Fantasy Baseball Today - AJ Smith-Shawver's Strong Start & Buy or Sell! (5/6 Fantasy Baseball Podcast)

Episode Date: May 6, 2025

AJ Smith-Shawver just had the best start of his young career (2:15). ... Drop Sandy Alcantara (8:10)? ... JP Crawford is doing some nice things (12:46). ... News (16:43): Yordan Alvarez went on the IL with hand inflammation. ... MLB is using a smaller strike zone this season (25:04). How is that affecting early-season trends? ... Who is Ben Casparius (32:28)? ... Is Trent Grisham a thing (37:46)? ... BUY OR SELL (45:57): should we sell-low on Bryce Miller? ... Why is Yelich's batting average so low (58:23)? ... We wrap up with leftovers, bullpens, streamers and Team Name Tuesday (1:00:45). Fantasy Baseball Today is available for free on the Audacy app as well as Apple Podcasts, Spotify and wherever else you listen to podcasts.  Subscribe to our YouTube channel: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠youtube.com/FantasyBaseballToday⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Download and Follow Fantasy Baseball Today on Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://sptfy.com/QiKv⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get awesome Fantasy Baseball Today merch here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://bit.ly/3y8dUqi⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow FBT on TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@fbtpod?_t=8WyMkPdKOJ1&_r=1⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow our FBT team on Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@FBTPod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@CPTowers⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@CBSScottWhite⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Roto_Frank⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join our Facebook group at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/fantasybaseballtoday⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Sign up for the FBT Newsletter at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.cbssports.com/newsletters/fantasy-baseball-today/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ For more fantasy baseball coverage from CBS Sports, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ To hear more from the CBS Sports Podcast Network, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.cbssports.com/podcasts/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ You can listen to Fantasy Baseball Today on your smart speakers! Simply say "Alexa, play the latest episode of the Fantasy Baseball Today podcast" or "Hey Google, play the latest episode of the Fantasy Baseball Today podcast." To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to the Fantasy Baseball Today podcast from CBS Sports. And first pitch, Rishing. Got a fantasy question? Email Fantasy Baseball at CBSI.com. Get ready to win your league. Well, fantasy. Now here's Frank, Scott, and Chris.

What's up and welcome in. It's up Fantasy Baseball today on Tuesday, May 6th. I am Frank Sample, joined by Scott White and Chris Powers. Today on the show, we've got some buyer-sell questions, early season trends. and hopefully team name Tuesday. Let's jump in. Oh my goodness gracious. Oh my goodness gracious.

I will begin us off with AJ Smith-Shawber, who had an outstanding start against the Reds. Or did he? Eight shutout innings, one hit, four walks. Five strikeouts had 10 wists on 99 pitches. Did give up some hard contact in this one, leaned on his fastball through it 58% of the time. It was solid, got five whiffs for him,

did allow some hard contact. on that pitch as well. His velocity was up in this start. He's throwing his splitter more this season. That splitter has looked nasty. He also has a curveball that he uses. And after everything thus far, he's got a three ERA, a 137 whip, a strikeout per inning, walks are higher than you'd like. 41% rostered, so widely available. What do you guys think? Is A.J. Smithschover a must add after this start? No. I hate it I hate when we do this

because like this is a really great start for him probably the best start of AJ Smith Schavers career eight innings one hit I think he didn't allow hit into the eighth inning right I thought it was coming I thought it was finally going to happen first no hitter since 94 but it didn't it was also four walks and five strikeouts 10 whiffs on 90 something pitches 90

90 exactly 99 99 pitches. Like, that's not terrible, but it's, it's not run out and add him. It's you can add him, sure. Like, I think he's an interesting talent. I just, I don't think that talent has manifested itself in such an obvious way that you need to add AJ Smith-Shava

in every single week. Yeah, it wasn't a great whiff rate in this start. his overall season with rate is still really high. It's a swinging strike rate to be more specific. It entered this start 13.3%. Went down, actually, with this start. And one thing, one thing Smith-Shawver actually did.

You mentioned the splitter usage is up this season. Well, it was down in this start. He really emphasized the fastball on this start. And I don't know if that's necessarily a plan of attack for him going forward, but he just had his best start. while doing it. So I think it's worth pointing out. Each of his last three starts has been his best start of the season.

It's gotten progressively better. The walks certainly do give me pause. And I don't think it's at all clear that Smith Schaver is breaking out. And so is he must add? I would stop short of saying that. But for being only 41% rostered, for being as available as he is, it's the most exciting ad we've had at this position since Tony Gonselin, I would think.

Yeah, like I was looking at, I'm writing about Sandy Alcantra, so we'll talk about him shortly. But I was looking at like the top projected pitchers for the rest of the season in one of my leagues. And it's guys like Michael Waka and Dean Kramer and Zach Lattel and Jeffrey Springs. And like Waka is the one who stands out that like, yeah, he's like 65% roster. That's probably too low. there's also probably not going to be a point where you look at your team and say, and if only I had added Michael Waka when he was available. And it's not likely that we'll say that about AJ Smith-Shawber either,

but he is 22 years old. He's got good stuff, right? Like the fastball velocity's been down and the pitch hasn't played as well this season, but the splitter's been awesome. Curveball looks okay. And just in general, it's a bet on a young, talented player, right? So I do think there's at least a chance you will regret not adding AJ Smith-Shawber, but I think he's more still in the speculative ad category. That's all fair

to me. Would you guys take him over Gunner Hoagland? I think I like Hoagland more. It's close. AJ Smith-Shava on the better team. They're both young, both have a little bit upside. I think I would lean Smith Schaver, but it is close. Would you guys drop Haney, sure, Bowden Francis, for A.J. Smith-Shaver? Absolutely. Yeah, both of those guys are DTM. Would you drop

Jack Lighter for A.J. Smith-Shallver? Kind of, you know, another young pitcher we think has some upside, but last two starts a bit bad. I think later's more talented. So I would stick with him. I get that, and I don't mind if anybody follows that advice.

I think, the sorts of leagues where you could even think about dropping jack lighter for for a j smith shaw for like that's that's an option that's presented to you probably lighter with the way he's looks since coming off the aisle isn't going to get picked up sure so it might be just to kind of like maximize to to best manage what little roster space you have it it might be the timing right might be right to make that move even if you'll want to keep a close eye on jack going forward. And last name, I've got to ask Gavin Williams.

Would you drop Gavin Williams for Smith-Shawber? Oh, man. I don't think I would. But if you're in a spot, I think it ultimately comes down to how badly do you need someone in your lineup? If you don't need someone in your lineup, I probably wouldn't do it because I do think Gavin Williams, just the stuff is better. But there's no way I can start Gavin.

Williams right now. And so like I'm not saying Smith Schauber, I feel good about that. Right. That's the thing. Like I don't know that I'd feel great starting him right now either. I think I'd stick with Williams. I think so too. All right, Chris, let's go over to you. You mentioned the name. You're a player of the night and we're just going to keep talking about him until he does, I don't know, something good hopefully, but it's Sandy Alcansara. Sandy, I don't think he's deserved. Tell me about it. He's certainly not a stud right now. Sandy. I do not got chills, and they are not multiplying. Look, there's nothing positive we can say about Sandy Alcantra right now. It's the Dodgers, five earned runs and five innings pitched. I guess it could have been worse is the nice thing you could say, but no, he doesn't, he isn't pitching well right now. I don't want to say, I almost said he doesn't look like the same guy, but like part of the

problem is he kind of does right like the fastball velocity is mostly there he's around a mile per hour down the four seamer and sinker have been bad uh so far but like the whiff rate on the slider curveball and change up are all between 37 and 40 percent um i i i don't think sandy alconter is just finished is what i will say obviously you can't start him look it's got an 842 er a right now he's got a 161 whip. His ERA actually slightly went up in this start. I'm not dropping. I'm not dropping Sandy Alcantra.

Did it? It did slightly, yeah. I'm not dropping Sandy Alcantra. And if you think that that's dumb, I totally understand because there is no world in which you could start Sandy Alcantra right now. He just has not been any good. His best start of the season is probably

still that opening day start. And it wasn't that good. He has one quality start since. He was still started in 63% of CBS leagues this week. It was a two-star week, so I get it. But I do think you should avoid rage dropping him. Because, you know, when you talk about the kind of thought process I've been trying to use, like what are the chances you regret dropping Sandy Alcantra versus what are the chances

you regret not adding Michael Walker, let's say. I think he's the best example of a guy who I think he's pretty good and is somewhat widely available. I think it's 35% available right now, 65% roster. I would certainly much rather start Michael Walker right now. Okay, sorry, go ahead. But I think in two months' time, the idea that you'd rather have Michael Walker than Sandy Alcanta is much more likely to look silly. than the alternative. So you're saying Sandy Alcantra mostly looks like himself.

And I agree. But there is one huge exception. The walk rate? The walk rate, the control. And so, I mean, looking beyond the walk rate, which is, it entered this start, it was five point, no, coming out of the start, 5.2 per 9. Very, very high. And you look at his strike percentage, the three years prior to Tommy Johnson.

surgery. It was always 68, 69%. Well, coming into this start, it was 62%. And I'm finding this, like, it's obviously such a simple thing. I'm not, I'm not exactly unearthing. I'm not exactly like discovering new ground here. But a lot of times when a pitcher who's struggling, who I think is good, he turns in a good start and I go digging in, okay, what changed for him in this start? It's just like he controlled a lot better. And, you know, there's more to control than just how many strikes you throw, how many walks you give up. But that's a good shortcut, particularly over a multi-start sample to tell you how well a guy is controlling, commanding his pitches. And that makes a huge difference, it turns out.

And I think if that's all Al Contra needs to fix, and actually he kind of made strides in this start, only one walk. 67% of his pitches for strikes. It's just he was facing the Dodgers lineup and a couple of guys homered off of them. It may have been a step in there. We may look back and we may look back on this start for Alcantara and it's like, oh, he only has 2.2 walks per nine over his last eight starts.

And this was the end point that we start with. All right, Scott, I don't want a short change here, but can you quickly give me your player of the night? Okay, I'll try. Yeah, J.P. Crawford is my player of the night. we've been talking about how if you lose a shortstop, you're kind of screwed. That's a position that's difficult to fill off the waiver wire. Well, J.P. Crawford might be the choice to fill it because if you'll remember two years ago,

he was actually really good in fantasy. He hit a career high. 19 home runs is actually his only year with double digits. It was especially good in the second half, 94 walks. Well, he's doing similar things this year. He's only 36% rostered. Over his lat, he went two for three. I'm not sure.

Maybe he added another bat before the game was over. Two for three with a walk and a stolen race. He walked in the 10th. Okay, walked the second time. So yeah, he's up to like 22 walks on the year. Last 17 games, this isn't going to be fully updated either. Oh, yeah, well. Okay, last 17 games, 385 batting average, three homers,

a steal and a 450-ish OBP. So he's been great. And it's not just the overlying stats here for J.P. Crawford, the top line stats. It's he apparently had this moment in spring training that clicked for him where he kind of rediscovered his swing from 2023. Because if you think back to then, like he he overhauled his swing with drive line, I think it was. And that helped him to untapped this power, bring out the power that he, hadn't shown before. But then it went away last year.

Well, this spring apparently he kind of like rediscovered that swing. He began like driving with his lower body more. And so far we're seeing the results early this season. So since we do have the 20, 23 season to, to give us some hope for Crawford. And since we do have that explanation from him and since shortstop is a really difficult position to fill right now, I think Crawford is somebody you could look to. to potentially fill that need. All right, before we hit our first break,

reminder that you can always listen to FBT and FBT Express on Spotify. If you do, drop a comment on this episode with your favorite by-low player. And big thanks to those watching. Make sure to hit the like button and subscribe on YouTube if you haven't already. Let's take a break and we'll be back right after this quick commercial break.

Welcome back in Fantasy Baseball today. News and notes, Yordan Alvarez was placed on the aisle with right-hand inflammation. big loss. Maybe this has contributed to his slow start this season, but give him some time off to get right. Hopefully it's not too long that he's out. But while he's out,

Zach DeZenzo should see regular playing time. And I think in deeper leagues is a name worth looking at. Yeah, I think so. Legit prospect. Put up good numbers in the minors. I think only one home run so far, but he definitely has power potential. and yeah, I think in deep five outfielder leagues,

if you've been struggling to find even just a guy an extra one for your bench, I think DeZenzo, you can look at him at this point. All right, and if you are looking for Yordon Alvarez replacements, the names we spoke about just yesterday, Stowers and Pahas and shallow formats, they're all the way up to 75% roster now. But if you play in five outfielder leagues,

Max Kepler, 29%, you should be widely available. if you do need an outfielder in those formats. The Cubs play Shota IMAGA on the IL with a left hamstring strain, and apparently prospect Cade Horton is a possibility to take his place in the rotation. Horton is 23 years old, a first round pick back in 2022.

He's dealt with a bunch of injuries, but off to a nice start this season at AAA, 124 ERA, 0.86 whip, up over 10K per 9. Chris, any deep league interest in a Cade Horton? Sure. Yeah, I think there's definitely some upside there, and upside has been lacking on the waiver wire at starting pitcher lately.

So I'm fine getting a speculative ad on Kate Horton. I want to go with him over Smith Schaver for what it's worth. But if you have to go deeper than that, yeah, yeah, got to speculate on upside every now and then. I think there's more of it here than for like Gunner Hoagland personally. Ronald Acuna is set to begin a rehab assignment in May. That's all we know. Yet an exact date has not been announced,

but it's good to know that it's still at some point in May for Ronald de Cunia. Corbyn Burns threw on Flatground Monday, and we'll see how his shoulder responds in the coming days. Whether or not he'll start later this week. Either way, you don't want to use him because that start is against the Dodgers. The Rangers released Leotie Tavares this weekend and then recalled Evan Carter on Monday. Carter, a top prospect just a few years. ago, still just 22 years old.

He had back surgery last year. Hasn't looked the same since. This season in the minors, he's been okay. 221 batting average, three homers, six deals, 749 OPS. Any interest in Evan Carter? There's nothing to point to specifically.

He was terrible in spring training, basically lost what should have been his job. And then he wasn't very good at AAA with pretty mediocre underlying numbers. So it's a total blind faith ad. I'm not saying you shouldn't have blind faith. Blind faith can be rewarded sometimes. But there is nothing specific I can point to with Evan Carter,

except, hey, look at 2023. Remember how much we liked him back then? That's it. Yeah. And he's not a player you want to pick up an ad. It's just pick him up, throw him on your bench, and maybe see if he gets hot right away, something like that. Mm-hmm. Yeah, but I'm pretty pessimistic still based on how things have gone for him at AAA. So it's just, it's a lark. You know, if you're looking for a lark in the outfield, then you could add Evan Carter to that list.

All right, Spencer Shrider, advanced two long toss throwing on Sunday. He's on the IL with a right hamstring strain. Jackson Merrill is expected to return from the IL Tuesday against the Yankees. assuming that game is not rained out because we have had some pretty bad weather here in the northeast. Teasca Hernandez left early on Monday due to left hamstring tightness. There was a quote from Dave Roberts after the game, basically saying that

it didn't look good, a little concerning, felt tightness in the hamstring adductor and we'll get an MRI tomorrow. So my guess is that will likely wind up in an IEL stint and, you know, Chris beforehand, we were trying to figure out ways like, can they get Dalton rushing on the roster or if they like, but I don't know if it actually works out.

What do you think? The problem is James Outman's on the 40 man roster. So the easiest thing to do would just be called James Outman. He's been like 5% better than the league average at AAA, but he has a 36% strikeout rate. So I don't think there's much there. They could just put Blake Snell on the 60 day aisle. Like I don't think that would actually change his timetable because he went on the IL 34 days ago now. I don't think he's coming back within the next 26 days.

So they could do it. That's probably the only guy they could put on the 40-man roster. So it's probably a stretch. But I hope they give Dalton rushing the opportunity. There's nothing left for him at AAA. Yeah. And they've been kind of playing them around a few different spots here in the minors this year. 14 games at catcher, six at first base, two at left field.

three at DH, so he does have a little bit of experience playing in the outfield. I don't know. Maybe we're getting ahead of ourselves, but just watch the name. If Dalton rushing gets called up, he's someone that you're going to have. That would be a high priority ad, I think. Especially in two catcher leagues, my goodness. Higher than Augustine Ramirez, even. I think he would be the most interesting catcher to get called up.

With what? I don't know. I mean, the Ramirez thing. Yes, definitely interesting in two-catcher leagues rushing. Yes. I'm just saying at the moment they got called up. Oh, okay. Not knowing how, not saying rushing would be, I would drop, yeah, not saying I would drop Ramirez for rushing right now.

Right, right, right. Okay. At the moment of call up, I think he, yeah, he's a better prospect than Augustine Ramirez. I was, I was missing that whole conversation because I seemed to confuse a number of comment. by calling, by referring to Evan Carter as a lark. That's a type of bird, right? It is a type of bird, but it also means something done for fun, especially something mischievous or daring, an amusing adventure escapade.

It is, I guess it's kind of old timey trying to bring it back, a lark. Yeah, I did it on a lark, you know? Like that's, isn't that, you've heard that term used, right? I'm not making this up. I had no idea what you were saying, but I was like, all right, Scott knows what he's talking about.

I'm not going to question him. I'm aware of the word. Okay. Go, go, go. Brewer's manager, Pat Murphy, said Freddie Peralta hasn't undergone any imaging on his groin,

but he could be given a day or two of extra rest before his next start, and he was originally scheduled to start Saturday. So if he gets pushed back one day, it'll be Sunday. If he's in your lineup, he'll make a start.

If he gets pushed back two days, then you might just miss out on an entire start from Freddie Peralta this week. Justin Martinez, who's on the I.O. with shoulder inflammation will begin a throwing program later this week. Randy Rosarena out of the lineup after leaving Sunday with a hamstring issue. McKenzie Gore remains sore after tweaking his ankle during Sunday start, but is feeling a lot better.

Anthony Volpe returned to the lineup after missing Sunday with that shoulder injury. Frankie Montas remains on track to return in early June. And apparently, Sean Mania has actually fallen behind Montas at this point, could still return at some point later on in June. And the Giants were called Kyle Harrison this weekend, but plan to use him in a bullpen roll. I don't think we have any interest, right? Nope.

Not if he remains in a bullpen roll, but he was doing some interesting things at AAA. It was throwing harder. The strikeout rate was way up. So if somebody to keep an eye on, who was that? We were talking about Kyle Harrison. Yeah, Kyle Harrison.

I did want to quickly bring this up. and I saw it over the weekend. I meant to bring it up yesterday, but obviously there was just so much to talk about. But did you guys see the article on the athletic that came out, I believe on Friday from Enosaris, Ken Rosenthal, and Jason Stark? Apparently the strike zone is being called smaller this year compared to previous years, yet pitchers and managers were not informed of this before the season.

Now, apparently an email went out or something, but I don't know, fell through the cracks. Like, nobody knew this was happening, heading into the season, basically, but there was a bunch of data and charts within this article and quotes from managers and a bunch of front office people that basically did not know that this was happening this season. So it's just, I don't know, kind of another interesting, I guess, dilemma you can talk about within baseball. I thought it was interesting article.

And the pitchers that have been squeezed the most this season, per Enosiris's article, Tyler Glassnow, Chris Paddock, Ryan Pepio, Shota Imanaga, Ronell Blanco, Osvaldo Bido, Gavin Williams. I don't know, maybe that matters. Brian Wu, you say Kukuchi, Shane Smith, Spencer Schwellenbach, among many others. So I don't know. There is nothing in common with those names.

It's like some great command guys. They're pictures. Spencer Schwellenbach. Some terrible command guys like Gavin Williams. It's just that doesn't seem to tell me anything. Yeah. I'm actually surprised to hear it because just my experience, watching games and I'm not, you know, obviously the data, the fully compiled data counts for more

than my own observations. But I feel like I see a lot more strikes called outside the strike zone than balls called in the strike zone. That's just been my experience. So unless you're saying they actually shrank the strike zone and the square that they show on the broadcast is smaller. I think the way I saw it worded was they have they've shrunk like the shadow zone outside of the strike zone so they're not calling as many like close pitches as strikes anymore they're just calling it more like letter of the law this is the strike zone we're not giving you the edges as much anymore yeah it was something like there there was like a two inch gray area that umpires were graded on where like if you called it within that two inch gray area,

which when you think about the circum the diameter of a baseball, it's a really small difference, two inches is two thirds of a baseball. I don't know. It's interesting. I don't know, like what if I have any takeaways from this, except to say that there have been experiments in the miners,

specifically where they have gone with the rule book strike zone. And apparently everyone hated that experience. Nobody was happy about it. it. Pitchers, hitters, coaches. Everybody hated the rulebook strikes on when they did that for ABS. So that's something I find interesting. Yeah, I did love the challenge system for what it's worth throughout spring training. And I hope that is coming next season. I mean, it seemed pretty positively, you know, taken and, you know, utilize in spring training this season. So I think that's probably coming next year, but just thought that was an interesting article that came out.

And I wanted to transition that into just taking a quick look at season-long trends early on this season. Because there was something that stuck with me when you went to Arizona, when you went to first pitch Arizona in October, Chris, that apparently you can notice differences in an offensive environment very early on in the season. So taking a look at the data thus far, it's a 242 batting average of season 708 OPS, 11% home run to fly ball rate, and steals per game are actually up a little bit this year compared to where they were last year. If you look at 2024 through May 5th, 239 batting average, 695 OPS.

So offense is up slightly so far, 10.7% home run to fly ball ratio. So home run rate is also up, which makes sense, right? Like home run rate is up, batting average is up a little bit, steals are up a little bit, and as a result,

the offensive Ironman is up across the board a little bit this season. hasn't really like thrown anything out of whack too crazily so far but that's the only thing i've noticed my idealist consistency year over here especially doing my job right like there might be a specific set of sliders i could tweak and say this would be the ideal way to play baseball but for our purposes what we want is consistency what we don't want is a 14% home run to fly ball rate one year and a 12% the next year right like that's just That throws everything off. It makes analyzing and predicting this stuff so much harder.

It makes everything even more subject to randomness than it already is. So this is all well within the, what I would say are the reasonable bounds of year-to-year fluctuation. And I will say the strikeout rate being up, that might just be that the Marlins are the worst team at stopping stolen bases in baseball history. They have given up 60 steals this season at a 91% success rate. The next closest team has given up 40. Wow. Yeah. All right.

Yeah. It's horrible. That is quite a bit. As you would expect, if offense is up a little bit, that means ERA whip is up a little bit across baseball. But again, it's nothing too crazy. I think it's, again, within the range of outcomes here. I do agree with you there, Chris. Let's take our final break.

When we return, we'll get into the rest of Monday's action. right after this. Welcome back in fantasy baseball today. Taking a look at Waver Wire pitchers. We already spoke about A.J. Smith Schaver. Shane Smith, solid once again, five innings, two runs, five strikeouts. That's kind of just what he does. That just kind of feels like the Shane Smith line.

Ben Casparius as the bulk reliever for the Dodgers at the Marlins. Four innings, one run, five strikeouts. Had 12 whiffs on 70 pitches. Some kind of interesting things under the hood for him. And Tobias Myers, solid against the Astros, five in a third innings, one run, two strikeouts here. Scott, does anyone stand out? Tobias Myers, Ben Casparius, Shane Smith. Well, I kind of keep waiting to be dazzled by Shane Smith because I know some analysts really like him.

But it just seems to me like he's teetering on the edge of disaster here and has managed to avoid it so far. But I don't see a lot to get excited about here. The whiff rate is okay. The groundball rate is okay. Neither of them are particularly good. The walk rate is kind of high. Expected ERA is 396. Expected FIPP is 450.

Only twice has he gone six innings. And he pitches for a terrible team. So I'm not saying in a week like this one where he's in line for two starts with a pretty good matchups. you can't use him. He was pretty high on my sleeper pitchers list for this week. But I think Shane Smith's appeal in fantasy is limited to the streamer realm, and only if he continues to show the kind of consistency he has lately, which I'm not sure he will. So don't get too excited about Shane Smith.

And his roster rate remains pretty low, but I just know there have been some people who have spoken highly about him from the beginning. I will say Ben Casperius is pretty interesting to me. So he's been confined to the bullpen this whole time. And this was technically a relief appearance. He followed an opener. But he went four innings. So it was more like he was used as a starter.

Yeah, 72 pitches. 12 whiffs on 70 pitches. A full arsenal, three pitches that got three or more whiffs and then four pitches overall. so it's not like he has a reliever arsenal. You look at the minor league track record for Ben Casparius, who pitches for the Dodgers, by the way, I'm not sure. I mentioned that. Fly ball pitcher and the minors.

The walk rates ran pretty high, consistently pretty high, but he was a good bat misser. The walks haven't been an issue so far in the majors. It's been a low rate, and he's been throwing strikes at a high rate. and he dominated the bullpen. Obviously, the bat missing's carried over. So I'm skeptical of the overall profile for Ben Kisperius just because the high walk rates were so consistent

throughout his minor league career. I'm fearful they're going to rear their ugly head at some point. But if he can keep them at bay, and look, the Dodgers are great about maximizing outcomes for their players. So maybe something's clicked for Ben Kisperius now that he's under the watch of the Major League staff, if he can keep those walks down with as good as he isn't missing bats, then there may be something here.

Obviously, he'll have to keep taking turns in the rotation for him to amount to something, but they've got to give him a chance, right? Yeah, I mean, as often as they're going to cycle their starting pitchers through the waiver wire, I think Ben Kasparius is at least going to remain in the discussion. He's certainly put himself ahead of, like,

Landon Nack and and I can't remember who the other guy was. Rebleski? Yeah, Robleski. Bobby Miller. Yeah, like. I do think Kershaw is due to return soon-ish. He is.

He has made, I just did an I L. stash ranking. I thought he was going to, I thought I saw something that he was supposed to get like six rehab starts though. Soonish. He's made three already. Okay.

And he's eligible to return from the I.L. in mid-May. So he's going to be back, I think, sooner than a lot of people expect. It's also not clear how much Clayton Kershaw has left because his fastball's been averaging like 87, at least during his time where we can see what his fastballs averaged. So, yeah, I mean, Casparius, I think has put himself in this very large, revolving door of pitchers that the Dodgers have. And I'm going to, I think he's interesting enough for us to keep an eye on him and see if he can sustain that low walk rate.

Okay. So you're not necessarily looking to add him, but it's just like a scout for now, you think? I mean, deep enough leagues, you'll have to move in, like a 15 team or deeper. Yeah. He's probably put himself in the ad discussion. But in anything standard size, I think you can wait. All right, let's move over to Waverwire hitters. And I just wanted to mention Augustine Ramirez, who we kind of jokingly,

took a jab at yesterday. What do you know? Fourth home run, three run shot here. He has got an 899 OPS early on the season. Still just 62% roster. I think he's kind of in that, you know, back end of the top 12 catcher range. So probably doesn't have to be 100%, but he remains an option. As does Carson Kelly, who continues to hit like Babe Ruth. One for four with his- This is one of the weirdest things I've ever seen. One for four with his eighth home run. He has started five of the past seven game. So the playing time is kind of trending up a little bit here. 71% roster just in a vacuum, Carson Kelly or Augustine Ramirez. Ramirez. Easy. Not even close. I do wonder, I do wonder about Carson Kelly. You know, one thing that has dramatically improved for him, and you're going to be

hearing this phrase on this podcast a lot more often, I think, pull. air rate, which is something we've referred to in the past. We just didn't have that term for it. It's how often a player pulls the ball, pulses fly balls, which helps them to maximize his home run output. And it's on player Stackass page now, pages now if you want to see it. So yeah, Stackass is branded at pole air rate. So I think that's probably the phrase we're going to use to describe that going

forward. It's, it's pithy enough. And Carson Kelly is about twice as high as a year ago. and I think the highest, the only time it was even in the neighborhood of high was like early in his career when he was putting up some pretty good power numbers on the diamondbacks.

So I mean, the XIVA velocities haven't really improved for him, but just it's the angle the ball is taking off the bat is much better. He obviously can't sustain this because he's not Lou Gehrig, but every time we bring him up we compare him to another Yankee legend but like this is the thing that makes Carson Kelly impossible to analyze right now

is like if you just take the underlying data at faced value he is currently the best hitter in baseball he has a 22% walk rate and an 8% strikeout rate those are yeah that's That's insane. But not just that. Both are both a hundredth percentile, basically. He is also like well above average in expected Wobon contact because he's up to a 15% barrel rate and a 93 mile per hour average X velocity and a 56% hard hit rate. In addition to doing all of the things that Scott said to maximize what happens when he hits the ball, I just there's no way it's real.

right like right well one like the pole air rate the pole air rate might be real maybe and and i genuinely have no idea when i said the exit velocities haven't improved i should clarify like his max exit velocity is the lowest max exit velocity he's had in like eight years and if you would expect if he's had genuine strength improvement like genuine power growth that he would have hit a ball harder than he has in the past. And that hasn't happened. The average is velocity is way up because the barrel rate is way up. But is that sustainable?

Probably not. That's the part I'm more skeptical of. But is he good enough? Could he be a good plate discipline guy who pulls the ball in the air well and therefore winds up being a like just totally overtaking the Gellamaya for the Cubs and performing like something. the neighborhood of um

can't think of the name Stevenson Tyler Stevenson and Cincinnati going forward that that seems realistic that would mean his best is behind him obviously but I think it's realistic that maybe Carson Kelly could be

as good as Tyler Stevenson if not slightly better let's talk about Trent Grisham is he a thing might be one for three with his ninth home run he has started nine of the past 10 games he has off eight of those for the Yankees. He is batting 298 with a 379

on base percentage, an OPS over a thousand. And guess what? His pulled air percentage is 25%. That will work in Yankee Stadium. He is 47% rostered. What are we doing, guys? Trent Grisham.

Is he a thing? So his pull air rate has always been high, though it is even higher this year. He's hitting the ball harder on average, which you'd kind of expect for as many home runs as he has. His strikeout rate is a lot lower. That's probably the biggest change for Trink Grisham. It's below 20% now,

and usually it's more often been closer to 30. So, I mean, the main thing is he's obviously forced his way into the lineup on a near everyday basis. This was the seventh time in eight games that Trink Grisham has started. And I think the data, there's enough there that in five, outfielder leagues and he's still pretty available right i just picked him up in a five outfield league yesterday 47 percent yeah i think there's enough there that you go for him you certainly go for him ahead of like zach de zeno or uh i would say even ahead of like max kepler who else do we

mention for outfield pickups this show well not on this one but well we mentioned like evan carter yep yeah definitely definitely not stowers stowers i'd put ahead of grisham but like rhino's not at far behind Stowers. Ryan O'Hern is a name. We've mentioned here and there. I think, yeah, probably over O'Hern, because you know O'Hern's playing time's always going to be limited. But that's kind of in the same range I'm thinking for Grisham.

It's hardly like an open and shut case. He's the stud now. But it's gone on long enough and he's available enough that I'm willing to take him somewhat seriously at this point. Two hitters in deeper leagues, Hessung Kim. I want to kind of put an emphasis on that. It's spelled H-Y-E, but it is pronounced like H-E-H.

He-Sung-Kim, two-for-four with a run, RBI, and a steal in his first career start. 26 years old, signed with the Dodgers out of Korea this all season, and was doing some interesting things in the minors. Not sure how long he'll start and stick around for the Dodgers, but obviously this was a great first game. And Dane Myers is getting a chance to play with the Marlins. He is doing some things. last seven games he said 526 with two home runs and four steals chris any deep league interest

and a hesson kim or dane myers uh kim is only in rhodo and even then i doubt he's going to hit enough to to really matter but sure there's some speed there certainly maybe he can hit 270 with i don't know my expectation would be like five to six home runs i really don't think there's very much pop there. If Edmund returns, though, I'm just trying to figure out. Yeah. Well, I guess with Teosker getting hurt. He could be one of the options in the outfield.

They already said he's going to start on Tuesday. So, yeah, sure. He's worth a look. I don't think the upside's super high. I don't think Dane Myers is really much of anything. It's weird how many, like, interesting guys the Marlins have had at various points in the early going this season, given how. bad they are.

But they have like four or five interesting. Like a random Matt Mervis and a waggonaut and these kind of guys. Griffin Conine before he got hurt was doing stuff. It's stowers now. But I don't think any of them really have much staying power. All right. Let's do a little buy or sell. And I'll throw out a statement.

And you guys tell me if you buy or sell it. Let's talk about Bryce Miller, who was bad again. Four inning, seven hits, four runs allowed, zero walks, one strikeout, seven WIFs on 94 pitches. He did throw more strikes in this one, but he got hit hard. Buy yourself. You should sell low on Bryce Miller before a serious injury is revealed. I'm going to sell that.

I think my take on Bryce Miller is pretty similar to my take on Sandy Alcantra, where everything looks pretty normal except he's walking way too many batters and not throwing nearly as many strikes. And that was the thing he was best at, right? Both last year and his rookie year. He really excelled at control. And it's been way off for him in the early going. And look, maybe that is a sign of injury. That's totally speculative. But I would think we would see it reflected more in the velocity and the whiffs. And he didn't get many wifts in this start. But his season long whiff rate It looks pretty normal. And so we're not really seeing it.

I think that one thing, if he corrects it, he'll be pretty much back to normal. And I'm willing to give him more time rather than realize the losses on him. Can I offer a galaxy brain take on Bryce Miller? Sure. He throws too many pitches now. Remember, he used to just throw his fastball. and now he's got like nine different pitches. That's my, like, I'm mostly joking,

but maybe there's something to it. Explanation is that he just, like, has too much going on, and he maybe needs to simplify things a little bit. Stop tinkering quite so much. Scott, I don't know if you saw this tweet last week after Bryce Miller's start, but there was, he said, his back locked up on him pregame,

and that was a start where he had like five walks or whatever. And then he said he also dealt with arm soreness Earlier this month. That's true. Now that you mention it, I do remember that. And so, yeah, that did raise an eyebrow for me. And I just think you'd still be selling him for nickels on the dollar, especially because of that. I mean, if the person you're trying to trade with knows that about him, that's going to be all the more reason for them to back away.

Yeah. I hear you. I just wonder if he goes on the I.L. Then you obviously can't sell him at that point. You know, so I don't know. I was wondering if you can get like a top 50 or top 40 starting pitch and return, just someone that can help you. What would you do it?

You're the one asking the questions always. You never have to answer them. I have them in South Wars and, yeah, I think it's something I'm going to try to do this week. So what's a pitcher you're aiming for? I haven't gotten that far into it, but I was thinking, yeah, someone that's like a top 50-ish, top 40 starting pitcher. I'm trying to think of guys that are in that. range like well everyone i'm thinking is thinking of i won't be able to get for him well what about like

max mire who's been i also i already have max i think i'd rather have i think i'd rather have miller still right me too um i think i'd rather have miller than shame boss set lugo no no no i would take shame boss um i i i think i'd rather have i think i'd rather have i think i would take lugo for him sunny gray yeah i would take sunny gray That's a good trade. I'm going to send that out. I'm going to try it. Bryce Miller is going to be a big fall for me this week in the rankings.

Freddie Freeman has been a beast two for five with his seventh home run. Last 18 games, he's batting 373. Five home runs and OPS over 1,100 during that time. Expected stats look amazing. The quality of contact is up. How about this? Freddie Freeman will have his best power season yet with the Dodgers by herself. I don't know if he'll actually get the 29 home runs because he missed some time.

but like, let's say from a slugging percentage perspective. He's on pace for more than 29 right now, even with the time missed. All right, so buy or sell? What do you think? Best power season yet? I'd sell. I think it's probably just a hot streak from a good hitter. You know what?

I'm going to, just to be fun, I'm going to buy it. It's plausible enough that I'm going to buy it. All right. Let's talk about Carlos Rodon, who continues his impressive run, six and two-thirds shutout innings with five strikeouts against. against the Padres. Last four starts, he is a 0.70 ERA, a 0.74 whip, 29 strikeouts over 25 and two-thirds innings.

By or self, this is the best version of Yankees, Carlos Rodon. I think you asked this same one. Yeah, so you're not allowed to answer, Chris. Last week, and I said yes. So I'll continue to say yes. Well, I'd like to hear why you said yes. I think losing the effectiveness of his fastball and being forced to adapt over the past couple of seasons has given Rodan a stronger arsenal than he's ever had.

Like, he's still, I think, going to be frustrating the command of the curveball and change up especially really come and go. But, you know, he's adapted to not having that dominant force seamer by throwing some sinkers, by having the curveball that he can steal a strike early in the count with. The changeup has been really effective going back to last season. the cutter, we don't talk about that. He doesn't throw that anymore. That's good. That's fine.

And he's getting more ground balls. Yeah, no, I think, like, I still think it's more like a mid-3sierra. And there are going to be some stretches where you pull your hair out with Carlos Redon. But I do think this is going to be the best, the best season he's had with the Yankees, assuming he stays healthy. Yeah, I noticed the ground ball rate, Frank. And it's up significantly to the point. that he went from being a fly ball pitcher to a ground ball pitcher.

And that alone, especially given where he pitches his home games, can make a huge difference for ERA. He's missing a lot fewer bats and the walks are up a little bit. So I do think it's a little bit fake what he's done here very recently, but it's kind of a low part to beat

best season with the Yankees and the ground ball rate might be enough to get him there. So sure, I'll buy it. Michael Garcia might be breaking out. One for two with two walks and two steals in this game. And he's batting 322. It's an 886 OPS. He's hitting the crap out of the ball.

Expect the stats look great for Michael Garcia. We spoke about him a little bit yesterday, and you guys sounded excited. But by yourself, Michael Garcia is a legit breakout. If I could slip in there that it's too early to tell, by virtue of it being so early in the season still, just so I can be consistent with that. he looks like illegitpriced everything looks good yeah everything looks good so i am if if you're forcing

me to either buy or sell this as opposed to wait and see i will buy this is what the breakout would look like if michael garcia was breaking out he's doing the things we want he has managed to start elevating the ball consistently more without sacrificing either quality or quantity of contact which is exactly what you want to see and that's never a guarantee right because michael Garcia is one of these guys who's always had like interesting quality of contact metrics, 91.8 miles per hour average egg velocity in 2023, 90.4 in 2024. He's just one of those guys who has tended to hit the ball a lot harder on the ground than he does in the air. And now he's hitting the ball in the air more without losing that. So I think that's a great sign. Yeah.

All right. Next one is a two for Danesby Swanson has been crushing it since being moved down in the lineup. Seven games since 462 batting average with three home. and Wilson Gertreras has really picked things up last 15 games, hitting 393, 6 home runs, and 11.02 OPS. I'm not sure if you can do this. You might be able to, but you should buy Danesby Swanson and Wilson Gutreras before the numbers are all the way back to where they should be. Man, I don't think Danesby Swanson's going to cost anything.

He didn't cost anything before the season. The overall numbers are still very mediocre. I buy the idea, though. Like I do think Dan's response is a buy. I think Wilson Contreras, the price got so silly on him over the final couple of weeks of draft season that like anybody who drafted him is likely to have spent a top 90 pick on him. I don't think I want to be trading for that guy if that's what it costs. But if there's a down, a discount, sure. I'd be fine with that.

I'd be surprised if there was a discount. You may be too late on Wilson Contreras, but I don't think you're too late on Dan's. be Swanson. I think the skepticism over him has, is, there was already plenty coming into the year. And I don't think his early start has helped with that, even though the home run and stolen base production has been great. The batting average has been lagging. The, the strikeout rate has been kind of high. But he does seem to be turning it around. Will's like a trash, did you give the actual numbers for him last 16, 390 with four home runs and a 14.5% K-ray. Remember? he was sort of like Rafael Devers early on,

just striking out every other at bat. That's clearly been fixed for Wilson Contreras. And Cole Regans returned with a bang against the White Sox, five shutout innings, 11 strikeouts, 17 whiffs on 94 pitches. And originally I had Cole Regens as a top five starting pitch at rest of season, but I think we all kind of have them right around there. How about this?

Yeah, I have them right forth. By yourself, Cole Reagan's better than Paul Skeen's rest of season. Nah. So I'm going to sell that, but it's just, you know, I still sometimes get comments from people who insist that Cole Reagan's isn't actually that good. Like, he's been a hard sell on people, difficult to sell to people for some reason. And he don't really understand. I guess the ERAs maybe this year, certainly, and last year, a little bit too, a little higher than he want from an ace. He's a little inefficient too.

He doesn't go deep in starts, but. But that's like single factor analysis and it's dumb. So this was already, this was his fourth double-digit strikeout game of the year. That's more than Tarek Scouble had all of last year. Like, come on, that's a great pitcher. Shouldn't be difficult to sell. Yeah, Cole Regens is awesome. I think Paul Skeens is better.

Sure. But I have seen some discourse about his strikeout rate being down this year. I mean, that is. Because. Yeah. Because what we want to do as a baseball world, more than anything, is find the next hotness. And Paul Skeens, buddy, if you fail to live up to our highest expectations for even a month, you're all news.

We don't care anymore. It's what we do. It's silly, but that's what we do. Paul Skeens is arguably the best pitcher in baseball. Oh, no, I think he's amazing. Like,

there's no doubt about it. But you cannot argue that, objectively, the strikeout rate is a little low. Yeah, he also has like seven different pitches with a whiff rate over 25%. Like,

I kind of wonder if he has the same thing going on that you were saying with Bryce. Miller, like he's, he's broadened his arsenal too much. Well, yeah. That's my only speculation for the distinction is, Bryce Miller's been bad and Paul Skeins has like a 240 ERA and a 90 whip. Right, but he's not getting the strikeouts we want. I've looked into it.

And that's the best I can come up with, which is. No, but that's it. It's just the strikeouts. Yeah. Talk about one factor analysis. Sure. Hey, hey. Though I think that's a more important factor than ERA, but sure.

I did have a question on Christian Yellich. wanted to ask just what do you guys make of him so far? Because he's providing power and speed sock into shoe here on Monday, six home runs, seven steals. He's hitting 210. It's a 696 OPS. Plate discipline not so good. Ground ball rate is up. You know, guy in his mid-30s coming back from back surgery. Where are you guys at on Christian Yelich right now? I feel great with where he's at, to be perfectly honest. I mean, it's, first of all, it's a, it's like a 30-home or 35 steel pace that he's on. Let's start with that. Yeah, but he's hitting 2.10, Scott.

He is. He is. And he's earning it. Coming back from back surgery, I was most worried either that, A, he just wouldn't be able to generate the torque needed to hit for power anymore. Or B, that he wouldn't want to risk his surgically repaired back, you know, diving into second base. So he'd kind of stop stealing bases. Clearly, those worries are well out the window.

He's doing both of those. He's doing plenty of them. he's putting the ball on the ground a ton, 62%, and his strikeout rates up a little bit. I would bet on both of those improving. I'm less certain. I kind of think there are some pretty glaring warning signs with the strikeout rate, with the plate discipline overall,

the fact he's hitting the ball on the ground more. I'm not saying he's finished, but I don't necessarily... Where do you think that comes from? Because I have a difficult time of true. that to the back surgery. So I kind of just view it as early season noise. It might just be early season noise, but he's also 34 and coming off major surgery.

I feel like putting the ball on the ground could be kind of a lingering effect of coming back from back surgery. It could be. It could be. But clearly he still has the power. And I mean, even for as much as he's putting the ball on the ground, he's hitting the ball over the fence plenty. He's hitting the ball over the fence more than he has

since he was MVP, you know? So, I don't know. I think he's going to be fine. If people are worried about him, again, I'm not sure how worried people really are, given that it's a 35 home or 30 steel pace, but I would treat Yelich as a by-low. He's one guy I have not been able to move Pete Crowe Armstrong ahead of.

All right, some leftovers here, starting with the pitchers, Matthew Boyd, Renel Blanco, Griffin Canning, all pitched solid here on Monday. Was there anything that stood out with any of those three? Boyd, Blanco, I don't think any of the three are more than solid. And Canning just like, it seems like it's five innings every time. Yeah, for sure.

Like they just, the things that make the Mets good at developing and getting the most out of their pitchers is also the thing that makes them not want to let Griffin Canning throw into the sixth inning. You know, like, I think those two things are just like, you can't separate them. So I think that's going to be an issue all season. But I think he's going to be solid. I think Matthew Boyd is maybe a little bit better than we've let on this season. He's got three pitches that all look pretty solid under the hood, fastball slider change up. Three earn runs are fewer in all seven starts. He's got a quality start in four of seven.

And he pitches on a really, really good team with the Cubs. I mean, the numbers I care about most all looked pretty bad for Boyd prior to this start. They were good in this start. And he's another pitcher who, okay, what was so much better? Why was Boyd so much better in this start? Oh, gee, he threw 68% of his bitches for strikes and walked nobody. So if he could keep doing it, like, if he can improve the control, fine. But he's, apart from this start, hadn't been missing bats at a very good rate

and had been walking batters at a high rate. And I just think the list of players who can succeed, who could have even like a mid-3 ZRA while doing both of those things is very, very short. All right, so I'm hitting leftovers. Shohei Otani is on a heater right now. One for four with a sock and a shoe. His last nine games, he's hitting 382 with three homers and five steals. Bobby Witt Jr. is picking things up. Two for three with a walk and two steals.

He's up to 11. Power down a little bit so far to start the season. Pete Alonzo continues his awesome start. Two for four with his ninth homer. Lindor, nice to see he's avoided a slow start because normally he does. Kind of start slowly here, but one for four with his seventh homer. And Corbyn Carroll, the strikeout rate, I notice, has kind of crept up here in recent weeks, but two for four with his 10th home run. So hopefully he can get back on track a little bit.

Obviously, he came out like gangbusters, but yeah, let's pay attention to that strikeout rate. That's what happens during a baseball season, the ebb and flow. Oh, yeah. It's going to happen to your favorite player next. Oh, sorry, Judge. He's a machine. It can't be stopped. Maybe not Aaron Judge, but any other player.

Yeah. Bobby Witt, I will just kind of wonder aloud if, remember he got hit on the like forearm, I think it was before the season. I wonder if maybe that's contributed to, you know, bit of a slow power start here. But as the weather heats up, I think he'll be fine. It's just, I noticed the quality of contact is down for Bobby Witt to start this season. Call to the bullpen for the Yankees.

My goodness. Devin Williams entered in the. eighth inning with a three-run lead. Strikeout, walk, single, strikeout, walk. He left with the bases loaded. Luke Weaver came in, give up a two-run double, followed by a two-run single. The Yankees wind up losing four to three. He has now given a blown save for Luke Weaver.

Devin Williams has now given up 60% as many runs as Clay Holmes did all last season. And I saw the stat from Katie Sharp on X. Yankees now have five losses when leading in the eighth inning or later this season. That is the most in Major League Baseball. So there goes that. For the Padres, Robert Torres secured his league leading 14th save. For the Royals, Carlos Estavis picked up his 10th. For the Cardinals, Ryan Helsley picked up his sixth.

And for the Mets, Edwin Diaz picked up his eighth save of the season. To stream or not to stream on Tuesday, we have. Justin Verlander at the Cubs, Andrew Abbott at the Braves, Colin Ray versus the Giants, Matthew Liberator versus the Pirates, Tyler Anderson facing the Blue Jays, Jeffrey Springs, home against the Mariners. Yeah, Liberator and Anderson are the only ones I could get on board with, I think.

Wesneski at the Brewers, maybe, I don't know. If you have to pick a third. Yeah, and I don't love any of them. I guess Liberator was in my sleeper pitchers for the week, but yeah, Liberator Anderson, Wesnesty third. I really don't like any Wednesday options. Well, let's talk about it.

Ben Brown is facing the Giants. Halk is home against the Rangers. Michael Walker gets the White Sox. That's fun. Yeah, that's the only one. Yeah. I think he's just under rostered at 65%. But yeah.

I will be watching this Quinn Preetzer start very closely. Because if he has another bad one, I think Logan Henderson's coming back. And I'm kind of rooting for it because I have him in a few leagues. Yeah, me too. What's the other guy's name? Jacob Miziarowski. Miziarowski.

Yeah. He's starting to get some hype too, though. And Brandon Woodruff, could be back soon too. Oh, yeah, that's true. He's pretty close. Now, I don't think he looks right. His velocity is down a couple miles per hour.

Yeah. But they'll obviously give him a chance. Nizzerowski's not on the 40-man roster, so I think Henderson has a clear advantage over him. Yep. All right, let's wrap up with Team Name Tuesday. We'll go a little bit longer here. This one's from Brian, say my vest.

Yeah, made of real gorilla's chest. From Nathan, the Scooby Woo's. That's how the song goes. I have no idea what song you're talking about. You're the music guy, Chris. Montgomery Burns. It's like, it's sort of like, because he takes, he takes Santa's little helper's litter of greyhounds and is going to use them to make clothes.

So it's kind of a 101 Dalmatians thing. And he's going through his wardrobe of the different animals he's made into clothes. And it's, but it's kind of like a be my guest thing, see my vest. So, yeah. Okay. Okay. Yeah. This one's from Nathan the Scooby Woo's.

Yep. Yeah. From Colin, Job's illusions. They're not tricks, Michael. Psycho Millers. Illusions, Michael. Psycho Millers, get the save. Psycho Millers, get the same.

That's going. Got it. Cossus of pain. That's a pretty relevant one right now, I guess for the wrong reasons. From Ryan, Hayes-Sal sister. my least favorite song of all time, yeah. Boob. I can't say that one.

No, no, do that one. Yeah, I said it. I read it like midway through. I was like, oh,

no, I can't say that. Pablo Honey. That's just the name of a radio head album. Yep. Yep. And you're such a little bibi. Yep.

Okay. From Jonah. These are giants themed. That one. Rup, there it is. Yep. Hooligans.

Yep. Food. Cheese cheese. Oh, yeah. Cheese curts. Oh, love a cheese. God, cheese curts are so good.

Very good. Green, bregs, and ham. Yep. Is there a ham? There's Jadenham and the miners for the Tigers. Yeah. All right.

These work better if you switch based on if you win or lose. It's so over and we're so Schwellenbach. Yep. From Mateo. Snells like Veen Spirit. Yep.

Put the Apple Corps in Apple Corbin. Sure Fletch Nimmuzine Yep Get in Lazzardo We're going shopping Get in loser Yeah I get that

Shopping Yeah This one's from These are from Joe Raleigh around the family With a pocket full of shells Yeah With a pocket full of snill

Boom The Twin Towers Yep The Butler did it That's a classic. From Dan, I probably should not read that first one. Alex Chisholm. I mean, it's a good one.

I just want to say it's a good replacement's reference. You could say it if you want. I mean, if you're not going to say it, I'm not going to say it. I'm not getting fired. I will Dario. I don't get it. Kinley on the bus. I feel like I'm, I think.

think these are all replacements references. So yeah. Yeah, they are. Hold me Liles? Question more? Yeah. Answering matching. Yeah.

And Littel Mascara. Yeah. Yeah, because there's Alex Chilton. Yeah, I get it. I get those. And this last one's from Tyler. Smelly de la Shues. Sure.

Which I feel like we've heard before. That's pretty good one. All right. Yeah. Scott is. flabbergasted right now. We are going to wrap. I can't process them as quickly as Chris.

And we just end up talking over each other. So you can have them. Yeah. I mean, I understand like 20% of the team names that we get. But that's why Chris is here. Here's a couple more replacements ones before we go. You got Tim.

That's an easy one. That's just any player named Tim. You're welcome. And let it by B. Hey, hey, we're going to wrap there for Scott and Chris. I am Frank. Thanks as always for tuning in to fantasy baseball today. Please make sure to follow and leave a five-star rating on Apple or Spotify.

And we will be back again tomorrow. Bye-bye. Paramount Podcasts.