It’s been another exciting week of fantasy baseball prep, Razzball friends, which for me was highlighted by my $100 RCL draft on Wednesday. We had, as expected, a group of competitive, focused drafters who never let their guards down while still having lots of fun in the draft chat. We also had — not as […]
Please, blog, may I have some more?Kelvin Gutierrez
Please see our player page for Kelvin Gutierrez to see projections for today, the next 7 days and rest of season as well as stats and gamelogs designed with the fantasy baseball player in mind.
Submerge yourself into a garbage dump; take a deep breath…Ah, that’s the smell of the top 20 3rd basemen for 2022 fantasy baseball. Don’t turn your nose up! Don’t turn away from the stench! This is the reality about, uh, fantasy. You have to embrace the stank of the 3rd basemen. Enjoy! Here’s Steamer’s 2022 Fantasy Baseball Projections for Hitters and 2022 Fantasy Baseball Projections for Pitchers. Subscriptions are up and running, and you can already get Rudy’s Draft War Room. Anyway, here’s the top 20 3rd basemen for 2022 fantasy baseball:
NOTE: All 2022 fantasy baseball projections are based on a 162-game season, and will be until we hear definitively there will be less games, due to the CBA. Also, I’m going on the assumption the NL is getting the DH.
NOTE II: All my rankings are currently available on Patreon for the price of a Starbucks coffee, if you get one of those extra grande frappuccino jobbers. Don’t wait for the rankings to come out over the next month, and get them all now.
NOTE III: Free agents are listed as just that and not yet projected. Once a guy signs, I will write out their blurb and add in projections, or remove them, if they sign in an unfavorable place. They are ranked currently where I think they might be if they sign on for a full-time job.
Please, blog, may I have some more?One scene sticks with me that truly captures America’s independence. It’s Big Willy Pullman standing on the back of a flatbed truck, twirling a bra in the air and yelling, “Today is your last chance for independence.” It was a bachelorette party at a wine tasting class in Irvine, California, and Big Willy Pullman was a male stripper wearing a Bill Pullman mask. Then, due to copyright infringements, Big Willy and the vineyard were both sued with the women being called as witnesses. That courtroom saga really captures our great land. God Bless America! Seriously, though, think about this? The Brits thought they could control America? For our Independence Day, we celebrate someone shoving 75 hot dogs into his mouth. You can control this? Get the eff out of here! So, this weekend 225 years after George Washington gave birth to this great nation after 14 hours of labor, Kenta Maeda went 6 IP, 0 ER, 3 baserunners, 10 Ks, ERA at 5.03. His spin rate was down in prior starts, but looked better, and his velocity was up on his 4-seamer. Previously, he was dusty at 89 MPH with a 2220 RPMs, and, yesterday, lively at 91 MPH and 2279. Lots of noise when looking at just one start, but clearly this was Maeda’s best start of the year, and there’s a chance for better days like the Goo Goo Dolls. Now, put away that M80, you’re gonna need your fingers to make fantasy moves. Anyway, here’s what else I saw this weekend in fantasy baseball:
Please, blog, may I have some more?“Salvation is a last-minute business, boy.” — Hunter Renfroe (2-for-4, 3 RBIs and his 10th and 11th homer) looking at my fantasy team that is hurting for offense.
“Women are such durn fools.” — Enrique Hernandez (2-for-3 and his 8th homer, and 2nd homer in as many games). Hot schmotato alert!
“You know, when you’re little, you have more endurance than God is ever to grant you again. Children are man at his strongest. They abide.” — Bobby Dalbec (2-for-4, 2 runs and his 10th homer). He’s the type to get hot in a snap of the fingers, so if you need power, I could see grabbing him immediately.
“A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit. Neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.” — Alex Cora as he fits the Red Sox for buzzers. Anyway, here’s what else I saw yesterday in fantasy baseball:
Please, blog, may I have some more?The Tampa Bay Rays got the baseball world buzzing Friday afternoon when they shipped former top prospect Willy Adames to the Milwaukee Brewers along with RHP Trevor Richards for a couple middle relievers I’ve never heard of, Drew Rasmussen and J.P. Feyereisen. I’m partly lying for the laughs, I am aware of Feyereisen, he’s been solid (3.26 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 20/11 K/BB), and if there’s one thing we all know Kevin Cash needs, it’s more weapons out of the bullpen. But I’ve already spent WAY too much time covering these relievers, and I can assure you they are not the reason this trade sent beisbol twitter into a frenzy. The trade of Adames (.197/.254/.371, 5 HR, 15 RBI) opens up a spot for a new starting shortstop in St. P and the Rays have a bit of a premium at the position including two highly-touted mega-uber super-prospects, Vidal Brujan and Wander Franco, the latter being the consensus top prospect in all of baseball. Grey told you to BUY Vidal this weekend, and that advice was pre-trade, mind you! Clearly, Grey is a witch, but it remains to be seen if it’s of the sexy “Scarlet” variety. Vidal Brujan has 40-steal speed which, *Pro Tip* can help your fantasy team, but Wander is the name the Tampa fans (all 300 of them) are clamoring for. Enter the guy she told you not to worry about, Taylor Walls, who despite our deepest desires, is in fact the infielder that the Rays chose to call up this weekend to replace Adames. *Audible Sigh* No need to sigh so loudly just yet, frand, Walls has got his balls to it and he was slashing .327/.468/.490 with two homers, 10 RBI and two steals before the call up. Manager Cash suggested Walls will see plenty of time at shortstop along with Joey Wendle and could be worth a look for that speed alone, at least until one of the younger, sexier prospects arrives. Taylor had 10 homers and 28 steals between A/AA in 2019–and that is not nothing! Regardless, here’s hoping Brandon Lowe (2-for-3, 3 runs, 2 HR (9), 3 RBI) is next on the trading block. The Rays are so stacked at middle infielder maybe I’m delusional if I think I’m seeing Wander before August. But perhaps an injury? That would do it! What light through Wander a hamate bone breaks? If only they had the Mets training staff. Let’s make it happen!
Here’s what else I saw in fantasy baseball Friday night:
Please, blog, may I have some more?I only drafted Yasiel Puig in one league (that I remember) and it was a 12-team NL-Only league! *humps the air a’la Ace Ventura* I have exorcised the demons! That’s a new reference, right? What’s that, Inner Monologue, I only drafted Puig because the day I did it it was reported he was being signed by the Rockies? Yeah, so? Get out of my mentions, Inner Monologue! Okay, not to move from humping the air to getting sprung, but the Braves are making me hot under my Skidz. Thank God, they’re drawstring! Can we talk about the Braves’ outfield? Yes, please. Tildaddy, OZUNA and Puig. *gulps* If I were in 8th grade and asked to go to the chalkboard, I’d have to make up an excuse. “Sorry, Teach, my foot fell asleep, and I’m not just saying that because the Braves’ outfield is dirrrrrrrty with seven R’s.” I’d be happy with just Acuña in any outfield. That’s all you need. Throw in OZUNA and I’m starting to sweat, and then you see Puig and it’s time for, “Cougs, I want you right now but lit by the shine of the Braves’ depth chart.” So, I updated my top 40 outfielders for 2020 fantasy baseball, and Rudy updated all the hitter projections. Funnily enough, I predicted back in January that Puig would not sign until June, but little did little ol’ me know that he wouldn’t miss any actual games. I was so right, yet so not really right at all. Well done! (Not really!) Anyway, here’s what else I saw in fantasy baseball:
Please, blog, may I have some more?Happy second week of May, everyone! It’s still early in the baseball season, but not necessarily as early as it might seem… within the next few days, most teams will have played 40 or 41 games, which means we are just about 25% of the way through MLB 2019. Still a relatively small sample size, I suppose, but each day that goes by we can feel more celebratory about the guys we drafted in multiple leagues who are treating us very well so far (Tyler Glasnow, Matthew Boyd, and Caleb Smith, right now I love you all more than you’ll ever know). We can also beat ourselves up a bit more every day over the fellows who are looking like downright mistakes (Tyler Skaggs and Colin McHugh, what can I say?… feels like it’s just not going to happen for us this year). Then again, the players in that first group might crash and burn at any given moment, and those in the latter could turn it around at a moment’s notice, which is why fantasy baseball can be both so exciting and so excruciating. Speaking of excruciating, that’s exactly how looking for help on the deep-league waiver wire can feel this time of year – but let’s take a look at a few guys who might be available in NL-only, AL-only, and other deep leagues.
Please, blog, may I have some more?Another week and another big call-up to gush over. This week it was Nick Senzel of the Reds. True story: Neither Grey or I wear pants this episode. It’s a bottomless kind of week. Beyond Senzel we talk Steven Matz injury, Shohei Ohtani’s return, and Michael Chavis’ ROS. We then have a question I never thought I’d ask “Is Jose Iglesias mix league viable?” Probably not, but we discuss it anyway. It’s the latest episode of the Razzball Fantasy Baseball Podcast.
Please, blog, may I have some more?A look at some of the recent call-ups — Nate Lowe, or Nathaniel Lowe if you’re formal, Carter Kieboom, Michael Chavis and Kelvin Gutierrez. Then we look at some closing shituations with the Braves and Rays. Finally, we look at some waiver wire pickups and Jesus Aguilar. Oh, Jesus. Finally, Mike Minor, Frankie Montas, Jose Peraza and more. Check it out, Razzhole-e-ohs.
Please, blog, may I have some more?I was born just days after the 1980 World Series – a match between my beloved Phils and the focus of this minor league preview…the Kansas City Royals. Since I wasn’t really conscious, I totally missed out on perhaps the two greatest third basemen of all time (yeah I see you Brooks) going head to head. I do have old pictures though. My favorite is Schmidt and Brett clinking glasses with what appears to be spiked lemonade while sitting in director’s chairs and leaning on baseball bats. I don’t think the next George Brett is in this year’s KC system. In fact, the Royals are limited to only one Grade A prospect (a recently drafted pitcher) and half of this year’s list fell into the ‘C’ tier. So it’s not exactly a powerhouse. But hey, at least the Royals provided (in my opinion) the greatest moment of the 2018 season…
Please, blog, may I have some more?First we baked the cake, then we made the frosting. Today we put the whole thing together, for your consumption. What the hell am I talking about? It’s First Year Player Draft day for Monday’s 2018 MLB Draft. As has become annual tradition on the show, Lance and I release, debate and discuss the first edition of our 2018 First Year Player Draft rankings. We of course start the show with some of the top minor league news like Forrest Whitley’s return, and Shane Bieber’s promotion. We then jump into our 5×5, where Lance and I each choose 5 minor leaguers to discuss. Around minute 50 we start the ranks, making it as deep as 15-20 players. If that’s not enough coverage for you, Lance, myself, as well as others will be doing a live draft reaction show on Monday night. Make sure to check Twitter for that. And as always big shouts to our sponsor Rotowear! You can order the 1.01 Dad shirt I spoke about on the show 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 Prospect Podcast:
Please, blog, may I have some more?Under the guidance of Gm Mike Rizzo, the Nationals have experienced a successful, yet frustrating run in their franchise’s history. With five straight winning seasons, but nothing to show for it, the Nationals were once again aggressive on the trade market. Sending top prospects Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez, along with 2016 first rounder Dane Dunning to the White Sox for Adam Eaton. Despite moving some very good prospects in Giolito and Lopez, the Nationals activity in the International market, and a strong 2016 draft crop, has helped restock the lower levels of the system. Due to diligent scouting, and astute drafting, Washington has been able to maintain organizational balance throughout all of the levels of the system. They have a potentially ready made replacement for Bryce Harper, should “Make Baseball Fun Again” walk for Greener Pa$trues. There’s far less arms in the upper reaches of the system than there used to be, but Erick Fedde isn’t that far from contributing on the major league level. There’s exciting young power hitter Juan Soto, and top international signing Yasel Antuna, as well as another Tommy John reclamation project in Jesus Luzardo. The Nats keep churning out the talent, and there’s no reason to think it won’t continue. It’s the Top Washington Nationals Prospects.
Please, blog, may I have some more?