I’m popping a cherry of sorts here… I’m double-dipping in my first ever Pitcher Profile on a hurler already profiled. But things change! People change! Hairstyles change! I’ll miss you the most, scarecrow! (bonus points if you know that movie!)
Two years ago, I broke down Chris Archer‘s first career complete game that Summer… Look at how much we’ve improved! No weekly rankings, no GIFs, it’s like that was written in the stone age! At the time, Archer was a young-up-and-comer who even surprised the most die hard of Archer fans, but after going complete twice in a three game span in 2013, really hasn’t shown uber-dominance in any long stretches. Well, looking back at 2014 he did go on a huge roll starting at the end of May, but never more than say 6 or 7 starts.
After a meh opener, Archer has been a stud the last four, and at age 26 may be finally settling in to an ace-like season. So I decided to break down his outing yesterday hosting the Blue Jays to see if I think this is a new Archer that is going to maintain dominant numbers all year:
First Inning: Archer’s first pitch is a 92 MPH right down the middle taken by Devon Travis. 93 fastball climbs the ladder and is fouled back, and Archer is right back to his high velo with 95 MPH on the outside edge fouled away, still 0-2. Archer’s first slider is a nassssssty 89 MPH bender that goes just off the plate, 1-2:
Then Archer goes slider again, but instead of sweeping across the horizontal plane, it dives towards the dirt to get a swing and miss:
And lordy, if I’m compelled to GIF a two-pitch sequence to the first batter, I think I might need to change my pants during this start… Anyway, Archer blows Russell Martin away with 95 MPH heat up and in getting a whiff to make it 0-1, fastball again catches the outside edge 0-2, then a 95 MPH fastball goes over everyone and hits the plastic backing behind the plate, 1-2. Scared an usher out there! Then the 1-2 is another slider, Martin tops it for a weak dribbler and catcher Rene Rivera makes the throw to first, two down. Josh Donaldson whiffs on a 95 MPH fastball on the hands, whiffs over a slider at 90 (!!!!!!) MPH that looked a lot like that second GIF, then Archer tries another fastball hoping to paint the outside corner, but it ends up down the middle for a very hard hit Donaldson single to center. Nice hitting there, and that heater was at 97! Fastball misses to Edwin Encarnacion, another is fouled back, 95 MPH again is upstairs and cut on and missed, slider rolls into the dirt, slider again bends low, full count. And Archer throws 95 MPH trying to be too perfect on the low inside corner and it dips low for a walk. After a dominant start through two strikes to Donaldson, now a single and a walk and Justin Smoak takes a fastball in there for strike one. Then Archer throws his first change-up at 86 MPH that’s in the zone, 0-2. That change didn’t do much, and I was hoping to see a big improvement on those as Archer is mostly a two-pitch guy. Fastball spikes in the dirt, high slider is tipped foul, then another slider that bent into the backdoor is swung over and missed for Archer’s 2nd K to get out of the inning.
Second Inning: Picking up two runs of support, Archer is outside with a fastball to Michael Saunders, barely nips the outside corner 1-1, there’s another change-up at 86 MPH that’s in the zone 1-2, sweeping 2-to-8 slider goes low, then 95 MPH heat paints that low outside corner for Archer’s 3rd K looking. Mowing em down! Slider stays high to Dalton Pompey, fastball is fouled back, two-seamer runs back off of the outside corner for a ball, hanging slider stays high and is fouled off, another high slider is pulled down the first base line foul, then 96 MPH on the outside edge is grounded to second, two down. Up is Kevin Pillar who almost gets hit with a 94 MPH fastball up and in, 95 blows him away on the inside edge, 1-1 is a another fastball well high but it’s cut on and fouled back, then a defensive swing on 1-2 on a great slider is topped over to third, and Evan Longoria makes the play charging in to end the inning.
Third Inning: Even though he’s looked fantastic, Archer is already at 38 pitches and misses inside to Ryan Goins, fastball is outside, then a hanging slider (I think, might have been hanging change-up) is flied out to center, one down. That might’ve been Archer’s most hittable pitch, good thing it was to Goins! Slider is in there to Travis 0-1, fastball low, fastball fouled back, then an 89 MPH slider that looked a lot like that first GIF is swung over and missed, two outs. Fastball is outside to Martin, 94 MPH heater with some good movement hits the inside corner, then a slider on the outside corner is flied to right center for an easy out, a much needed quick inning for Archer.
Fourth Inning: Fastball is outside to Donaldson, then a great slider gets him to flinch as it bends into the zone, 1-1. Fastball at 94 MPH was a little too close to down the middle again to Donaldson for my liking but is barely tipped foul, slider bends low and outside, and the 2-2 is an inside slider grounded to short for a routine out. 95 MPH is outside to Encarnacion, perfect fastball paints the outside corner, great slider sweeps from just inside to paint the outside corner 1-2, fastball at 97 goes low, 95 is fouled back, then 89 MPH slider bends into the inside corner and front doors him for Archer’s 5th K looking. Then a first pitch change-up is popped foul to third by Smoak to get a 1-pitch final out.
Fifth Inning: Archer opens the 5th inning with an absolute bang (for me!) with by far his best change-up to get a swing and miss from Saunders, 0-1:
Another change is topped over to second for an easy groundout, one down. Pompey tries a bunt and it dribbles foul, then a little bit of a hanging slider on the hands is ripped down the first base line for a double. Only the second hit allowed by Archer and not a good pitch. But Archer rebounds with a perfect painting fastball for strike one to Pillar, fastball is low, then a great 88 MPH slider bending way outside gets an absolute wave and miss, 1-2:
Archer throws the same slider at 90 MPH and Pillar can’t hold up for another K. Great pitch. Fastball is low to Goins, two-seamer at 95 runs outside, 2-0. This is either his first or maybe only second time falling behind 2-0, and he’s right back in there with a slider 2-1. Archer then goes slider again, and it’s grounded right to him and Archer makes the play for out number three.
Sixth Inning: Archer opens the 6th with a fastball in there to Travis, then another heater with a little sink on it gets a groundout to short for a quick first out. Great slider gets strike one on Martin, fastball is high, great fastball at the knees at 95 gets strike two, slider is way outside, fastball fouled back, then a slider bending across the zone paints the outside corner for Archer’s 7th K. Martin just couldn’t pull the trigger. A little bit of a hanging slider barely misses high to Donaldson, perfect slider down is swung over, 95 MPH heater is high, then a 2-1 slider is hung a bit in Donaldson’s wheelhouse, but he just gets under it for a routine flyout to left. Donaldson curses at that one, as that easily couldn’t been walloped, but Archer is out of the inning.
Seventh Inning: At 84 pitches, Archer doesn’t waste any time getting a fastball in there to Encarnacion, then another fastball is ripped to third, but Longoria makes a diving play to get him out. First really hard-contact out this game. 94 MPH fastball is perfect at the knees to Smoak, then 95 MPH on the outside corner is laced to center for the second out. Eesh, two very hard hit outs, that was roped. But Archer still has his velo and isn’t scared with a 94 MPH fastball in there to Saunders, slider goes low, slider again low, fastball at 93 is high, then Archer’s final pitch is a 3-1 fastball on the hands that’s hit pretty hard, but it’s a grounder into the shift for the final out.
Final Line: W 7.0 IP 93 Pitches (64 Strikes) 0 ER 2 Hits 1 Walk 7 K Gamescore: 79 Gamescore+: 78.2
Final Analysis: Great, great stuff out there from Archer. I think if he didn’t have that high pitch count in the first and have those hard hit outs in the 7th, they might’ve let him try for a CG. Those last three outs in the seventh were hard hit enough to swing the Gamescore+ under his Gamescore, but just by a marginal amount.
Archer’s heater topped out at 97 MPH and was rarely outside of the 94-95 range. His fastball velocity on the season is actually averaging a career-best 95.2. If that maintains through the season, he’s going to have one of the fastest arsenals in the game. But it all comes down to the slider, which was dancing all sorts of ways, bending across both planes. Regularly at 89-90 MPH as well! And it’s not a cutter, it has way too much movement for that. It’s averaging 87 MPH on the season, but was up to a season-high velo of 87.2 yesterday. The thing that scares me is he’s still virtually relying on those two pitches. He threw a few change-ups, but only to lefties and sparingly. He’s thrown them 7.8% of the time on the season, unfortunately that pitch has been increasing in velocity the past few years. I’d like him to be able to get the change-ups in more of the 84-85 range than the 86.2 MPH they’re averaging now.
The concern with only having two pitches is keeping me from going all in. I did move him up to 31, but as the #1 pitcher in fantasy right now I obviously have some minor doubts. It’s mostly that we’ve seen great stretches from him before, and he’s still only a two-pitch guy. If that slider eludes him in a start, it’s going to be a rough rough outing. That said, his fastball is fantastic as well and should keep him from getting bludgeoned even if he loses his slider for a time.
JB’s Updated Top 100 SP
(rankings based on 12-team Roto, green for risers, red for fallers)
Dropped Out: Adam Wainwright, STL (Achilles and out for year, ughhhhhh, even though I had him lower than anywhere else so at least I dodged this bullet), Kyle Gibson, MIN (how is a 3:9 K:BB through 4 starts even possible?!) Matt Garza, MIL (lordy he’s garbage), Justin Verlander, DET (everything has been pessimistic)
- Man, I love Dallas Keuchel. Maybe it’s the beard, I dunno. He’s got the best athlete’s beard in Houston! Well, maybe second for someone in another sport, but still! I know an 18:11 K:BB screams regression, but he is so effing consistent so far where even the aces have been hammered. He didn’t move up dramatically, but up another 3 this week.
- I had a tough time with Tanaka vs. JZ. I’m scared of Zimmermann, fastball is down 1.7 MPH from last year, and even though he’s only allowed one HR has been clobbered with a BABIP that’s not too crazy against (.324). Tanaka has the risk his elbow snaps, sure, but doesn’t every pitcher at this point? Hah.
- I guess if I’m using that rationale for Tanaka, I HAVE to move Michael Wacha up. He looks great, velo is there; doesn’t mean I’m no longer worried about his shoulder, but if it holds up I imagine he finishes even higher than that rank.
- Ventura was my boy last year. I had him ranked about neutral this year, and now I’m with the masses – dude annoys me. Calm the F down, it’s baseball! There’s no roid rage (anymore – I thought it was the ball!) in baseball!
- Always nice to have a stat correction add 5 ER to your line… James Paxton‘s got one last game to prove it. He’s at Houston, velo was a tad better in this last bad start, I need to see him pop at least a few pitches above 95 when he needs them. Avg velo is down; he needs the power fastball to be what I thought he could be this year.
- It wasn’t the best season debut, but Drew Smyly looked pretty good. I’d be sure he’s owned in all of your leagues.
- Eesh Shane Greene can’t get lefties out… Teeing off at .296 to only .128 for righties. Cleveland played 8 lefties, and shizz hizz the fanz, if you know what I mean. One thing I overlooked was his struggles v. lefties; hopefully that oversight is forgivable as the first 3 teams he faced have pretty much no good lefties… Needs that change-up to keep developing.
- After averaging 92.0 on the heater and hitting 95 a few times in his first start off the DL, Homer Bailey went down to 90.9 and didn’t look impressive at all in his encore against my awful Brewers. I’d be watching him carefully on the wire though…
- For a few innings there, Taijuan Walker looked dominant in his last start. Still putting it together, but has more upside than arguably anyone below 35 or so in my ranks.
- While Hisashi Iwakuma‘s lat strain is supposed to be a 2-4 week timetable, teammate J-Pax also had that lat issue last year and it lasted something like 3-4 months. Very scared.
Thoughts on this revisit to Archer? What ranks really grind your gears? Shoot your thoughts below, and as always, may your ERAs and WHIPs remain tiny like pool shrinkage!
Ugh you gotta drop Wood outta that high rank. What’s good with ya? I miss basketball *sadface
@Bye Felicia: Haha I think he can turn it around… miss hoops too man! Thanks for stoppin by over here!
Hey man! I use these rankings each week to assess my situation in my league. They are awesome!
In the league I’m in, which is a very huge, huge huge league with 8 man prospect rosters, I was offered this:
Give Bumgarner, Holliday, and Jesse Winker (Reds OF ‘spect)
Get Cueto, Pollock, and Kyle Schwarber (Cubs ‘spect)
I really want Cueto, but don’t want to lose out too bad! What do you think? Thanks man :)
@Anthony:
I forgot to add that I’m also giving Danny Salazar and getting Odor (potential lottery ticket IMO)!
Thanks again!
@Anthony: i wouldn’t give up Salazar for Odor dude. Odor isn’t that good.
@Anthony: thanks so much man! Def try to get the goods out there… I disagree a tad with below, I think Odor has some decent upside, but man Salazar is young and looks great. Bumgarner’s age trumps Cueto for me too…. I would think changing Bumgraner to Salazar in the original 3 for 3 might work as a counter
I could hardly wait to see where Greene ended up. I’m glad the big drop had less to do with just one terrible outing but instead had to do with the explanation behind that terrible outing. Ranking SPs is tough work, the 45th ranked player and the 70th ranked player could easily be interchangeable, not in this particular case but in general, because you just don’t know how it’s going to end up.
Good job.
@RotoLance: Thanks man! Yeah it gets really fishy after mid 30s or so. All becomes streamer class, which I try my best not to think too much about an evaluate for ROS. Really appreciate it man!
What’d you expect from a pitcher who’s first name is Homer?
@Scott: I keed. I expect him to do much better against my hapless Bravos
@Scott: Haha, well I would hope to expect some better velocity! The Reds broadcast compared him to Lohse last game (who he was pitching against). Ugh. He might, but doesn’t look the same yet
@Scott: Arya will kill some Braavosi
@Zeus: Valor Maghulis or however you spell that haha
Would you start Greene vs Minny this week or should I drop him for Smyly?
@Wjessereid: I’d lose him for Smyly, although the Twins matchup should be a good bounce back
I could drop Shoemaker for Smyly. I’m sitting him after Oakland pounded him and I doubt he gets picked up off waivers.
@Wjessereid: Yeah I’m with you there, relooking at my ranks I think I should’ve dropped Shoemaker a tad more
I was debating whether to pick-up Salazar or C Mart to replace Waino (8 teamer) and went with Salazar, even though he has the tougher match-up this week. Martinez has more trouble getting to get lefties out, and who knows if he can hold up over a full season. Hope I made the right choice…
@madden_curser: Yeah I’ve got them close with the slight nod to Salazar too. In my first Pitcher Profile on C-mart (https://razzball.com/pitcher-profile-the-c-in-c-mart-might-be-for-change-up/) , I did talk about his change-up being much better which should help him v. lefties, but we’ll see if that pitch can be good all yr
Is Wacha + A. Wood too much to pay for Kluber?
On Iwakuma…I agree with you about the length of healing for lat issues but did you notice that there was some initial confusion about what the injury was & they needed 2 MRI’s? I’m thinking this might be good news-kinda of a fake injury to give Iwakuma some time to get things straightened out. I wouldn’t be surprised if he was throwing in 7-10 days and back in 3 weeks. I was really going to drop him, but now I’m in wait and see.
@Jack: Ummmmm, nah I think unless like 16 or 18 teamer that seems like a good deal to get Klubes.
Interesting, I hadn’t seen he needed two MRIs… I think the wait and see is very fair, especially if you have a DL spot, but he’s had sooooooo many injuries even in the Japan years that it’s scary
@JB Gilpin: I was wrong about throwing in 7-10 days. I just saw a report that he’s throwing TODAY! Still wait and see but I like the sound of this.
@Jack: Hah I saw that too! Seems like indeed it might be a fudgy DL stint
@JB Gilpin: Now I’m wondering whether to make that Wacha + A. Wood offer for Kluber after he gives up 10 hits tonight. Should I?
@Jack: Wood has started shaky as well and Wacha I don’t fully trust the shoulder, sure I’d get Kluber! He looked good to me tonight, just hung a couple and he got dinked and dunked
Alex Cobb’s pretty high up for somebody that’s not available until mid-May.
@Scott: Yeah, I just think he’s going to be really consistent and really good when up
@JB Gilpin: I’ll go ahead and stash then. My batter’s lineup is pretty set.
@JB Gilpin: Thanks bud!
@Scott: Wow, shocked he was avail, nice grab! Any time!
Nastiness! Loving the Archer right now, have him in a 16 team Dynasty where my rotation is rocking. Amazed you don’t have him around DeGrom territory now, you must really like those guys above him!
@Swfcdan: Yeah I do like the guys there, it’s about rank 38-39 where I start having huge question marks for guys, so he’s a start every game dude for sure even if he hits a rut at some point
@JB Gilpin: Got Wacha in that league also. You Waka for Wacha this year? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRpeEdMmmQ0
Gotta love Shakira.
@Swfcdan: WAKA WAKA!
shelby miller deserves more love. Dude has been helping out teams big time in month one.
@sniff test: Ehhhhh, I have seen that as well from another commenter, 14:9 K:BB and the only start that was impresisve to me was 6 innings against TOR. His peripherals are insane. .219 BABIP, 84.4% LOB, with an xFIP two runs higher than his ERA. Going to have some catastrophic regression soon.
Who to start?
I can start Fister for 2 starts this week but need to sit either Salazar or Liriano…you rank both higher. Should I start Fister…if not…which one start is better: Salazar or Liriano? What would be a reasonable return for a SP like Fister in a trade?
@Oranje: I don’t think I could sit Salazar even for a 2-start Fister, who is struggling. I don’t think Fister would command much, I’d find a need and try for a low end guy that could, like a low end closer or speed guy
Is that possibly the second funniest movie of all time???
Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone else what it is. My lips are sealed. Consider it Top Secret.
@A Hill O’ Beans: Hahahaha, it is indeed considered a secret. I lovvvvvvvve that movie, well done sir!
@JB Gilpin: One of my favorite movies. Sort of under the radar too. So many funny lines ND moments in that movie.
“I’m not the first guy who fell in love with a woman that he met at a restaurant who turned out to be the daughter of a kidnapped scientist, only to lose her to her childhood lover who she last saw on a deserted island, who then turned out fifteen years later to be the leader of the French underground.
I know. It all sounds like some bad movie.”
No, what it sounds like is a great movie!
@A Hill O’ Beans: How do we know he’s NOT Mel Torme…
Lol! Love that movie! Val Kilmer actually sang all those songs! He’s versatile!
@A Hill O’ Beans: Hahaha, so many great quotes. “Yes, I’m Mr. potato!” Too many to think of at once!
@longbeachyo: Val Kilmer was so underrated for a while, but he’s still pretty good! The Saint – great one too
@JB Gilpin: Elizabeth Shue resurgent!
@Scott: She was so hot in that movie….
Looking to trade Carlos gonzo in a 12 team keeper my SP is terrible, what range of SP’s should I target in a trade.
Thanks for any help.
@Mic C: I think some of the mid range guys like my 20-40 should be able to make it your way. I know Gonzalez has started slow, oh here’s a good one, maybe offer for Carrasco off a bad game
@JB Gilpin: I’ve been trying to do the same with CarGo, but no one seems to want him for anything of value (even though top 20-40 SP seems very reasonable for CarGo).
It seems like he’s starting to heat up…I’m hoping that after a solid homestead where he puts together a couple of nice stat-filled games, that + his name value will start getting people interested.
@JB Gilpin: thanks a million billion
@Duda Want to Build a Snowman?: @Mic C: Yeah i agree with that, maybe the market heats up a tad if he crushes there in Coors
JB, as the pitching GURU how do you favor pitching John Lackey vs PHI & PIT this week.
My pitching is awful right now.
Dropped Fiers, McCarthy and Paxton this weekend.
Kershaw
Strausburg
Shoemaker
Salazar
Bauer
Hutchinson
C Anderson
Darvish DL
Picked up Hutch and C Anderson. Debating if I want to add Chavez. But Burnett and Happ still remain on waiver and some other guys you have posted in front of Chavez.
@el diablo: Great opportunity! I think he will fare well. Only drop I would’ve held on is Paxton, but that’s just me :) Chavez is so interesting and I’m debating it on some teams as well… I might nab him over Anderson rethinking ti, 60 vs. 62 is tough in that range
Great writeup! Really feel like I overlooked him this year. Love your Salazar ranking though…he’s looked really great…only thing I love more than him is being able to flip him yesterday w/ Britton to a worried owner for Kluber in return!
Who are you thinking for the next one? Any chance at a Desclafani, Kelly, or C. Anderson?
Also, what are your thoughts on Timmy Lim? I’ve been thinking of him as a castaway/barely-streamer…but his stat lines have looked pretty okay.
Thanks!
@Duda Want to Build a Snowman?: Thanks man! Yeah Archer snuck up on me too, but it’s still mad early and he’s shown flashes before.
Whoa, awesome move for Klubes! Love it.
Not sure yet, I like to pick guys who pitch on Sunday so it’s more topical. Respond back here towards the end of the week and I might go with who you’re thinkin!
Yeah Timmy L has looked pretty good, but ehhhhh I can’t buy anything yet. So much downside to no upside these days haha. Any time!
Do you expect Brandon McCarthy’s injury to affect him ROS?
@Scott: or, should I drop him for someone less old like Phil Hughes?
@Scott: Haha, well I am worried about McCarthy – elbow + home run issues are no bueno. I would indeed go Hughes
Are you actively trying to trade Zimmermann or just going to ride it out?
@Jack: Ummmm, I’d probably try to ride it out a little to see some good starts, but if the velo doesn’t climb in some better starts, I’d sell
In a 12 team h2h would you trade Dickerson for Arrieta or even Cole what with the plantar fasciitis?
@Bonafide: Ehhhh, I probably wouldn’t, Arrieta is kinda close, but Dickerson is so good and offense usually outweighs pitching needs
I know relievers are Smokey’s domain but what say you regarding Melancon, JB? Hurdle keeps putting him in for save situations and claims there’s nothing physically wrong with him despite the huge drop in velocity. I’ve got Watson so I’m presuming he’s wrong but he keeps getting saves so…?
@Clint: Yeah the velo is really weird how far it’s fallen. I think the consensus is there’s gonna be another blowup soon, if it’s not straining you too hard, I would keep holding Watson
Got offered Sale and Bautista for Kluber, Arenado and Wacha. Going to counter with Hamels or Chris Davis instead of Kluber or Nolan. If he passes, would you accept? Bautista’s shoulder scares me.
@Funny Name: Yeah I like the counter better, but I like it as it stands too if push comes to shove. I’m not as worried about Bautista, I think it’s more an issue when throwing
Good stuff jb! Gotta say though, I’m really scared for Alex Wood. His swinging strike % and contact % look terrible! I’ve already traded him in one league straight up for Devon travis and am looking to move him quickly in another. I just don’t think he has the repertoire or velocity to recover.
@longbeachyo: Well velocity is no different than last year, one K in the last 2 starts is really weird though. I think he can turn it around
Any news on when Mike Minor? Have not been able to find an update for 2 weeks now..
@Malicious Phenom: I know he had some renewed discomfort but yeah I haven’t heard anything new other which is why he keeps falling. I doubt he’s done any throwing yet
@JB Gilpin: Thanks JB, I’ll let you know if I hear anything..
@Malicious Phenom: Cool same here. Unlike the saying “no news is good news”, no news is more bad news
Hey JB, pick a side. H2h points
A. Wood and Wil myers OR Richard and Yelich
@Cole: Garret Richards, not King of England
@Cole: Haha. I’m going Richards side, just need Yelich to get well soon!
@Cole: Haha appreciated that one being English!
Harvey/Cano/Arenado for Trout/Josh Harrison/Storen. Too much to give up for Trout?
@Chris: Ehhhh, yeah I think it might be. Don’t like either guy coming back your way with Trout that much, I think it’s a bit of an overpay
IMO that is WAY too much to pay. I wouldn’t do Harvey and Cano for Trout, let alone throw in Arenado. I know you’d be getting back Harrison and a closer (for now at least), but not worth it to me.
Great work JB! Why is Bauer over Odorizzi? I can choose between them in a trade…
@El Guapo: thanks man! Just so much more upside for Bauer in my eyes, I know a lot of people love Odorizzi’s upside for Ks, but he sometimes struggles on the road which scares me a little. I’d take Bauer
How worried are you about the corn Cobb. Drafted him without even knowing of his injury, hate it when that happens! But only cost me $11 so could be a nice value if he returns soon. When you see him returning and you think he’ll be great? Or are you more of a wheat and barley guy haha.
@Swfcdan: I like him a lot, I think he’ll be consistent and solid when back. I think he’ll be solid, maybe not great. Although I do like my wheat!
Should Kluber be benched until it gets above 50 degrees and/or Yan Gomes comes back?
@Carnac: I have been thinking the same thing with Kluber, always struggles in cold games. Stuff looked pretty good tonight though, maybe he goes one more inning, but I’m more encouraged tonight than discouraged
12 team, H2H league, OPS added, we have QS but no Ws (so I’m stacking Rays pitchers haha)
Would you trade Myers for Cobb straight up? my OF is Dickerson, Soler, Souza, Myers, Marisnick (we start 3 OF) and I have Pence stashed. I have an open DL spot to put him, and then I’d have Smyly, Odo and Cobb…unfortunately I couldnt nab Archer in my snake draft, but next year we’re changing to auction, thank the lord!
thanks!
@Maxi: Yeah i would take Cobb for sure! H2H his big runs scored aren’t as impacting. Plus I love that outfield when Pence is back, just hopefully Dickerson stays healthy. Any time!
@JB Gilpin: Thanks, I’m gonna see if he’ll accept or not. I was trying to pry McHugh from him but he won’t do it straight up.
Best of luck to you!
@Maxi: Cool, def like McHugh as a target too. Same to you!
Just traded Mark Teixtera and Shane Greene for Stephen Strasburg. Love it!
Two of the ultimate sell highs!
@Robert: Holy F, nice work my man!
Have a DL roster crunch. Already have Pence and Zobrist on the DL and now Ottavino is Dl’ed.
I’m leaning on dropping Zobrist, who is out for the longest period of time. My infield is altuve, russell and valbuena.
@Gareth: Hmmm. Ottavino has looked fantastic, but I think he’s the drop for me. Arm issues for a reliever, ugh…
Mike Morse droppable at this point? He’s not done much.
@Gareth: Man, he’s had a brutal week. unless in a very deep league, for sure
Hey, JB! Which two do you like most for r.o.s. : Burnett, Kennedy, Morrow, or Leake?
@Jerry:Yo! I have them Leake, Burnett, Kennedy Morrow in the ranks above, which are for ROS. Burnett and Leake are very close though
What is it you don’t like about Kennedy (besides just returning from a non-arm related injury) that you rank Burnett and Leake over him? They both should put up equal or less ratios and less K’s than Kennedy? Just curious what you see or think that most don’t?
@MJ: I dunno about the ratios, or even the Ks with Burnett, who is looking usable. I just thought Kennedy was overrated last year with that high WHIP, even though the 200 ks were nice. Velo is down a little bit too from last year and a bad start hasn’t helped
JB,
keeper: OBP, QS, K/9
Dickerson / McHugh / Leake
for
Bruce / Cueto / Rodon
@nightpandas: Damnnnn. I really like Dickerson and he’s well over Bruce, but that pitcher for now+for later combo is enough for me to like that side
I started off the day 1/1 at the plate, whoopee. I’m now at 2/26 with 2 runs and absolutely no other stats?!?! WTF is that?
My first pitcher is about to get in a game. Here’s hoping Familia gets to face some of my hitters so he can go 3 up 3 down.
@A Hill O’ Beans: Woooooo Familia going clean! Hah, welcome to what it’s been like with shit offenses haha
Better to stash Tom Watson or AJ Ramos for some save vulture action?
@Rollie Blaster: Man Cishek has been brutal… I think Watson is a better pitcher though. I’ll lean Ramos for a slightly better opportunity following tonight’s Cishek meltdown.
Would you pick up Jesse Chavez or Chase Anderson for CC, Norris, Shelby or Fiers?
@fersh prince: Well Shelby is kinda hard to drop, I’d try to flip him ASAP though. Would grab Chavez + Anderson (even after bad today) for CC and Norris
DL spot – stash Cain or Moore?
Chase Anderson must add my ass!
@DawtCommish: Hah who said he was a must add?
@JB Gilpin: I think he means Chase Anderson plays a fantasy game involving the body parts of Razzball commenters.
@Scott: Haha, Chaseball!
Always dig the updates, hated losing McCarthy. I know he had struggled giving up the long ball but he added plenty of K’s and flashed good stuff at times. Slightly concerned with Paxton and Greene, Need them to right the ship or my staff might be in trouble. Here’s my current staff as a reference:
5 X 5 HTH 12 team League
P Kluber
P Odorizzi
P Cole
P Salazar
P Paxton
SP Ventura
SP S.Greene
RP Chapman
RP Britton
Bench RP Perkins
Bench SP Walker
Bench ?
DL RP Parnell
DL SP Colome
Couple of questions for ya, if you’d be so kind…I stashed Colome of the Rays on my DL but I have an open spot after the McCarthy news. Haap and Chavez are available as is potential Stash Snydergarrd and A.J Ramos of the Fish(Cishek gave up a 3 run HR tonight). Who helps my staff
the most ROS? Also someone dropped Yan Gomes, worth waiting a day to try to stash on DL(McCann is my C)?
@Eric B: Thanks man! Yeah, I was very scared and it turned out to be the biggie… Yikes.
Yeah I’d try to wait and get Gomes into a DL spot. That could pay off big time. I have Happ a couple higher, but Chavez has a lot more upside. I’d add him to see where it goes, I just have a lot more confidence Happ stays pretty good all year.
@JB Gilpin: Thanks as always; meant to ask do you like Marco Gonzales as Wainwrights replacement(after he gets healthy)?And would he have more upside than Happ or Chavez ?
Random: Should I be worried about Klubot? And how about Walker finally pitching like the guy I drafted…I dont care who it was against, it was nice to see.
@Eric B: Eh, I’m not as big a fan as others seem to be. I don’t think he has as much upside as Chavez. Happ, sure…
Nah Kluber has shown he struggles in the cold, stuff looked fine yesterday, just got a lot of singles off him
@JB Gilpin: Thanks man, always appreciate the feedback. Last question would you flip RP Chapman for RP Allen(hasnt looked so hot early) and most likely Bauer(maybe Gray or Kuechel) or just hold Chapman and add Chavez or Happ based on my staff as noted above?
@Eric B: Yeah I don’t think the upgrade in SP there is enough to downgrade from Chapman. I’d hold off there
20 team. Would you trade b gardner for Gio ganzalez? Thx
@Kiss a Bum: I’ve always been a Gardner fan, I probably wouldn’t, especially in a 20 teamer where offense is so hard to find.
Forget hitatron or wtfeber what does your gut tell you. Who will have the better counting stats in a 6×6 ops league. B.moss, Wil Myers, Manny Machado. I’m deep in OF and 3B, CI, UTL. etc. I need to drop one for a streamer your thoughts. Anyone feel free. Gawd bless rawballs, I mean Razzballs
@Dnut Eastwood: It’s definitely usable! I personally go more on feel. I like Hittertron for daily though. Of those, I think Moss is the drop. Pretty much all his production was in one game haha. Rawballs fa life!
DL stash – Cain or Moore?
@Tyler: Gimme Moore, so much moore upside haha
Yordano Ventura is available in my league….is he a must add over Greene? I’ve been waiting I need Greenes start this week.
@Web: Definitely, can’t blame someone for dropping him as he’s a pretty hated guy right now, but in objective terms, def should be added over Greene
Limited moves (20/yr, I’ve got 18 left) 9×7 10-tm H2H. Think Cishek turns it around (it’s a NetSV league so he’s killing me extra)? Think D. Travis, who had another bomb tonight, keeps it up? Contemplating using 2 more moves to drop Cishek and Shoemaker and add Travis and Salazar.
@Steve Stevenson: Cishek scares me a tonnnnn. Velo way down. I don’t buy this huge power from Travis, but I think he’ll be good. Whoa, yeah I’d make both of those moves for sure though
Is Zach wheeler droppable in a 8 team keeper league with 14 keepers?
Need to put reyes on my ir
@slimbo: I think so, I’ve never been the biggest fan, and best case is he’s decent for half of 2016 and good in 2017. I’d be fine losing him
JB!!!
Fantastic work. Was really looking forward to this list.
a. In my super shallow league, I’m gonna drop ‘Kuma for streamers. The rest of my staff is between 15 (highest and didn’t draft any pitchers in the first 6 rounds of any draft) and 40 (lowest).
b. Concerned about Shoemaker. Will base my decision on week five’s two-start off of his start week four.
Cheers,
Ante
@Ante GALIC: Thanks man! Appreciate ya stoppin by!
a – Yup I’m good with it, although through a set of comments above, thinking his stint is a little fudgy and they just shut him down to get his confidence back. Still concerned though.
b- Me too. I think I should’ve dropped him a tad further relooking at it
Ok, Chase Anderson looked bad last night, but Troy Tulo must of fouled off 12 pitches or more, so his full arensal was scene by Morneua who homered off him. That is my observation and sticking with it. The dude threw 30 ptiches i believe in the 1st.’
With that said.. I really not liking him going forward, maybe a stream kind of guy.
Thoughts on Alex Colome, coming of DL this week.
Also, who keeps the closing gig.. McGee or Boxberger. I am done with Cishek – he’s got nothing anymore. That velocity is not MLB ready he looks like Jaime Moyer out there.
@el diablo: Didn’t see that at bat, but I agree he’s in the streamer class. Not huge on Colome, I don’t think he sticks in the rotation when Cobb is back. As a flier streamer, maybe worth a look if his first back is ok. Hah, agree on Cishek’s velo, I think the Rays might bounce it around. They already used Box in the 7th a few games back to get the meat of the order, I don’t think one or the other is the official guy every time out
@JB Gilpin: I already dropped Anderson for Chavez.. Chavez was decent last year for a bit. I need a closer though, I have Miller now.. Thinking of going MIller and Yami Garcia.. We are a K/9 WHIP ERA SV QS league…
@el diablo: Nice, totally with that move. I will be moving Chavez even further up with another good start this week. Yimi has looked good, it’s short term though until Jansen is back
Curious about the Sonny Gray ranking. What is it you see that has him ranked lower than I would have expected?
@MJ: Sure, mostly comes down to K rate. Wasn’t great last year and isn’t good this year. On top of that, has a lot of lucky indicators, his xFIP is 2 runs higher than his ERA with a lot centered on only giving up 1 homer in 4 starts which is a pretty lucky rate. Also his BABIP is down to .232 which is a little fluky low. He’s a little over his head right now
Hey man, would you drop Rodon for T Walker after that performance yesterday? Standard points league btw
@Whiskey T: Yup, I surely would!
Drop Jimmy Nelson for Jason Hammel or T. Walker or should I hold? The Iwakuma owner also cut bait with him after his Lat injury. I’m already a walking DL but is he worth an add? Limited moves during the season so this would be for ROS.
10tm, H2H keeper league with 5 keepers, Pitching categories are W, L, ERA, Ks, Saves, Whip, and QS. Thanks!
@Andre: Oh dear lord Nelson looked atrocious. Man I like both of those right now. I’d leave Iwakuma out there. Limited moves, I trust hammel the most to be consistent, that K:BB so far is insane! Any time!
Nice list! I’m happy to see you think Wood isn’t toast, as I was just able to grab him off waivers after his owner lost faith.
What do you think about Corbin as a DL stash? I don’t have room at the moment, since it’s already overcrowded with Ryu, Iwakuma, Ottavino, and McGee, but he might still be sitting in the FA pool once they get healthy.
@Dingbat: Wow, that’s a shocking overreaction to drop him! Nice add!
I’m lukewarm on Corbin. But I actually had him stashed in one league, before my Brewers all got hurt (Gomez and Lucroy on my DL now, ugh). As guys get healthy, sure would def slot Corbin in there if it’s going to be an open spot
Homer’s back on the DL. Not a good sign.
@Scott: Nope, moved him way down just because he looked bad, he might fall completely out by next week
Jb. Good stuff man. Was offered Joey bats for J zim straight up. Points league. I have kershaw, sherzer, and arrieta. Do it???
@Thatguy: Thanks man! Yeah I would totally take that, I know Bautista owners are a little scared with the shoulder, but Zimmermann has enough to be scared about too
hey JB never got to thank you for all your help with my basketball league that I won. You helped me almost as much as Rudy Gobert did!
how close did Travis Wood come to making this list? I guess we’ll see how he pitches against PIT tonight
@dom: Glad to help man! Was a pretty good year for us on hoops :)
Ummm, I’m not a Wood fan at all but he’s not too far out. BABIP is way low right now and I definitely don’t buy the K rate. But he could sneak his way in with a big performance tonight or a few more pretty good weeks
@dom: Gobert!
@Scott: Dude is a monster… I don’t think he’s human
Traded Greene and C mart for Jordan Zimmerman, No brainier right?
@Web: Yessir, looks good to me!
Hey, JB! Leake or Shane Greene ros? Thanks!
@Jerry: Yo! Still gonna lean Greene, but tomorrow’s outing has to be a nice bounceback and he has to get some lefties out. Any time!
Happ produced like the sleeper you predicted tonight. Still trying to decide between Happ and Chavez ROS…decisions, decisions.
@Eric B: Happ makes me Happy! Great start, good to see those Ks flowing like I thought they would. Definitely a tough call… Still wanna lean Chavez, but barely
@JB Gilpin:
Ha, trying to decide between the two doesnt make me Happy lol. Of course Had Happ not looked so good or if Chavez had already pitched this week, and looked as good, it would be a little easier. I know you specialize in pitching but take a gander at this lineup and tell me if Chavez is still who you’d add. I dont see anyone to drop to be able to add both Happ and Chavez, but maybe another set of eyes will see something I dont.
( 5×5 HTH OBP league)
Bats
C McCann
1B Freeman
2B Kipnis
3B Santana
SS A.Ramirez
OF Stanton
OF Springer
OF Soler
OF Betts
Util Pollock
Util Semien
Util Calhoun
Bench Avisail Garcia
Bench Lawrie
DL C Yan Gomes
Staff
P Kluber
P Odorizzi
P Cole
P Salazar
P Paxton
SP Ventura
SP S.Greene
RP Chapman
RP Britton
Bench RP Perkins
Bench SP Walker
Bench SP ?
DL RP Parnell
DL Colome
So still feelin’ Chavez over that last spot for Happ?Or is it time to move on from any of my other arms or bats to acquire both Happ and Chavez?
@Eric B: With it a tough decision, I think I’m losing a bench bat. Avisail is striking out a ton, runs are nice but that’s about it, I think if it’s a tough decision he might get the axe to get both for ya
@JB Gilpin: Considered that, such a tough decision lol. I know there will always be OF’ers to plug and play or possibly trade for but the way my luck goes he starts hitting and stealing bases tomorrow once I drop him lol. Leaning towards adding both though just because they seem to both be on the rise and short of Kluber I dont really have a fantasy Ace.Thanks as always for the knowledge man!
Also curious are you a Panthers fan or is that just a random profile pic lol? I live in NC but bleed Burgundy and Gold!
@Eric B: Yeah my pitching in my main league has been awful, I risked Greene one more game. Oops.
Hell yeah, born and live in NC! I still own the Smart jersey! Just wore it to my food contest I did for the RCL hoops winner, shizz was spicyyy. Posting the video probably early next week
Hey JB, with Tanaka being put in the DL, I have to pick up a new pitcher. Not sure if I should get Salazar, Edinson, or Martinez.
Thanks
@Shane: I think it’s razor close between Salazar and Cmart, but I’m leaning Salazar for ya. Nice set of options to be able to add!
you really have wood off this list (CUBS)? i’m not even sure i want to drop him for happ. already have morrow/nelson/kluber/arrieta/hammel with t.wood as streamer. so many of these guys unowned though i’ll likely just keep streaming that spot. greene/heston/c.anderson/rubby/hutch all out here. I used to have 7 SP with one streamer since addison russell called up i have 6 with 1 streamer.
@I don’t want to brag, but i have irritable bowel syndrome: Hah nice commenter name, yeah I mean Wood was so bad last year, he’s 28, and I don’t see this K rate he’s started with continuing. But as a streamer while hot, why not? these are ROS ranks and I think he has a major market correction. Long term I’d rather have all of those avail over him if I was locked into that spot all year
Hey JB, How far down would you move Tanaka with this latest injury news? Thanks!
@hankp101: Eesh a good bit, I’m thinking even below the Cobb range, probably into the 40s
Where do you see Happ and Chavez ranking and wth, Greene was looking good and now he’s given up 7. Sure I dont need to drop him instead of Avisial lol?
@Eric B: Ugh yeah that’s a good point, Greene looked awful and I knew it in the first inning. Was hoping he’d survive then drop him on my teams. I’m good losing him for Happ
Happ
@Grey: So what about you Grey, already added Happ would you drop Greene for Chavez?
@Grey: GET OUT OF MY COMMENTS!
@JB Gilpin: Ha, he apologized in another thread, said it was an accident. Dropped Greene for time being to add Happ and Chavez, we’ll see how Chavez does and I’ll decide if Greene is worth picking back up. Cant see anyone rushing to get him, now just have to hope Pax pitches better today…sigh.
@Eric B: Haha I was just messin’ around. I’ll be watching Chavez this afternoon as well, and Paxton later, so I’ll be eagerly hoping for some nice stats!
@JB Gilpin: Pax was better, Chavez was pretty meh, may look to re-acquire Greene. Cant believe he’s as bad as his last 2 outings…or maybe I just dont want to. Whatcha think JB, Greene worth re-acquiring?
Or I havent gotten much production out of my SS position, I could add Danny Santana and hope he bounces back or stash Baez and hope Castro gets traded.
Lastly, Ive got Parnell, Colome, and Yan Gomes stashed on the DL. Not sure if Parnell even has a chance at the closing gig anymore. There’s other DL stashes available like Moore, Corbin or Parker….like any of those options?
( 5×5 HTH OBP league)
Bats
C McCann
1B Freeman
2B Kipnis
3B Santana
SS A.Ramirez
OF Stanton
OF Springer
OF Soler
OF Betts
Util Pollock
Util Semien
Util Calhoun
Bench Avisail Garcia
Bench Lawrie
DL C Yan Gomes
Staff
P Kluber
P Odorizzi
P Cole
P Salazar
P Paxton
SP Ventura
SP Walker
RP Chapman
RP Britton
Bench RP Perkins
Bench SP Happ
Bench SP ?
DL RP Parnell
DL Colome
@Eric B: Paxton looked soooooooo much better. I thought Chavez looked pretty good, unlucky bloop RBI then the bad inning they intentionally walked Trout, who shoulda had 2 Ks but Chavez got hosed on calls, then Calhoun hit a goundball single.
I think your DL stashes to hold are the right ones, and I’d still go with Chavez
@JB Gilpin: I ended up activating Colome, adding Moore to the DL and streaming Chavez prior to this response.
Colome looked pretty good, I’d have to drop him to re-acquire Chavez…Thoughts? What about if Chavez is picked up on the wire, you holding Colome or re-acquiring Greene?
wondering your take on Greene after this Twins debacle. 8 Ks, but beat up – again by lefties who he just couldn’t get out. I am just lucky the tigers found some balls to hit or that was going to be a sore L…I will take the indecision though Greene killed my ratios in my H2H roto league
@JimmyBond: sorry didn’t notice the comment above (stealth commenting from work)
Dropped Greene for Happ in one league, but have him elsewhere too (sadly)
Would you drop him for Ubaldo Jimenez? Or Wood?
@JimmyBond: Hah, stealthy!
Yup, lefties crush him and Plouffe golfed an effing 3 run homer which made me wanna kill myself. Can’t believe I stuck with him and didn’t sit him, but Twins had 3rd worst average vs. righties with no good lefties and they started that last inning with two bunt singles. So annoying.
I don’t know if anyone will rush to grab Greene, I’m fine streaming it and probably going Ubaldo if I had to start one or the other next time out, but ROS I still like Greene to figure it out
Travis Wood is interesting… Throughout his minors he was 8 + K/9 2 + BB/9… Never showed in MLB.. Last season he had 146 Ks, prior year 144 Ks.. Last night the velocity sat around 88 mph. I believe what you said SON pitcher…
JA Happ or Hutch ROS? What is Happ doing differently.? I can’t imagine him pitching like this the ROS.
Joe Kelly is another one who pitches 95-97 mph.. Like Eovoldi… can’t get there stuff togehter literally.. Hutch blew up again last night, hard to trust. but I don’t have much on waivers.
@el diablo: Yeah Wood could barely eke in but I’m still not a big fan, this K rate coming so late into his Major League experience seems fluky.
I’m taking Happ, as I mentioned in my high rank of him preseason, velocity has been climbing, the change-up has improved, and he had some unlucky peripherals last year. I think he was showing it last year just got unlucky.
It’s funny hearing some fantasy “experts” rave on Kelly as an add because he throws hard, it’s like, he’s thrown hard his whole career! Just doesn’t have life on it or good secondary stuff. Great athlete though. I like Happ of all these guys
JB, Drop Shoemaker for Travis Wood, Paxton or Happ?
@primetime_players: Yo! Yeah Paxton got the velo back up and looked great, gimme Pax for Shoe
If walker struggles today drop him for happ ,t.wood, ubaldo, hammel, colome, paxton,greene
@miles: Ugh yeah he got rocked, gimme The Pax Man!
Drop T. wood,Greene, or walker for Colome
@Mikey: Hmmm to be honest i probably wouldn’t any for ROS, but short term streaming I think Greene is droppable
Wow. Fiers looked great vs. the Cubs.. Cubs SO a lot so I don’t know if I should trust again. Thoughts..
I have
Kershaw
Strausburg
Bauer
Salazar
Darvish
Shoemaker
Hutchinson
Chavez
Would you drop any of them for Paxton and Fiers?
@primetime_players: Nah he didn’t look that different and the Cubs were hack happy and barely missed a lot. Really scared how he does v LAD. That said, i think I would grab him and Pax for Hutch and Chavez
OK JB, need some follow up help here:
( 5×5 HTH OBP league)
Bats
C McCann
1B Freeman
2B Kipnis
3B Santana
SS A.Ramirez
OF Stanton
OF Springer
OF Soler
OF Betts
Util Pollock
Util Semien
Util Calhoun
Bench Avisail Garcia
Bench Lawrie
DL C Yan Gomes
Staff
P Kluber
P Odorizzi
P Cole
P Salazar
P Paxton
SP Ventura
SP Walker
RP Chapman
RP Britton
Bench RP Perkins
Bench SP Happ
Bench SP Colome
DL RP Parnell
DL Moore
Ended up activating Colome after Chavez’s so so performance. Walker imploded again last night, Ventura is suspended, lost McCarthy toi injury, etc. So what can I do to sure up my staff? Colome looked pretty solid to me, would you hold onto him or nah? What about Walker, he was looking much better now he’s right there with Super Greene in terms of struggling. So My staff is above, who do I drop and who do I add? Greene and Chavez are available, as are Fiers and Duffy. Also with Familia performing so well at closer would you slip Corbin into Parnells DL slot?
@Eric B: Ah sorry I missed ya above… Well Kluber is gonna be better. Yeah i think I’m with you for the DL move for Corbin. I’d rather Fiers over Colome ROS, but I’d still try to ride out Walker on the bench, but it’s damn tough!
No worries, appreciate you taking the time to respond…and not minding my persistence lol. Gonna have to add Happ to our dicussion after today. Whats up with Seattle pitchers and the long ball? I want to hold Walker due to upside. I’m looking at Happ and Colome’s spots for any upgrades. Fiers could potentially take one. Doubts on Chavez being an upgrade over Happ or Colome?
@Eric B: Hah no problem man! Nah I liked what I saw from Chavez to keep him well ahead of Colome. SEA dudes vs. Fiers is a toughie though. Tough to own Walker over Fiers.