Does anybody else remember the Adventures of the Gummi Bears? It was on the Disney Channel back in the day and it was THE Saturday Morning jam. Medieval, personified bears, that bounce like kangaroos. Where do I sign up, right? In one of the sloppiest and more unconnected openings in Razzball history, starting pitchers are nothing like Gummi Bears. No, they are not my Saturday Morning jam. They’re my Saturday Morning job, digging into numerous deep dives, for hours on end, trying to figure out which players are trending where. The results of these Saturday Morning exercises are below. As a reminder these rankings are for 5×5 roto with value focused on rest of season value for 2018. So, a player like Michael Kopech is ranked for his value over the entirety of the 2018 season. Not just the next month. In previous seasons, this post was a weekly ranking with a pitching profile included. This year we will continue the weekly pitching profile, but once a month we will update the rankings. Because honestly, how much can happen in a week? One or two starts? So there’s changes coming for 2018, but they’re slight, and you’ll still get the same quality profiles, notes, and ranks. You might also get a cupcake or a venereal disease, but no telling which one. The expiration dates will just be a little longer. On the rankings not on the cupcakes or your fresh batch of herpes.
Here’s my Top 100 Starting Pitchers for 2018 Fantasy Baseball.
- I’m back for another season of ranking Alex Wood in the top 10. He may not be there now, but two good games, and it’s coming.
- We here at Razzball helped get the engine started on the Luis Castillo Hype Train this off-season. Both Grey and I have covered Castillo, here I discuss him on my Fantrax Video series, while Grey wrote a riveting sleeper post. It’s easy to see what we like; Castillo already had elite velocity, a plus changeup, and a swing and miss breaking ball. But it was the addition of a two-seam sinking fastball that put him over the top for me. If you don’t know the story of the two-seamer, read Grey’s post or watch the video. As it stands, Castillo has two pitches with SwStr% rates of 15% or higher in his slider and change, a four-seam fastball that averages 98 MPH, and a a sinking fastball with a 76% ground ball rate. Wins will be hard to come by, but I sincerely believe that Castillo has the skillset to navigate the treacherous waters of his home park.
- Of course, I’m yet another Trevor Bauer fan from the world of fantasy writers. He’s a favorite of our Imperial Leader Sénor Albright, and has generated buzz around his transition from a cutter to a slider over the final 12 starts of the 2017 season. Upon making the change to his repertoire, Bauer’s Bb% dropped 50% over that period, to a more than acceptable 6%. He still maintained his K% north of 25%, and for the first time in his career, outpitched his peripherals. He’s had solid control this spring, but has also allowed 5 homers. Not something I’m going to read into too much. Shutup, and draft Bauer.
- One of the more unexpected breakouts of 2017 was the Brewers’ Chase Anderson. The veteran righty had always hinted at mid-rotation upside, but homer issues long plagued Anderson. Following a rough beginning to the season, Anderson changed his sequencing and what followed was a great run in his final 16 starts. While there was a significant amount of luck involved in Anderson’s line (.228 Babip, 87.5% strand rate, 4.00 xFIP), he did a great job of utilizing his greatest strength, his 5 pitch arsenal. Over that time, Anderson started to elevate his four-seamer, as well as throw his curveball and cutter more, which lead to usage rates of 10%+ on all five of his offerings. The ability to change speeds, eye levels, and generate swinging strikes with three different pitches make me optimistic Anderson can limit some of the forthcoming regression.
- Is it the “late-career” Jered Weaver-esque fastball velocity that leads many of us to write off the Cubs’ Kyle Hendricks? This is one of those times, where you ask a question you already know the answer to. We as a community tend to not value players with Hendricks’ skillset of contact suppression. Every year we question when he’ll come back down to earth, but every year he turns in a strong ERA. There’s other factors at play boosting Hendricks value for me as well. First he’s on a good team, so those Ws that might be elusive for a player who’s skills we like better, like say, the aforementioned Castillo, won’t be so elusive for Hendricks. The other factor is the Cubs strong defense, this is the perfect complementary group to back a pitch to contact type. BTW despite low velocity, Hendricks’ fastball has earned pitch values on Fangraphs of 13.8 in 2016, and 10.8 in 2017. Meaning his FB actually graded out higher than Max Scherzer’s, Luis Severino’s, and Gerrit Cole’s to name a few. So perhaps, Velo ain’t everything.
- Are you worried about Shohei Ohtani yet? Rooting for his demise? Either way you’re overreacting.
- Were the blisters to blame for Johnny Cueto’s awful 2017? Or are the skills deteriorating? I tend to fall into the former and not the latter, and here’s why. Not only did Cueto try and pitch through blister issues until he couldn’t, he also had possibly the worst outfield defense in baseball. ON the other side of the coin, Cueto’s fastball betrayed him, his changeup lost movement, and his slider didn’t find the zone with the same regularity. It’s tough to prove that a loss of feel due to blisters is behind Cueto slippage last season, but it’s obvious he was struggling with command, and there’s a logical explanation. Perhaps the blisters are just masking a drop in ability year over year, and there’s always the strong chance the blisters return. So Cueto ain’t out of the woods just yet. Regardless of those factors, Cueto is one gamble I’m willing to take this year.
- Sound the alarm because I am back in on Lucas Giolito. After watching two of Giolito’s recent spring starts, it’s obvious with the newly adjusted arm slot, has led to a rediscovery of the movement on his fastball. The results have been great this Spring, as he boasts a 17-4 K/BB, a .169 BAA, a 2.04 ERA, and a 0.85 WHIP. Granted it’s Spring, but it’s a positive sign, and my first hand scouting gives me reason for optimism.
Find all of the 30 Minor League Previews, and Offseason Rankings on the Minor League Index
On Twitter as @ProspectJesus
bryan mitchell = the colin moran of SPs. no it doesn’t make sense but I’ve planted my flag all up in them both. great list.
Making me feel great about my Pivetta $1 pick in an NL only keeper. Straily for $2, not so much…
Nice work, Ralph!
Trade my G-Gonz for his Cueto? I like Gio as a contract year player on a good team, but with Bum and Shark out, Cueto seems in line for massive innings in first half…
Great work my man. 12 team h2h category league where sp is way overvalued. Cobb is my sp11, would you drop him for stratton or just wait? Qs and wins are both categories, and it’s my sp11. Thanks.
12t H2H 6×6 + K/BB
My SPs: Bum, Archer, Sev*, Bauer, Fulmer, Clevinger, Jon Gray, Faria
On the waiver: Marquez, Gohara, Matz, Rodon, Musgrove, Garret,
I’m thinkin DL Bum, grab Jimmy Nelson and DL him and grabbing someone. Who’d you bet on? Garret with his stellar KBB and ST stats?
What do you like about Mengden to have him that high? I need a DL replacement for Pomeranz in my AL-only keeper (where you can only make adds if someone gets DL’d or demoted, so not a lot of movement). Was gonna go Skaggs, but Mengden is the highest on your list. Also considering O’Day since Brach and Greene are my only closers, but my SP is truly atrocious in that league.
@Steve Stevenson: I’m the high guy on Mengden. Something about his control plus his ability to limit hard contact. He also has a very deceptive delivery, and decent fastball velocity. If you go and read his Fangraphs blurb, I’m wondering if Zimmerman got mugged by the guy. He trashes Mengden. Time will tell.
Thanks for the Giolito tip. Here’s a follow up…
Keep Giolito for $9 or Travis Shaw for $7
@Trammel: Oohh, I think you have to go Shaw there. The value is just too good!
Cahill snuck into your list, might take him a while to get stretched out and ready to start games for Oakland but what is his upside as a starting pitcher? He was fantastic prior to injury/2nd half last year.
@Dongs for Days: I loved the K upside we saw last year, and he’s still in a good park.
Great list. You and Gray are doing a fantastic job on the Podcast.
Are you partial to any of these guys? Deep diving for a Sunday PM FAB.
Heaney, Skaggs, Vincent V. ???
@Big League Wood: Skaggs would be my target from that group.
Great stuff man!
1. How much would you bid on Bum in a 12 teamer this weekend? I’ve never thought about drafting him (ever), but want to be ready if the room overreacts about his pinky boo boo…
2. Same league, my 1 pitcher keeper is $10 Robbie Ray. What sort of guy would you look to pair with Ray as your SP2? Nola is my number 1 target, but your notes on Price peaked my interest too. Quintana is interesting but will be overpriced. Is doing a Godley / Bauer combo as my dual-SP2 getting a little too cute? Trying to ID guys who will balance out the potential rough outings of Ray.
3. Luuurve the J. Gray and Jormont love. Gray’s been more and more interesting to me.
4. Glad to see I’m not the only one with a Chatwood curiosity. Easy Wins and idk…just seems like the guy that could randomly finish in the top 20/25 with a mid 3 era and solid ks.
5. Am I crazy for valuing Maeda similarly to Morton/Richards/Hill tier? He’s locked the #3 spot – why not?
Thanks.
@Duda Want to Build a Snowman?: I’d cap it at $15-$16 you have to expect you’re getting back half a season.
This is funny, I’d try and pair Hendricks. All my Ray teams have Hendricks.
Gray is awesome, no not that Grey.
I trust the Theo investment, hopefully he’s more Arrieta than Matt Clement.
He could, I’m not sure if the upside, and you KNOW the Dodgers aren’t going to let him see over 25 starts.
@Ralph Lifshitz: great suggestion re Hendricks! Alas, he’s being kept. Who else might fit that mold…taillon? Or dare I say, arrieta?
@Duda want to Build a Snowman?: I really like both, the price might be much lower on Taillon.
@Ralph Lifshitz: sounds good! Yeah, if I go Godley/Bauer up top, should be able to snag taillon later.
Great post Ralph!
Any names in your bottom 30 range that you could see skyrocketing into the top 30/40?
I guess I’m looking for a little word called “potential”…ha.
Thanks!
@Chud: Sanchez, Alcantara, Mitchell, Newcomb, and Kuhl.
If he gets the time the best will be Kopech.
@Ralph Lifshitz: Thanks!
@Chud: So based off of your rankings (SP and prospect) u like Puk and Muehler long term but not for this year?
Thanks
@Chud: I meant (Walker) Buehler….
Ralphy :)
great rankings, a bit different from what we can see , and WELL updated!
i inherited a dynasty team 1 year ago.
Batting staff is good , Young and rebuilt, thanks to a Corey Seager trade ( i have Lindor already!)
but i have HARD time with my pitching: oldies but goodies, and unproven Youngsters
SP1 : Tanaka is my ACE !!! and grey’s sleeper
SP2: Cuetos “Doritos’ Blisters” “32yold !
SP3: Rich Hill “38
SP4: Cooled Hamels “34
SP5: Chase Anderson “31
SP6: Dinelson Lamet
SP7: Mike Miolas – both prospect picks for the future
and lost Honeywell for the season
OK my ERA will sits around 4.00, but i have Ks potential
don’t know what to do with Hamels, maybe i can hold a little before dropping him
avalaible pitchers on the wire ;
Newcomb is the best ranked on your list
Trevor Williams , grey’s sleeper
Mahle is looking good in spring
then others of consideration : Pivetta / Mengden/ Ureña / Eovaldi / AJCole
What should i move ?
Nick
@Nick: I like the three you mentioned to replace Newcomb, but your area of need is ratios, so keep that in mind.
@Ralph Lifshitz:
to replace Hamels!?
ratios : ERA / Whip ?
@Nick: Yes, Hamels, and si on the ratios.
Just inherited a keeper team… is it worth keeping Giolito for $9, or set him free and get him cheaper in draft?
@Trammel: Keep him, he’s a mover right now.
Happy with how my RCL draft went last week. I got plenty of names from this list. SPs are:
Stroman
Berrios
Bauer
Wacha
Fulmer
Manaea
Shark
I even threw in a Vince Velasquez as a just-in-case. Funsies!
I hope my draft on Sunday goes as well as this past one. I got Miggy in the 8th round.
Is your Stroman rank here lower because of his shoulder, or have you lost some faith? I’m a big fan of his, but I thought he’d be ranked higher with his repertoire.
@Tweak: Whoops! Jordan Montgomery, too.
@Tweak: You have too many starters for an RCL, Trade some of those guys for relievers. I only carry 3-5 starters in an RCL team.
@Ralph Lifshitz: Stroman thing is health, his big boost is the innings, if I don’t get 200+ IP from him the rest is a little underwhelming.
Quick personal questing Ralph, do you collect baseball cards? Specifically bowman prospects? I feel like you’d make some $. You told us about buehler last year, so I invested in him. I haven’t sold what I bought yet, but at this point, he has bright me good return!
@Bryce Krispy Treats: Yes, I bought a Bowman draft jumbo pack for my son this Christmas, and have been buying him some heritage and topps 2018 stuff. Need to run to the Worcester comic store to grab the new Bowman stuff. It’s hard to come by. Target has a lot of good stuff.
1. Gummi Bears? I did not plug in and open this machine to listen to baby-talk.
2. My draft is tomorrow a.m.
3. I knew you were working on your Treasure (i.e. your Top 100) but I didn’t really expect to see it before my draft!
4. I was just going to be happy to see it.
5. I think you should be called Boy Scout Ralph as a compliment: A. If Grey is Batman, you are the Boy Wonder (Scout). B. You are reliable and C. You are true.
6. You got a problem with that?
7. I don’t have a problem with that.
8. Thanks for all your extra work on this and I know I am not the only one in Radioland–or Gotham City–who considers your work and insights very much: MVP–and we thank you!!!
FANTHEAD
(My name is FANTHEAD. So BOY SCOUT RALPH is not so bad. In fact, it’s good.)
@FANTHEAD: I actually pushed it out after your request, you were my muse Fanty!
1. Goo-goo
2. Go get ‘em
3.its here
4. Happy happy
5.If Grey is Batman can I be the Joker?
6. I want watch the world burn tho…
7. See above
8. Thanks Citizen!
I see Shark is well below Michael Fulmer. Would that still be the case in a points league where QS=7 and W=3? In malomoney’s spreadsheet the vet was ranked higher, but not sure how much this changes things. Or if you would have agreed with him to begin with.
@Jeremy: It’s the injury that moves Shark below him, he’s missing two month.
I hate to have my first razzball comment be completely ignorant, but am I correct in assuming no more leagues will be created? A little late to the party this year..
@Team Studer (I traded judge for locain): Go to Truss’ RCL Post and ask him.
Dang, that is an about-face on Giolito! Color me intrigued. Also, FYI, I need some serious minor league assistance with my upcoming farm drafts in my crazy deep AL and NL-only keeper leagues. It is the one part of my game that I just don’t have the patience/interest to follow as closely as I should for some reason, and both of my farm teams are a freaking mess heading into 2018. So consider yourself warned that you may be receiving an email from me begging for help!
@Laura Holt: Anytime Laura, happy to help.
Uh oh!!! Well not too happy at the moment with the news surrounding bumgarner, typically how long are hand/wrist fractures recovery times, or should I expect it to be a season ender? Im hoping for a speedy recovery but man it stings going into the season; Mad Bum was supposed to be the ace of my staff. Now my ace will be darvish or keuchel.
I know it’ll hurt but here’s my SPs
SP: bumgarner
SP: darvish
SP: keuchel
SP: berrios
SP: mccullers
SP: Jon gray
Bench: Blake snell, Jameson taillon.
Once Mad Bum goes on DL which SP to add :
– dinelson Lamet
– Patrick Corbin
– matt Harvey
– Sean Maneana
– Odorizzi
– Marco estrada
– Sean newcomb
– Mike folty
Next,since I’m behind the ball now by losing mad bum would you in addition to placing mad bum in my DL slot to add one of the above SP’s, what about also dropping Jackie Bradley jr on my bench or willie Calhoun for another SP?
Or drop Bradley jr for either Aaron altherr, Carlos Gonzalez, chris owings (2b/SS/OF), brinson, or schebler.
My bench bats are JBJ, willie Calhoun, acuna, josh Harrison (2b/3b), Brandon belt, grichuk
Thanks man!!
@green monstah: I’m hearing it’s 4-6 weeks after surgery, then he has to get the pins removed. He expects to pitch before the All-Star break, apparently. Looks like half a season is best case.
I’d add Corbin, and hold your bats.
@Ralph Lifshitz: I’ll take the under on my 2nd pick (#26) because: 1) He’s beast; 2) He’s stayed off his bike; 3) He’s my #2 pick.
Not quite the same losing him in a 15 teamer, as opposed to 12 and 10 teamers. Have to make due with Kershaw, Price, Snell, Gausman, Manaea, Musgrove, Mengden, and A.J. Cole (30th and my last pick).
@True and Correct: Think you’ll be okay with that group.
Ralph – NL Prospect question:
If you had to guess on a few NL guys who will be the Giolito’s and the Acuna’s of 2020 who are outside of your top 100 right now, name them. Looking for your deep cuts! :-)
@BJ: I have a top 200 and 300 coming out over the next few weeks. You’ll know all about them.
But I’m not going to leave you in suspense, Luis Garcia is one, Yasel Antuna is another.
Madison Bumgarner just fractured his left hand. I will adjust the rankings tonight.
I’m in a SVs/Holds league. I’m looking for SPs w/RP eligibility with decent ratios to get saves. Not many sites mention SPs who are RPs, but I was able to roster 7 bullpen guys last year. Devenski, Green lost their SP status. I’m loving the idea of Zack Wheeler and Matt Andriese. Thoughts?
@Ronald: I like both of those guys if that’s what you’re looking for. Good fliers.
Did I leave my sleep apnea machine in here ~ Nick
@Smokey: I’m dead!
Excellent work! What are your thoughts on these 4 pitchers in comparison to your bottom 25ish?:
Velasquez
McCarthy
Tyson Ross
Marco Gonzales
@Eric: All need to either stay healthy or prove it for me.
The threesome of Andy, Grey, and Ralph was very entertaining on the Fantrax show!
@Randy: Hahaha! Seriously, I was laughing like Ed McMahon the whole time.
Ralph,
Great stuff as always! I could use some help deciding which 5 players to keep in an ESPN 10 team 5×5 weekly H2H. Keepers can be kept indefinitely with no penalty.
Rendon
T. Turner
Devers
Betts
Springer
Stanton
Moncada
Darvish
Carrasco
A. Nola
T. Turner, Betts and Stanton are obvious choices. The other two players I’m leaning towards keeping are Devers and Nola. What do you think?
Thanks!
@Eep: I’d keep Springer and Devers.
How you had time to master this list with all the prospecting you do is amazing. How is this staff for a ten team dynasty? Robbie Ray, Bauer, Wacha, Gio, Manaea, and the Jordan Montgomery. I feel I need one more SP2 or 3. Jimmy Nelson, Gohara, and Puk are in the shadows waiting too.
Also, I couldn’t find an ETA on Morejon in your top 100 prospect list. Is it late 2019? And does he have SP1 upside?
Thank you!
@Sport: Master might be a stretch. Lol.
A little thin, you could use another big arm.
@Sport: Likely 2020 on Morejon.
Hey Ralph,
I asked Grey today what he thought, and Id like your opinion, too.
5 year keeper league. I always draft and stash one prospect. Im deciding between Eloy and Vlad Jr. Any thoughts? What are the odds that they get the call this year? Obviously, it will have to be monster performers. IF they go nuts, do they see the MLB?
@Bryce Krispie Treats: Odds are about equal between the two, though likely later. Vladito is your huckleberry.
YES!!!
@Eric: YES!!!
I love Razzball.
I think the A’s staff is a mess.
The KC staff has tremendous value. I think Junis and Kearns are real gems this year. Junis might be something…but despite what I see, I need more inside data so I can confirm why he’s succeeding. He was a okay to good prospect, but what I see is a top quality prospect or starting pitcher who is no longer a prospect.
@Mark: Agree on those points.
So much of pitching is figuring it out.
Great stuff as usual, Ralph! Are you buying Amir Garrett’s strong spring at all? Curious if he’s worth snagging off the wire? Thanks!
@GrassyKnollRedding: Not me, but if the league is deep enough and you need a flier, fly away.
Excellent stuff Ralph!
@RICE: Thanks Rice! You’re a great addition to any meal!
Nice list, Ralph. I agree with you on a bunch of these guys. Actually have Hendricks about a dozen spots higher. Solid GB rate, plus command, and the Cubs still have that lovely defense. Has that sweet changeup to go with that underrated fastball that you mentioned. Nice WHIP asset. Think Cueto bounces back as well.
Is general durability the main reason that you have Strasburg outside of the top 10? Or is it something more specific? I would say the same in regards to Syndergaard, but his ranking is completely reasonable coming off of what was mostly a lost season.
The one player that I have much lower is Gausman. Walks, homers, and the AL East. Oh my!
Have you seen/read anything on Sanchez this spring? Saw that his velo was back up into the 95-96 range. AL East is a negative, and his K-rate has lagged behind his stuff in the past. Think he takes a step forward or do you see more of the same?
@Big Magoo:
I could listen (or read) Magoo and Ralph talk starters all day.
Big Magoo- Who is your Robbie Ray this year?
@Sport: If you’re looking for a potential top 15 SP, I think that Castillo, Godley, McCullers, and Weaver look like the most likely candidates to make the jump. All of those guys can be had at a reasonable price.
If you’re looking for a late rounder who could make a big jump, Snell is the guy that I’m highest on. HIs stuff is nasty and he should strikeout at least a batter per inning. If he keeps his walks down like he did in the 2nd half of last season, he’ll return a nice profit. Taillon, Clevinger, Wacha, and J. Montgomery are some others with breakout potential.
@Big Magoo: Thanks for dropping by Magoo. Yeah, I’ve been able to buy both Hendricks and Cueto at a nice discount in dynasty and keeper leagues this offseason. Always like to target the unsexy names with unappreciated floors. Cueto’s not 100% in that boat, but the blister issue explains some of it. Not to mention Denard Span’s CF defense was atrocious. That’s tough in such a cavernous home park, and division.
It is, I never own him, because the durability is such an issue for me. On stuff and production alone he should be Top 5, but I always feel his arm is going to fall off. Now, I understand all of these guys arms are going to fall off, but I just can’t see him hitting 180. Lance was urging me to move him up last night. But I’m a stubborn bastard. It’s not skill based because it’s all there.
Kevin Gausman cannot be quit. He’s like the mafia. The trick is, you don’t draft him or own him before July 1st, then you trade for him, spend peanuts, and relax to the smooth sounds of second half Gaus. For some reason the sinker doesn’t work until July. He’s an enigma.
I worry about Sanchez’s ability to stay healthy. The stuff from what I’m heard is back, and seems like a guy that could move up in this list come May 1st.
@Ralph Lifshitz: Good point on Span’s defense. He was atrocious in the field last year. Jackson/Duggar/anyone should be much better by default.
Strasburg is definitely a durability risk, but with most SPs throwing fewer innings these days, I’m more willing to take a chance on skills and hope that the health is there.
Think that high-end relievers are more valuable for the similar reasons. The inning gap in going from SP to RP isn’t quite as large as it used to be, and the K-rate and ratios are likely to be much better, not to mention the potential vulture wins and saves from those guys. Drafted Syndergaard/Godley/McCullers/Wacha with a reliever core of Jansen/Morrow/Bradley/Miller in one league as an example of this strategy. Pretty risky, but could yield nice dividends (and a solid ratio foundation for streaming). That being said, I don’t advise anyone to take that much risk. I’ll probably end up streaming my ass off in that league.
Thanks man. Awesome post!
@Big Magoo: Damn, I like the way that staff looks, I’m intrigued by high end closers closers this year for that reason. If I don’t get Kenley or Kimbrel, I’m getting Rivero. I have a ton of Chad Green and Hader too. Love those guys as ratio boosters, particularly, as you said, in streaming formats.
I’m in a keeper points league and the two top closers seems to be the top two pitchers I’ll get. So I’m left with a choice of taking Bauer, Kimbrel, or Kenley with the second and sixth picks in the draft. I’m taking Kenley at 2, and hoping Kimbrel makes it back to me at 6. Usually everyone goes for starters, but elite closers score as much as they do. Little more consistent for H2H too.
Yes, by the way I hate myself for playing head to head, but it’s a home league. It’s a good league too, just H2H is sooooo frustrating. Particularly points, as us old dogs are used to chasing categories.
Good afternoon Ralph! I know you are the prospect guy; I just read this on the NH fishercats this in regards to the top prospects with the Jays
“Toronto Blue Jays prospects Vlad Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette will open the 2018 season with the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats.
Blue Jays president Mark Shapiro confirmed to TSN’s Rick Westhead on Friday that the two prized youngsters will head to the Eastern League squad after travelling north with the Jays for their final exhibition games in Montreal next week.”
I may have to go up to Manchester NH to catch them play
@Mole man: I will be going to a lot of Fishercats games. Only an hour away from me.
@Ralph Lifshitz: Ralph season ticket holder here let’s do a game this summer
@JP: Gladly! I was already looking at the schedule last night. I’m hoping the two Legacy Kids are there for Star Wars night in July. I need to own a Han Solo Vladito Star Wars Jersey.
Severino #5? I have a hard time believing that possible for a Yankees pitcher. You could be right, but that really surprised me when I saw it.
@Elliot Smith Stabbed Himself…SAD!!!: I just love the skill set across the board.
Gummy Bears was totally my Saturday morning Jam! Also, Ducktales completely slayed in the afternoons.
@Duke: Agree in both!
Teheran seems to be reinventing himself this year, no? Not a big swing and miss guy…but learning to be more of a pitcher. If he can keep batters off balance , will his improved? ERA and WHIP and possibly wins with an upstart Braves team offset his lack of K’s?
Also, no King Felix? He’s 31, can’t we cut him some slack already, afterall, he is the KIng?
@Chucky: He’s 96, and could move up, his age is deceiving because he has more miles on that arm that guys 7 years older. He’s not a player I’m targeting personally.
I don’t dislike Teheran, he was actually great on the road last year, but got destroyed by hitters at home. If he can figure out his SunTrust struggles we might unlock some of his upside.
Hey Ralph,
Are any of these SS prospects in your top 150 overall prospects:
Cole Tucker, Lucious Fox, Jeter Downs, Gabriel Arias
I am particularly wondering about your opinion on Fox, another Mateo? Thanks.
@Randy: Fox has a longways to go to get to that level. I would rank them Arias, Downs, Tucker, and Fox. Likely Fox is outside the next hundred and into the next 100.
Hey Ralph, love your articles and the podcast! Will you be putting out a top 25 rookies for 2018 this year? I think you did one last year and it really helped me in my prep.
@Milarky: Sometime before opening day for sure.
@Ralph Lifshitz: Beauty! And thanks for solidifying that I made the right choice in keeping Severino instead of deGrom!
@Milarky: I think you did!
I was partial to Zoobilee Zoo.
Nice to see someone as high on Price as I am, especially considering he’s my 4th SP in ‘Perts RCL ;) Feel like he’s been an afterthought thus far.
@Cram It: I remember buying one of those weird nose things when I was on vacation once around 1987. Think I got a dog’s snout.
Maybe it’s the Boston homer in me, but I don’t see why he can’t have his best season in Boston? He actually pitched well last year, and changed some of his sequencing, leaning more on the sinker, and almost eliminating his fourseamer. Threw the cutter more too. I’m encouraged and he seems to be back at full strength.
@Ralph Lifshitz: Seriously, he’s been a consistently great pitcher for like his whole career. I guess an injury shortened season 2 of the last 3 years have scared people off, but even with those, he was pitching really well. Don’t think he’s losing anything yet.
@Cram It: This is very true. Still love his changeup too.
Nice. Also enjoyed cartoon Ralph but wonder why they made you purple.
My dynasty league starters include Castillo, Giolito, Kopech, Gohara and Mahle, all acquired last year.
@OaktownSteve: Must be all the sizzurp or it’s my sweet tooth for flowers high in myrcene.
You’re building a formidable staff IMO. Love the corner Giolito seems to be taking, his fastball was straight the past few years.
Mahle looks like he’s going to earn a job out of camp.
Excellent work, Ralph! I’d say hats off, but I don’t wear hats bc I have gorgeous hair.
@Grey: Can confirm, your hair is gorge.
No Carlos Martinez?
@phennore: Thanks! Quick editing mistake.
You missed carlos-martinez
@Marti: He’s there, quick editing mistake. Thanks!
Bouncing here and there and everywhere
high adventures that are beyond compare
They are the Gummy Bears!
@Jim Bergmann: The song is stuck in my heard for eternity.
@Ralph Lifshitz: yeah it gets me at random times too. Nobody understands except you guys.
@Steve Stevenson: Sometimes I’m in the shower and I just yell “here, and there, and eeeeeverywhere! They are the Gummi Bears!”
Carlos Martinez?
@Inspector BABIP: Sorry, must have added an old version after I moved Shark down.