Q1. This is the range I think you need to win to perform well. Which player do you see providing top 15 value and being drafted a couple of rounds sooner next year?
Kelder: To me, the draft hits a bit of a lull in these rounds. The values here seem to be in the veterans and their safety rather than youth with upside. Pete Crow-Armstrong is the rare qualifier in this range of youth, upside, and productivity. He’s going to have to fix his chase percentage and increase his walks. Plate discipline is not his strength. But that is often a skill that is learned, or at least improved. What is attractive is the 30 HR pop, the speed, and the durability, leading to a 90-90 R/RBI combo. He’s my best candidate, even if I’m not fully on board.
KC Bubba: James Wood is a player that was returning near Top 15 value in the 1H, then it fell off the rails. Improved plate discipline good help as his quality of contact was similar in the 2H.
My take: I dig both of these names. Young players often struggle with consistency. These guys have great tools and should continue to build on prior seasons. I think Wood is the one that could blow our doors off if everything clicked.
Q2. We’re getting into the part of the draft Grey allows his staff to consider their first starting pitcher. Who can you grab to give an ace-like performance
Kelder: Nobody? Do I have to? Roto-Wan said I had to pick one, so I’m going Hunter Brown. Since the first half of 2024, he’s been an ace. So I think that’ll continue. Problem is, the cost caught up with the performance, so I’m looking for the next Hunter Brown 100 picks later
KC Bubba: Cristopher Sanchez is a pitcher I consider an ace and my SP4.
My take: Not drafting a pitcher is always the right answer, so points for Kelder, but we can’t hold that against Bubba. Sanchez just seems to get better every season. I’m jazzed to see if he can elevate to ace status this season.
Q3. Toss up of 33-year-old former first rounders: Bryce Harper or Mookie Betts?
Kelder: I have to go with Bryce. Just like development isn’t linear, age decline isn’t either. I do cover the corners for this fine site, and with the weakness at the position, I’m taking the 1B who may have a chip on his shoulder.
KC Bubba: Give me Bryce Harper. Health is always a concern, but when he plays, he’s still solid, especially at a sketchy 1B position.
My take: Harper does feel like more of a known quantity than Betts at this point. He’s not a sexy pick anymore but getting solid production at first base will always be a fantasy baseball cornerstone. I do think Mookie has some small part of his range of outcomes that are a path to a top 5 season that Bryce does not at this point. They are very fringe outcomes, though. I drafted both on my Tout Wars Draft and Hold team so here’s hoping at least one turns back the clock for 2026.
The nod goes to KC Bubba. Kelder will be forced to go on a live stream and admit Kansas City BBQ sauce is superior to Carolina style.
