Paul Sporer’s Baseball Chat – June 10th, 2026

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

Hazmat: Any thoughts on Cole Carrigg? He isn’t get much of a mention in today’s write up but had a good debut. Do you see him sticking around even with their group of injured outfielders?

Paul Sporer: Anyone with a chance to consistent PT in Coors has some appeal. He’s a blazer with 30 SBs at AAA and a huge BABIP. Feels like he could be a really good fit in that park!

bkgeneral: 16 Team points league.  Is Keaschall ever going to get going?

Paul Sporer: Perhaps, but he’s not that far off where expectations should’ve been. He’s got 10 SBs. AVG is light but not so far off expectations (.247 actual v. .260s projections). He’s not quite striking the ball hard enough to think he’ll definitely improve his .289 BABIP, but the plate skills are in order so he could have a run. I know in points, his SBs don’t matter as much so for your purposes, he really does need to get that AVG going. The thing is, I’m not sure there’s a ton better on a 16-team wire so I might try to hold a bit longer but if someone pops up, you can cut

Matt: You pulling either McClanahan (@LAD) or Messick (@MIL) in favor of Warren (CIN)?

Paul Sporer: Daaang that’s tough. McClanahan is my favorite pitcher of the trio but fandom doesn’t drive start/sit. It’s probably prudent to skip the Dodgers and run Messick/Warren. Obviously MIL is no walk in the park, either, but LAD definitely strikes more fear.

12T H2H OBP + SLG: Are you seeing anything new from Matt McLain? Wondering if he’s worth a pickup as a bench bat given his new dual elig.

Paul Sporer: Ya the fantasy juice is already there w/8 HR and 10 SBs and the AVG might be finally turning a corner, but it is still just a week of a .333 AVG. I think he’s at least a good bet for his projected .230s AVG here forward and that’s enough for a 12er for me given the rest of the profile. the OBP/SLG will rise in concert w/the AVG, espec. if he maintains the 12% BB

Bassall-Oh N-o: Looks like Bassallo might be out or playing through an injury at the very least.  1C league should I move onto Moreno, Keibert, Rushing, or hold?

Paul Sporer: Seems a chronic wrist issue is plaguing him:

According to Jake Rill of MLB.com, Basallo has dealt with some discomfort and pain in his left wrist throughout most of his life, and he was diagnosed with a bony growth in the wrist Monday after the issue resurfaced. 

I’d have a hard time moving on from him until he hits the IL, though. He’s just been so good that I’d hate to give up on him for a week-10 days of him dealing w/this before coming to rake as we’ve seen so far this year

Day Games: Weathers v Bradish v Mize ROS as a team streamer?  6×6, need wins and team WHIP to get below 1.24

Paul Sporer: Here’s my latest updated rankings: https://fantasy.fangraphs.com/starting-pitcher-2026-fantasy-rankings-u…  — and then I’d look at matchups when they’re close!

Braden Montgomery: How much impact ROS?  Redraft…would be replacing Marsee?

Paul Sporer: Big fan, lotta upside here. Obviously announced his presence with authority which will likely inflate expectations, but he’s a dude. As long as his K% doesn’t get out of hand, he could be a true stud off rip. I think it’s prudent to plan for a sub-.250 AVG given his Ks and the unlikelihood that he keeps his BABIP near .400. I’ll be eager to see how his running game is at the majors. He’s a brutal 5-11 SBs in the minors and they won’t let him run at that rate, but if they can help him w/his decision-making, he can even contribute there.

Salty: The combined o/u for this first series in Vegas was around 42.  How fast should the current A’s pitchers apply for hazard pay?!?!

Paul Sporer: LOOOOL, well that’s at the minor league park, too, right? But ya, it’s going to be a hitter’s haven even in their new stadium. I am lowkey intrigued by Jack Perkins given his core skills, but no way I could run him in Vegas

rqane: How are you approaching some of the guys just coming back to Major League activity: Royce Lewis, Lars Nootbar, Noelvi Marte. Start? Hold? Wait? Ignore?

Paul Sporer: I want all of ’em to varying degrees, tbh. Royce everywhere. Always been a huge fan of his and it’s never been about talent, but rather health, so I’m always all in when healthy. Noot doesn’t have the upside of Royce, but I similarly stay interested any time he’s healthy, rare as that is. Noelvi comes down to PT. He went down and cooked in AAA and has 16 HR/21 SB per 600 PA as an MLBer so there’s productivity in the bat. He’s a deep league only guy right now, though bc of that aforementioned PT

Schultz: any hopes for him in ’26?  seems like ChiSox are pushing all of their your studs…league counts QS and K/9…13 teams

Paul Sporer: When healthy, sure, the upside is there!

Matt: Is it getting close to time to drop Trout? H2H 12 team, I’m in first, but batter Ks are a negative, and he’s the highest on my team by far with not much counting production

Paul Sporer: Is he not doing enough elsewhere to eat the Ks? Or is just the recent struggles? He’s got an early June swoon but it’s all of 8 gms. I don’t know the scoring, but 14 HR, 5 SB, 56 BB, 45 R, and 31 RBI can’t snuff out 61 Ks to retain fantasy viability in a 12? Is it 3 OF?

Brian: 10 team dynasty, 4 (MLB) years of Celesten + 2.5 years of Early for a half season of Witt, sound good?

Paul Sporer: Yeah, that sounds like a classic go-for-it deal! Good luck!!!

RAGBRAI: Has Mitchell earned at starting job for the Brewers even when everyone is healthy?

Paul Sporer: Yes, I think so. I know his defensive metrics are light this yr, but he’s shown himself to be a legit CF and really the only issue is that K%. He’s running a fine line to stay good w/a 36% K and it puts a ton of pressure on him to run a mega high BABIP, but he is their most talented option there

Alec Burleson: Am I one of the most underrated fantasy assets right now?

Paul Sporer: A Yandy Diaz All-Star!! Definitely underrated, but dude is just a rake! Big AVG with enough power to be dangerous.

Cruz: Much was made about Oneil Cruz’s offseason work vs LHP. It looks like it’s paid off with a 139 wRC+ v lefties but that’s buoyed by a .513 BABIP. Should we view his skills this year any differently or is this just a hot streak? And a sell high opportunity, maybe?

Paul Sporer: I’ll give him credit for power improvement as he has 4 HRs after just 1 last yr, but 41% K and 6% BB give a lot of credence to your point about this mostly being buoyed by the BABIP and it just won’t stay that high. I’m not averse to a sell but it’s not some boulder you have to get out from under, either, bc it’s still just 27-30% of his PA so even when the AVG regresses vL, it won’t drag your team down a ton, espec. if the power doesn’t fade

Jacque Jones: Aroldis Chapman looks to be a likely trade candidate from the middling Red Sox next month. He’s been great, and has had an amazing career as a closer and fine season thus far. But do you think with him being a lefty, good chance any contender acquiring him would not be using him as a closer? Make sense to proactively deal him in save only formats?

Paul Sporer: It would definitely depend who gets him, of course, but I can see the vision of what you’re saying. It’s not at all impossible for him to lose some or even all of his SVs, but by the same token, he’s amazing like you said and is somehow pitching some of his best ball these last 2 yrs so there’s still a lot of spots where he’d become the guy. How about a reunion in Pittsburgh now that they’ve got some stuff goin? Let’s do a quick run of the contenders and just assume that ALL would be interested:

Paul Sporer: AL East: TB, NYY — I think he’d be the guy for both
AL Central: CLE-no, CHW-yes
AL West: SEA-maybe given Muñoz woes of late, TEX/ATH-yes
NL East: ATL-could see split w/Raisel being righty, PHI-no, WAS-hell yes
NL Central: yes to the entire division… maybe CHC would stick w/Palencia
NL West: LAD-could, SDP-no, ARI-at least share w/Sewald

Karl: Royce Lewis, is he back after going nuclear in triple-a? talent is there butdo you think has he lost something after his hamstrings turning into noodles

Paul Sporer: No, you know I’m not going anywhere on him. As I mentioned, I’m always full-go on him when healthy, at least for the foreseeable future

RAGBRAI: NL…he needs pitching I need HRs. McLean for Schwarber fair? Which side would you want. 5×5.

Paul Sporer: Totally fine w/that. I don’t have a strong lean either, but tilt toward Schwarbs

Paul Sporer: Charlotte pee break — brb — here’s a picture of her sleeping in a banana bed

Paul Sporer: She’s truly ridiculous —

12T H2H OBP + SLG: further proof for my Char = Travis Bazzana comp

HappyFunBall: Speaking of guys who it’s never been about talent, but rather health … Royce Lewis or Josh Jung?

Paul Sporer: Ooh, great inclusion in that category, totally agree w/Jung. That said, I lean Royce w/the speed component giving him a richer fantasy game

Kevin: I’m desperate for steals. Who do you like most from this group: Marsee, Stott, McCarthy, Keaschall, McLain? 5×5 OPS league

Paul Sporer: Gimme McLain in that group. As mentioned earlier, I think he’s doing some good things and we could see his AVG coming around now, too

Thank you.: Several years ago I asked about Ben Rice right when he got called up and you gave him the much-sought-after “He’s a dude” tag. So I picked him up for a low single digit bid in my AL only keeper league. So thank you Paul, to quote Billy Madison – “Man I’m glad I called that guy.”

Paul Sporer: You’re very welcome!! I love the player he has rounded into and it’s fun to say Ben Aroz!!

Doc Estes: Queen Charlotte rocking the Bartolo bod

Paul Sporer: I’m 20-grade at saying no to giving her lil nibbles of dog-friendly foods (aka various meats & cheeses I eat). She is 1 lb. over, but her vet said she’s OK. Not in any danger zone. We are skimpin off the top of her food lately, though. Flat cupfulls instead of the rounded ones she much prefers. Needless to say, she’s pissed about the change.

My Name: Trade McGonigle for McLean? dynasty league

Paul Sporer: No, I want the hitter long-term in a dynasty when it’s close. The trade on its face isn’t bad, but pitchers just break, that’s what they do. No guarantees on McG’s health, but hitter over pitcher

Mike: McLain has to be Lucy pulling the football away again right?

Paul Sporer: Probably. My dumbass bit on spring. But like I’ve been sayin there is fantasy juice if you can eat the AVG. The problem is my WHOLE team is hitting my weight, not just 1-2 guys, so it’s been rough (I have him on my Main Event squad)

12T H2H OBP + SLG: Just wanted to say thanks as always for these chats! What would be your dream Skubal haul for your Tigers?

Paul Sporer: You’re very welcome and thank you to all who come out to share questions or even just read! Truly doesn’t happen without y’all! I’m likely wanting to raid the Dodgers system if we don’t go on a 10 of 12 type run to get back in this soon (we almost certainly won’t, that bullpen SUCKS). Lance Brozdowski did an amazing breakdown of potential trade packages on his YT channel that I can’t recommend highly enough!

Paul Sporer: I can psyche myself into the Tigers run a smidge bc they are getting Skubal/Mize/JV back almost all at once which will reinforce the bullpen by virtue of moving Keider and maybe (probably?) Melton there. I’m a huge Melton fan and want to see him excel as a starter but w/all 3 guys coming back, it does make sense for him to head to the pen w/Keider and that would be a huge boon. At any rate, I’m not deluding myself too much. Skubal will almost certainly be dealt and while it will be a bummer, the returns should be amazing

Kevin: Can Bryce Eldridge keep this up? Not many guys see their K% rate fall when jumping up to the majors.

Paul Sporer: There is a corresponding Swinging Strike rate with it that at least gives this run more merit. Now will the 4 pt improvement hold? That remains to be seen and it’s marrying with a big BABIP for a fast start here, but I’d still use his .240s-ish projections as my guide and rely on him for power first. If the AVG holds, it’s gravy

Jarred: I somehow have both Adley and Cal on my team, who should I drop or trade?

Paul Sporer: Someone’s only gonna try to rob ya on Cal right now, so the move is trade Adley on a high. I love him and I’m so glad he’s back this year so I don’t think you have to sell high before some fall off but just that someone should pay up for him to the point where you needn’t cut either. I know trading is hard, but surely someone will give ya more than the waiver wire for either. Push come to shove, I would hold Adley over Cal

Seiya Genesis: On a scale of 1-10, where’s your concern level for Seiya Suzuki?

Paul Sporer: 0? He seems to have already emerged from his bleh May w/a fast start here in June, already matching his HR total of 2. He was def part of Chicago May Malaise… or Maylaise if you will (you have to, I already wrote it!), but even extending back into the last wk of May, he’s got hits in 10 of 12 w/a .289/.333/.444 line plus those 2 HRs

My Name: What do you think of Grisham? Statcast loves him. Are the results actualyl catching up?

Paul Sporer: He showed last yr why us stat dweebs have a hard time moving of these guys even when they’re hitting .190 as he did in 2024. He’s batting rn, would be fun if he went yard. Anyway, I don’t think any of us thought he’d rip another 34 HRs, but he has severely cut his K% and been reward with an 8 point DROP in AVG somehow, lol. He does deserve better than a .244 BABIP, but his flyball nature leaves him prone to below average outputs there, as evidenced by his .262 career mark. If you can take on the modest AVG, he’s worth keeping for pwr/spd and the potential that he can at least hike that AVG up to the .240s. He walked, btw

Paul Sporer: And then swiped 2nd!!

Paul Sporer: Remember that .227 isn’t what it was years ago, either. It’s not good, but 7-8 yrs ago, it was unrosterable almost regardless of the HR/SB around it, but in today’s world, it’s a lot more palatable

Freddy: Is Brandon Young legit?

Paul Sporer: I elevated him to Standard Streamer status in the latest update but a 3rd straight QS the day those were released has me wondering if he’s more of a Team Streamer right now, even in shallower leagues. Schedule does present some challenges including a 2-step at SEA/at LAD next year followed by WAS and then a trip to CIN after that. So ya, he’s straddling that Team/Standard Streamer depending on league size and what kind of SP depth you have already

Doc Estes: Should we be paying attention to Ryan Vilade in daily line up leagues?

Paul Sporer: He does slam lefties and the schedule has blessed him of late, including three straight against Boston. None this weekend at LAA, but then 2 v. LAD (Lauer/Wrobleski) and potentially 3 in a row v. KCR the week after next. So yeah, deeper leagues with daily lineups, I can see it.

Guest: Is the Trout question a joke? On pace for 30 homers and 100 runs, xwoba over 400….

Paul Sporer: Depends how punishing the Ks as they did mention that, but yeah I wasn’t sure if i was missing something bc I feel like he’s been doing enough to overcome them

HappyFunBall: After coming out of the gate strong, Chase DeLauter has been fading all season.  If my need is SLG, do I drop for Nootbaar? Or Jesus Sanchez?

Paul Sporer: Yeah it is quite light since the 5 HR opening week barrage: .243/.324/.333 w/just 2 HR/SB. I can see making the move for either, tbh. Maybe lean Sanchez if power is a bigger need

Taj Bradley: Am I following my usual pattern of elite starts and horrific collapses?

Paul Sporer: Yeah, it seems so. i was definitely hoping for a more consistent season because I think he’s super talented. But raw stuff can only take you so far. He’s still good enough to remain a Team Streamer for me, but if he starts fumbling some of the bankable starts (like the upcoming at ARI next wk), then he could fall to a Standard Streamer

Marte v Lewis: 12 team mixed, H2H, I excitedly grabbed N Marte off waivers as bench bat with upside.  Very disappointed so far. Should I replace him with Lewis? Playing time risk v injury risk.

Paul Sporer: OK we’ll cap it off with one more about Royce Lewis, lol. I would go for him. He has true superstar upside still.

Matt: Re the Trout question: I guess I got hung up on his last month…but his season stats are a bit inflated with a first month BANG. But he already has 70+ Ks, which is more than Aranda at 69, then 3rd on my team is in the 50s

Paul Sporer: No problem, I wasn’t dogging you out. I’ve seen scoring systems where the Ks can get pretty oppressive.

Paul Sporer: And your point about April hard-carrying is fair, too.

E: With Chandler Simpson nursing his thumb injury and getting less playing time, I need a backup CF in a 14 team h2h. Who do I add? Lars Nootbar, Nathan Church, Colton Cowser, or somebody else?

Paul Sporer: I like Noot. I’ve had a hard time quitting him over the years under the same “health is the problem, not talent” adage. Not to the same degree as Royce, but just that he’s generally a plus bat when upright

Mother Tucker: It feels like things are getting bleak for Tucker.  Down to 6th in the lineup now and not playing every day.  His statcast page is blue almost in every category.  If you throw away the name, he’s a drop in pretty much every league format, except NL only.  Can you ever remember this kind of bust for a 1st round pick not injury or age related?

Paul Sporer: Not off the top off my head, but they’ve definitely happened. Let’s see if chat can remember any recently. I’ll stay another minute or three to give y’all a chance to answer. Age-29 and played 63 of 66 gms, so can’t be injury related.

12 Team redraft 5×5: Thinking about moving Chase Burns for Cody Bellinger. Burns is carrying my pitching and offense isn’t terrible but my outfield of Yordan + McCarthy + Trout/Cags isn’t sustainable. I also have Teoscar in an IL slot

Paul Sporer: What are you going to do about your pitching then? While a fair deal in terms of the players, it seems not to be a real team fit for you

Irony behind the plate: How ironic would it be if Dillon Dingler wins MVP a year after Raleigh fell short with a better season?  Detroit would probably have to play a lot better going forward, but is this possible?

Paul Sporer: LOL that’d be nuts! He’s not gonna, but he’s been a fantasy MVP for sure!!

Fernando: Challenge : Tatis Over/Under RoS HR: 1

Paul Sporer: Maybe Tatis is our answer of other 1st rounder who is just flailing despite being healthy and young

Paul Sporer: I was trying to think of historical but we’ve got 2 front & center this year and it’s tough because with the track records of both, I’m just not gonna move off them. As the Tucker questioner said, if not named Kyle Tucker, he’d be a cut. But being Kyle Tucker with over 800 gms of a 136 OPS+ earns a lot of credit

RAGBRAI: Drop Winn for Corigg?

Paul Sporer: I’m fine with that!

12 Team Redraft 5×5: Also – Gordon Beckham? He was a first rounder who had promising rookie year. He was strictly in the lineup everyday because of his glove after that.

Paul Sporer: That’s 1st round real life, we were thinking 1st round fantasy

Paul Sporer: Beckham still put up a solid 11-yr career as a utility guy, but I thought he was gonna explode after his rookie year

12 Team Redraft 5×5: I have Tyler Glasnow also on IL. I’m pretty certain Burns is going to be on an innings limit pretty soon. So I’m trying to get some value back for ROS.

Paul Sporer: Hmm, I can understand that. I am reluctant to get too concerned about IP limits bc they’re so nebulous, especially when someone is ace’ing out like this, but since you can definitely get a mint in return, I’m good with exploring it. And in a 12-teamer, there will be more talent flowing through the waiver wire to hopefully spike some gems along the way. Maybe see what else is offered up before taking Belly, but I don’t have a problem trying to sell high if it fits your team plan

Paul Sporer: OK y’all, I gotta get going. Thanks for hanging out for an extra long chat today. I’ll talk to y’all next week.