Some Big (But Mainly Little Kid) Adds

With most of the NFBC High Stake leagues drafting over the last 10 days or so, there was many moves made on Sunday. While I will look at the few players added in multiple leagues, I’ll look at the players added in at least 20 of the 12-team NFBC Online Championships. These leagues started drafted around the start of the year, so there has been a ton of turnover.

Four Big Kid Adds

Dylan Dodd: The 24-year-old rookie was great in Spring Training by striking out 20 batters while only walking 4 in 18 innings. Last season across three minor league levels, the Brave posted a 3.36 ERA, 9.7 K/9, and 2.0 B/9 over 142 IP. I haven’t been able to find any decent Spring Training velo readings on him but Baseball America has his fastball sitting 91-92 with an average change and slider. BaseballHQ has the fastball sitting 88-93 with an average change and slider.

The reports have him with plus control but his control alone can’t explain some of the disconnect between his grades and recent results. Since he’s getting at least one start in the Braves rotation, he should at least be getting streamer consideration. He’s at the top of my “who to watch once the season starts” to see what is going on.

Jhony Brito: With the Yankees having nearly every starter banged up, the 25-year-old righty is expected to get a start against Giants next week. Across AA and AAA, he posted a 7.3 K/9 and a 2.8 BB/9 with a near 50% GB% over 112 IP. There seems to be some decent scouting reports on him, but he’s not been able to dominate the minors.

In 13 Spring Training innings, he had 10 K and 0 BB. There are several Spring Training velocity reading for him.

Some pitching notes:

-despite his struggles, Jhony Brito maxed at 97.1 today and averaged 95.8 on his fastball. Changeup was his most popular pitch.

-Vrieling doesn’t throw very hard, just an average of 90.6 on his fastball.

— Yankees Prospect Watch (@NYY_Prospects) March 4, 2023

Jhony Brito freezes Britton at the plate & once more, avoids trouble in the inning! Dude buckles down when guys are in scoring position.

– 38 pitches
– 2.0 IP
– 2 K
– 3 H
– sat around 94-96 on his fastball

— Fireside Yankees (@FiresideYankees) February 26, 2023

Baseball America had his fastball at “mid-90’s” while BaseballHQ had it at 93-97. Both publications have his changeup as his best pitch and grade it as league average. He also throws a cutter and slider that grade out below average. I’ll run my pitch comps once he throws to see if anything sticks out.

Patrick Wisdom: Seems like a couple of managers either needed a corner bat for their team but most likely they are looking a week ahead with the Cubs at the Reds and then home against the Rangers.

Liam Hendricks: Someone is playing the long game here with an unknown return date as Hendricks battles cancer.

Hitters

Darick Hall: With Rhys Hoskins being out of the season, Hall is the Phil’s starting first baseman. The 27-year-old fits the role in that he hits for power, strikes out a good deal, and might struggle against lefties.

Jurickson Profar: He finally signed and with the Rockies boosting his value but has not gotten to the states yet since he doesn’t have a visa.

James Outman: The touted prospect has made the Dodgers roster but playing time could be an issue with six outfielders on the roster (including Taylor). He’s a nice power-speed threat (31 HR and 13 SB last season) but might struggle in batting average since he has quite a bit of swing-and-miss in his game (27% K% in Spring Training, 25% K% in AAA, 29% K% in AA)

TJ Friedl: Starting in the Reds outfield and has power and wheels (combined 16 HR and 17 SB last season).

Michael Massey: Power bat who got the starting nod. There is some nice hidden power here. This still applies:

The Royals Michael Massey hit 4 HR last season. His xHR at home was 3 HR. In Cincinnati, the xHR total was 15 HR.

I can't imagine the hype behind and sub-200 PA player with 15 HR. Instead, Massey has an NFBC ADP after 400. pic.twitter.com/TXr0UrqZUn

— Jeff Zimmerman (@jeffwzimmerman) December 9, 2022

Brandon Belt: It seems like he’ll be getting more at-bats than originally expected. And for now, he’s healthy.

Blake Sabol: The Rule 5 Pick is making the team as an outfielder and backup catcher. He’s getting some run because he’s catcher qualified while hitting .284/.363/.497 with 19 HR and 10 SB across two minor league levels last season.

Luis Garcia: Dual-qualified and possibly just a nice bench bat to fill in for injuries. He does go to Coors in week two.

Will Benson: The 24-year-old posted 17 HR and 16 SB in AAA last season. Benson could struggle with batting average (.182 AVG in 61 MLB PA) and the Reds have too many halfway decent outfielders (Senzel, Frailey, Friedl, and Myers) so the playing time might be sporadic.

Elvis Andrus: He was a late signing so now managers know which team he’ll be on and his role.

Marcell Ozuna: He’s hitting .321/.368/.491 and not in some legal trouble, that’s always a good start to the season.

Max Kepler: Steady bat who can be a drain on batting average but didn’t get traded and has an everyday role.

Starters

Jared Shuster: The 24-year-old lefty is in the Braves rotation. Several arms were competing for the final spot his 18 K, 4 BB, and a 1.45 ERA in 18 Spring Training innings made the difference.

Graham Ashcraft: The Red has been shoving with 25 K and just 2 BB over 17 innings this spring. Also, he has a nice home start against the Pirates to start the season. A 97-mph fastball and 55% GB% should take any pitcher far.

David Peterson: He’s in the Mets rotation. Walks continue to be an issue for him. It was a 6.0 BB/9 in Spring Training and 4.1 BB/9 in the majors last season.

Clarke Schmidt: There is a ton to like about Schmidt with an above-average slider (18% SwStr%) and a 95-mph sinker (55% GB%). He kept the strikeouts going this spring with 18 K in 15 IP.

Matthew Boyd: Boyd seems back with 21 K in 13 Spring Training innings. He threw in front of some of the pitch-tracking cameras and his fastball velocity was on par with previous seasons. Additionally, three of his pitches had a swinging-strike rate of over 12%.

Pitch: SwStr%
Slider: 22%
Change: 22%
Four-seam: 13%

It’s time to buy and find out if the home runs return.

Nick Martinez: Another Spring Training darling with 19 K and 4 BB in 14 IP. He’s got a spot in the Padres rotation so he’s a decent dart throw. In the WBC, his fastball averaged 93.4 mph which is right in line with last season.

Ryan Pepiot: Yet another guy who shoved this spring (13.2 IP, 19 K, 5 BB) who is getting a rotation spot. Spot a trend? With Pepiot, he has a walk issue (’21 AAA: 4.5, ’22 AAA: 3.6, ’22 MLB: 6.7) and could be a WHIP killer.

Mitch Keller: And finally, 20 K in 15 IP this spring. An OK streamer.

Michael Wacha: Fantasy managers are streaming him this first weekend since he faces the Rockies.

Corey Kluber: No talent change, but he’s lined up for two early starters against Baltimore and Pittsburg.

Relievers

A.J. Minter: Possibly in line for Saves for a month with Iglesias on the IL.

David Robertson: With Diaz out, Robertson should get most of the Mets Save chances.

Michael Fulmer: Seems to be the lead candidate for the Cubs closer job.

Scott McGough: Just another so-so arm in a bullpen loaded with mediocre arms.

Brusdar Graterol: He’s possibly lined up to get around 25% to 60% of the Dodger Save chances.

Adam Ottavino: Possible Mets closer with Diaz out. Popular opinion has Robertson as the closer.

Jimmy Herget: With Estévez struggling this spring (12.15 ERA, 10 BB in 6.2 IP), Herget might get a chance to Save.