When you hear – or in this case read – the word “slapdick”, you likely put the word “prospect” on the end of it and think about Blake Snell’s raw and real reaction to the Tommy Pham trade to San Diego. From there, you likely think about the prospect in question, Xavier Edwards, and then the main return for the Rays, Hunter Renfroe. It takes a while for you to consider Jake Cronenworth, if you even associate him with that deal at all.

The 26-year old super-duper (you get the “duper” added when pitching is part of your skillset) utilityman got some run in the analysis of the trade, but more because he hit and pitched for the Rays Triple-A squad last year than anything else. He had his believers to be sure with our own Alex Chamberlain and Brad Johnson being among them in their Peripheral Prospects series, though he was unquestionably under the radar in this deal. He enjoyed the rabbit ball in the minors last year as it aided him to a 147 wRC+ with 10 HR and 12 SB in 406 PA. He struck out just 15% of the time and walked at a 12% clip.

Read the rest of this entry »

A ton of hitters fell into the range of drops I examine. I’m not 100% sure why. Maybe the managers don’t feel they don’t need the extra hitters to cover for entire teams not playing.

For this analysis, I use the NFBC Main Event because of the number of identical leagues. Additionally, the managers stay engaged longer since each spent over $1000 per team. I tried to find that sweet spot between obvious and bizarre and will focus on players dropped in six to nine leagues.
Read the rest of this entry »

I don’t really miss fans in the stands because we get stuff like this:

.@FreddieFreeman5 is the best. 😂 pic.twitter.com/QXy7Wvn6yj

— MLB (@MLB) August 24, 2020

Read the rest of this entry »

The 2020 version of Bullpen Report includes six different sections, as well as the closer chart, which can be found at the bottom of the page.

1. Notable Workloads: Primary closers or valuable members of a closer committee who have been deemed unavailable or likely unavailable for the current day due to recent workload.
2. Injury News 
3. Outlier Saves: Explanation for a non-closer earning a save during the previous day.
4. Committee Clarity: Notes on a closer committee that clarify a pitcher’s standing in the group.
5. Losing A Grip: Struggling closers who could be on the hot seat.
6. Reliever On The Rise: Non-closer who is quickly moving up the depth chart based on potential and recent performance.

The “RosterResource” link will take you to the corresponding team’s RosterResource depth chart, which will give you a better picture of the full bullpen and results of the previous six days (pitch count, save, hold, win, loss, blown save.)

Read the rest of this entry »

Read the rest of this entry »

08/23/20

The latest episode of “The Sleeper and the Bust” is live. Support the show by subscribing to Fangraphs! With a standard $20 membership, you help maintain and improve our database of stats and graphs as well as our staff of 8 full-time employees and over 50 contributors. The premium ad-free membership at $50 year supports site growth and also includes faster load speeds and better site performance. You can also support monthly for just $3.

Follow us on Twitter

• @justinmasonfwfb – Host
•  @JasonCollette– Co-Host/Producer

NOTABLE TRANSACTIONS/INJURIES/RUMORS

• Nick Anderson strained forearm
  • Jalen Beeks? Diego Castillo? Peter Fairbanks?
• Brandon Workman traded to PHI
• Matt Barnes
• Pomeranz to the IL
  • Emilio Pagan
• Strasburg done
  • Austin Voth, Erick Fedde

PLAYERS WE’RE LOST ON

• Joey Bart and Keibert Ruiz 25:00
• Robinson Cano 27:00
• Abraham Toro and Myles Straw 30:30
• Brendan Rodgers 35:50
• Ramiel Tapia 36:40
• Jeimer Candelario 40:15
• Cedric Mullins 42:45
• Ryan Mountcastle 47:00
  • https://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/bs-sp-orioles-ryan-mountcastle-bowie-camp-20200807-getfuiiepnetbjofa7vhkcd2xa-story.html
• Casey Mize 49:50
• Tarik Skubal 52:35
• Sixto Sanchez 53:10
• Triston McKenzie 56:00
• Julian Merryweather 1:00:40

—

As usual, don’t hesitate to tweet us or comment with fantasy questions.

You can subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or via the feed. Please rate & review the show in iTunes letting us know what you think!

Approximately 65 minutes of joyous analysis.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

This article is going to be a weekly planner/FAAB piece. It will come out each Sunday morning for those of you looking for ideas for that night’s pick-up.

Read the rest of this entry »

The 2020 version of Bullpen Report includes six different sections, as well as the closer chart, which can be found at the bottom of the page.

1. Notable Workloads: Primary closers or valuable members of a closer committee who have been deemed unavailable or likely unavailable for the current day due to recent workload.
2. Injury News 
3. Outlier Saves: Explanation for a non-closer earning a save during the previous day.
4. Committee Clarity: Notes on a closer committee that clarify a pitcher’s standing in the group.
5. Losing A Grip: Struggling closers who could be on the hot seat.
6. Reliever On The Rise: Non-closer who is quickly moving up the depth chart based on potential and recent performance.

The “RosterResource” link will take you to the corresponding team’s RosterResource depth chart, which will give you a better picture of the full bullpen and results of the previous six days (pitch count, save, hold, win, loss, blown save.)

Read the rest of this entry »

Just some quick valuation changes on each MLB lineup.

American League

Angels

• I’m far from a Brian Goodwin fan but he’s an undervalued available asset. He’s hitting fine with a .836 OPS, four homers, and a steal. With Albert Pujols, Justin Upton, Shohei Ohtani, and Jo Adell all struggling at the plate, he’s now started seven games in a row.

• David Fletcher and Tommy La Stella are cemented into the top two lineup spots.
Read the rest of this entry »

The 2020 version of Bullpen Report includes six different sections, as well as the closer chart, which can be found at the bottom of the page.

1. Notable Workloads: Primary closers or valuable members of a closer committee who have been deemed unavailable or likely unavailable for the current day due to recent workload.
2. Injury News 
3. Outlier Saves: Explanation for a non-closer earning a save during the previous day.
4. Committee Clarity: Notes on a closer committee that clarify a pitcher’s standing in the group.
5. Losing A Grip: Struggling closers who could be on the hot seat.
6. Reliever On The Rise: Non-closer who is quickly moving up the depth chart based on potential and recent performance.

The “RosterResource” link will take you to the corresponding team’s RosterResource depth chart, which will give you a better picture of the full bullpen and results of the previous six days (pitch count, save, hold, win, loss, blown save.)

Read the rest of this entry »