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FantasyPros Fantasy Baseball Chat
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Dan Harris
2:00
Welcome, everyone! This is our first ever chat so you are kinda, sorta part of history. I’m Dan Harris, Editor-in-Chief of FantasyPros and BettingPros. We’re here to talk some fantasy baseball but I’ll be happy to answer any and all topics. Let’s get rolling!
Anthony
2:00
What is your ideal draft position? And how does your spot affect your overall draft strategy?
Dan Harris
2:01
In a roto/categories league, I’d prefer the top three to get one of Acuna/Yelich/Trout. In points, top two, with Acuna being less valuable. But I honestly don’t care all that much about draft position, particularly this year. Strategy generally remains the same regardless  – hit SP early to lock in at least two (or three) of my top 25 or so, focus on batting average/speed early if possible, power later. Whatever my draft slot, strategy is consistent.
jared
2:01
Pick 3 of the 4 to keep in forever keeper 12 team 5x5 roto. Sherzer. Clevinger, Snell or Nola?
Dan Harris
2:02
Oh, sugar. I’ll still keep Scherzer despite the age, plus Clevinger and Snell. Always put far more value on the now, personally.
Jordan
2:02
Keeper league 12 team. Do i keep glasnow in the 16th, darvish in the 11th, Harper in the 2nd, or Cruz in the 6th? Already keeping yelich in 1st and bellinger in the 4th. Thank you!
Dan Harris
2:02
Glasnow in the 16th for me. Have him one spot ahead of Darvish anyway, so certainly with the discount and over the hitters.
Marc
2:03
Which format of league do you find the most enjoyable to play in?  Head-to-head roto, head-to-head points, or pure roto league?
Dan Harris
2:04
Pure Roto>H2H points>H2H categories. I get that roto is tedious, but I think it’s the format that best rewards fantasy players who are diligent and put in the time/effort both pre- and post-draft. I certainly enjoy H2H points leagues, too, though the playoff format/luck that comes along with it makes it tougher to swallow. Loooooooong drop to H2H categories for me. Too gimmicky, too easy to manipulate based on opponent. Requires skill but have always felt it’s easier to succeed there despite less preparation and work.
Guest
2:04
Who are some under-the-radar relievers you are targeting late in your drafts as a source of cheap saves? Hunter Harvey comes to mind.
Dan Harris
2:05
For sure, Harvey is a prime candidate. As Bobby and I discussed on this week’s podcast, I have Ryan Helsley a little higher than most because I think he has a chance to be the guy in St. Louis. And Yoshihisa Hirano strikes me as the best closing candidate in Seattle and is free in all drafts.
Johnny 5
2:05
What is Bobby Sylvester like in real life??
Dan Harris
2:06
I’ve chatted with Bobby a bunch over the past few years but only got to meet him in person in January. Bobby does not have a shtick. What you hear IS the real Bobby. Plenty of hot takes, tons of fun, and one of the most likable humans around. He’s totally authentic and I am really proud to work with him.
Ryan
2:07
Is Carlos Martinez going to be the SP of a few years ago? How confident are you in your answer?
Dan Harris
2:08
Yes, I think so, but extremely minimal confidence. Martinez will essentially be two years removed from being a starter when the season (hopefully) starts back up and his shoulder situation is obviously dicey. Before the season, I had him projected for 142 innings, 136 strikeouts, 3.71 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, personally. So that (prorated to however long the season is) is how I’d be looking at him in drafts.
axx821
2:09
What are Josh James and Sean Newcomb’s chances of becoming full-time starters this season?
Dan Harris
2:10
I think James’ is fairly high for that fifth starter’s job. He tweaked his mechanics this offseason to try to get better command and control, and the results in the spring were encouraging. The delay actually could hurt his effort if Brad Peacock is able to return, but it also allows the Astros to limit his innings without doing so artificially. So, I’m thinking of him like he’ll be a starter. I’m less sure on Newcomb, though. With the delay, Hamels should be healthy by the time the season rolls around, King Felix could provide the “veteran leadership” that teams crave, and Kyle Wright is lurking. Certainly possible, but I’m not banking on it.
Cade
2:10
Who are some of the best non-closer relievers to own to maybe vulture some saves or just to help in ratios?
Dan Harris
2:12
Getting a similar type of question a lot, so hopefully everyone asking can check this one out.  Ryan Pressly and Seth Lugo are big ones. Will Smith in Atlanta likely won't start as the closer but should be valuable for his ratios and may take the job. Drew Pomeranz and Emilio Pagan are unlikely for saves absent a Yates injury, but both should help with ratios.
Robert Terwilliger
2:13
I'm not a believer in Luis Castillo and am predicting regression for him this year. Tell me why I'm wrong.
Dan Harris
2:15
I mean, it’s hard not to predict regression given his walk rate. But the bottom line is there aren’t many reliable pitchers in the game, and it’s not as if he is being drafted as a top-10 starter. FantasyPros’ Zeile Projections have him at 184 innings, 209 strikeouts, 13 wins, a 3.72 ERA, and a 1.22 WHIP. That’s certainly regression but still a reliable starter who you draft with confidence.
Shawn
2:15
Besides catcher, what is the shallowest position this year?
Dan Harris
2:15
Second base. And to be clear, I still like deeper options like Brandon Lowe and Starlin’ Castro. But, to me, by far the shallowest position other than catcher.
Jameson
2:15
Tell me one thing I don't know about Bobby, Tags, and Kyle.
Dan Harris
2:16
Oh boy. Let’s see. Bobby is an insane athlete. He’s small but moves like lightning. Yates has a Grade-A singing voice. And after we finish recording every single Sunday night recap show, Tags says, “Woohoo!” Not a joke. Every one. I don’t even think he knows it.
Giancarlo
2:16
Who outside the top 50 in ADP has the best chance of finishing as the number one player?
Dan Harris
2:17
Hm, interesting. Well, I am thinking roto here and that means there has to be stolen bases to have a legitimate shot, so I’ll go with Bichette. Stole 32 bases in 131 games at Double-A in 2018 so you know he has the ability, and he’ll be batting leadoff in front of Biggio who should take plenty of pitches. 11 homers in 46 games is a 39-homer pace over a full season. So, on the outer range of possibilities would be a 35-30 season with a solid batting average. Why not?
Kearney
2:17
I went for it all last season in a keeper league and now only have two picks in the first eight rounds. Who are some late-round sleepers or players who could outperform their ADP I should target?
Dan Harris
2:18
I’ve been on the Dylan Bundy train the whole off-season and think he can legitimately become a reliable fantasy starter if he elevates his fastball consistency and makes use of his high spin rate. Sam Hilliard’s power-speed combo is fantastic if he can win the left field job. Daniel Murphy has been entirely written off in Colorado but everyone thought he would win the battling title last year, and there is reason for optimism. Wil Myers was having a big spring and offers plenty of power and speed upside. And I’ll never quit me some Chris Archer, especially with the new analytically-minded pitching coaches in Pittsburgh.
Dom
2:18
With steals hard to find why is Dee Gordon going so late
Dan Harris
2:19
Not pegged as a starter for right now. So unless there's an injury, he'd have to fight to get to 20 perhaps with little other production.
Chris
2:19
Will the extra time off benefit veteran pitchers, particularly guys like Strasburg and Scherzer?
Dan Harris
2:20
Meh, sure. But I think it's much more about lessening the concern overall for injury-prone pitchers. So I'm not really thinking about it in terms of "phew, they get extra rest," but more for a guy like Kershaw who usually has an IL stint, maybe he can avoid it.
JC
2:21
Can you give me a few SB guys that I can steal between rounds 10-13
Dan Harris
2:21
Looking at consensus ADP, Tommy Edman, Oscar Mercado, Elvis Andrus, and Mallex Smith
Dom
2:22
who would you take first Stanton or Judge ?and what round ?
Dan Harris
2:23
Stanton by a significant margin at the moment because I'm honestly not sure what if anything we get from Judge this year. Stress fracture in his rib? Do we know what the prognosis is? At least Stanton will be ready for sure on Opening Day (whenever that is), so I'll take what I can get. At this point, I'll go for Stanton in the late third/early fourth.
Andrew R
2:23
With many top players kept, the below is who I am looking at in my keeper league in r2/3. Having a hard time differentiating- I want top 20 upside. I'm drafting an SP in r1- anyone in particular you love here? Anyone you are absolutely avoiding?

Charlie Blackmon
George Springer
Blake Snell
Adalberto Mondesi
Ketel Marte
Luis Castillo
Aaron Nola
Kris Bryant
Anthony Rizzo
Manny Machado
Mike Clevinger
Whit Merrifeld
Yu Darvish
Dan Harris
2:24
If Adalberto Mondesi stays healthy, he could easily steal 70 bags over a full season, so he can provide first-round value if he can stay healthy. We’ve seen what Blake Snell can do at his peak so if the elbow injury was really cured with cortisone shot, he certainly has top-5 SP upside. And Mike Clevinger is one of the best pitchers in the game when healthy, which he should be when the season starts.
Seamus
2:24
You always finish so high in the accuracy competition in both MLB and NFL. What's your secret?
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