In our 44th episode, Mike Couillard and Jeremy Brewer open with banter on the new Statcast bat tracking metrics (Batcast?) before discussing the latest moves and news including new injuries plus prospect debuts. Then we analyze highly rostered hitters that have been dreadful to start the season. Is it time to move on from them?

You can find us on twitter (X) at @cardscategories, @mcouill7, and @jbrewer17 and on bluesky at @mcouill7.bsky.social. Email the pod at [email protected].

We now have Cards & Categories swag for purchase here!

Links to things discussed in the pod:

• Statcast's new bat tracking metrics
• Effectively Wild pod episode with Mike Petriello 
• Dansby Swanson shelved with sprained knee
• Ke'Bryan Hayes lands on IL with back issue
• Nick Lodolo hits IL with left groin injury
• Rhys Hoskins out 2-4 weeks with strain hamstring
• Jung Hoo Lee suffers significant shoulder injury, Heliot Ramos and Luis Matos get see plenty of time in Giants outfield
• Ronel Blanco ejected for sticky stuff, to serve 10 game suspension
• Paul Skenes' debut highlights
• Robert Gasser called up for major league debut

Upcoming baseball card release schedule:

• 5/17: 2024 Topps Archives Signature Series Baseball – Retired Edition
• 5/22: 2023 Topps Chrome Platinum Anniversary
• 6/12: Topps Series 2
• 6/12: Donruss

Categories Discussion (46:20)

Possibly cuttable hitters discussed:

• Julio Rodriguez
• Corbin Carroll
• Bo Bichette
• Paul Goldschmidt
• Nolan Jones
• Xander Bogaerts
• Carlos Correa
• Jake Burger
• Gleyber Torres
• George Springer
• Spencer Torkelson
• Ian Happ
• Nick Castellanos
• Colton Cowser