up is golfed foul, fastball fouled off, then 93 “paints” the outside corner for a K looking. Yeahhhh, that was outside. But Snell did have a K taken away by a bad call earlier, so “we’ll call it a draw!” Hicks grounds a fastball foul, fastball again fouled, change drops low, nice CRISP curve drop low, then 95 on the outside edge gets swung through and missed for yet another K. Gnarly! 93 right in there to Gardner, 93 again in there on the inner half taken 0-2, 95 is a little off the edge, slider breaks low and away, then curveball on the hands gets an emergency half swing for another K, and his second strike-out-the-side inning of the game!
Sixth Inning: Rays now up 3-0, and Snell gets a fastball painting the inside edge, 0-1. Change-up gets a whiff 0-2, 95 has him chase off the outside edge but he fouls it off, change-up breaks well outside, curve skips in the dirt, slider goes well outside, and after a quick 0-2 count it’s full. Payoff pitch is a 95 MPH fastball barely tipped foul, then 96 is a little high and tight for a leadoff walk. Ugh. But at least 96 maxed out the gun for this start on his 97th pitch! Then crapppppp, a first-pitch change-up that hung a little bit on the outside edge gets ripped to left for a home run by about 6 inches. The Trop couldn’t quite hold it. Beltran had two of the worst swings in this game, then makes the adjustment… Well, still a lead for Snell who gets to 96 again but is inside to Castro, 95 in the zone gets a whiff, then 94 on the hands gets a lazy fly to right for the first out. And at 101 pitches, Snell gets the hook. The Rays hold the lead for him though, and gets the youngun a W.
Final Line: W 5.1 IP 101 Pitches (65 Strikes) 2 ER 5 Hits 3 Walks 9 K Gamescore: 56 Gamescore+: 65.6
Final Analysis: Dude. It’s pretty rare a start just blows me away like this, but whoa! And even with my only semi-subjective stat, the Gamescore+, it shows Snell had a ridiculous game. Of the 5 hits allowed, 4 were singles and a few I scored as pretty lucky. A 10-point disparity might be the biggest I’ve seen since doing these.
Snell’s got one of the best “true” 4-pitch arsenals that I can think of. And this dude is 23! Snell and Zachary Davies could both pose as Little Leaguers and no one would know… Anywho, the stuff is anything but Little League, with a fastball in the 92-95 range, typically closer to the latter. He even maxed out to 96 on some of his last few pitches. I’ve griped on a few young guns for having velocity drop late – Snell’s went up! Then it’s hard to know where to start with the off-speed stuff… I guess I think the curveball is the best, with true 12 to 6 break that usually had that crispness I thought it was lacking his first few starts I watched. Then to offset that true North to South break, the slider bends something like 10 to 4. It’s almost more like a slurve, but is very different from the curveball moving a few ticks faster on the gun with that horizontal break. And just to make things even more ridiculous, he has a change-up that he threw 83-85 and could throw for strikes. Sure the homer to Beltran was on this pitch, but it still looked like a plus pitch overall to me. In fact, all 4 pitches are plus pitches in the Majors, and all 4 he could throw for strikes.
The stuff is just plain unreal. It’s easy to see why he had control problems though – everything is too explosive! So I think refinement will come with experience, and it’s already taken a step up his last 4 starts now. I’m absolutely all-in on Snell now, moving him up aggressively yet again this week. Sure there’s a little bit of a concern with an innings limit, but he did get to 134 in the Minors last year and is at 112.2 across the Majors and AAA right now. I easily could see them push Snell to about 180, which would only be a shut down of his final start or two. 23 is still fairly young, but it’s old enough to where you’d like them to feel confident having a full season of starts in his age 24-season.
At the time I wrote this, Snell was owned in an absurd 31.1% of ESPN leagues. Absurd with extra crispness! It was only 38% in Yahoo too… He’s must own the rest of the way. No question.
Updated Top 100 SP
(rankings for ROS based on 12-team Roto, green for risers, red for fallers)
Dropped Out: Bud Norris, LAD (I don’t trust his back issue doesn’t force him to miss time, sheesh get the Dodgers a better chiropractor for their pitchers!), Kendall Graveman, OAK (Dude, his pitch selection is insanity right now. 3 of his last 4 starts he’s thrown his fastball 81.3%+ amount of the time! And only a cutter to off-set it! I liked seeing his velocity going up, but he’s pitching like a reliever right now and only getting groundballs. No bueno for Ks/fantasy), A.J. Griffin, TEX (Doesn’t have more than 3 Ks in his last 5 starts?! Gotta lose him if I lose Graveman…), Lucas Giolito, WAS (Was #100 last week, I just question the innings he gives ROS in the Majors at this point)
- Sigh. No news is bad news for Clayton Kershaw…
- How annoying has David Price been this year?! Luckily in the only league I owned him, I sold that lemon to Grey. Johnny Lemons!
- Whew, I wish I had nabbed Lance McCullers somewhere. He’s like Chris Archer, except avoids the absolute turd muffin games.
- Jose Berrios is being called back up to start tonight. I’d nab him where I could to see what happens – his numbers in AAA since his demotion have been stellar.
- I’m so done with Sonny Gray. Grey and I called this one! But obviously didn’t quite see a collapse like THIS…
- Pretty solid debut for Andrew Cashner with The Fish, and he’s pitched well the last 4 starts now. He’s throwing his slider a tonnnn more lately, so there’s some correlation with an arsenal change. I’m not going too nuts, but he gets a little boost.
- Despite only getting 1 K in each of his last two AAA starts (with one being a disaster), I still think Jose De Leon is getting closer and closer. I love his K stuff and since he missed the beginning of the year with an injury, he should have a nice stretch of innings available. Will get another boost once they finally promote him. That said, Brock Stewart is still pitching phenomenally in AAA, and might be back up again first.
You guys buying into this young rookie nookie Snell with me?! And what’s your thoughts on this week’s ranks? Shoot your thoughts below, and happy pitching Razzball Nation!
[note – if anyone is traded during the day today, I missed it in my ranks. So feel free to comment if a big pitcher is moved and my thoughts on their new situation, which will be reflected in next week’s ranks]
No porcello love at all? Dudes been solid this whole year. Nothing that blows you away, but super reliable every game. A top 50 starter for sure in my opinion. A travesty that he’s at 73 right now
@Martin: A travesty I say! K rate is lower than last year, and I definitely don’t trust a sub-10% HR rate. He’s lost velocity from last year too, and a lot of his value is 14 wins. Yes, Boston will score a ton, but a lot feels fluky
@JB Gilpin: Agree with the wins, but he looks a lot sharper this year. Hitting his spots a lot better than last year, which probably has a lot to do with the low hr/fb rate. Never will be an ace, but can definitely be an avg 2!
@Martin: I can get on board he should prob be a little higher at this point :) but an avg 2 seems a little high I think, in a roto context. In Pts I can get more on board for sure!
@JB Gilpin: the 1.11 Whip and 1.6 walk rate make me wonder if he’s actually turned a corner this year. Wins are wins, but he is actually 27 somehow, feels like he’s at least 30 because the Tigers brought him up at like 15
@Odor’s Odor-izzi spray: Well his walk rate was great last year too…. I was the biggest Porcello pundit in 2014 I think it was. If he doesn’t have sink in the lower part of the zone, he gets pummeled. i.e. when he misses, he misses middle or high in the zone, hence a good walk rate. Maybe he’s fixed this a little bit this year, but I still worry a little regression will hit
Would you roll with 2 start Stroman @Hou and @KC, or Nola home vs SF?
H2H, my opponent is getting 10 starts, and this would be the difference for me between 9 and 10 starts
@Abe Froman: Ugh, not a fan of either, give me the guy with two starts in that situation haha. Def have no faith in Nola for anything right now.
@JB Gilpin:
I hear ya. Paxton is on waivers, as well. slated for 2 home starts vs BOS & LAA. Drop any of those 2 for him?
@Abe Froman: Hmmmmm. Nah I would hold your guys, Paxton has burnt me too much too. Nola is close, but at least down the road you have Nola for saucy NL matchups if he looks even an iota better
Great stuff as usual. How come Eickhoff isn’t higher? He’s been pitching like a top 50-60 pitcher so far this year.
Thanks,
@Sampson: Thanks man! Ugh, yeah I have yo-yoed him a bunch this year. I don’t like how wildly inconsistent/low his Ks get and seems totally reliant on his curveball working. Screams “barely better Tyler Duffey” to me, and I don’t trust wins on that team.
Did JA Happ kick your dog? Started relying more on his four seamer which helped lead to his 2nd half last season and it’s resulted in a 1.44 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, and 12.06 K/9 over the last month (31.1IP). Guy should be in the top 35!!
@whitekenyan: He at least threatened my dog, that’s for sure! Of those last 5 starts, only 1 was in the division. AL East I think will eat him up a little more. If he somehow has numbers like that the final two months then he for sure should be that high! But I think this is an isolated little hot stretch, he was pretty blah until then
Does Snell get shut down? If so when? Same on Taillon or Berrios. According to your rankings, I should have Shoemaker (just dropped) but so hard to trust. ..have Bum, Fulmer, Skaggs, Darvish, Matz, JRoss. Out there are Snell, Taillon, MMoore, Cashner, Berrios, and Conley! Relievers are Chapman, Harris, Kintzlwr, Bedrosian. Open to suggestions. …
@Greg: I mentioned my thoughts on Snell in the Final Analysis below :) I think only a start or two. Taillon I think is more limited to not go too deep, doesn’t help they brought in lame vets. Berrios only last few starts too. Street not traded, so I think Bedrosian can go. Would nab Snell I think for the upside, I just trust Shoemaker to pitch through the end of the season and is a little safer which is why he’s a few higher
Had the day off. Sitting here with a 6 pack giddilly watching MLB trade deadline coverage with my shirt off twisting my nips like farmer Fran from the Waterboy. Gotta love it!
@Ross Watson: Hah I WISH I had the day off! Monday is my busiest day… Pretty decent deadline… Not the best, not the worst!
Great top 100 list every week!
So as a Sonnie Gray full keeper dynasty league owner is it time to cut bait? I’m going for the title this year and honestly can’t even start him at this point. Add him to a struggling Buxton for Carlos Santana? Or is that too much of a sell low for those 2?
Thanks!
@Chud: Thanks man, thanks for reading! Yeah Gray can go, something is wrong. Wouldn’t be surprised if there’s injury issues that plague him going into next year. Definitely get Buxton in dynasty!
Where is Lucas Harrel in your rankings? I mean the Rangers thought he was enough pitching help to get them to the World Series and not make any other trades for pitching while focusing on catcher and aged outfielders. Stupid fuckers
@Pu$$y Control: I’d need to see a few good starts in Texas before even considering him. Very lucky peripherals in a pitchers park in ATL. Hahaha, yeah bizarre the Rangers didn’t bring in better pitching…
Sanchez is on life support as a starter after the Jays acquired Liriano.
@Eric: Yeah I dropped him last week and it was an oversight not to drop him dramatically this week. Probably out of the ranks next week as it sounds pretty locked in he’s out of the rotation
Liriano gets destroyed in the AL East, yes?
Funny anecdote – as part of my draft prep I had a hard-on for Corbin. I figured out the precise round I was taking him in and had set it up to autodraft and everything. Then, out of nowhere, Rodon was still available in that round. I thought I had scored a coup and scoffed at my stupid league mates. Corbin didn’t make it to the next round, but I didn’t care. Now looking back, I’d have been better off just drafting JA Happ and a bucket of Gatorade.
@Gonzo_The_Great:
I had the same felling ( before the season) about both Rodon n Corbin , drafted both. Got Happ with my last pick.
@Gonzo_The_Great: @Joeg414: No reason to have any optimism going to a worse division in a worse park…
Ugghhhh yeah I liked those two lefties as well. Brutal for those guys. A whiff for sure
Any thoughts on this Matt Moore trade? Enough of a bump to put him into mixed league discussions?
@Tony Molina: Yeah I think so. Better defense, better (marginally) park, better league/division… Probably goes to 60ish next week, would be higher if I had more faith in his consistency
Starting on Tuesday? home vs now more powerful Texas Rangers .
@Joeg414:
That’s D. Bundy
@Joeg414: Hmmmm. I’d roll the dice unless in a roto league where youre over starts/innings allowed
Whats good JB? Nice breakdown of Snell, really glad I added him when I did. I had hoped Nola would’ve been the same kind of add but that sure as hell hasn’t happened and he has since been released lol.
So I responded on your last SP profile, but figured I’d carry the conversation over to here. I ended up flipping PIT’s RP Watson and Pomeranz for Price, which of course opened up a spot for Kimbrel to return. I thought I did ok, I know Price has been up and down, and you have him ranked above Pom, but I also saw he moved down about 4-5 spots. I would have had to drop Gausman either way to add Kimbrel (per our last discussion), so figured I’d try to upgrade an arm by snagging Watson and flipping him with Pom. So, thoughts on trade?
As for Bregman for Segura/Cutch I haven’t really tried to make a move on that front. A) because I’m not sure who the drop would be now that I activated Kimbrel. B) Because Im not sure that I dont need another arm more. And Moore, Eickhoff and Walker are the only arms he’ll move.
I have a guy that has McCullers and Guerrera that he’d move in theory but he doesnt need Bregman alone, he’s loaded at SS(Machado, Lindor, Correa and Anderson). But I floated the idea of packaging Dahl and Bregman, for some more established talent? He does have Lindor, maybe he’d part with him for Bregman and Dahl…but is he worth both? His staff is mostly top end… Stras, Thor, Scherzer, Arrieta and then a step below are Matz and Hamels along with the aforementioned McCullers and Guerra. So JB do you see a deal that helps me with either owner?
ESPN 12 team HTH 5×5 with OBP and QS daily moves and 4 keepers per season
C Posey
1B Cabrera
2B Daniel Murphy
3B Seager
SS A. Russell
OF Trout
OF Bruce
OF Polanco
UTIL OF Dahl
UTIL 2B/SS/3B Baez
Bench OF/3B/DH Sano
Bench SS Bregman
DL OF Choo
SP Salazar
SP Shoemaker
RP Jansen
RP Melancon
P Price
P Pineda
P DeSclafani
P Snell
Bench SP Manaea
Bench SP Skaggs
Bench RP Kimbrel
DL SP Cobb
@My Thread Count Is High: Glad Snell is working out! I think I remember helping steer ya to that one :)
Love that deal! Nice buy low price for… Price. Hah
You have a trade deadline…? I like thinking it out a little longer.
McCullers and Lindor for Bregman and Dahl? Assuming Lindor’s keeper price isn’t too low, he might do it
@JB Gilpin: Yeah you remembered correctly, you helped me snag Snell off the wire, after he was dropped, so thanks for that man!
I’m going to try the Dahl and Bregman for McCullers and Lindor route, my guess is he’ll decline or offer Lindor alone for both. Any thoughts on the other owner Cutch, Segura, Walker, Eickhoff, Tallion owner. Any of those 2 worth both Dahl and Bregman, or should I just hold?
Guess my pitching worries me…did you see Salazar’s start tonight? Ughhhleeee! There are a few guys on waivers: Gausman, Paxton, Smyly, Rodon, Nola, etc. but I dont really have a drop for any of them…anyway look forward to your feedback, have a good one!
@My Thread Count Is High: Also no trade deadline…
@My Thread Count Is High: Sweet! Cool hope the offer works. Mehhhh, yeah it’s too much youth and upside for the Cutch guys he’s offering. I’d hold.
Yeah and Salazar might be hurt.. Ugh. Paxton is such a nightmare, but I’m thinking of adding him again .. Uggghhhhh! Haha
@JB Gilpin: Yeah Im kinda stuck in a holding pattern and Bregman isnt hitting at all. Should I continue to hold him, he flat out turned down the offer and didnt bother countering. But when a guy is 1/22(Bregman) kinda hard to drum up interest in him. With Bregmans spot I could add Diaz(Seattles new closer), add an arm like Paxton, or I could get T.Walker for Bregman instead of dumping him. Thoughts? Or would you still hold?
@My Thread Count Is High: Also your boy Arcia is getting the call along with Benintendi for the BoSox. Add either of them or the other options above regarding Bregman or hold?
@My Thread Count Is High: So many callups! I’m going bold. Lose Russell for Arcia.
Def hold Bregman! I’d lose Pineda I think for Diaz
@JB Gilpin: Interesting takes, gonna give them some thought for sure.
@My Thread Count Is High: Held off on Arcia for now, did dump Pineda for RP Diaz though, appreciate the advice man.
Who do you like better for this season-glasnow or de leon? I noticed that Glasnow dropped out of your rankings
@JJ: I’ll go De Leon, yeah Glasnow hitting the DL has me thinking they’ll be ridiculously cautious.
Danny Duffy flat out dominating so far tonight: 11 ks in 5 innings. Hmm, might we see a little jump in the rankings next week?
@Shaggy: Ended with 16 Ks… Wow… Yeah probably a good bit, already at 29 I thought was pretty high! Crazy how good he’s become
quick question. seems obvious but need help. should I drop keuchel for snell? week to week season long league.
@cobi: It’s not painfully obvious or anything, Keuchel could still find something, but yeah i would def take Snell
Sup JB. Great work
Need advice
10team h2h …. Herrera or Dyson?
Thank u!
@740: Thanks man, thanks for stopping by! I’ll take Herrera there. Any time!
i really wish you could/would do more than 5 GIFs a week, especially with Snell’s latest performance. wooooo
@assy: Haha yeah just is a little time consuming the way I do it… I probably should look into a faster way haha. Yeah man, his stuff was NASTY!
Are you worried about Arrieta’s regression the past 2 months?
( I know Grey isnt the biggest fan of his peripherals). Was just offered Arrieta in a trade, I see that you have him ranked really high, wanted to know your thoughts on his recent struggles?
Thanks much!
@Gregjeffries: A little, I mean I had him no question #2 for a while and moved him to 4 pre-Kershaw injury. The BB rate going up is pretty much the only change, and even though he hasn’t been “as good”, I would definitely take him as long as the price isn’t crazy. Pitching has been so inconsistent that he’s definitely in my ace range still
gotcha. Ok cool, that makes me feel better. Would you trade Springer to get Arrieta? (Was trying to get Scherzer but the owner backed out. In first place currently but I’m stuck with Salazar as my ace now)
@Gregjeffries: Hmmmm, and yeah Salazar is hurt. Seems like it fits what you need, I’d do it
Awesome, thanks! Just got Arrieta and Matz for Springer!
@Gregjeffries: Sweet, love that deal needing to boost pitching!
Hi JB!
Thanks for another stellar pitcher profile.
I’m in a 14 team keeper and this is my SPs
Kluber
C-Mart
Strasburg
Roark
Hammel
I’d like to cut Roark and add a young pitcher,but at the same time I’m just 1 W far from postseason and i’d want a bit of stability. Who could be the best option between Skaggs(love the guy)-Snell and Berrios?
I’m sorry for the bad English
@Ciwa: Thanks so much man! And your English is great!
I’m definitely sticking with Snell. Surprised you only own 5 SP, can you not own more? But yeah in a keeper, definitely nabbing Snell. Berrios is interesting too over Hammel depending on how many you can keep
@JB Gilpin: We can only have 5 SP and 1 RP (a closer). And we can keep just 3 of them…with stras klub and c-mart ,it will be so difficult to choose another one.
@Ciwa: Hmmmm interesting. Yeah Berrios isn’t interesting then. I like nabbing Snell still for Roark
JB,
Would you trade Nola for Brandon McCarthy in a 12 team H2H?
Thanks a lot
@Luke: Yup I would!
Hey JB,
You’ve got them Quintana (23), Pomeranz (26), Shoemaker (28), Pineda (47), Felix (49), Iwakuma (68), Zimmerman (79), Rodon (82) in your rankings. If my main concern is really ERA/WHIP and guys not getting shut down near the end of the year do they stay that way for you, or does someone jump/drop? Also, could you put them in tiers for me, I’m trying to get an idea if there’s a big gap between each. Would it be something like:
Tier 1: Quintana, Pomeranz, Shoemaker
Tier 2: Nobody
Tier 3: Pineda, Felix
Tier 4: Iwakuma, Zimmerman, Rodon
@A Hill O’ Beans: Ummm, yeah I don’t think any have big concerns for me. Everyone is freaking out about Pomeranz but I think he sticks in the rotation most of the year.
Tiers look beautiful to me. 1 = must own/probably starting every time 2 = probably should own 3 = high-end steamers, maybe you hold if a good schedule 2-3 starts out 4 = streaming only or not ownable.
All of that in a 12er context
Should I grab Snell, Skaggs, Samardjiza, Ian Kennedy or Trevor Bauer? I need an arm while Salazar is on the DL. It’s a 10 team H2H league.
@Chance Cumberling: I’ll take Snell. Love his stuff!
JB thoughts on Bundy after last night’s outing vs the Rangers? Where does he rank now in your top 100? I’m in that super pitching league where pitchers rule (50 points per win, ect).
Offense…check
No innings limit…check
Strikeouts…check
Winning team…check
Experience…very little
@Jedimasters: Dude is aweeeesome. Definitely into the top 50. Luckily I have one more start I think to gauge. I’m a little surprised he’s stretched out as far as he is – 87, 89, 88 pitches. 90ish pitches for someone as good as him is just fine. Def like him!
JB in this 10 team points league where pitchers rule I have an interesting trade on the table.
I trade my Alex Colome (In Yahoo he has SP eligibility so allows you to play 3 closers a night which equals an SP2) and CMART
for
Jake Arrieta
I struck gold and held onto Edwin Diaz who is now the closer for Seattle. Do I pull this trigger? Or do I keep on rolling with my dual SP eligible closers in Colome and Diaz along with this pitching crew:
SPs: Price, Thor, Kluber, CMart, Darvish (health risk)
Closers: Kimbrel, Betances, Colome (SP eligibility), Diaz (SP eligibility)
@Jedimasters: Ohhhh nice on Diaz! Hmmmm, yeah having SP for closers in that format seems valuable, but I gotta think in a points you are prob taking Arrieta. Also Cmart has shown he has some wear down risk, even though I still like him ROS. But he’s no Arrieta :)
he was actually very good when he hit majors first time this year for 1 start. in fact for a while he was the ONLY prospect SP who one could say “hey, his only time up he was great” (albeit it was only 1 start). his 2nd time up was the bad one.
@Cheese Eating Surrender Monkey: Well, yes, technically, I was kinda lumping his first stretch all together. I don’t usually consider a spot start a “stint in the Majors”, but I prob coulda worded it a little better in the open :)
@JB Gilpin: fair enough, there was a decent time gap between that one start and his 2nd callup that wasn’t great, which is what you were referring to.
@Cheese Eating Surrender Monkey: Yup exactly