Fantasy Baseball Today - Reds Promote Chase Burns, Jacob Misiorowski Looks Legit & More! (6/23 Fantasy Baseball Podcast)

Episode Date: June 23, 2025

Big news! The Reds are promoting top prospect Chase Burns (2:18). ... Jacob Misiorowski started his career with 11 no-hit innings (8:43). ... Jose Soriano is on fire (12:21). ... Clarke Schmidt threw seven no-hit innings Saturday (16:53). ... Cal Raleigh is having a historic season (18:43)! ... News (22:52): Chris Sale went on the IL with a fractured left rib cage. ... Who are the top waiver wire pitchers from the weekend (33:57)? ... Logan O'Hoppe is picking things back up (45:21). ... Start or sit these pitchers (53:53)? ... These hitters are having a big June (1:01:30). ... We wrap up with leftovers, bullpen updates and streamers (1:04:27). 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. 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. Hey there, welcome into Fantasy Baseball today on Monday, June 23rd. I am Frank Stamphill, joined by Scott White.

Today on the show, we have another big prospect promotion. Jacob Mizirowski looks pretty legit. We've got a rough weekend for catcher injuries, waiver ads, injury replacements, all that fun stuff and much more. But Scott, let's begin with the big news. The Reds are promoting their top prospect. Chase Burns, 22 years old, second overall pick in last year's draft. He was crushing the miners. A 177 ERA, a 0.77 whip, K-per-9 over 12.

this is a very hard fastball an amazing slider looks like he'll start Tuesday against the Yankees what do you got? What's the scouting report on Chase Burns must add, must start right away what do you think?

Yeah, I would say definitely must add if you can still get him obviously this news is over 24 hours old now so I imagine I imagine he's been picked up close to everywhere at this point but if he hasn't great go get him

I'm ranking him 41st at starting pitcher right away, so that's the degree of confidence. That puts him on the border of must-start range. His first start is against the Yankees in a one-start week. So, you know, you might play it safe just to see how he acclimates to the majors. But I think Chase Burns has the potential to be the most impactful call-up of all for fantasy because we have seen high-end pitching-pitching prospects in general, have an easier transition to the majors than hitting prospects in recent years. And Chase Burns, consensus top pitching prospect in baseball at the time of this promotion.

Of course, he was very high coming into the year also, but nobody had actually seen him pitch at the professional level yet. The Reds drafted him, just like the pirates did with Paul Skeen's two years ago. They drafted them and then put him on ice for the rest of that year, waited until the following year to have. him make his professional debut and he only lasted a matter of months in the miners made easy work at three different stops did chase burns did you give the numbers already yes between okay yeah i mean 170 are a point seven seven whip i'm going to give him again i'd be part of it is okay we knew he had a great fastball we knew he had a great slider both of them got 70 grades from baseball America prior to the season.

I imagine those scores might have gone up now that we've seen them in action. But the control Chase Burns showed right away. His strike rate between those three minor league stops, 68.1 percent, bettered by only five major league qualifiers, that number, 68.1 percent. And his 17.7 percent swinging strike rate bettered by no, qualifiers. Now, obviously, that's against minor leaguers, but still, it goes to show you, like, there's no other minor leaguers doing that got as stuff either. Well, there probably are, but, you know, it's really good is the point. And I think this is for good. I think this keeps for Chase Burns.

Obviously, unless he falls flat on his face, which is frankly the least of my concerns, but it's possible, theoretically possible he could fall on his face. But if that doesn't happen, I think Chase Burns is here to stay because Wade Miley who wasn't much of an obstacle to begin with he just went on the aisle with a flexor strain originally the Red said they were going to call up Chase Petty to replace him. We've seen that movie before

it didn't go so well. But then they ended up calling Chase Petty up Saturday using him in relief. They also used Nick Martinez in relief in that game so it sounds like that was just a one day thing and that he's still in the rotation. But it wouldn't surprise me if they're kind of souring on him in that role too.

And let me see here if I can find the exact quote for you. Okay, so this is from Red's general manager, Brad Maydor. I wish I'd looked up that name before. But anyway, this is what he had to say about Chase Burns. You never know for sure when the time is right, but he's had as good a first year as you could hope. he's passed every test. We've moved him to every level and he continues to get better and stronger.

We feel like now is the right time for him and for us. We feel like he's ready and we have a spot open. He gives us the best chance. Now, that doesn't sound to me like it's a spot start, you know. It sounds to me like we're going to run with them for as long as it lasts. And I don't know, he may face an innings complication later in the year. He hadn't taken on the workload Paul Skeen's had in his, college career.

But the Reds are on the verge of the playoff race right now. And these are going to be meaningful innings, Chase Burns is throwing at least for the foreseeable future. So I think all that adds up to me putting them just outside my top 40

at starting pitcher. Yeah, I mean, that is a worthy ranking of Chase Burns, who, as we pointed out, I mean, the minor league numbers are just awesome and everything the eye test looks like he's ready. And just to think about a rotation that's headed by Hunter Green and Chase Burns when Hunter Green is healthy,

I mean, that is some pretty fun stuff there for the Reds. So Chase Burns getting called up this week, faces the Yankees' first time out in Great American Ballpark. Maybe you play it safe. Obviously, Yankees lineup has been inconsistent recently. They've struggled, but obviously I've put up some big games of season as well.

So I totally get it if you want to kind of play it safe. there but yeah anywhere where he's available chase burns he's up to 76% rostered on cbs but 10 team leagues points leagues anywhere where he's out there if you play on yahoo esPN go at chase burns because this is a massive massive talent here so and i just want to add like i wouldn't be afraid to start it against the yankees i i don't think it's a must just out of an abundance of caution but he went seven innings in his final triple a start so this wasn't a minor leag or going four and five innings as they were, you know, being really careful managing his workload. He's, he's ready to go the distance.

Yep, 100%. Again, that is Chase Burns. Let's get into the rest of this weekend's action. Oh, my goodness gracious. Oh, my goodness gracious, players of the weekend. Jacob Mizirowski, Scott, I'm going to start there, who took a no-hitter into the seventh inning at the Twins. He wound up going six plus, one hit, two runs, six strikeouts, only nine whiffs here on

86 pitches, but I mean, it is abundantly clear that the stuff here is nasty for Jacob Mizirowski, who made Willie Castro swing out of his shoes, basically. The guy like swung, hit the floor immediately. It was just crazy, crazy stuff that we're seeing here from Mizirowski. Love that he threw 70% of his pitches for strikes here in his second start, limited the hard contact, and started his career with 11 straight no-hit innings. The first MLB starting pitcher to do so since the expansion era 1961 there with Mizzerowski. So if you picked him up, I think it's, we're kind of bordering on

Mustar Territory, I think with Mizziurowski as well, Scott. And this week, we get him against Paul Skeens on Wednesday. So buckle up. That should be an amazing one here. Mizirowski has been awesome so far. Yeah, he has. And I think he is bordering on Mustart. I think the

beyond just the obvious stat line where he's like given up no hits through two starts practically and you know just looked great two great starts in a row to begin his major league career two starts you couldn't ask for much more that's obviously very surface level

and speaks for itself I don't want to diminish it that is the that is the most notable thing about Jacob Mizorowski so far but because I am paid to say more than just the obvious, I do want to note that he has missed surprisingly few bats so far. His fastball specifically has a whiff rate below 20%. It's not a big deal.

And his most, the pitch that has the highest whiff rate is a slider with 33%, which is just, you know, for a best pitch, it's not that high. It's not a big deal. It really isn't. But it's something I'm going to keep an eye on. Because if it continues throughout his rookie season, it will have me scratching my head a bit, given how good the stuff is for Mizorowski.

So I'm just pointing it out. All right. All right, Scott. I get it. I get it. But it's only two starts. I know it is. But I'm saying it's two starts that, in theory,

like, how could you ask for more? He's given up a combined one hit in those two starts. So it's just, it's kind of surprising he isn't, I don't know. It was great in the first start, 14 whiffs on 86 pitches. It was nine on 86 in the second start. I understand. I just, it just made me saying, hmm, you know, am I supposed to keep it to myself?

No, I mean, that's what we are here to do. Yeah, we'd like to see more whiffs. But obviously they were there in the first start and just watching him. I mean, the stuff looks nasty. So I would bet on more whiffs coming for Mizirowski. And against the Pirates this week, I think he should be able to generate some whiffs in that start as well. And because it looks like he's sticking around and he's so good, Scott,

we have a sound bite for Mizirowski. Here we go. Because I'm the- He has been pretty awesome. All right, Scott, let's get into your player of the weekend. Jose Soriano did it again. He's looked great. Yeah, he has.

This is three starts in a row. I'm regretting bringing up the Mizirau. Rowski thing. I don't know. I don't know. Can we just restart the podcast? I feel like people are going to be like, ah, Mizorowski hater, which I shouldn't care what people say, but like it actually isn't a big deal. It just was, it just made me say, hmm, and that was the note I had on Mizorowski. So I'm sorry. You're definitely going to hear from people on that, Scott, but. I'm sorry I did it. I'm sorry. objectively speaking, you are right that one start had a bunch of whiffs

and one start didn't. So you're just pointing that out. Yeah, I know, but like, you know, am I just supposed to sit here and be a computer spitting out facts? No. No, I'm not. Mizorowski. He's awesome. All right, let's talk about Jose Soriano.

Yeah, so this is three great starts in a row and it's getting real, you know? A three-star trend. Like, arguably he just had the three best starts of his career, all consecutively here. Two of them, double-digit strikeouts, including this latest one against the Astros. And specifically in this start against the Astros,

Jose Soriano, he got a lot of whiffs on both his curveball. 10 of the 19 came on the curveball, but also five came on his slider, which he threw only 10% of his 10% of the time. And for the season, its usage is less than 10%. But it has a great whiff rate that slider.

It has his best width rate of any pitch. And so if we're starting to see Jose Soriano incorporate that slider more, and if it's playing off what had been his best pitch the curveball more than, or at least his best with pitch the curveball. If it's playing off his curveball well, then I don't know.

there may be another level here for Soriano, who is already the best ground ball pitcher in baseball, as I've pointed out before. He's also been throwing more strikes during this stretch, which makes a big difference. Blocks have been one of his biggest Achilles heels since joining the rotation. For what it's worth, Soriano credits this three-start surge on mechanics.

He's short up his mechanics. He said he didn't go into more specifics than that, but he shored up his mechanics. Logan O'Hoppy, his catcher, said that right now his whole arsenal is working. There have been times this year where one pitch was going great, but not the other. He's saying they're all working right now.

I'm presuming he has the slider in mind when he's saying that. Because I think, as many of bats as that pitch is, missing on its own, it does seem to be a legitimate weapon here for Soriano now. So I would say that between him beginning to broaden his arsenal and throwing strikes more here recently and already the existing ground ball skills, there is a lot to like here about Soriano. And I have him among my sleeper pitchers again for this week. the team he is facing is the Nationals. So kind of a middling offense there.

You know, if he's still available, I'm not saying pick him up over Chase Burns or anything, but are he still available? Jose Soriano is on a nice run. Yeah, I think definitely behind Chase Burns here for Jose Soriano, but the last three starts just to put numbers to it. 20 and two-thirds innings, two runs, 28 strikeouts to six walks.

So, yeah, Soriano is figuring things out. right now. He gets the nationals this week, 69% rostered. I would say after Chase Burns, though, he's probably at the top of the list of names that are somewhat available. Like, of the waiver wire pitchers that we'll talk about later, I would say that I'm probably most excited about Jose Soriano there. So as we'll learn, Chris Sale, big injury from this weekend. You do need replacements there. If you lost Chris Sale, I think, you know, Jose Soriano is a name that you can look at for this week and perhaps beyond that as well. Do want to bring up one more pitcher here, Scott,

big performance this weekend. Clark Schmidt, who has pulled with a no-hitter after seven innings against the Orioles, just two walks, five strikeouts. Didn't have many whiffs here. Of course, we want more wifts. Eight wifts on 103 pitches, but this is a great little stretch here that Clark Schmidt is on three scoreless outings in a row. It's 20 and two-thirds shutout innings, six hits, five walks,

15 strikeouts during that span. overall numbers. He's down to a 284 ERA, a 106 whip. And so I just wanted to highlight a great start for Clark Schmidt this weekend. Kind of wish they let him try for the no hitter. But he's someone that's kind of been steadily moving up the pitcher rankings over the past month or so, at least for me. Yeah, I mean, for good reason. So last three starts, he's allowed a total of no runs on six hits, six hits in 20 and two-thirds innings for a guy who has a fly ball rate around 46% that's pretty high and that's a good way to avoid hits. Fly balls don't often turn into hits unless their home runs, but well, average exit velocity against Clark Schmidt only 87.8 miles per hour,

pretty low. So good combination for hit prevention there, high fly ball rate, low average exit velocity. and yeah, he's looking good. I think Clark Schmidt is somebody who needs to be rostered almost everywhere now. Yep, and 72% started on CBS, 89% rostered for Schmidt. I would be okay getting him in there against the athletics this week. I don't know that he's like a must-star pitcher yet. The athletics can be dangerous at times too. They put together some big home run performances,

but the way Schmidt is pitching right now, definitely want to get him in there. And one more name, I just got to mention Scott. The big dumper, Cal Raleigh. He is insane, man. Four more homers this weekend. Massive game on Friday. Three for four, two homers, one steal in that game.

Last five games total, it's 10 hits, five homers, 10 runs, 12 RBI, two steals. He has 31 homers here on June 23rd. I mean, it is just been a magical season for Cal Rale who, I think Chris and I spoke about this last week. he's putting together the best fantasy season by a catcher ever right now. I don't think he's going to keep this pace up, but I would have said the same thing a month ago, and he just kind of kept doing it.

So I have moved him up to my number one catcher, Scott. Are you there yet? Yeah, I moved him up when I updated the rankings last week also. And you're exactly right. I mean, we keep saying, oh, yeah, he's going to slow down. It hasn't happened yet. he's now 17 away from the record, the single season record for most home runs by a guy who primarily played catcher. That was Salvador Perez a few years ago, of course, hitting 48.

But it seems like a slam dunk, Cal Raleigh's going to get there, right? Is he going to hit 60 home runs as a catcher? I would strongly bet against it. But, you know, career low strikeout rate, career high, pull. air rate, which it's always, it had always been very high for him, but 37.4% is about the highest I've seen. I don't have a leaderboard to see if he actually leads the league in that, but that is a dark red color on baseball savant. So he is, he's always had a swing for home runs, but he's leaning into it even more this year and we're seeing the results. Yeah. Would be cool to get the first 50

home run season by a catcher and looks like we are trending towards that right now. And Look, I still think Aaron Judge is the leader for ALMVP, but man, Cal Raleigh is, he's making a little bit closer here, so. Didn't he win Platinum Glove last year? Cal Raleigh? Yeah, as like the best defensive player regardless of position. He might have, let's see, platinum glove, Cal Raleigh. Yeah. That's a lot of defensive value there, too.

Yeah, he did for the American League last year, so how about that? Massive, massive. season there from Cal Raleigh. Big thanks to those watching us live on YouTube. We do appreciate you being here. Make sure to hit that like button and subscribe. If you have it already, let's take a break and we'll be back right after this. Welcome back in fantasy baseball today. Let's hit the news and notes from the weekend and already mentioned this one, but a big loss as Chris Sale went on the aisle with a fractured left rib cage on Saturday. He made a diving play in the ninth inning of Wednesday's start and apparently that is when he suffered the injury. Brian Snicker

said he has no idea how long this will be. Scott, any timeline that we throw out there would be just pure speculation, but have you seen or heard or thought at all about how long this could be for Chris Sale? How long it could be? I mean, theoretically, it could be the rest of the season. Rib injury can be tough, especially for pitchers.

I think I read that the, I don't think I read this. I read this, but that the average rib fracture for a pitcher is like a two-month absence. But it can be shorter. It can be shorter. And I am hopeful it'll be shorter for a few reasons. One, Chris sailed in it so much as wince on that diving stop where he apparently suffered

the fracture. And he stayed in the game and struck out the next batter for a really good one. And Pete Alonzo started feeling it the next day, apparently. which, you know, a fracture rib can be really painful. So that makes me hopeful it's not as severe as the typical one. And two, the Braves are not offering a timetable. They say they're waiting until the symptoms subside for sale before speculating when he'll return, which tells me they're hopeful also that'll be on the shorter end.

but, you know, realistically, it could be, it could be a couple months. Mm-hmm. You have to be prepared for that possibility. So, if you need replacements for this week, sleeper pitchers that are also on the website right now, Shane Smith, Matthew Liberator, Chad Patrick, Hayden Birdsong, Michael Waka, Jose Soriano, Eduardo Rodriguez, Justin Verlander, Ben Brown, and Will Warren. Of course, again, if Chase Burns is out there, please go at him, and that would, that should be a pretty good

Chris Sale replacement right there. Corbyn Carroll has missed four straight with a bruise left hand and we'll undergo an MRI on Monday. Whatever we hear about the MRI should determine whether or not we play him this week, Scott. But which way are you leaning just what we know right now? Start or sit Corbyn Carroll. I mean, because he's Corbyn Carroll,

I want to, I really want to start him. But based on what we know now, if there aren't any updates and if you have a good alternative, in the outfield, which a lot of those five outfielder leagues, you don't. But if it's three outfielder league, you have a good alternative. You might have to play it safe. All right. It appears that Fernando Tatsis Jr. avoided serious injury after getting hit by a pitch on his hand.

On Thursday, he started all three games this weekend, and he homered on Saturday. So good news there. Rough weekend for catchers. Adley Rutchman went on the I.O. with a strained left oblique. He's expected to remain out through the All-Star break. Yvon Herrera is dealing with a great two strain. of his left hamstring and is expected to miss, this is a pretty wide range.

Anywhere from two to six weeks, and that came from Yvonne Herrera himself. So Pedro Pahez will be the main catcher in the meantime there in St. Louis. The Mets option, Francisco Alvarez, to AAA on Sunday. He was hitting just 236 with three home runs. Luis Torrens will take over as the starter for now

for the New York Mets. And Gabriel Moreno, who went on the aisle Thursday, was diagnosed with a hairline fracture in his right pointer finger. So some bad news right in hell, Scott, for catchers. And I think some of the more obvious replacements, at least in one catcher leagues, Alejandro Kirk, Augustine Ramirez,

and Tyler Stevenson look like the three best that I could see. Three really good ones. Yeah. So I want to complain about that. In fact, I have a healthy catcher in a one catcher league, pretty notable one in JT. Real Muto. I put in a claim to, drop him for Alejandro Kirk.

It was in a points league. And I don't think I'd do that in a roto league. But, you know, they're pretty close either way. So he would be, he would be my top choice in a points league of those names you mentioned, even over Ramirez. I'd probably go Ramirez in a roto league. Or a categories league, I should say.

Yeah. Yeah, I think that makes sense there. Bryce Harper progressed to soft toss on Saturday. He continues to gradually ramp up baseball activities while recovering from right wrist inflammation. Nathan Avaldi threw around 50 pitches in three simulated innings of live BP and could be activated sometime this week. Kind of feels too risky to start, Scott,

unless we get confirmation on Monday. Hey, of all these back, he's starting this game. Unless if we don't get that confirmation, I think I would play it safe, not start him this week. Well, I read that Friday is the target date for him to return. Okay. So I don't know if that's enough for you. I mean, he's still coming back from missing several weeks and not having a rehab assignment.

So I imagine that the start will be on the shorter side. I'd prefer to sit avaldi even with the expectation he starts Friday. Alex Bregman has begun his baseball activities progression. He's on the IL with a strained right quad. It sounds like he could return without a rehab assignment as well. Show to Imanaga's next start will come with the Cubs. This week, he got up to 72 pitches in his last rehab start on Friday. Scott, do you start Chote Imanaga in his first start back?

I mean, at least he's had a real rehab assignment, so I'd be a little more likely to than Evaldi. Generally, unless it's like, you know, ace, true ace level talent. And Iimanaga wasn't pitching like that before the injury. He's strikeout rate was way down this year. I'd prefer to play it safe. Robert Suarez was issued a three-game suspension after hitting Otani with a pitch Thursday night. Suarez is appealing the suspension.

Luke Weaver was activated Friday, and Aaron Boone said Weaver and Devin Williams will both see save chances moving forward. Luke Weaver blew the game in the eighth inning on Friday, and then Devin Williams picked up the save on Sunday. So, I mean, that's one notch in the favor of Devin Williams, Scott, but this sounds like it could be maybe a frustrating situation for fantasy. Yeah, I don't expect it to last.

I think it's Devin Williams. That's my honest feeling. All right. Wyatt Langford missed Friday and Saturday with back stiffness, but returned to the lineup on Sunday. Michael King said Friday, he's very confident that he'll pitch again this year. The pinched nerve that he's dealing with is to the long thoracic nerve,

which is rarely encountered in baseball injuries. The Padres are currently in the discovery phase of the injury, and King has seen several specialists across the country. So while I appreciate his optimism, I don't know that anybody really knows what's going on with this Michael King injury. So I don't know when he's going to be back. We'll see. Tyler Goss now began a rehab assignment at AAA on Sunday.

AJ Puck underwent Tommy John surgery last week. Max Scherzer will make his Blue Jays debut this Wednesday against the Guardians. And he said, quote, my stuff is fine. I'm trying everything I can to manage this thumb. make sure I can recover. There's no knowing, just have to get out there, which is pretty much how we've been operating. It's everything that we've said about Max Scherzer. I think I would pretty clearly put him definitely behind Chase Burns, but I think I would put Scherzer behind even Jose Soriano, who's pitching well right now soon. Yeah, I agree. I mean, he didn't sound

Scher himself didn't sound optimistic that he'd be able to avoid any recurrences with the thumb there. And yeah, I think it's amazing how he basically, like almost verbatim, he said what we've been saying on the podcast about the thumb and the concern level there. And you hope for the best. There's still talent. But it's been a long time since he's been able to string together enough starts for you to really trust him. Jake Berger was placed on the aisle with a strain left oblique. The Rangers were called Justin Foske you from AAA, but it sounds like Ezekiel Duran will see the

majority of playing time at first base in the meantime. Jordan Westberg was out of the lineup Sunday with a sprained left index finger. The Orioles are hopeful he'll return in two to three days. Scott, what do you do with Jordan Westberg this week? We'll probably sit him. I mean, two to three days

you're talking about a missing half the week potentially in a deep enough league that may be good enough because the alternatives are so bad, but I think in most cases as you sit Westberg. Roki Sasaki has restarted his throwing program by playing catch from 60 to 90 feet. Aaron Boone said that Luis Heel is on track to return in late July or early August.

He's been out all season with a lat injury, 54% rostered if you want to stash Luis Heel. The twins scratch Willie Castro from Sunday's lineup due to right wrist soreness. Tyler O'Neill resumed a rehab assignment Sunday at High A. He's been out since May 18th with a left shoulder impingement. and O'Neill is 44% rostered. Just feels like a name to stash in Roto Leagues for now with the five outfield spots there. Yeah, agreed.

Christian Campbell, who was demoted on Friday, will primarily focus on learning first base at AAA. Ryan Yarbrough went on the aisle with a right oblique strain. Alan Weinens will start Monday against the Reds and formerly of your Atlanta Braves. Scott, I know you have done the Alan Weinins experience, but his minor league numbers, season are awesome. So I the most likely scenario is this doesn't work out, but I'm at least a little

intrigued in deeper leagues just to see what he could do. The miners this season 0.90 ERA 1.04 web 10.6k per 9 for Alan Wyden's. Yeah, probably not. He's a journeyman and he's almost 30, right? So probably not and you certainly wouldn't want to run him out there right away. But no, He had a couple of quality outings in his spot stars for the Braves, and I don't think it's a total pushover in those minor league numbers. You know, the Yankees have done some interesting things with minor league pitchers over the years. It's possible there's something new here. And some other names who went on the aisle this weekend,

Jorge Solair with backsornis, Davis Martin, with a right forearm strain, and Hunter Dobbins with a right elbow strain. Let's get into the waiver wire pitchers from the weekend again. If you need some Chris Sale replacement, Hopefully this can help. Some names here in shallower leagues. Will Warren turned in a quality start against the Orioles. Six and a third innings, two runs with six strikeouts.

He gets the athletics this week and one of Scott's sleeper pitchers. You say Kukuchi had a great start against the Astros, seven innings, two runs with nine strikeouts to zero walks. Completely changed a pitch mix in this one. Had 18 whiffs on 103 pitches. So a pretty good one there from Yusei Kikuchi. Jose Soriano, who we spoke about. and then Clayton Kirshaw, who was solid against the Nationals, five innings, two runs, four strikeouts.

He has allowed just a total of three earned runs over his last three starts. All four names here, Scott, between 70 and 80% rostered. But how would you rank this group? Will Warren, Yusay Kakucci, Jose Soriano, and Clayton Kirshaw. I would rank them. I would rank them as follows. Jose Soriano? Will Warren

who yeah turns in another nice effort six inning effort those have been rare for him following the 11 strikeouts last time and a great fastball which you know I love so Jose Soriano then Will Warren

you say Cacucci and Clayton Cershal I just I don't I cursell may do a decent enough job at run prevention but I think the outings going to be short pretty much always and the strikeout rate's not going to be that impressive. And I just don't think, I think the good he does for you and his good starts is going to be too little to move you, really. And then there's always the risk of things just going sideways one start and you regretting ever picking him up.

So I'm kind of, like he's a distant fourth. I basically have no interest in Kershaw. But Jose Soriano, Will Warren, and to a lesser degree you say Kukuchi. with the way he changed his pitch mix here against the Astros. It's at least kind of interesting. Yeah, so that pitch mix for Kikuchi, he threw his curveball a lot more, 30% usage. It was his most used pitch in this one.

Typically a pitch he only uses around 12% of the time. And that curve got eight of his 18 whiffs. So changing things up here in a matchup against the Astros, a team that doesn't really strike out too much. So pretty interesting stuff there from Kikuchi. I do think, yeah, third on this list at the highest is where I would rank Kukuchi as well. Let's move on to the next group, which includes Brady Singer, who took a tough luck loss at the Cardinals, six innings, one run, seven strikeouts for him. Lucas Jolito turned in a quality start at the giant six innings, four runs, but only two of those were earned with five strikeouts.

He has a quality start in three straight. Jeffrey Springs, a great start against the Guardian, seven and a third, with one run allowed, six strikeouts, 17 whiffs on 104. pitches and Brian Beow a quality start at the Giants six innings three runs only one of those earned uh with six strikeouts he has four quality starts in a row uh Scott how are you ranking this group Beio Springs Gialito and Brady singer boy Gialito there had been some velocity gains in recent start but everything but his fastball's fastball was fine and that's the main pitch we've been looking at but the slider was down almost two miles per hour seven whiffs on 83 pitches obviously not that impressive.

Good outing just in terms of, you know, it was technically a quality star, but I don't know. He's kind of, I kind of don't know what to think with him. Brian Beow had a nice follow-up here and again leaned on that cutter that I know Chris was hyping up as a way to counteract left-handed batters, right, they had kind of ruined Bayo in the past, but might have an effective weapon. Well, you know, so far two out of two starts showing that.

But in terms of actual ranking, I am going to say, I'm going to say Gialito 1, even though he's confusing, I still think there's the most upside there. Springs 2. He's been pretty reliable basically since the start of May. Got a lot of widths on the change-up in this latest start. Then I will go, I'll go Bayo 3rd and Springer or Singer, excuse me.

Bayo 3rd and then Brady Singer 4th. Springer and Singer both on this list, huh? That makes it confusing. Okay, Gialito, Springer, Bayo, Singer. All right, next group includes Landon Rup, who had a great start against the Red Sox, six shot-out innings with seven strikeouts, had 13 whiffs on 90 pitches. And over his last seven starts, it's a 250 ERA, but also a 136 whip.

At the White Sox this week, definitely liked that matchup for Landon Rup. Luis Ortiz, a great start at the athletics, six shutout innings with 10 strikeouts, which tied a season high. He had 14 whiffs on 92 pitches, and he is home against the Cardinals this week. Michael Soroka, an impressive outing against the Dodgers, five and a third. Three runs allowed, 10 strikeouts had 15 whiffs on 85 pitches and mixed in more sinkers and changeups in this start. So nice to see, you know, not just relying on two pitches there for Soroka. And Jose Cantana, kind of a weird quality start at the twins.

Six shot out innings, you like that. But four walks to one strikeout. He's got a 6K per nine this season. He's barely getting any whiffs. I don't know. He's finding a way to keep runs off the board, but not so sure I trust it. Great matchup this week, however, against the Rockies in Milwaukee. Scott, how would you rank this next group?

Jose Cantana, Michael Soroka, Luis Ortiz, and Linden Roup. I will go Ortiz one because he genuinely does have good strikeout ability. I mean, whether you're measuring it with the strikeouts themselves or the swinging strikes, the guardians have brought that out of him. And he got a better result against the athletics in terms of everything else in terms of run prevention. That had been an issue all season. I noticed he was throwing a sink or more.

But really, I think it was just everything was up a little bit. So I'm not like totally sanguine about Luis Ortiz. I think he's pretty, it's pretty scary starting him. But when there's that much strikeout potential, obviously higher ceiling. And he's at least contributing something useful, even if, even if he's bringing down your ERA and whips some because it's not like any of these other guys is a sure thing as far as that goes

Landon Roops had his ups and downs but I'd probably put him second and then Michael Soroka and then Jose Cantana All right in this last group we have Andre Palante with a strong start against the Reds six shot out innings with four strikeouts he had 12 whiffs on 87 pitches he has a quality start in two of his last three outings

Slade Cicconi a strong start at the Athletics, seven shutout innings with three strikeouts, also allowed 14 hard hits in this game. So perhaps a little bit lucky there for Slate Cicone. Adrian Houser, another quality start. This one at the Blue Jays, six and a third, two runs, four strikeouts, and velocity remains up around 1.5 miles per hour on all of his pitches this season. Adrian Houser has allowed three earned runs or fewer in all six of his starts. More so deep league names here, Scott, but do any standout?

Hauser, Slate, Cicconi, and Andre Palante. I think Cicconi might be better than everyone in the previous group. So this was, we actually got some length out of him this time, seven shutout innings. He had mostly been

pitching five innings at a time, and that had contained my interest. But if he's going to be able to work deeper into games, he got most of his wifts on the curveball in this one. It has a whiff rate over 50%.

And then the slider, which he throws more than the curveball, has a whiff rate over 40%. And anytime you've got a pitcher with two pitches better than a 40% whiff rate. I mean, that's rare

and speaks to the upside. I think the overall swinging strike rate is over 13% for Sikoni, which is also very good. So he's definitely piqued my interest here. And yeah, I might put, so I put another Guardian's pitcher Luis Ortiz number one in that previous,

group, I might take Sacconi over him. All right, well, can we drop either of these two pitchers? The dropometer for Zach Eflin, who got crushed by the Yankees this weekend, three innings, 10 hits, six earned runs, three homers allowed, and over his last two starts, I mean, this is a line, Scott. Eight innings, 22 hits, 13 runs allowed, five homers allowed. It's a pretty rough go here for Zach. Eflin, he's still 86% rostered.

Where is he on the dropometer? I mean, I haven't had a lot of love for Eflin, even dating back to the draft. So I'd be pretty okay with it. I guess, obviously, he's not as bad as he's shown his last two starts, but I don't think the upside is the kind you need to hold on for either. So I would go as high as maybe like an eight for Eflin. Yeah, I would be totally fine dropping him for Soriano, Will Warren. Either of those two.

Obviously, Chase Burns goes about saying, but I'll say it anyway. So yeah, anyone who pops up, that's pretty interesting. I'd be all right making that swap. I'll go seven instead of eight. It's a little high. All right. What about McAbel, who had a rough outing against the Mets, three innings, four runs, four homers allowed in this one,

and has three strikeouts or fewer in all four starts since rejoining the Phillies rotation. Still 69% rostered, Scott, are you okay dropping Mick Abel? Yeah, that's like a 9.5. I was dropping even into 15 teamers. All right. Let's take our final break. When we return, we'll run through some Waverwire hitters and the rest of this weekend's action.

We'll do that right after this. Welcome back in Fantasy Baseball today. Light weekend for WaverWire hitters, but let's run through. One more catcher replacement in shaller leagues. Logan O'Hoppie is waking back up, Two for four with two home runs on Saturday, one for three with his 17th home run on Sunday. His previous 17 games before Saturday, however, he was hitting 103 with one extra base hit and a 268 OPS.

So, man, he is among the most streaky hitters in baseball. At least he has been this season. 77% rostered, Scott, I think in shallower categories of leagues where you don't get penalized for strikeouts, I'm okay, you know, re-adding Logan O'Hopi if you need a replacement. But I also think that I would just take Agustin Ramirez straight up and probably Kirk over him in a points league too.

Yeah, I agree. Pretty much all O'Hopi can do is hit home runs. And so when he's not doing that, it's pretty ugly. He thinks he snapped out of that slump. He said he felt like he was overthinking things at the plate, you know, thinking about all the things. different mechanics and whatever and just kind of micro-analizing himself to death. And that was inhibiting him.

But, you know, all we've seen him do the past couple years is hit home runs and not get on base at a very good rate, which is odd because Logan O'Hoppy was one of the top walkers of any hitter in the minors. So it's just kind of strange the way he's, his major league career has unfolded so far. Two corner infielers that are heating up. Nolan Chanielers continues his strong June. He went three for five with his sixth home run, added four RBI on Sunday. And so far in June, he's hitting 300 with three homers, 16 RBI, two steals, an 866 OPS there.

And Nathaniel Lowe is picking things back up, two for five, with a double dong on Saturday and then hit his 13th home run on Sunday. I know the batting average in OPS are underwhelming here for Lowe, but 13 homers, 51 RBI on June 23rd. I mean, he's on pace for like, you know, 25 plus homers and 100 RBI. So that's, you know, pretty good season there from Nathaniel Lowe, Scott. Do you like either?

Who do you like more? Nolan Chaniel or Nathaniel Lowe? Lowe, I think, has more to offer overall. But batting average, I mean, Shaniel seems like he's going to be a plus contributor in that and he has his uses, I feel like. So I don't know that

let me think. What's a good comparison for for Shanuel? Maybe I don't know, maybe he's better than Jake Croninworth at this point who's not providing much power and hasn't in a couple years.

But Shaniel's I think clearly a better source of batting average. Can't play second base. like grown and worth. But yeah, I think that's how to value. It's just a unique profile here for Shaniel, right? Good batting average. He gets on base. Doesn't offer much power and speed. It's, you know, maybe we get 12 to 15 homers and I don't know, something like 8 to 10 steals. It's, again, it's useful. It's kind of a unique skill set for a first baseman. But yeah, not really anything that I guess is going to blow you away. Michael Tolley is someone that you were kind of hyping up

towards the end of last week, Scott, would you take Tolia over both of these corner infielders, Nolan Chaniel and Nathanielo? He has the lowest floor of all of them. So if, you know, in a deep enough league where if you were to turn any of those loose for Tolia, you'd just never get them again.

Yeah. Probably not. But yeah, and I think in the standard-sized league, the kind most people play in, uh, Toli is upside with the power potential is, enough that I chase that instead.

And two deep league hitters. We have Wenzell Perez continues to hit well for the Tigers, two for four with his sixth home run on Sunday. And so far in June, hitting 293, five homers, a 99 OPS for Perez. And Casey Schmidt has been hitting well for the Giants. Four for four with his fourth home run on Sunday. Last 11 games, he's hitting 370 with three homers,

13 run scored, two steals in OPS over 1,000. I don't think Casey Schmidt will have some more to play once Matt Chapman is back. Although, I guess they could give him run at second base. Tyler Fitzgerald has been pretty bad. But two deep league names here. Scott, any interest in Wenzell Perez or Casey Schmidt? A little more in Perez just because I think, particularly when you're talking to five outfield or league, a deeper road elite,

you have to go deeper into the outfield pool than the infield pool. and it's pretty, it gets pretty ugly out there in the deeper five outfielder leagues. So Perez, we kind of did this with him a little last year, too, got off to a hot start and quickly faded. He does have a pull air rate so far this year

about on the level of Cal Raleigh approaching 40%, which is insane. But in general, doesn't hit the ball that hard. I know the average exit velocity is kind of high right now because he's been so hot, but that's not really his MO. And I don't think there's a ton of upside here for Winciel Perez,

but producing and playing right now, and I think usable in those deeper five outfielder leagues. And I've noticed that in some of those deeper leagues right now, it is tough to find outfielder. So I think Perez has a little bit of upside the way he's hitting the ball right now, pulling it like you mentioned, and playing a good amount there for the Tigers. Way better pickup than him.

And I know he was out there on some of my, 15 Team 5 Outfielder League's Jirkson ProFar. Yeah. Like you can't start him this week, obviously, but by the middle of next week he'll be back and hitting second for the Braves. And, you know, we have our doubts about how it's going to go coming off this PED suspension. But I'd still bet on him being better than one C.L. Perez moving forward. I won Jorickson ProFar and Toulogat, which kind of stinks because the,

uh, the rules there. He has to go right into your lineup. So I'm taking a zero for the, this week, but excited about what he can do after that. I never dropped him in Tao Wars, which infinite IL spots made that easier, but I'm proud of myself. How much do you think I had to spend to get jerks in pro far? $1,000 fat budget, yeah. The bidding seemed constrained.

I just don't think he's, people have the headspace for him right now because he's not contributing, obviously. So out of 1,000, 45. 53. It's pretty good guess. Yeah. Yeah. I think that'll pay off.

Yeah. I also, I picked up Jacob Lopez for $74. So. Oh, that was high. Kind of an aggressive, but yeah, I thought people would be more aggressive on him. I think the next closest was 30 or something. So, yeah. Let's go, Jacob Lopez.

I hope he's good. He might be. Yeah. All right, let's get into some starter sit decisions for this week. and I've got some pitchers who, a little bit shaky right now. Jack Flaredy got crushed at Tampa Bay. Tampa Bay is also just a buzzsaw right now,

the best team in baseball since May 1st, and they're just hitting the crap out of the ball. Two in a third innings, eight runs allowed, three strikeouts here for Jack Flerty, and he's allowed 15-earned runs over his last two starts. Walks have been a problem. He just has not been as sharp as he was last season. Scott, 64% starts.

for Flaherty. He's home against the athletics this week. What do you think about using Jack Flaherty? It's probably fine. He didn't seem to have his curveball working in this latest start. It had three less inches of vertical break. And if that becomes an ongoing issue, it'll be a problem. But his numbers look a lot worse now than they did just two starts ago.

Two starts ago, he had a 341 ERA. His whip was, let's see, he had a combined. 76 walks and hits in 71 in a third inning. So the whip was great too. And I don't think you want to, I don't think you want to overreact to the two starts here. All right. What about Nick Povetta,

who is having a bit of a rough June here in the month so far, a 623 ERA, a 129 whip. And he is home against the nationals this week's guy. Any concern about Nick Povetta coming back to life, coming back to life, coming back down to Earth and facing the nationals this week. Well, the concern level isn't zero, but I'd still start him against the nationals.

His outing prior to this one was good. I understand three out of four have not been so good, but I haven't seen any red flags there other than just he's Nick Povetta and he's let us down before and maybe it's happening again. I need something a little more concrete than that to remove Povetta from my lineup

unless I'm just stacked at starting pitcher. All right, let's talk about Grant Holmes, who had himself a mixed start at the Barlands, five and two-thirds, shutout innings, five hits, five walks, five strikeouts, 13 whiffs on 96 pitches. All 13 of those came on the slider. But pretty rough to see the control

take a step back here, Scott. Grant Holmes has 60% started at the Mets this week, so tough matchup. What do you think about him? Well, I saw him from the 400 level. no the 300 level not the 400 level were your kids more excited that they didn't have to watch Bryce elder pitch they were they were pleased with that

and it was the one game the Braves won in that series unfortunately losing two or three to the marlins after sweeping the Mets not not a way to really get the Mo going turn your season around especially losing Chris Sale during it but look at this beautiful Flanagan's cup I got Mr. Flanagan wearing the Marlins hat. Oh, that's cool.

Yeah. I like that. Yeah. So, yeah, he walked too many guys. Holmes did. It's about to drink a sip of water, but then I realized I got to keep talking. He walked too many guys, and he can't do that. But I still think he's, I still think he's good.

He's not must start good, but he's must roster good. And the control gets away from him at times. but that slider misses a ton of bats. The curve ball does too, actually. I wish he'd throw it more. He threw it hardly at all in this start. But overall, I'm still pretty satisfied with Grant Holmes,

given the level of investment. All right. What about Sandy Alcancro, who turned in a quality start against the Braves, six innings three runs with four strikeouts here and actually doubled his slider usage and this one made it his most used pitch. It was okay for him here.

strong June so far 274 ERA a one whip on the nose for Sandy Alcansra he's at the D-backs this week he's only 55% started on CBS the D-backs are first in Woba against right-handed pitching Scott so

it's a nice stretch here for Sandy are we getting closer to just must-start territory what do you think with him I don't I don't think so I think we're closer to like you can you can use him if the matchups are there if you're just you know attritions hit you and you don't have

anyone better but he's on a bad team still he's not getting many strikeouts still uh yeah done a good job last four starts throwing more strikes that seems to be the biggest issue is a 64% strike rate in this latest start which isn't great but the previous three were all 65 or better and 64 is still an improvement from his season mark. So overall, Sandy Alcounter is trending the right direction. I just don't know that the upside is enough that I'm ever going to think of them as must start this year. All right. And, you know, it's our weekly conversation about Zach Gallen, who had another rough start this time in Corse Field.

Five innings, 10 hits, seven runs allowed, actually earned the win because he got so much support in this game, which is just crazy. He gave up 11 hard hits in this one. Just a disastrous season for Zach Allen. Who's in a contract here, too? I mean, you would think, you know, kind of playing for something here. But I almost wonder if we're closer to dropping than starting.

The problem here is that he's at the White Sox. So if you've managed to hold on to Zach Allen this far, I think you probably got to use him at the White Sox, right? I mean, you don't have to. particularly if ERA and WIP is your main concern in a categories league, in a Roto League, especially where you keep those forever, it might be the last chance, you know, for him to justify a lineup spot. If he doesn't come through against the White Sox, then I agree.

We're closer to dropping him than not. Depends on the league size, of course. But for the standard 12 teamers. I just don't see a lot of reason for optimism here other than he's Zach Allen and, you know, he's been good most of his career, which may be enough to just plan him on your bench. Like, we've seen sudden turnarounds for players who are having miserable seasons and it could happen with him too. But I'm not eager to start him even against the White Sox. I have to say who the White Sox, you realize this, Frank, the White Sox have a better run differential. and not by a small amount,

a better run differential than the Orioles. Ooh. No, I did not realize that. Yeah. But I also saw a stat, I think, at some point this weekend, watching the Yankees and Orioles, that they have either the third or fourth

best record since the middle of May, I think, when Tony Manzalino took over. So they've been playing better, but they just had such a huge deficit to start the season. It still looks pretty ugly for it. them. So, yeah. Disappointing year, but you know what? You heard it here first. We did not have the Orioles in the playoffs this season. And yeah, that pitching has just been atrocious for them.

Let's get into some hitters having Big June's. Yandy Diaz has five straight multi-hit games. And hey, in the month, he's hitting 405 with four homers and a 1098 OPS. Christian Yellich, your guy Scott, who you never lost faith in. He's having a big June as well. 345 with two home runs, 14 RBI, two steals, and a 932 Ops. A. E. E.ohenio Suarez is on another one of those power binges. He has nine home runs in his past 14 games.

He is now up to 25 homers for the season and 67 RBI. So pretty awesome year. Anything to add on Suarez, Yelich, and Yandy Diaz? I mean, not really. Yandy Diaz is now poised to have the second best year of his career. His best was two years ago, obviously set a career high and batting average in home runs.

And then pretty big drop off last year. I kind of thought he was aging out of fantasy usefulness. But apparently not because he is probably bordering on must start at this point. Yeah, I never lost faith in Yelich. Good to see him delivering on May expectations. Suarez. His career high is 49 home runs, right?

And now he's on pace for more than that with the sudden power explosion. So can't really complain about anything he's doing either. Yeah. Two others that have been

actually crushing it for much longer than just June. But Jackson Trio has really picked things up. Last 29 games, he's hitting 298 with five homers, 25 runs scored 22 RBI, 7 steals, and an OPS near 900. So it was a little bit of a slow start there for Truro, but he's picked things back up.

And Max Muncie, man, since getting glasses on May 2nd, 45 games, he is hitting 275 with 10 home runs, 40 RBI, 4 steals, and an OPS over 900, Scott. So Muncie of the Dodgers and Churio have been great for like the past month or two, basically, so. they have yeah i seeing choreo walk three times in a game was definitely

definitely out of character for him he had he's walked 13 times all year i don't know if this is updated with sunday stats yeah he has just 13 walks yep yeah that's that's crazy he has more stolen bases than walks yeah that's and that's really as many home runs his walks. So, oh, he's behind pace as far as that goes. I think it'll, I think the rate will continue to improve just because it can only go up. But it's, it's obviously held Truro back early here in his major league career. All right. Let's get into the rest of the leftovers from the weekend.

And let's start with the pitchers. The first group, Jacob Grom, a strong start at the Pirates, six innings, two runs with seven strikeouts. Jose Burrios, great start against the White Sox, seven and two thirds, one unearned run with five strikeouts. Dylan Sees bounced back with a quality start against the Royals. Six and two thirds with one run and four strikeouts had 19 whiffs in that one. And Andrew Abbott continues to pitch well this time at the Cardinals. Seven innings, one run, three strikeouts for him. Scott, anything on Abbott, Dylan Sees, Jose Burrios, and Jacob de Grom.

So Abbott's now gone seven innings or more in three of his last five. he is one of the most fly ball-prone pitchers in baseball, which can be good thing or a bad thing. You'd think it would be a bad thing in Cincinnati, the smallest, most homer-friendly park. But it gives a fairly weak contact overall. So it's sort of like what I was saying about Clark Schmidt earlier, where if the flyballs are hit weakly enough,

it becomes more of a hit prevention mechanism than a, than a homer liability, home run liability. And so I think that's where we're seeing from him. Not to the tune of him sustaining an ERA as low as he has. There's going to have to be some correction at some point for Abbott. But is he good in a general sense? Yeah. I think so.

He's one of the pitchers that I rank ahead of. Chase Burns, who I said I had 41st, actually. So Abbott is 33rd for me. And 33rd for you. Look at that. Yeah. Sympatico. Mm-hmm.

Yeah. I mean, I was a little skeptical to buy in, but it's, you know, when you've done it for this long, and Abbott's pitching well. He's limiting hard contact. So, yeah, I'm just about all the way bought in there on Andrew Abbott. A couple of their pitching leftovers. Shohei Otani made his second Dodgers start on Sunday against the nationals.

He only went one. inning, but it was a shutout inning with two strikeouts to zero walks. And only 18 pitches. I just, man, they are really, really slow playing this, or at least it feels that way for now with Shohei Otani. Seth Lugo picking things back up, six and a third, one run with seven strikeouts, and he has allowed two earned runs or fewer in four straight. And Jesus Lazzardo, a great start against the Mets on Sunday night baseball.

Six and two-thirds shutout, six strikeouts, had 18 whiffs on 107 pitches. got anything here on Lizardo, Seth Lugo, and Shohei Otani, the pitcher. I mean, mainly just that. We have even more reassurance now. Lizardo's fine. So after the discovery of him tipping his pitches, that led to those two disastrous starts, he came back with a nice outing, then followed it up with a not-so great one, bounced straight back with another great one.

I just, I think you can start him moving forward. I don't think, I think he solved the issue that led to those disaster starts. And you can, you know, not that it'll never have a bumpy start again, but for the most part, he'll be great. And the hitting leftovers, Ian Hap is picking things up. Two for four with a double dong on Saturday, has four home runs in his past four games. Riley Green, a two-homer game on Friday. He's up to 17 homers, 59 RBI. Great season here for Riley Green.

Another strong weekend for Ronald Acuna, multiple hits in all three games. He added his second steal on Friday. Cotel Marte, three for six with his 13th home run on Friday and then had a four-hit game on Saturday. Rafael Devers launched his first Giants home run, and of course it came against the Red Sox, which is hilarious. Jeremy Payne continued his breakout, had two more home runs this weekend. He has a 326 batting average, 11 homers, 15 steals, 873 OPS for Jeremy Pena. Shohei Otani, the hitter, two for four with a triple and his 26th home run on Sunday.

And then the Mets had themselves in a breakout offensive game on Saturday night. Scored 11 runs on 15 hits, including seven homers in that game. Lindor hit his 15th. Brandon Nimmo hit two homers. He's up to 15 himself. And Juan Soto, four for five, with a double dong four RBI on Saturday. He is crushing it in June,

hitting 328, 7 home runs, 18 runs scored, and an 1181 OPS. Scott, anything you'd like to add on some of these hitting leftovers? I do want to add that Rafael Devers is apparently playing through a bit of a growing issue. Yeah. So, I don't know, did you bring that up in news and notes?

I did not, but yeah, it's definitely worth bringing up. He's still playing, so I think he's good to go for this week, right? Yeah, yeah, he's still. playing it's something they expect him to play through but if if his production were to suffer or if it became a bigger issue i just wanted you to be aware of it even more so than wanting to make you aware of jacob miserowski's low whiff rates on all his pitches uh if we could turn back time okay um yeah i mean yeah these guys have been doing what they're doing All season, basically.

So I guess Riley Green, the fact that he's so hot right now is, it's not like he's incapable of doing this. But I would say it's gone on to a point where he's overachieving now because he's got a 31% strikeout rate on the year. And it's hard to sustain. It's basically next to impossible unless you're homering at the rate of Aaron Judge to sustain a high batting average with a strikeout rate over 30%. and his expected batting averages 262. Doesn't mean he's not great, not a must-star player, but he's at his absolute hottest right now. And so you just got to keep that in mind

if a trade offer comes along or whatever else, you know. All right, again, yeah, that was Riley Green. Let's get into the bullpen from this weekend. And for the Dodgers on Friday, Tanner Scott got the ninth inning with the two-run lead, gave up a solo homer, but picked up his 15th save for the Red Sox on Friday. Or oldest Chapman struck out two for his 14th save. They have been mixing in a few others there recently, Greg Weissert.

And I think that's it. But Garrett Whitlock's pitching well for them too. For the Giants on Saturday, Camillo Doval got the ninth inning with a three-run lead. He gave up two runs on three hits, but escaped with his 12th save. For the Rangers on Saturday, Chris Martin got the ninth inning with a one-run lead. He struck out two for his second save. I'm guessing Robert Garcia was unavailable because he pitched the two days prior. Luke Jackson was available.

They just chose not to use him. I feel like we're one step closer, Scott, to maybe Chris Martin getting some save opportunities here for Texas. I mean, I hope so. He's really the only true candidate for the job, I feel like, and for whatever reason, Bruce Bochie's just been reluctant to use him in that role. I mean, honestly, since it doesn't look like the Rangers are a part of the playoff picture this year, it could only bolster a trade value. You got to think they're keeping that in mind. You know what?

They're almost back to 500, actually, the Rangers. So maybe they're not thinking about selling yet. Maybe they're still going to let this play out. We'll see. Yeah, it's just so tough, right? They finally have DeGrom healthy, and they're not in the playoff picture. It's been a very weird season for the Rangers. Mostly their lineup.

That has been just very, very disappointing this season. For the D-backs on Saturday, Shelby Miller got the ninth inning with a two-run lead. He allowed a hit, but struck out three for his eighth save. For the White Sox on Sunday, Grant Taylor got the ninth inning with a two-run lead, and he allowed a hit, but struck out one for his first save. This is a hard-throwing prospect. He's looked really good so far. six innings, two runs, seven strikeouts,

in six appearances. Scott, the White Sox are bad. They have 25 wins on the season. And they have kind of spread around, you know, their save opportunities. But I kind of feel like there's an opportunity here for Grant Taylor to just kind of take over as their closer. And he's kind of exciting.

Yeah, I mean, he's a genuine talent. And since it seems like they're grooming him more as a reliever than a starter, that would be the obvious end goal to make him the closer. Are they ready to commit to him yet? Well, this is the first step. I can't really say for sure what's going to come from here. And in those leagues where saves are scarce,

I'm thinking mainly those 15-team Roto leagues, I was putting in some low-dollar bids on Taylor, understanding that Pitchie for the White Sox, saves might be pretty scarce, even if he is, handling the role himself. For the Marlins on Sunday, Calvin Foshae entered with one out in the eighth inning, a two-run lead to face Drake Baldwin and Ozzy Albies.

He got both of them out. And then it was Ronnie Enriquez, who then got the ninth inning facing the bottom of the Braves lineup. He allowed a hit but picked up his second save. I hope we didn't get duped again. I still think Calvin Foshae is the most likely candidate to get the next Marlins save, but, you know, they've tricked us before.

And then for the Rockies on Sunday, Seth Halverson got the ninth inning with a two-run lead. He picked up his six save and take that, Scott, his third save of the week. Yeah. Oh, man. I said he might only get one a month going forward. How many wins do the Rockies have now? The Rockies have 18 wins.

First winning week of the season. They went, they're five and a five in their last 10 games. They are, they are streaking. Man, their run differential. is minus 202. Yeah. There's only one other team with a minus 100 rent differential

and the Rockies are minus 202. My goodness. You know what team? Other team is minus over 100? Is it the... I don't know. Marlins? It is not.

They're minus 90. They have the third worst run differential. White Sox? Nope. They are actually... better than a lot of teams. Huh. I don't know.

Hit me. Better than the Orioles. Better than they're tied with the nationals. Athletics. Athletics have the second worst at minus 127. Bad, bad pitching. They're pitching is so bad. Yeah.

That has been a huge problem there. The lineup has some interesting pieces, as we've seen all season. But yeah, the pitching. Not great there for the athletics. Let's wrap up with to stream or not to stream on Monday. And the three that stood out most to me, Scott, Eduardo Rodriguez at the White Sox, Shane Smith on the other side facing the debacks,

and Chad Patrick against the Pirates. So two of those have good matchups. The best of them, talent-wise, Shane Smith doesn't. He has the diamond backs. I think I'll go Patrick 1, Smith, to Eduardo Rodriguez against the White Sox three. And then on Tuesday,

my three favorites were, Ryan Nelson at the White Sox, Justin Verlander facing the Marlins, and Charlie Morton against the Rangers. I guess I can't really argue with that. The selection seems worse than on Monday. I'll probably give Verlander the edge. He'll be coming back from paternity leave,

so he'll have that dad's strength going against the Marlins. And then I would probably lean Morton over Nelson with as well as he's pitched lately. All right, we're going to wrap there for Scott. I am Frank. Thanks as always for tuning into 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.

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