JotCast | Fantasy Baseball Chat with Brad Johnson

Fantasy Baseball Chat with Brad Johnson

Brad Johnson

1:02

Hey folks, we'll get started in a few minutes. I'm just finishing up the final steps for today's newsletter (I think it's an insightful column).

Guest

1:03

I missed out on Henry Davis. What's the next potential big bat coming down the pipe at the catcher position?

Brad Johnson

1:05

Cleveland fans are clamoring for Bo Naylor. The org seems to prefer optimizing for defense presently. Davis' recent teammate Endy Rodriguez might find his way up soon too. The Pirates appear to be making their move.

Rodriguez has backed up a bit in terms of his EVs this year. He also had an injury earlier in the year that might partly explain his slight decline.

George Bellz

1:05

Ben Bradley or Kyle Harrison or Gavin Williams

Brad Johnson

1:06

Taj, I assume? I like Williams the most of that group long-term. For this season, I'd vote Taj.

Ryan

1:06

Will James Paxton be reliable the rest of the season?

Brad Johnson

1:06

Just a general note on these sorts of questions - they're not answerable.

1:07

I can tell you that, right now, Paxton is one of the better pitchers in the league.

He might wind up as the best pitcher on the trade block - assuming the Red Sox don't view themselves as buyers.

(which is what I expect)

Connor⚾️

1:08

What do u think for Austin Davis? I know this was prob already asked ⚾️

Brad Johnson

1:09

Henry you mean? Sure, let's talk about him. The Pirates have optimized for defensive capability with their catchers to this point. Davis has improved. I'm hearing he's passable defensively. That's still a big step down from Hedges/Delay.

1:10

In exchange, they're getting a batter with excellent plate discipline and slightly above-average EVs. This is one of those types who, if it works out, it'll be because of his swing decisions more than the quality of the contact.

1:11

Scouting reports say 70 grade power, but his EVs don't match that.

OaklandAsBaby

1:11

When will Tyler Soderstrom grace us with his presence?

Brad Johnson

1:11

Less clear. I'm sure the A's aren't in any rush.

1:13

He's another guy who scouts grade as 60 or 70 power. Unlike Davis, Soderstrom has demonstrated the matching EVs, at the expense of poor swing-decisions. He has a 81 wRC+ despite showing a lot of power. Probably not coming up in the short-term.

ripperlv

1:13

What's your opinion on Scoresheet Baseball as a fantasy standard?

Brad Johnson

1:13

I never really got into scoresheet personally. I'd rather play OOTP.

Yasthecookiethief

1:13

When does Cincy call up CES?

Brad Johnson

1:14

The Reds have two possible decisions which could yield a near-term promotion of Christian Encarnacion-Strand.

1:15

The first is Jonathan India's health following a collision yesterday. He's supposedly fine.

The second is Joey Votto's second apparently-failed rehab stint. He has to be activated or shutdown due to injury soon. I can get the exact date if you give me a moment...

1:16

Thursday is the last day Votto can remain on this current rehab stint.

1:17

The numbers are bad, but he seems to be trending in the right direction. It's a little awkward but possible for Votto, CES, Steer, and Stephenson to co-exist on the same roster in a job share.

Guest

1:18

I have to decide between Tovar and McLain as my SS in an NL only keeper league. Seems love the obvious choice is McLain but I have a feeling I’m really going to regret dropping Tovar. Thoughts between the two?

Brad Johnson

1:19

You should at least be able to trade away one of them. I agree that Tovar might be likelier to inspire regret. But I also agree McLain is more actualized for fantasy purposes right now.

Kingpin

1:20

Yan Gomes was just dropped in my 8-team, NL-only standard 5x5 league. I have Willson Contreras & Fortes...drop either for Gomes?

Brad Johnson

1:20

Nah, I'd double-down on Contreras figuring it out.

Jaxon

1:20

I was hoping Kyle Harrison would come up with the Cobb injury, doesn’t look like it. What’s the ETA for Harrison??

Brad Johnson

1:21

I'm really not sure. He had cringey command earlier in the season, but it's gotten to an acceptable level more recently. Still below average.

1:23

It might be a matter of finding the right matchup for him. He's a left-handed, walk-prone, extreme fly ball pitcher. Maybe the Padres just aren't viewed as the right opponent for him. Or maybe they hope to land a big fish at the trade deadline and don't want to devalue him.

Kingpin

1:23

I know prospects aren't your wheelhouse, but do you see any chance the D'backs call up Lawlar later this year?

Brad Johnson

1:24

Ouch!

1:25

With the way the season is going for the DBacks, it's possible. I think it would be a matter Perdomo and Ahmed both suffering injuries after the trade deadline.

Mike

1:25

Opinion of Tarik skubal? Would you stash him?

Brad Johnson

1:25

I would and am

1:26

His velo's reportedly up 1.5 mph (based on a 3 IP outing)

Nolan Jones

1:26

Am I for real? What happens when Cron and Blackmon come back?

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