BatFlip Crazy Fantasy Baseball

Episode 58 recaps the Bay Area Roto Fantasy (BARF) League live draft from earlier today at The Wreck Room in San Francisco. Recorded on the drive home, I discuss my strategy heading into the 5x5 (OBP/QS) league and how the categories impacted my picks and valuation of players. Players discussed: Jacob deGrom, Max Scherzer, Trevor Bauer, Anthony Rizzo, Xander Bogaerts, Joey Gallo, Tommy Pham, Aaron Hicks, Travis Shaw, Andrew McCutchen, Brad Hand, Yoan Moncada, Yadier Molina, Joe Musgrove, Jake Bauers, Max Kepler, Reynaldo Lopez, Steven Souza, Mike Minor, Steven Matz, Cedric Mullins, Randal Grichuk, Matt Harvey, Matt Barnes, Ryan Brasier, Keston Hiura, and Jose Urena. You can reach me on Twitter @BatFlipCrazy.

Episode 57 profiles Royals 2B Adalberto Mondesi, Red Sox 3B Rafael Devers and Rockies rookie 2B/SS Garrett Hampson. I also give a shoutout to Jeff Zimmerman (Twitter: @jeffwzimmerman) for the incredible content he’s produced and continues to produce. Can Mondesi live up to the hype (and his ADP)? Is this the year Devers breaks out? Will Hampson and his speed return value at his late ADP or will the Rockies jerk him around like other top prospects? Let’s dig into the numbers! Topics discussed: Adalberto Mondesi (6:17), Rafael Devers (35:53), Garrett Hampson (48:31) and Reach Charles (1:02:10). You can find me on Twitter @BatFlipCrazy.

Episode 56 takes a look at the wasteland that is catcher in the year 2019 in an attempt to find value at the position. For each catcher, I break down their projection, ADP, and $ valuation to identify oases of opportunity (how’s that for a metaphor?) in the catcher market. I also provide numerical rankings and discuss strategy at the position in the context of building you team. You can reach me on Twitter @BatFlipCrazy.

Episode 55 features an interview with fantasy baseball analyst and author Jason Johnson (@y2trips) of FantasyPros and understandingfantasybaseball.com. We discuss his personal projection system, its strengths and weaknesses, and he provides insight into his process and considerations in building it out. We also talk about three hitters he likes as values at their current ADP (Peraza, Rosario and Olson) and three he doesn’t (Albies, Realmuto and Donaldson). Enjoy!

Episode 54 profiles Mariners OF and speedster Mallex Smith, Pirates SP Joe Musgrove and Giants SP Dereck Rodriguez. I also give a shout-out to the new Baseball Savant website makeover. Can Smith build off his career year in 2018? Will Musgrove take a giant leap forward? Do Rodriguez’s skills support his rookie year productions? Let’s dive into the numbers. Topics discussed: Mallex Smith (5:59), Joe Musgrove (19:51), Dereck Rodriguez (35:45), and the new Baseball Savant website makeover (48:49). You can reach me on Twitter @BatFlipCrazy.

Episode 53 profiles Cubs 3B/OF Ian Happ, Indians SP Shane Bieber, Diamondbacks closer Archie Bradley and A’s 3B/SS/2B Jurickson Profar. I also give props to Alex Chamberlain (@dolphhauldhagen on Twitter) for his recent pitch type summary article for 2018. Can Happ make enough contact to succeed? Can Bieber limit the quality of contact hitters are making? Will Bradley’s take the closer job and run with it? Is Profar worth his Top 150 ADP? Let’s dive into the numbers to find out. Topics discussed: Ian Happ (3:34), Shane Bieber (19:52), Archie Bradley (39:28), Jurickson Profar (49:42) and Pitch Splits Summary (1:01:23).

Episode 52 profiles Nationals 1B Ryan Zimmerman, Padres OF Manuel Margot and Angels 3B Taylor Ward. In the Reach Charles! segment, I interview Andrew Matney for his perspective on Reach Charles! and the Mets offseason. Does Zimmerman still have his 2017 power? Will Margot finally break out? Was Ward unlucky in his 40 game MLB debut? Let’s dive into the numbers. Topics discussed: Ryan Zimmerman (4:10), Manuel Margot (15:21), Taylor Ward (30:50) and Andrew Matney interview (40:20). You can reach me on Twitter @BatFlipCrazy.

Episode 51 profiles Padres OF Hunter Renfroe, Cardinals 1B/OF/DH Jose Martinez and Rangers SP Mike Minor. I also give a shout-out to Tanner Bell (Twitter: @smartfantasybb) in a Reach Charles! segment for the automated Standing Gain Points spreadsheet he just released. Can Renfroe carry over his hot second half into 2019? Will Martinez get enough playing time to help fantasy owners? Can Minor turn some really great tools into really great performance? Let’s dive into the numbers! Topics discussed: Hunter Renfroe (3:56), Jose Martinez (17:38), Mike Minor (29:28) and automated SGP spreadsheet (43:33). You can reach me on Twitter @BatFlipCrazy.

Episode 50 profiles Mets OF Michael Conforto, A’s 3B and Defensive Player of the Year Matt Chapman and Indians SP Trevor Bauer (same segment as Episode 35). I also discuss some strategy and considerations for people playing in non-trade leagues. Will Conforto continue his scintillating second half? Have we seen the best of Chapman? Will Bauer repeat his 2018 breakout? Let’s dig into the numbers. Topics discussed: Matt Chapman (3:45), Michael Conforto (19:07), Trevor Bauer (34:26) and non-trade league strategy (1:00:10). On Twitter @BatFlipCrazy.

Episode 49 profiles Brewers 1B Jesus Aguilar, White Sox 1B Jose Abreu and Yankees C Gary Sanchez. I also touch on some starting pitchers with late ADPs I like and my process for identifying them. Can Aguilar be the Brewers savior once again (sorry, couldn’t help myself)? Will Abreu and Sanchez rebound after disappointing, injury-riddled seasons? Let’s dive into the numbers. Topics discussed: Jesus Aguilar (5:33), Jose Abreu (21:02), Gary Sanchez (32:06) and late ADP starting pitchers (45:36).