by Mickey Bell Lots of proven stars struggled in the 60 game 2020 MLB season. Which players’ down seasons portend a long term downward trend? Which players simply had bad luck due to small sample size and/or injuries/illness? As every player listed above gets drafted later than last year, some will end up being great values that help carry your team. We will start the series by discussing the young underachievers aged 25 years or younger and specifically Gleyber Torres. Other underachievers discussed in future articles include: Cody Bellinger, Yordan Alvarez, Austin Meadows, Keston Hiura, Victor Robles, and Yoan Moncada.…
by Mickey Bell All ownership percentages are taken from Yahoo as of August 16. >10% Roberto Perez (5% owned) Perez, who finally got a chance to start in 2019 after Yan Gomes was traded to the Nationals, rewarded Cleveland with 24 HR and a 0.774 OPS. His barrel rate was in the 76th percentile last year. According to Cleveland’s manager Tito Francona, Perez is expected to return on Tuesday from a shoulder injury that has limited him to 3 games in 2020. While he will probably be a detriment to your average, Perez should get you plenty of home runs.…
James & Mick talk shop about who has stood out to them so far. This was recorded before Laureano’s brawl and the Indians’ pitchers COVID faux pas so we stick to their performances on the field. Time Stamps: 2:00: Ramon Laureano 5:00: Trent Grisham 7:15: Sonny Gray 9:15: Renato Nunez 12:40: Trevor Bauer 16:45: Mike Yastrzemski 19:00: Dansby Swanson 26:30: Obligatory Joey Gallo and Franmil Reyes talk 34:40: Cleveland Indians discussion Follow us on Twitter @udownwithobp Visit our website: www.udownwithobp.com — This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Ian Happ (NFBC ADP since 4/15: 256; Yahoo % Owned: 43%): Happ dropped his K% from 36% in 2018 to 25% last year. He always nears the top of the majors in barrels, and he steals around 10 bags per year. With the DH, the Cubs can let Albert Almora keep some of his defensive duties while getting Kyle Schwarber, Jason Heyward, and Happ at bats. Victor Caratini (ADP: 590; Owned: 1%): The switch-hitting Caratini is a very solid hitter who was one of the biggest catching prospects a few years back. Most teams will carry three or more catchers,…
Atlanta Braves Austin Riley (NFBC ADP since 4/15: 317; Yahoo % Owned: 15%): Before universal DH talk, it seemed like Johan Camargo would win the 3B job in Atlanta. But Riley hit well in spring training (1.000 OPS) way back when and had vastly cut down on his strikeouts in that small sample size. Ender Inciarte (ADP: 506; Owned: 2%): The universal DH would allow the Braves to put Inciarte, their best defensive center fielder, on the field and move Ronald Acuna to a corner outfield spot. No hitting pitcher also means guys like Inciarte at the bottom of the…
Rich Hill – Minnesota Twins (NFBC ADP since 4/15: 265) Credit: Baseballsavant.com After Hill had elbow surgery back in November with a June 2020 return date, it made sense he was being drafted well past the top 400. But barring a setback, the 40 year old should benefit from an early July start more than almost any other player. From 2015 to 2019, Rich Hill recorded a 2.91 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, and 10.7 K/9. He had a slightly lucky 2.45 ERA last year (xERA: 3.15) and the long ball against righties was a big concern in 2019, but those homers…
James and Mick talk KBO! James interviews Mick, who lived in South Korea for four years, about his experiences following the KBO. They talk gymnasts throwing first pitches, cheerleaders, foul ball batflips, 360 camera angles, chubby players, playing style, and what to eat at the ballpark (yum, silkworm larvae!). After James finds out about a player nicknamed the “Korean David Ortiz”, he instantly has a new favorite team! Tune in to find out which team it is. For links to the gymnast first pitch, the foul ball batflip, and the cool camera angles, check us out on Twitter: @udownwithobp —…
Around the Horn is a recurring theme where we pick one guy from each position for articles or the podcast. Here are “My Guys” in 2020. Some players are expected to be high picks, but more simply represent a value in my mind. C: Mitch Garver (ADP: 124) Garver was amazing last year, but projection systems and draft position don’t expect him to duplicate it. Garver hit 31 HR last year in 359 PA (plate appearances), but the highest projection on Fangraphs has him at 21. Garver was in the 97th percentile for Hard Hit % and was 10th overall…
James and Mick talk about stolen base options including Jonathan Villar (Marlins), Byron Buxton (Twins), and deep sleeper Jarrod Dyson (Pirates). Then they get into part 2 of their Non-”Home Team” favorites, picking players from their lifetime on any team other than the Red Sox and Phillies, respectively. Time Stamps: 2:45- Stolen base conversation 16:25- Part 2 of our Non-”Home Team” Players starting from SS — This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
A Poem by James Hare Waking, eating, traveling are a black hole lacking memory, It’s instantly a mid morning in Coastal Maine. Golfing with my old man on a 9 Hole course, signed in as guests of Saul. When the tide comes in on 6 it creates a natural water Hazard. Nice shots are awarded with paternalistic approval that leaves a warm glow akin to the similar warmth of the Maine sun. Mom says the hole in the ozone up here is larger which makes it easier to get burnt. I don’t know if that’s bullshit or not. Dad says…