This Week In Fantasy Baseball - John Ke (@thejohnke) and Patrick Fitzgerald (@PFitzgerald_99) catch you up on everything in "This Week in Fantasy Baseball"!

John and Patrick are joined by Pitcher List dynasty writer Martin Sekulski (@M_Ski22) to walk through 12 AL prospect hitters who are ready to debut in 2026! Afterwards, John and Patrick discuss overachieving and underachieving hitters from 2025 and what their fantasy outlook could be next season!

Timestamps:

AL Hitting Prospects

4:50 - Leodalis de Vries, Lazaro Montes, Xavier Isaac

12:24 - Spencer Jones

16:00 - Braden Montgomery

18:13 - Travis Bazzana and Kevin McGonigle

22:06 - Emmanuel Rodriguez, Walker Jenkins, Kaelen Culpepper

29:00 - Colt Emerson

31:20 - Sebastian Walcott

38:40 - Break

Underperforming and Overperforming Hitters in 2025

39:06 - Salvador Perez

46:46 - Corey Seager

50:30 - Agustin Ramirez

53:37 - Hunter Goodman

57:18 - Trea Turner

1:00:21 - Eugenio Suarez

1:04:40 - Nick Kurtz, Jacob Wilson, and Shea Langeliers

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Connect: @ThisWeekPL | [email protected]

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On The Wire - December delivers a full fantasy baseball news dump, and Adam Howe and Kevin Hasting break it all down. From multi-team trades and bullpen shakeups to key free-agent signings and overseas imports, this episode covers how recent MLB transactions are already reshaping draft boards across redraft, dynasty, and draft-and-hold formats. The guys analyze playing-time impacts, role clarity, and where fantasy managers should be adjusting valuations heading into 2026 drafts.

00:00 – Intro & December News Dump Setup
Show opening, winter meetings energy, framing the episode around a heavy December transaction cycle.

03:30 – Three-Team Trade: Rays / Pirates / Astros
Brandon Lowe to Pittsburgh, Jake Mangum impact, Mike Burrows to Houston, and fantasy fallout for all three teams.

10:15 – Houston Rotation Outlook
Mike Burrows pitch-mix changes, Spencer Arrighetti speculation, and spring training rotation battles.

15:45 – Orioles Acquire Shane Baz
Baltimore’s rotation depth, Baz’s health, workload expectations, and ADP movement.

20:45 – Royals Trade for Isaac Collins
Everyday playing time potential, Royals outfield construction, Jonathan India and Michael Massey discussion.

26:15 – Royals Bullpen: Matt Strahm Deal
Kansas City bullpen roles, Phillies backfilling, and fantasy relevance of late-inning arms.

30:30 – Phillies Sign Brad Keller & Adolis García
Keller’s bullpen role, Garcia’s everyday outfield opportunity, and lineup fit in Philadelphia.

35:45 – Diamondbacks Bring Back Merrill Kelly
Arizona’s competitive window, rotation stability, and what this says about the team’s direction.

40:30 – Twins Sign Josh Bell
Platoon expectations, lineup slot, power output, and draft value.

44:15 – Padres Re-Sign Michael King & Add Sung-Moon Song
Michael King’s contract structure, injury trust level, and Song’s KBO-to-MLB fantasy upside.

50:00 – Yu Darvish Injury Update
Concerns over Darvish’s future and draft board implications.

52:15 – Guardians Bullpen Additions
Sean Armstrong, Justin Bruihl, and bullpen hierarchy behind Emmanuel Clase.

55:00 – Angels Reclamation Projects (Romano & Pomeranz)
Closer speculation, trade value, and Angels bullpen volatility.

58:45 – Cubs Minor Moves
Tyler Austin major-league deal and bullpen depth notes.

1:00:30 – Mets Sign Luke Weaver
Setup role behind Devin Williams, ratio help, and speculative saves value.

1:03:45 – Rangers Sign Danny Jansen & Bullpen Shuffle
Catcher playing time expectations, save uncertainty, and Texas bullpen dart throws.

1:08:15 – Giants Sign Adrian Houser
Park effects, innings potential, and late-round SP appeal.

1:10:30 – Nationals Add Foster Griffin
NPB returnee outlook, rotation lottery ticket discussion.

1:12:45 – Braves Re-Sign Ha-Seong Kim
Stolen bases, batting average rebound hopes, and Atlanta infield depth.

1:15:00 – Closing Thoughts & Draft Strategy Takeaways
Playing-time vs. projection discussion and final fantasy draft notes.

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Wins Above Fantasy – Van Burnett (@Van_Verified) and Steve Gesuele (@stav8818) celebrate Episode 200 with a Christmas wishlist of fantasy targets, highlighting mispriced upside across the draft board — from high-octane arms like Jacob Misiorowski, Trevor Rogers, and Jack Leiter to bats such as Yandy Díaz, Ben Rice, and Yordan Alvarez, plus bullpen upside in Abner Uribe and international intrigue with Tatsuya Imai as 2026 ADP continues to take shape.

• Intro -- 0:00
• Jacob Misiorowski — 8:50
• Tatsuya Imai — 17:15
• Yandy Díaz — 22:15
• Ben Rice — 29:45
• Trevor Rogers — 36:12
• Yordan Alvarez — 43:59
• Abner Uribe — 49:15
• Jack Leiter — 56:32

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Ellen Adair and Eric Gilde discuss the 2001 film "61*." They introduce the film (1:10), with an overview of the story, the cast, and filmmakers, and review the 20-80 baseball scouting grades for rating the film, with a new metaphor (5:51). In Amount of Baseball (14:41), they discuss the use of actual Mark McGwire footage, the strength of this tool throughout, and the impact of the authenticity. There is a player comp. Baseball Accuracy (20:39) starts off with discussion of Billy Crystal as Mantle's friend and "Rain Man" on set, and then delves into the history, talking about Ford Frick, Fay Vincent, and the asterisk itself, Roger Maris and Babe Ruth plate appearances, Maris and Mantle's relationship with the press, Pascual or Ramos, the imbalanced AL/NL in 1961, Babe Ruth breaking Ned Williamson's record, Maris trade rumors, Mantle running to first in three seconds, Joe DiMaggio Jerk-o-meter, Moose Skowron, Elston Howard, Billy Martin escapades, Maris signing an X on a ball, Rogers Hornsby, Casey Stengel and Mantle, the slick nickname, Mantle's arm injury, Hoyt Wilhelm and Tom Candiotti. Storytelling (54:16) considers everything added by the inclusion of the McGwire framing device, the function of Claire Ruth and Pat Maris in the story, the opening day scene, and the handling of exposition. There are a few small instances of Shakespearing. The scouts discuss the nuanced depiction of male friendship, the character of the media, the character of Bob Cerv, and the cinematography and lighting. The Score Tool (1:24:53) discusses the main theme, the volume of the score, and songs by The Ventures, Bobby Darin, and the Shirelles. Why TF is there a Lyle Lovett song? Acting (1:31:20) pretty much worships Barry Pepper, Thomas Jane, Bruce McGill, Michael Nouri, Richard Masur, Peter Jacobson, Seymour Cassel, Chris Bauer, Anthony Michael Hall, Christopher McDonald and Joe Grifasi, plus the rest of the ensemble. Delightfulness of Catcher (1:51:17) considers 17% of Yogi Berra and not enough Elston Howard. Delightfulness of Announcer (1:52:44) revels in both the accuracy and the high delight of the depictions of Phil Rizzuto, with all of his Rizzuto catchphrases and digressions, and Mel Allen trying to reign him in. Ellen has a (Rizzuto-esque?) digression into a comparison with "Eight Men Out." In Lack of Misogyny (1:59:51), they discuss Mantle's womanizing, and how it's tempered with Maris's point of view, consideration of Pat's perspective, and the existence of female fans. No spoilers on the following segments: Yes or No (2:04:31), Six Degrees of Baseball (2:07:28), Favorite Moment (2:08:09) Least Favorite Moment (2:11:04), Scene We Would Have Liked to See (2:12:52), Dreamiest Player (2:15:49), Favorite Performance (2:16:30), and Next Time (2:19:05). 

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On The Wire

Adam Howe and Kevin Hasting break down a busy week of Winter Meetings news before diving deep into early pitching projections. The guys cover major free-agent signings, closer movement, trades, waiver claims, and roster fallout across the league, then turn their attention to Steamer and PLV pitching projections. From innings and role uncertainty to injury risk, saves volatility, and early draft market inefficiencies, this episode is a must-listen for fantasy managers preparing for early drafts and draft-and-hold leagues.

Intro & Winter Meetings Fallout

Kyle Schwarber Re-Signs with Phillies

Pete Alonso to Baltimore: Lineup Impact

Mike Yastrzemski Signs with Atlanta

Edwin Díaz to Dodgers & Saves Outlook

Tigers Bullpen: Finnegan vs. Will Vest

Pirates Add Gregory Soto

Pitcher Signings: Steven Matz & Mike Soroka

Padres Bullpen Clarity: Mason Miller

Waivers: Marco Luciano to Pirates

Yariel Rodríguez DFA & Landing Spots

Red Sox Trades: Oviedo & Vaughn Grissom

Nationals–Mariners Trade: Ferrer & Henry Ford

Transition to Pitching Projections

ADP vs Projections: Early Market Biases

Hunter Brown & Projection Skepticism

José Berríos Role & Innings Discrepancy

Injured Starters: Bradish & Wheeler

Saves Projections Are a Mess (Again)

Evaluating Closers Beyond Saves

Final Thoughts & Draft Strategy Takeaways

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In The Pen

Rick Graham (@IAmRickGraham) and Jake Crumpler (@jakecrumpler) break down the Rule 5 Draft as well as all the transactions and news from the 2025 Winter Meetings.

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On The Corner

Nick Pollack and Eric Samulski discuss their favorite starting pitchers currently being draft after pick 300.

Nerd out about pitching and fantasy baseball weekly with Pitcher List's Nick Pollack (@PitcherList) and NBC Sports' Eric Samulski (@SamskiNYC). 

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Our Award Winning Baseball Site: https://pitcherlist.com

Pitching is dope.

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On The Corner 

Nick Pollack and Director of Analytics Kyle Bland break down PL Bot's Mock Draft in the PL Pods Mock Draft.

Nerd out about pitching and fantasy baseball weekly with Pitcher List's Nick Pollack (@PitcherList) and NBC Sports' Eric Samulski (@SamskiNYC). 

Support us: https://pitcherlist.com/premium/

Our Award Winning Baseball Site: https://pitcherlist.com

Pitching is dope.

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On The Corner

Nate Schwartz joins Nick Pollack to talk about Nate's team in the PL Podcast Offseason Mock Draft. 

Nerd out about pitching and fantasy baseball weekly with Pitcher List's Nick Pollack (@PitcherList) and NBC Sports' Eric Samulski (@SamskiNYC). 

Support us: https://pitcherlist.com/premium/

Our Award Winning Baseball Site: https://pitcherlist.com

Pitching is dope.

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Keep or Kut - Pete (@PeteBBaseball) and Chad Young (@chadyoung) break down some of the trades they have finalized in the Keep or Kut listener leagues.

7:30 - After going over the Sonny Gray trade to Boston and the Ryan Helsley acquisition by Baltimore, the hosts discuss Pete's trade of Samuel Basallo and a 4th-round pick for Julio Rodríguez.

13:20 - Chad has a 4th-round Zach Neto. Should he keep him? A good conversation about Jackson Holliday follows, as Chad gave up both Trevor Rogers and Shane Bieber to acquire him.

33:46 - Chad acquired Jackson Merrill for Josh Naylor and a pick, buying low on the young Padres outfielder

44:40 - Pete traded a 15th-round pick and an 11th-round pick for a 9th-round pick. He explains why.

55:57 - Chad traded away a 16th-round Robbie Ray in exchange for a 15th-round pick.

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