Paul Sporer Baseball Chat – September 1st, 2021
by Paul Sporer
September 1, 2021
Transcript is live!
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Author Archive
10 Performances You Haven’t Noticed: Vol. 2
by Paul Sporer
August 31, 2021
At this point in the year, full season lines are heavily influenced by how a player started. That first month-to-6 weeks can hold a player down or prop them up for quite a while. Here are 10 players who have surged or fallen from their early season work. And yes, I grant that some of y’all have probably noticed a few of these and if that’s the case, just exclude yourself from the headline and roast the dweebs who aren’t as cool as us.
Yes… that’s right. As cool as us.
I ran Volume 1 of this column a couple weeks ago.
HITTING
Avisaíl García has been a Top 20 OF on the year. You may recall that The BAT loved Garcia initially, but then had to drop his projection when the Brewers brought on Jackie Bradley Jr. since it was setting up to cut Garcia’s playing time with Lorenzo Cain and Christian Yelich being guaranteed two spots. JBJ has been a complete non-factor and both Cain and Yelich have missed time clearing the path for a full-time role for Garcia which he has taken full advantage of with a .270/.341/.493 line, 24 HR, 76 RBI, 59 R, and 7 SB in 449 PA. Only 17 qualified outfielders have topped his 120 wRC+.
The Sleeper and the Bust Episode: 974 – Updated SP Rankings Discussion
by Paul Sporer
August 30, 2021
8/30/21
The latest episode of “The Sleeper and the Bust” is live. Support the show by subscribing to our Patreon!!
Follow us on Twitter
- @sporer – Host
- @justinmasonfwfb – Co-Host/Producer
PATREON
- Join our Patreon
- Game of the Week Watch Party: OAK at DET 12pm CT on Thursday 9/2
IN FOCUS
- Andrew Heaney surprise! (2:20)
Justin Higher:
- Aaron Nola 4/14 (5:08)
- Dylan Cease 14/34 (11:02)
- Framber Valdez 22/37 (16:02)
- Paul moved him to 29 after this
- Logan Gilbert 63/84 (21:42)
- Justin moved him into the 70s
- Madison Bumgarner 50/80 (25:45)
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
The Sleeper and the Bust Episode: 973 – Returning SPs, Hoskins Done and Hold or Fold
by Paul Sporer
August 27, 2021
8/27/21
The latest episode of “The Sleeper and the Bust” is live. Support the show by subscribing to our Patreon!!
Follow us on Twitter
- @sporer – Host
- @justinmasonfwfb – Co-Host/Producer
PATREON
- Join our Patreon
INJURIES/TRANSACTION NEWS
- Rhys Hoskins out for the year (1:16)
- Connor Joe, Jeimer Candelario replacements (5:20)
- Gavin Lux optioned to AAA (10:18)
- Chris Sale & Carlos Carrasco dominate (16:40)
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
Paul Sporer’s Updated SP Rankings
by Paul Sporer
August 26, 2021
The blue bar represents the START of a new tier.
I generally don’t include IL’d guys. It’s especially precarious this late when guys could just be shutdown if they are on bad teams.
I view these as 2-3 week rankings given the volatility of pitching so I will include at least 1 and probably 2 more updates on the site before season’s end, but I am updating them regularly on our Patreon.
FYI: instead of updating the rankings in September, I started the Daily SP Chart.
Paul Sporer’s Baseball Chat – August 26th, 2021
by Paul Sporer
August 26, 2021
A day late, but still great!
| 1:05 |
: Hello everyone!! Sorry for being a day late, but we’re here!! |
| 1:05 |
: I’m also posting my SP rankings here very soon so you can view those & ask questions (live in about 5) |
| 1:05 |
: Concerned about Ohtani’s recent hitting performance? Lots of strikeouts |
| 1:05 |
: No |
| 1:06 |
: Is it time to give up on Jeff McNeil hopefully recapturing his 2019 output? |
| 1:07 |
: Oh for sure, he looks like a clear 2019 rabbit ball product. I think a healthy McNeil is still a .280+ hitter w/low double-digit pop, but I’d be surprised if we saw 23 ever again |
Triston McKenzie’s Transformation
by Paul Sporer
August 24, 2021
Cleveland has become something of a starting pitcher factory. It really started with the emergence of Corey Kluber and reclamation of Carlos Carrasco in 2014 and has continued through this year despite a bevy of injuries. Their best starters – Shane Bieber and Aaron Civale – have spent months on the IL and derailed Cleveland’s season, but there has been plenty of opportunity for the likes of Triston McKenzie, Cal Quantrill, and Eli Morgan, showing that Cleveland is likely to remain a pitching force for years to come. I want to focus on McKenzie today.
The Sleeper and the Bust Episode: 972 – Stud Starters Working Their Way Back
by Paul Sporer
August 23, 2021
8/23/21
The latest episode of “The Sleeper and the Bust” is live. Support the show by subscribing to our Patreon!!
Follow us on Twitter
- @sporer – Host
- @justinmasonfwfb – Co-Host/Producer
PATREON
- Join our Patreon
INJURIES/TRANSACTION NEWS
- Edward Cabrera to debut Wednesday (3:35)
- Pablo López on rehab (7:44)
- José Urquidy on rehab (9:36)
- Aaron Civale on rehab (13:43)
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
The Sleeper and the Bust Episode: 970 – Is Gilbert Hitting a Rookie Wall?
by Paul Sporer
August 20, 2021
8/20/21
The latest episode of “The Sleeper and the Bust” is live. Support the show by subscribing to our Patreon!!
Follow us on Twitter
- @sporer – Host
- @justinmasonfwfb – Co-Host/Producer
PATREON
- Join our Patreon
INJURIES/TRANSACTION NEWS
- Byron Buxton starts rehab Friday (1:08)
- Freddy Peralta to IL (3:22)
- Chris Bassitt to IL after hit by batted ball (8:00)
- Nick Senzel returned to MLB IL (11:55)
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
10 Performances You Haven’t Noticed
by Paul Sporer
August 19, 2021
At this point in the year, full season lines are heavily influenced by how a player started. That first month-to-6 weeks can hold a player down or prop them up for quite a while. Here are 10 players who have surged or fallen from their early season work. And yes, I grant that some of y’all have probably noticed a few of these and if that’s the case, just exclude yourself from the headline and roast the dweebs who aren’t as cool as us.
Yes… that’s right. As cool as us.
PITCHING
Kenta Maeda has a 2.98 ERA and 0.99 WHIP in his last eight starts since July 1st. In that time, he has a 31% K rate and 6% BB rate across 45.3 IP. In his first 12 starts, he had a 5.56 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, 21% K, and 8% BB in 56.7 IP.