Breakfast with the Beats

The Fantasy Baseball Beat

The guys welcome Michael Cecchini to the show

Michael Cecchini joins the guys to discuss all things baseball.

Michael discusses the following topics:

• his background in fantasy baseball playing and writing
• stabilization points for different player metrics, such as strikeout rate, walk rate, ground ball rate, fly ball rate, and more
• how much does Stuff play into figuring out which pitchers to roster

Beat Writer Roundup

The guys discuss two articles:

1. "Ben Rice 'a real hitter' out of the leadoff spot for the Yankees - by Bryan Hoch. Topics discussed:

• the start of his 2025 season
• what happens if and when Giancarlo Stanton returns
• the scouting process for Ben Rice
• his offseason regimen
• is chicken the ultimate food?

2. "Aranda homers again, claims best OPS in baseball - by Adam Berry. Topics discussed:

• Aranda's offseason work
• the start of his 2025 season
• his underlying metrics
• is this sustainable?
• the ballpark in Tampa Bay

Waiver Wire Adds

The guys look at one player they like for the next week and then some for 12-team and 15-team leagues. Players discussed:

• Sean Murphy
• Harrison Bader
• Joc Pederson
• J.T. Ginn
• Ryan Gusto

Mental Health Moment

The question of the week: What are some habits, no matter how small, that you’ve incorporated into your daily routine in an effort to maintain your wellness? 

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The Fantasy Baseball Beat

The Veen Machine Arrives: Talking Rockies with Thomas Harding

The guys began the show by previewing their upcoming discussion with Thomas Harding by discussing Zac Veen. How aggressive will Chris, Mike, and Dave be this weekend when they can add him to their lineups, and what concerns Dave more than anything?

After that, Kyren Paris enters the discussion, as the guys examine his recent success and what they speculate will happen. Is he someone that the majority of your FAAB dollars should be spent on?

Mike then talks about bullpen situations and what could happen next with the following players:

• Seth Halvorsen
• Luke Jackson
• José Alvarado
• Jason Foley

Thomas Harding joins the show to discuss the following topics:

• Is Zac Veen for real, and will he keep the right-field job?
• Can Michael Toglia turn things around?
• What's new and peculiar with Ezequiel Tovar this year?
• What is the culture like in the clubhouse and around the team?
• Can Chase Dollander solve Coors Field?
• Who will be the team's closer?
• Which player in the Minor Leagues can make an impact in 2025?
• What's the latest on Drew Romo?

Finally, the guys transition into the Mental Health Moment and discuss the importance of mental health for men and women, and what works for them when negative thoughts enter their heads.

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Fantasy Baseball Beat

The guys welcome Ryan Bloomfield to the show.

Firstly, they all discuss The Baseball Forecaster and how it's an important piece of fantasy baseball goodness.

Then, they go over FOMO picks. Players discussed:

• Anthony Volpe
• Cedric Mullins
• Fernando Tatis Jr.
• Oneil Cruz
• Isiah Kiner-Falefa
• Tommy Pham

After that, the guys go over players who have increased their velocity thus far. Players discussed:

• Brice Turang
• Corbin Carroll
• Nick Maton

The guys then review some beat writer articles and go over the following topics:

• What's the level of worry with Rafael Devers?
• How impressive has Casey Mize

Then the guys delve into the world of torpedo bats and how important they are this early in the season.

Small sample alert! Players discussed:

• Dylan Crews
• Braves 36 wRC+
• Nathaniel Lowe
• Nathan Eovaldi
• Shota Imanaga

Finally, the Mental Health Minute

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Fantasy Baseball Beat

The guys talk about the Angels with Jeff Fletcher and Dan Prepas and then review Chris' big weekend of drafts.

Players discussed:

• Jo Adell
• Mike Trout
• Tim Anderson
• Yoán Moncada
• Logan O'Hoppe
• Nolan Schanuel
• Kenley Jansen
• Ben Joyce
• Zach Neto
• Robert Stephenson
• Anthony Rendon

From there, Dan Prepas joins the gang and discusses life as a fan of the Angels, while answering the questions:

• Can the Angels compete?
• Is Mike Trout worth a draft pick?
• How good can Yusei Kikuchi be?
• Which of the following are worth their current draft cost: Jo Adell, Logan O'Hoppe, and Luis Rengifo

Then the guys examine Chris' teams from last weekend's Main Event and ToutWars.

• Comparing both formats
• How Chris prepared for these drafts
• How money was allocated within the various positions
• How having spots on the Injured List was treated
• Surprise picks and values

Players discussed:

• William Contreras
• Willson Contreras
• Vladimir Guerrero
• Juan Soto
• Spencer Schwellenbach
• Bryan Woo
• Yusei Kikuchi
• Christopher Sanchez
• Casey Mize
• Jack Leiter
• Kris Bubic
• Francisco Lindor
• Jazz Chisholm Jr.
• Paul Goldschmidt
• Brendan Donovan
• Otto Lopez

Plus, who is Chris' deep sleeper pick at the end of drafts?

Finally, our Mental Health Minute

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Fantasy Baseball Beat

Thomas Nestico joins the show to discuss Spring Training Standouts.

First, Thomas answers the questions of:

• Does Spring Training matter?
• What do you look for during Spring Training?
• Which players have caught your eye thus far?
  • Tyler Soderstrom
  • Jerar Encarnación

Then, we break down four pitchers who are rising up draft boards because of their early-spring performances:

• Christopher Sanchez
• Hunter Greene
• Jack Leiter
• Casey Mize

Which player performances are worrisome?

• Shota Imanaga
• Tanner Bibee
• Jason Adam

Thomas then explains two important metrics that he uses in his analysis and players who are affected by them:

• Induced Vertical Break
  • Nick Pivetta
  • Justin Verlander
  • Bryan Woo
  • Casey Mize
• Extension
  • Logan Gilbert
  • Alexis Díaz
  • Joey Cantillo
  • Luis Castillo
  • Spencer Strider

Looking back, Thomas pegged these players as potential breakouts in February. After having seen them play this spring, does he still view them the same way?

• Jonathan Aranda
• Clay Holmes
• David Festa

Finally, it's our Mental Health Minute.

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Fantasy Baseball Beat

The guys talk with Nate Schwartz about a variety of topics

The guys welcome FSWA Award-winning writer Nate Schwartz, who joins the group to discuss his Process+ piece. Things discussed:

• What is PLV?
• How does wRC+ coincide with Process+?
• What conclusions can be made as a result?
• Which players stood out to Nate as under-valued by the fantasy community?
  • Lawrence Butler
  • Taylor Ward
  • Xander Bogaerts

Dave then goes through injury updates on the following players:

• Gunnar Henderson
• Grayson Rodriguez
• Christian Walker
• Christian Yelich
• Daulton Varsho
• Cam Smith

Nate is then asked to discuss his latest article about Zebby Matthews:

• Can both Matthews and David Festa make the rotation?

Mike talks bullpens, discussing the following players and their situations:

• Jeff Hoffman
• José Alvarado
• Liam Hendirks

Nate and the gang go through their Spring Training observations. Some players of note:

• Christian Encarnacion-Strand
• Spencer Steer
• Byron Buxton
• Dylan Crews
• Zac Veen
• Maikel Garcia
• Kyle Isbel
• Nico Hoerner
• Corbin Carroll
• Christopher Sanchez

Finally, the Mental Health Minute.

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Fantasy Baseball Beat

The guys review their current draft picks with Nathan Grimm

Mike, Dave, and Chris go over the most actionable news out of Spring Training:

• Spencer Strider looks healthy
• Ronald Acuña Jr. looks to be taking things slowly
• Ben Rice looks to be in line for additional playing time.

Nathan Grimm joins the show, and Colt Keith is the topic of discussion on how we assess rookies and second-year players in their earliest seasons.  

Nathan takes a moment to roast the guys in a way that encapsulates their qualities and characteristics perfectly. 

Then we take a look at Mike's GLARF draft. Players discussed:

• Mookie Betts
• Zack Wheeler
• Rafael Devers
• James Wood
• Robert Suarez
• Luis Rengifo
• Drew Rasmussen
• Griffin Jax
• Justin Verlander
• Charlie Morton
• Andrew Benintendi
• MJ Melendez

Dave gives an update on Brayan Bello's health before giving his risk assessment grade.

Nathan's SLARF team is examined as well. Players discussed:

• Francisco Lindor
• Bryce Harper
• Jacob deGrom
• Blake Snell
• Ryan Walker
• Tanner Scott
• Dylan Crews
• Josh Lowe
• Jonathan Aranda
• Joc Pederson
• Ke’Bryan Hayes
• Spencer Horwitz

We answer an important listener question about stacking players from the same team.

Finally, it's time for the Mental Health Minute.

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Fantasy Baseball Beat

The guys talk with Jake Rill from mlb.com about the Orioles

Jake Rill joins the gang from Spring Training to talk about the Baltimore Orioles in 2025. Topics include:

• Jake's start in the business
• What can we expect out of Adley Rutschman this year after a disappointing second half last year?
• What does the recovery process of Félix Bautista look like?
• Are Seranthony Domínguez and Andrew Kittredge viable options behind him?
• How healthy is Grayson Rodriguez, and can he take a step forward?
• How many at-bats can we expect out of Coby Mayo?
• Is Jackson Holliday ready to break out?
• Are Chayce McDermott, Cade Povich, and Brandon Young ready for the season?
• What's it like covering a superstar like Gunnar Henderson?
• How does Jake rank various Baltimore athletes and staples?

Afterward, the guys discuss their favorite Baltimore Orioles at their costs:

• Jackson Holliday
• Jordan Westburg
• Seranthomy Dominuguez

The guys talk about pitchers they love:

• Yusei Kikuchi
• Jeff Hoffman
• Logan Webb
• David Bednar
• Spencer Schwellenbach
• Jhoan Duran

The guys then finish off the episode with a listener question and the Mental Health Minute.

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Fantasy Baseball Beat

The guys discuss the hitters that they love.

The boys are back and go position by position to discuss the hitters that they love the most.

Catcher

• Gabriel Moreno
• Ivan Herrera
• Shea Langeliers

First Base

• Nathaniel Lowe
• Cody Bellinger
• Paul Goldschmidt

Second Base

• Jonathan India
• Brandon Lowe
• Jordan Westburg

Shortstop

• Jeremy Pena
• Bo Bichette
• Francisco Lindor

Third Base

• Luis Rengifo
• Isaac Paredes
• Matt Chapman

Outfield

• Jung Hoo Lee
• Ian Happ
• Dylan Crews

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Fantasy Baseball Beat

The guys discuss ballpark changes and tendencies, players changing teams, and bullpen decisions.

After some behind the curtain details are discussed, four ballparks are discussed:

1. Sutter Health Park - The Athletics
   1. What can we expect offensively in the new ballpark?
   2. What were the minor-league tendencies there?
   3. Should we expect a big change?
   4. Are we in on Lawrence Butler and Brent Rooker?
2. Camden Yards - Baltimore Orioles
   1. What is the most important thing fantasy owners should know about this change?
   2. Which hitters should receive a boost?
   3. How much do we like Tyler O'Neill, Ryan Mountcastle, and Jordan Westburg?
   4. What is Mike's strategy at first base and shortstop?
3. Steinbrenner Stadium - Tampa Bay Rays
   1. What differences can we expect with this ballpark compared to Tropicana Field?
   2. Will we see more offense?
   3. Does Dave like or love Jonathan Aranda?
4. T-Mobile Park - Seattle Mariners
   1. Why is this ballpark such a difficult place to hit?
   2. Who else knew about their umbrella roof?
   3. What will your draft strategy be when assessing Mariners hitters and pitchers?

The guys look at hitters changing ballparks:

1. Jake Burger
2. Michael Conforto
3. Paul Goldschmidt
4. Gleyber Torres
5. Kyle Tucker

Mike talks about bullpens:

1. What does the Carlos Estévez signing mean for Lucas Erceg?
2. Is Andrés Muñoz an elite closer?
3. How undervalued are David Bednar and Trevor Megill?
4. Has Chris discovered a new closer that nobody else knows?

Mental Health Minute - What are your favorite ballparks?

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