Paul Sporer’s Baseball Chat – April 22nd, 2026

Paul Sporer: Hey y’all thanks for coming out!!

The Batman: I just want to say, I cannot believe the first half of my Landen Roupp/Sean Burke two start weeks paid off. Miracle of miracles!

Paul Sporer: Especially how many of the best laid plans have melted on us so far this year!

Bill: activating Soto today…who to drop…Tovar or Doyle?

Paul Sporer: Think I just go OF-for-OF with Doyle

Matt: Didier Fuentes making a start tonight. You throwing him out there?

Paul Sporer: Yep, in medium and deeper formats. It’s his first start of the year, not appearance so hopefully not a ton of nerves. He’s been excellent and I really think for them to hold onto their lead, they need him to bring some real IP

Hello Halos: Should I start believing in the Angels pitching factory? Do you like either Urena or Kochanowitz going forward? Cut to pick up would be Cecconi.

Paul Sporer: Urena was someone I put a lil star next to in spring to keep an eye on. His scintillating debut only adds to that, of course. In Mike Maddux, I trust. Frankly wish I’d have backed that belief more at the draft table with Detmers and Soriano, but I’m not totally shocked by their success. I think there’s real juice to their starts and I’m open to giving their guys a deeper look now as opposed to by passing the Angels as a clown org.

Not seeing enough from Kochanowicz to jump, but Urena is some control improvement from really being something. Might be volatile while ironing out the BBs but I’ll use him as a team streamer. Start at KCR this wk and we’ll see v. NYM next wk. I know they stink, but I don’t think they will all year and Soto returned today.

Back of the Bus: What’s your take on the current performance of K Montero and R Vasquez? Think they can keep it up this season? Any chance Montero could take Flaherty’s spot when JV comes back?

Paul Sporer: I’d be surprised if Keider overtook Flare, rather I could see him being Flaherty’s follower and getting some lengthy outings on those busted Flaherty outings. I think they’re OK to ride the wave w/him as long as he’s still delivering good starts w/regularity. Flaherty had 2 good ones before the 6 BB in Boston, but maybe the rotten weather was to blame there. As for Vasquez, he has some real skills growth that has me buying in, including a medium-deep lg start in Coors today

Kirkless: ​Lost Kirk in AL only 2C OBP limited keeper league. Foolish to deal $1 Brice Matthews and Slade Cecconi for Ryan Jeffers?

Paul Sporer: No, I think that’s a fair deal. 2 C Only leagues are TOUGHHH and you can get some real ugliness going in that 2nd spot espec. when you lose a stud. Jeffers is quite a bit above the line, even if he doesn’t stay as hot as we’ve seen thus far, so that’s a nice improvement

Matt: It’s only 2 starts, but boy does Merrill Kelly 켈리 look awful. You expecting to cut bait? Would you bid on Arrighetti to replce?

Paul Sporer: In shallower formats, I’m OK cutting bait. I might look for a different cut, but if he’s all ya got, I’m OK going for Arrighetti over him

Paul Sporer: Unless he’s still hurt, I do think Kelly will come out of it, but yeah it’s a couple rough ones. Prob deserved worse in the season debut, too, but BAL only cashed in 2 despite 9 base runners.

Adenolith: Zimmerman compared Roupp to Logan Webb. Pollack thinks Roupp is closer to the Wacha/Ranger Suarez range. What do you think?

Paul Sporer: Not to be the “it depends” douche but it kinda does if Webb is this new, lesser guy bc then he’s just down in the Wacha-Suarez range anyway and it’s two ways of saying the same thing. That said, I’m not ready to put Webb in the new lower category and I do think Roupp is in that Wacha-Suarez range like Nick says. Def curious to hear more from Jeff on his Webb outlook right now

Why Not Zoidberg?: Cats league. Just traded King and Gurriel for Luzardo (and will use the extra roster spot to spec on a starter or closer). How’d I do?

Paul Sporer: Def good with it. I am eminently frustrated with Luzardo and his ever-present Duds but his skills are just so good and maybe he’s gotten ’em out of his system so you won’t have to eat (m)any

Wen-cee-you-later?: Last week you were pushing Wenceel for deep leagues, but he’s not playing that consistently (or well). Him, Schneeman, Eloy (?!) or Valera for a bench bat?

Paul Sporer: Ya seems he’s losing PT bc he’s not doing well, missing games vR and vL the last two days. Go for the Schneeman hot hand. He’s shown some flashes before and then fizzled but he’s striking the ball well and can deliver some fantasy juice while he’s playing.

EVCinNYC: Bichette – do I keep him in a ten team roto or cut bait and try someone, anyone else… LOLMets

Paul Sporer: In a 10-teamer, he’s gone. I already had concerns about the SB juice being light coming in and now he’s not hitting, jump elsewhere and maybe circle back around to him if he catches fire

$ Talks: So Giolito = 1/2 of Sugano?

Paul Sporer: Gio gets base $3 mil w/chance at $8 mil v. $5.1 for Sugano. Consider also that it’s $3 mil for 4-4.5 mos. since April’s a washout. He has 25 days to get on the MLB roster. So full season, it’s about $4.5 base which isn’t too far from Sugano. I’m surprised his market was so weak, tbh. I thought Atlanta would insta-call him after their spring injuries. But this tells me maybe I was overrating him. Perhaps his medicals are weak, too.

MilwaukeeBeerJays: Otto Lopez’s Savant page looks real nice. 27 year old breakouts are still a thing right? Do you expect him to be a top 5 2B (SS eligible I know) RoS?

Paul Sporer: Yeah, I think even with the 86 wRC+, you could almost call last yr his breakout. He played a full season, went 15/15 and survived in spite of a .264 BABIP. Maybe it was pre-breakout. BABIP all the way up .357 paired with a big jump in power output has his numbers sky-high. Definitely a bit of a late-bloomer but only crossed the 1000 MLB PA threshold last yr which is that cutoff where a true breakout chance really dims. So yeah, tl;dr – I like him and believe in this breakout. Top 5-7 2B makes sense

Guest: What are your thoughts on Dollander in a QS league? I figure they will ditch the opener soon if he keeps showing this level of skill. I know Coors is basically undefeated, but Dollander is looking amazing this year

Paul Sporer: I know for a QS league, you really want them to, but maybe just leave it and keep pilin up the good innings. I guess they’ll eventually have to shift, but I’d rather they not fix what isn’t broken right now. And yes, Coors is undefeated so I’m always waiting for the rugpull, but I’ve got some Dollander shares I’m spotting into my lineups

Jake: whats up with Manny Machado?

Paul Sporer: Could just be standard issue slow start where his BABIP regresses and gets him back on track, buuuuttt he is hitting the ball a lot softer than last year: -16 pts in Hard Hit, -8 pts in Barrel, -1.4 mph in BatSpd. Underlying injury he’s playing through? This is the kinda guy who would rather grind through something than go on the IL if he can with 10 150+ GM seasons, but if things don’t turn soon, even a replacement on the thin Padres is better than this

Easy Listening: Really fun hearing you and Eno together – both on R+B and on The S+B – this last week!

Paul Sporer: I had an excellent time talking with him last week!

YankeeCandlestick: Is Devers a buy low or is the offensive environment in SF something to run away from?

Paul Sporer: He wasn’t bad with SF last yr, but he was appreciably worse (-20 pts of wRC+) and that left me worried about him this year. Where have the walks gone, too? That was supposed to protect a meltdown but he’s lost 10 pts off last yr’s rate, down to just 5%. Not gonna use 98 PA to declare a firm victory, but given my previous concerns are now paired w/some skills degradation (namely the BB%), I’m still passing

Steve: I traded Grant Holmes for Senga, tell me there is hope.

Paul Sporer: Classic challenge trade, I’m fine with it. High risk/high reward on both ends

Air Yordan: Thoughts on Liberatore? Has not impressed me thus far, honestly feels droppable but I still think some leaguemates would at least give something for him. 12 team points

Paul Sporer: If you can get something, dangle him out there, but it’s looking more like his spring surge was simply a hot run w/some smoke & mirrors driving some gaudy numbers. He can accumulate enough IP to not be terrible as a pts league streamer, but I’m not seeking him out

Cooked?: Please rank from 1 (it’s April) to 10 (fully cooked):

Paul Sporer: I think you meant to include some players to analyze?

Beano: Thoughts on Gus Varland? Is he the Nats closer?

Paul Sporer: He’s the most talented guy in a timeshare pen, but that’s not always best for SVs bc the Stopper can get deployed in many different spots as we saw yesterday when he got the 7th.

Kiner’s Corner: Do you have any thoughts on George Springer’s capability to perform this year? I figure he’s an upgrade from Butler/Simpson in the OF, but also might be a decent option to sell.

Paul Sporer: I don’t know what to make of Springer. Just no way he can repeat 2025 without another .340 BABIP. Should be better than the .211 we’ve seen so far, but if someone wants to buy low bc he’s hurt, I’m open to selling for sure

Yuuuuge: Would you rather have Tolle or Schultz for ROS?

Paul Sporer: Tolle

Eric: Fuentes worth rolling out there tonight against the highest scoring offense in baseball?

Paul Sporer: Doing most of their damage vL, though. Sit just 16th in wOBA vR. Doesn’t mean they can’t clip Fuentes, but I’m not running from them w/righties I like

Guest: In a points league, Bregman or Bichette?

Paul Sporer: Bregman for me

Wrobo Cop: Should it instill confidence in us owners that he’s finding a way to pitch well without having great stuff or should we worry that his great stuff of last year is no longer there? Out of Roki/Sheehan/Wrobo, who will get kicked out of the rotation when Snell comes back?

Paul Sporer: Yeah that he’s been able to skate on his tiny BABIP and sharp control to survive a 10% K!!! That will eventually come crashing down without a massive improvement. I think it really depends how the trio is pitching when Snell returns. I still think I’d lean Roki as he man out but they can afford to kinda let him learn on the job and his long-term upside is still better than the other two so maybe it ends up being Wrobo in that case. Snell is starting a rehab assignment so these next few starts will be instrumental for the trio

South Sider: Injuries are piling up. Should I still be holding onto Jackson Holliday in a 16 team redraft OBP league? I know it’s still April, but I’m worried he’s not going to be much of a power threat at all this season.

Paul Sporer: A worthy concern bc while most guys get their full power back eventually after hamate, it’s not instant so his fantasy contributions could be light until the summer

LouBob?: Got a pretty stacked OF with Soto, Trout, J. Walker, Marsee, R. Anthony and L. Robert in my 10 tm H2H OBP league. With Soto coming back, is Luis Robert the cut?

Paul Sporer: Ya, him or Marsee and I prefer Marsee’s speed

Happy: Hello Paul! Have to drop one of my late season pitcher stashes from my IR. Who goes between Pivetta, Schwellenbach, or Jones?

Paul Sporer: Gotta be Schwelly

No Relief in Sight: After last night’s performances by Williams, Smith & de laSantos, and past disasters by Abreu & Jax and others, should I just drop all closers, pick up good RP like Matt Brash, and punt saves?

Paul Sporer: It has been a HELLACIOUS closer landscape so far this year. If you can truly punt in your league, I’m not against it. But if you’re in anything with an overall contest, you’re giving up the overall to punt a category

ransofast: Junk a streamer or a bench guy in a 14 team league, guys like Singer, Matz, Patrick, F Griffin are the best of the waiver wire

Paul Sporer: Bench, I’m definitely checking matchups for that whole group and generally just reserving them when i’m not using their starts

Rickey: Luke Keaschall…. was he over drafted (including by me?). What are the prospects for the rest of this year?

Paul Sporer: Maaaaybe and I count myself among the Keaschall buyers. But still a little too early to say. He’s running to keep his fantasy value up (5 SBs) and I’d like to see another 100-150 PA to see where this .250 BABIP. If he can go 9/20/.265 the rest of the way, I’m good w/that. Need the AVG to click in

ransofast: Carlos Cortes, hitting the ball well and plays in Sacramento. Think he has any real value or gets benched when Rooker is back?

Paul Sporer: An affirmative to the latter doesn’t undercut the former so while he will lose PT to Rooker upon return, he can be super valuable now and then force them to find spots for him upon Rook’s return. They’re back in Sacramento next week… but unfortunately with 4 lefties scheduled

Colton: Red Sox finally calling up Tolle for a Saturday start it looks like. What do they bids look like for him on Sunday you think? He’s been lights out at AAA this year and was arguably their best pitcher this spring as well

Paul Sporer: They’ll likely be high no matter what and insane if he pops off Saturday. Definitely like his upside, but not sure I can do any sort of >$200 bid for him if they’re trending that high

Dos Muncys: Best desperate SP pickup deep AL only: Prelipp, Lambert, Keider M, Kay, McCullers

Paul Sporer: I’m on the Lambert train. I liked him as a prospect in Colorado but of course Coors was always lurking over him. Then the injuries just smoked him. Now 29 with an opportunity in hand, I think we could see some nice swing and miss. Another gem today!

Paul Sporer: OK y’all, thanks for coming out!! I’ll see y’all next week — updated SP ranks coming tomorrow!