Paul Sporer’s Baseball Chat – June 25th, 2025

Paul Sporer: Hellllllooooo everyone, thanks for coming out! Skenes/Mis about to start and we’re talkin baseball!

BrewCrew: dyansty H2H Category league…which side do you like ROS: Lindor/Skenes for Elly/Roman Anthony/Perades

Paul Sporer: This is a pretty good deal both ways, I don’t have a HARD lean. I push a little toward Lindor/Skenes even w/the inherent SP risk tied to Skenes. But two great power-speed guys in Elly/Roman plus a nice power bat w/Paredes is a good return. Strong trade!

MS: I want to snag Sonny Gray for these @Cle/@Pit starts but will have to drop an RP. Its svsholds so I don’t really care if they close just as long as they get high leverage spots. Who would you be willing to risk exposing to the wire: Clase, Hoffman, Weaver, J Adam, Estrada, Cade Smith?

Paul Sporer: Probably one of the Padres or Weaver. I know Weaver just got announced back into the SVs share w/Williams but like you said, SVHD mitigates caring about that. So ya, one of those 3. No HEAVY lean b/w ’em… maybe whoever has pitched the most in the last 5-7 days

Joe Boyle: When do I get the call back to the majors?

Paul: At Brewers Piratedgame. Is Nick Gonzalez worth acquiring?

Paul Sporer: Depends on league size, but I like him in medium & deeper formats

Matt: Last start was my breaking point. I’m dropping Ober in 12 team roto dynasty (QS). He’s $8 and doubling to $16 next year. Right move?

Paul Sporer: I’m certainly OK w/it. He just can’t be trusted right now. Velo is down (and already bad at his best) and HRs are up.

Paul Sporer: Whoops forgot to post my Joe Boyle answer… let’s try that again

Paul Sporer: Joe Boyle — 1:10 — When do I get the call back to the majors?

Paul Sporer: Could be any minute now, especially w/the way he is pitching lately. Boyle has a 1.80 ERA and 41 Ks in 25 June IP. Taj Bradley had a really rotten trio of starts w/13 ER in 9.3 IP across 3 starts (and that included 5 UER at NYM!!) but he’s bookended those with 7 shutout and 10 Ks at HOU and then yesterday’s gem of 6.7 shutout and just 2 H at KCR so he might’ve saved himself. Maybe Baz needs to be looking over his shoulder, he’s been better of late though his most recent start wasn’t great v. DET. So yeah, Boyle is doing enough to get up, but there’s just no room yet. That’ll change for sure

PG: Who do you prefer ROS?  Eury or Mick Abel?

Paul Sporer: Abel. I’m really not all that interested in Eury until 26

Torkeltime: Hey Paul I hate to ask this but Torkelson seems to be mired in a pretty bad slump. What’s your take on him ROS in a shallow 10-team OBP? The career high 12.2 BB% helps weather the storm but the Tigers have started benching him against righties.

Paul Sporer: Ya it’s been a June swoon, thanks in part to a .196 BABIP. He does still have the 100 pt AVG-OBP split so the BBs are saving him like you said. I do think a shallow 10 teamer allows you to move on, though. In a league like that, you’re trying to avoid taking on too many extended slumps. Can’t just cut EVERYONE not popping off or you’ll be chasing your tail all yr, but someone like Tork is cuttable during a swoon for shallow lgs

Kevin: Who do you like more ROS – Kerry Carpenter or Maikel Garcia?

Paul Sporer: I adore Carp as a Tigers diehard fan, but it’s gotta be Garcia unless you have JUUUST a pure power need

Guest: Will Vientos have a roster spot for the second half?

Paul Sporer: It is far from guaranteed. Vientos was one of those internal debates for me this year bc I like the player, but I wasn’t terribly confident in paying a premium for him at the draft table so I ended up fading him. Although I’ve kinda ended up being right for the wrong reasons. I thought the power was locked and his Ks would catch up to him in a big way. Instead, he’s shaved 6 pts off the K% to a palatable 24%, but suffered a power outage with his ISO down 100 pts to 150. Not sure how much longer the Mets give him without some improvements bc it’s not like he adds much on the defensive end, either

KC: Thoughts on Grant Taylor and ROS outlook?

Paul Sporer: I went after him in NFBC and ended up overpaying by quite a bit w/a 58 to 17 win. Obviously the Sox still stink and he’s a rookie with 9 minutes in the bigs, but I really think he could be their closer rest of the way which can easily yield double-digit SVs. And I don’t even really need that many to be worth 58. I kinda like Justin’s $10/save notion for determining FAAB value. I def think I can get 6-8 with some Ks. I also think that CHW gets better as the season goes along and they keep calling up prospects. Not GOOD, but like just regular ol’ bad

KC: Is Brandon Walter a must add despite the tough matchup?

Paul Sporer: Maybe not MUUUST in all formats, but I’m really intriguing by him even w/B2B tough matchups v. CHC and at COL

Insert Witty Name Here: In an OBP league, who gets to ride the pine between McLain, JP Crawford, or B. Lowe?

Paul Sporer: As much I loved him, it’s gotta be McLain. He’s just performing on par w/those other two

Oswald P.: Is Moises Ballesteros blocked with the Cubs? Regardless of his showing in a short stint this season, he can flat out hit. Should he be hoping for a trade?

Paul Sporer: No, they’re running Kelly/McGuire right now. Ballesteros and Amaya are the future

LenFuego: Why is the Pitch Count not included for pitchers in the game logs on FanGraphs?  There is a lot of intel that that data would provide.

Paul Sporer: It is available under More Batted Ball, but admittedly should be more accessible. I can mention something to the devs

Dan: How do you think we’ll rank/value these SP prospects after their first 20 MLB starts? Andrew Painter, Jacob Misiorowski, Bubba Chandler

Paul Sporer: I think in that order. They’re gonna take their time with Painter so it could be a little frustrating fantasy-wise, but he’s got insane upside. They all do, tbh, but Painter is the one I most hear drawing ace comps

js: What holes do the Tigers need to fill at the deadline?

Paul Sporer: Not to cop out, but it depends what the roster looks like around the break and week after bc injuries are always so fluid. If Olson is back healthy and they get some injury luck over the next 3-4 wks, I think it’d be mostly hitting focused at the deadline outside maybe a supplemental arm. Maybe a super utility-type hitter who can bounce around the diamond a bit as opposed to attacking a single position

MS: Ben Rice or Soderstrom ROS and long term?

Paul Sporer: If I thought Rice would legit hold C-eligibility, it’d be him a walk, but I think we miiight get it this year and then never again. And Sodey is almost certainly done behind the dish forever. So putting that to the side, I’m really torn on splitting them as power lefties in great parks. It likely comes down to something out of their control to separate ’em and it’s team context. That Athletics lineup is on the rise, but the Yankees are just better so I’ll lean Rice

Dave: In a 12-team mixed league should I view a last round Buxton as a potential keeper, or just continue thanking the baseball gods for the health/production we’ve gotten this year?

Paul Sporer: Both? It’s been amazing and he’s ALREADY paid dividends for the season if he didn’t play another game rest of way. You don’t need to decide on keeper status right now, but if he has a relatively healthy season that continues to go well, I don’t see any reason he can’t be a last rd keeper bc he can’t really hurt you there even if the bottom falls out in 26

Vacuum: Have agustin ramirez in my shallow QS points league and am debating dropping Keibert Ruiz for Will Warren.  Is it worth it?

Paul Sporer: Yes, I’m good w/that move. I really like Warren!

JD: Can you rank Liberatore, Woodruff, and Roupp ROS for 9 team NL only roto?

Paul Sporer: Libs/Roupp/Woody

Dan: Is Albies cooked ROS? Are we moving on? His statcast page is suuuuuper blue

Paul Sporer: Depends on roster size as he’s probably still rosterable in 15s, but everything else has him on the chopping block. And he’s not a must-start in those 15s. I’m an Albies guy over the years, but ya this is BRUTAL and there’s NOTHING to cling to for hope of improvement

chopper2hopper: Why did I draft Albies?  I never really was high on him. It was kind of like the answer to “why did the chicken cross the road?”  He was there.  But what a big ol’d hole he is.

Paul Sporer: I should’ve put both Albies questions before answering, but ya…. just stinks. I have him, too

Anthony: Can we trust deGrom to stay healthy the rest of the season? Would you sell him if you could get, say, a top 15 bat?

Paul Sporer: Can’t trust any pitcher to stay healthy for a full season, so you def can’t trust one at his age w/his health history. I would trade him for that kind of return if I have good enough pitching to trade a stud

Look At This Sotograph: How real is Jacob Wilson윌슨? i.e. should I be trying to sell high?

Paul Sporer: I’ve been SOO impressed by him, especiallyyyy the power. Even realizing he was going to this MiLB park, I think 9 HRs for a SEASON would’ve been high and he’s already there. I believe in him as a fantasy piece so I don’t think you need to get out from under him at all costs or anything. You can entertain trades, but don’t run from him for fear of a collapse

Catchers are the worst: ROS Wells, Kirk, Dingler or Stephenson? Thanks!

Paul Sporer: T Step/Kirk *drop* Dingler/Wells

Anthony: The trials and tribulations of being a Bibee owner continue! Can he recover his SP1-ish groove from years past, or is this inconsistency something we should expect ROS?

Paul Sporer: I certainly think he can, but I stop short of guaranteeing or expecting it. He of course remains rosterable everywhere but no longer that set it-&-forget it guy

Kyle: Is it dumb to try and trade PCA in a keeper, OBP league? If not- what would be some bats I could get back

Paul Sporer: No, not dumb. Ask for the world and see where it goes. But don’t settle. I’d rather ride it out than trade him short just to trade him

Anthony: Taj looked great yesterday! Bad opponent, turnaround, or a combination of the two?

Paul Sporer: Combo. He’s still mega talented, it’s why I can never quit him! He’d been on a great run before the 3 duds, too, so it’s not like he’s been bad all year

Hi Paul: Patience on Parker Meadows? Does he make an impact this year, or do I prefer a stash i.e. DeLauter?

Paul Sporer: I’d practice some patience here as he can be an impact fantasy guy and I def prefer him to DeLauter

Bobby Digital: Thanks as always for doing these! Need to drop one: Mayer, Meidroth, House. Who goes?

Paul Sporer: Np, thanks for coming out. I think Meidroth as House has more fantasy juice w/his power and his sneaky 2 SBs already!! Meidroth is a better real life player, particularly w/his sharp EYE at the dish, but only 1 HR/1 SB so far

Les Mis: This is getting silly – Mis is hitless thru 3 with 5 Ks and 1 BB. He’s even being efficient with 42 pitches so good chance he goes 6+.

Paul Sporer: He is unreal!! Skenes had the tough inning, but both showed their excellence

Bobby Digital: Bibee a top __ SP going forward?

Paul Sporer: Like 40-45?

Boyle: Barring injury, can Evan Carter keep up his recent pace?

Paul Sporer: Yes, he rules!

Paul Sporer: OK y’all, I gotta head out. Come hang out on Playback.tv with Nick Pollack, Justin Mason, and Eno Sarris as they watch the rest of MIL-PIT. I’ll be in the chat over there, too! https://www.playback.tv/pitcherlist