Paul Sporer Baseball Chat – August 24th, 2017
by Paul Sporer
August 24, 2017
Paul fills in for Eno today!
Author Archive: Paul Sporer
Starting Pitcher Rankings Update – August
by Paul Sporer
August 23, 2017
Here is my latest starting pitcher rankings update! Keep in mind that this is a narrower focus and that’s why I did monthly updates during the season. I always stressed the narrow focus over “rest of season”, but obviously we’re at a point where those are essentially one in the same. I’m not sure if I’ll do another full update in September or not, but I will be writing about pitching all month including pieces of most favorable schedules and September call-ups as well as the continued Pros & Cons and Pitcher Spotlight (from Nick & myself) pieces.
Please leave your questions and comments below!
Edit: updated Dallas Keuchel since he’s not hurt anymore!
Previous Updates:
The Sleeper and the Bust Episode: 490 – Breakout Pitchers as Keepers
by Paul Sporer
August 22, 2017
8/22/17
The latest episode of “The Sleeper and the Bust” is brought to you by Out of the Park Baseball 18, the best baseball strategy game ever made – available NOW on PC, Mac, and Linux platforms! Go to ootpdevelopments.com to order now and save 10% with the code SLEEPER18!
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Leading Off: New Addition!
- Nick Pollack of PitcherList.com joins the RG team!
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
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Pitcher Spotlight: Put-away Pitches
by Paul Sporer
August 21, 2017
Few things are more frustrating in fantasy baseball than watching your pitcher struggle to put hitters away. He consistently gets ahead in the count and into two-strike situations, but regularly fail to finish. This is obviously even more crucial with runners on.
This is a particular struggle of youngsters if only because you will eventually be pushed to the bullpen or weeded out entirely if you don’t eventually learn to get outs with two strikes. When a young arm shows that ability early on – I say “ability”, but it’s usually a single pitch doing the heavy lifting so maybe it’s better stated as the ability to execute their out pitch – it curbs the prevalence of those disaster outings that can tank an ERA.
The Sleeper and the Bust Episode: 489 – We See You, Hoskins!
by Paul Sporer
August 21, 2017
8/20/17
The latest episode of “The Sleeper and the Bust” is brought to you by Out of the Park Baseball 18, the best baseball strategy game ever made – available NOW on PC, Mac, and Linux platforms! Go to ootpdevelopments.com to order now and save 10% with the code SLEEPER18!
Follow us on Twitter
Leading Off: Question of the Day
- What is Bradley Zimmer’s AVG in August? (7:17)
Notable Transactions/Rumors/Articles/Game Play
- Josh Donaldson starts at SS (12:00)
- Rhys Hoskins clubbing the ball (20:00)
- Aaron Judge now at .169/.329/.355, 7 HR, 37% K in 2H (23:20)
- Miguel Sano to DL w/shin issue (31:30)
- Byron Buxton surging (33:33)
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
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Roto Riteup: August 20, 2017
by Paul Sporer
August 20, 2017
Jackie Bradley Jr. is such a stud:
He's done it again: @jackiebradleyjr showed off his vertical leap to make another amazing catch. https://t.co/GDmnE5OEtA pic.twitter.com/7c1wmimBnr
— Cut4 (@Cut4) August 20, 2017
On the Agenda
- Two-Homer Games Galore!
- Bregman Continues to Mash
- Chapman Out as Closer
- DeJong Smacks His 20th
- Marte with a Combo Meal
Paul Sporer Baseball Chat – August 18th, 2017
by Paul Sporer
August 18, 2017
Thanks for coming out and supporting the chat today, we went a little longer than normal. Still need at least one more marathon session before the end of the season!
| 1:40 |
: Good afternoon, everyone!! |
| 1:44 |
: Drop my Steve Pearce for Solarte or Wong? |
| 1:44 |
: Seems lateral, isn’t Pearce raking lately, too? |
| 1:44 |
: Do you think I make an impact for teams in the running with injured SP’s? |
| 1:45 |
: I’m a Heaney fan overall, but I keep expectations very low with arms returning from major injury |
| 1:47 |
: Is this up and running? |
Roto Riteup: August 18, 2017
by Paul Sporer
August 18, 2017
Pedro Martinez was back on the mound Thursday:
Pedro Martinez was in a No. 45 jersey once again on Thursday night to help our friend John Martin and fight ALS. https://t.co/W0MrdDlXNB pic.twitter.com/cp9jPY9tke
— NESN (@NESN) August 18, 2017
Man oh man, he was so good – especially in 2000.
On the Agenda:
- Severino Bounces Back
- Corbin with Another Gem
- Jackson Drops ERA Below 3.00 w/Washington
- Donaldson Clubs Two More HRs
- Other News
The Sleeper and the Bust Episode: 488 – Jeff Zimmerman on Breakout Metrics
by Paul Sporer
August 17, 2017
8/17/17
The latest episode of “The Sleeper and the Bust” is brought to you by Out of the Park Baseball 18, the best baseball strategy game ever made – available NOW on PC, Mac, and Linux platforms! Go to ootpdevelopments.com to order now and save 10% with the code SLEEPER18!
Follow us on Twitter
Strategy Section
- Finding Breakouts; Stickiness of Breakouts
- Old 1B Declines: Miguel Cabrera & Albert Pujols
- Quick Looks at Brandon Woodruff & Luke Sims
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
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Pros & Cons: Jose Berrios
by Paul Sporer
August 17, 2017
Jose Berrios was a heralded prospect coming up through the minors for the Minnesota Twins. The big expectations were unmet a year ago as he struggled mightily through his MLB debut. He managed just a paltry 5% K-BB rate en route to an 8.02 ERA and 1.87 WHIP in 58.3 innings of work. He admits to not being as mentally prepared as possible for the big leagues, something that plagues countless rookies and even many veterans over the course of the season. Pitching can be as mentally grinding as it is physically.
The heartening aspect of Berrios’ 2016 season is that he continued to excel in the minors. In 111.3 innings, he posted a 21% K-BB, 2.51 ERA, and 0.99 WHIP, finding consistent success even as he shuttled between Rochester and Minnesota (three stops in each). His success in the minors kept expectations high for the 23-year old right-hander. He didn’t break camp with the club, instead logging six strong starts at Triple-A Rochester (20% K-BB, 1.13 ERA, 0.81 WHIP in 39.7 IP) before his May 13th season debut.