Completely happy Monday, Razzball trustworthy!
Final week, I gave you a breakdown of our TGFBI league’s draft with a write-up on the starters that each The Lineup Builder and I selected from our respective draft slots. That was a reasonably in depth breakdown of arms, and I hope it helped you collect up some details about sure beginning pitchers you may wish to draft (or keep away from) in your drafts final week.
A couple of of you advised me you favored the setup and wished to see how my RazzSlam squad formed up. Thus, your outdated pal MarmosDad, all the time dedicated to placing the work in for our wonderful Razzball trustworthy, was very happy to oblige (and, apparently, consult with himself within the third particular person within the course of).
There’s one large caveat on this round-up, although. TGFBI is a basic rotisserie-style league with 5X5 scoring classes (R, RBI, AVG, SB, HR, W, SV, WHIP, ERA, Ks), and bi-weekly strikes with FAAB runs each Sunday evening. There are 15 managers in every league competing in opposition to each other for the league title, but additionally making an attempt to amass sufficient class factors to place them within the working for the general high spot.
That format means loading up on good beginning pitching AND a minimum of one or two strong closers early-ish. Having a very good pitching base is crucial for those who don’t wish to end within the basement.
RazzSlam is a wholly totally different animal.
RazzSlam is a league based mostly purely on Factors accumulation. It’s a Greatest Ball format, (lineups are mechanically generated every week based mostly on which gamers carried out finest within the week), with simply TWO FAAB runs all through the whole 12 months.
It’s essential to place this data on the market forward of my write-up so that you simply all know {that a} technique I made a decision to check out on this 12 months’s RazzSlam is one which I’d not attempt in a rotisserie league. Right here’s the fundamental concept…
- Punt pitching early. Don’t draft greater than 1 or 2 pitchers within the first 20 rounds.
- Whereas different groups are loading up on their SP4-5 or second nearer, draft a strong half dozen bench bats, some with upside.
- Make a brief record of deep worth picks who may sneak right into a closing gig or a again finish of the rotation project out of Spring.
- Don’t fear about lacking out on arms or taking a threat. (FAAB 1 is April eighth – we will trim the fats or failure then).
Following this format was my purpose and I feel I stored my focus for probably the most half. I’ll fill within the notes part to let who (and why) I took in every spot. I didn’t take a number of beginning pitchers to fill out my roster due to what Rudy’s Conflict Room had projected for pitcher factors totals.
Talking of Rudy’s Conflict Room…(nailed that segue manner!), The Razzball Fantasy Baseball Subscription ought to be your go-to reference for the whole season. It’s going to prevent a number of time researching and sometimes contains options to these “Oh, I by no means thought of that” questions that come up all year long. The Streamonator can also be a useful useful resource when making lineup selections. When you subscribe early sufficient, you’ll additionally get entry to the Conflict Room. Rudy’s instruments are properly definitely worth the value of admission. When you’re critical about bettering all through the season, verify the hyperlink, yo.
Additionally! Hopefully, you had an opportunity to join our Razzball Commenter Leagues. Our Perts League draft is TONIGHT at 9:00 EST. Right here’s the hyperlink to the draft board if you wish to comply with alongside. I draft my last RCL (#30) tomorrow evening too, so I hope to see just a few of you there with me!
For reference, I ended up with the 1.01 choose on this 12 months’s RazzSlam. I knew who I needed to take. Two years in the past, I took Shohei Ohtani as my 1.01 and completed seventh total in factors (albeit on the comfort facet after lacking the championship cutline a month earlier than the tip of that season). Remembering that I had double picks every spherical may assist rationalize my picks right here.
| SP RANK | NAME | TEAM | RAZZSLAM
SP RANKING |
GREY’s
RANKINGS |
NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paul Skenes | PIT | 2 | 1 | The King was chosen because the SP2?! Oh, the disrespect! |
| 2 | Tarik Skubal | DET | 1 | 2 | Skubal and Skenes went back-to-back on the finish of Spherical 3. |
| 3 | Zack Wheeler | PHI | 3 | 3 | |
| 4 | Logan Gilbert | SEA | 5 | 4 | |
| 5 | Cole Ragans | KC | 8 | 7 | I’m an enormous fan, however this was early Spherical 6 – and I used to be nonetheless drafting hitters. |
| 6 | Garrett Crochet | BOS | 4 | 12 | |
| 7 | Dylan Stop | SD | 7 | 6 | Stop and Burnes had been the one two starters drafted in Spherical 5. |
| 8 | Corbin Burnes | ARI | 6 | 20 | |
| 9 | Michael King | SD | 15 | 11 | I’ll skip the SP14 right here as a result of it was Gerrit Cole (RIP). |
| 10 | Framber Valdez | HOU | 12 | 8 | |
| 11 | Yoshinobu Yamamoto | LAD | 16 | 15 | I’d’ve cherished him as my SP1, however I needed to follow the plan! |
| 12 | Chris Sale | ATL | 9 | 19 | |
| 13 | Tyler Glasnow | LAD | 24 | 34 | I wished him on the finish of Spherical 12. He went simply earlier than my choose so I needed to pivot to…(verify 10 spots under him right here). |
| 14 | Shota Imanaga | CHC | 22 | 13 | |
| 15 | Blake Snell | LAD | 11 | 10 | |
| 16 | George Kirby | SEA | 10 | 5 | SP10 for this league. The harm information definitely pushed him down a bit. “Precautionary” IL placement on Friday (Mar. 21). |
| 17 | Pablo Lopez | MIN | 13 | 22 | |
| 18 | Jacob deGrom | TEX | 17 | 18 | |
| 19 | Roki Sasaki | LAD | 19 | 17 | That is nearly 10 spots earlier than he was chosen in our TGFBI draft per week earlier (SP28). |
| 20 | Bailey Ober | MIN | 20 | 23 | |
| 21 | Bryce Miller | SEA | 23 | 14 | |
| 22 | Spencer Schwellenbach | ATL | 21 | 16 | |
| 23 | Joe Ryan | MIN | 25 | 41 | The SP25 was my first pitcher of the draft! This was the tip of Spherical 12. For reference, I had taken 11 hitters and stuffed out most of my beginning lineup earlier than double-tapping Joe Ryan. |
| 24 | Sonny Grey | STL | 33 | 28 | |
| 25 | Freddy Peralta | MLW | 31 | 32 | |
| 26 | Zac Gallen | ARI | 37 | 25 | It was between him and Woo for me. Gallen went two picks after I took Woo. |
| 27 | Hunter Greene | CIN | 28 | 40 | The strikeout potential is flashing brightly this Spring. If he stays wholesome, he may problem Paul Skenes and Zack Wheeler for the NL strikeout title. |
| 28 | Max Fried | NYY | 26 | 39 | |
| 29 | Spencer Strider | ATL | 35 | 59 | SP35 and SP35 on this record final week. This was the tip of Spherical 15. I assume his inventory shoots up now that he’s proven good well being. |
| 30 | Luis Castillo | SEA | 30 | 38 | |
| 31 | Logan Webb | SF | 18 | 24 | |
| 32 | Tanner Bibee | CLE | 32 | 29 | |
| 33 | Aaron Nola | PHI | 27 | 42 | |
| 34 | Bryan Woo | SEA | 36 | 26 | I didn’t wish to take one other pitcher this “early” however I couldn’t cross up Woo right here. The obsession is powerful. Please keep wholesome. Spherical 15. |
| 35 | Kevin Gausman | TOR | 39 | 57 | He’s a simple identify to fade, however he struck out 10 in 5 shutout innings on Saturday in his last Spring outing. That’s a reasonably good signal. |
| 36 | Sandy Alcantara | MIA | 38 | 61 | Sandy strikes up about 10 spots this week. A giant checkpoint was getting via Spring Coaching wholesome. Test. |
| 37 | Hunter Brown | HOU | 29 | 30 | |
| 38 | Jack Flaherty | DET | 41 | 31 | McClanahan was SP40 (Extra under) and Flaherty went proper after that. |
| 39 | Kodai Senga | NYM | 48 | 58 | I’m excessive right here however another person within the draft room is all the time greater than I’m. I haven’t gotten any shares but this draft season. |
| 40 | Yusei Kikuchi | LAA | 51 | 63 | Similar as Senga. I like him, however all the time take Woo or Jones as an alternative of men on this pocket. |
| 41 | Cristopher Sanchez | PHI | 34 | 49 | |
| 42 | Carlos Rodon | NYY | 49 | 35 | |
| 43 | Justin Steele | CHC | 43 | 36 | One other one which traces up proper the place I had him ranked. SP43 was the final choose earlier than my double faucet on the finish of RD 16/starting of RD 17. |
| 44 | Brandon Pfaadt | ARI | 47 | 37 | |
| 45 | Robbie Ray | SFG | 42 | 48 | |
| 46 | Reynaldo Lopez | ATL | 50 | 44 | |
| 47 | Seth Lugo | KC | 45 | 43 | |
| 48 | Shane Baz | TB | 60 | 54 | |
| 49 | Taj Bradley | TB | 55 | 55 | |
| 50 | Gavin Williams | CLE | 59 | 83 | I used to be disillusioned when Williams and Baz each went on the way in which again as much as my picks on the finish of RD 20. |
| 54 | Nick Pivetta | S.D. | 52 | 50 | |
| 55 | Zach Eflin | BAL | 53 | 45 | |
| 56 | Ranger Suarez | PHI | 84 | 47 | I questioned why he was going so low in drafts, then noticed that his again points from late August had resurfaced and he was headed to the IL. Yikes. |
| 57 | Bowden Francis | TOR | 74 | 56 | Cease me for those who’ve heard this one earlier than. I wished Jobe right here, however after I took Jordan Walker in RD 23, Bowden was the smart choose to start out RD 24. There’s extra data in my write-up from final week for those who’re trying. He’s had a tough Spring, however I nonetheless consider he’ll take an enormous step ahead in 2025. |
| 58 | Jose Berrios | TOR | 62 | 71 | It was time to take one other pitcher originally of RD 21. I had simply taken Jo Adell as my third bench bat. I took Berrios and hoped that Jordan Walker would make it again to me in RD 22. I’m simply glad I didn’t find yourself with Bassitt too. |
| 59 | MacKenzie Gore | SD | 58 | 66 | |
| 60 | Nathan Eovaldi | TEX | 61 | 46 | |
| 61 | Tanner Houck | BOS | 64 | 68 | |
| 62 | Jesus Luzardo | PHI | 72 | 65 | |
| 63 | Ronel Blanco | HOU | 70 | 64 | |
| 64 | Reese Olson | DET | 67 | 67 | |
| 65 | Spencer Arrighetti | HOU | 46 | 53 | I’m low on Arrighetti right here, and I simply traded for him in a blended keeper league, however I nonetheless don’t totally belief the command. Strikeout potential is excessive. |
| 66 | Nick Lodolo | CIN | 65 | 75 | |
| 67 | Ryan Pepiot | TB | 56 | 52 | I received’t have him anyplace, however he’s like Justin Steele for me. I’ve a sense he’ll have a very good 12 months but it surely received’t be on any of my groups (due to my rating vs. others). |
| 68 | Jackson Jobe | DET | 73 | 73 | I wished to draft Jobe with my RD 23 choose, however he was taken simply earlier than my flip got here up. |
| 69 | Jeffrey Springs | ATH | 57 | 105 | |
| 70 | Dustin Might | LAD | 85 | 88 | I don’t wish to curse anybody, however I hoped to snag each Might and Weathers on this draft. |
| 71 | Max Scherzer | TOR | 92 | 122 | |
| 72 | Yu Darvish | SD | 54 | 72 | Darvish was chosen in RD 18 between Zach Eflin and Taj Bradley. I’d have guessed he’d be on the board for a minimum of two extra rounds. |
| 73 | Mitch Keller | PIT | 78 | 79 | |
| 74 | Ryan Weathers | MIA | 81 | N/R | I used to be so pumped to take Weathers as my sixth pitcher. He had simply touched 102 MPH in a Spring recreation and taking him in Spherical 24 was a steal…till the harm information. I’m maintaining him right here for now, however the potential that his timeline to return is 4-6 weeks means I’m seemingly being too cussed by not eradicating him altogether proper now. |
| 75 | Clay Holmes | NYM | 63 | 95 | His was the beginning of an SP run via Spherical 21. I took Berrios, then Holmes, Houck, and Lodolo went with the following three picks. I feel Holmes could have a very good 12 months, however I’m involved with what number of innings he’ll pitch. |
| 76 | Nestor Cortes | MLW | 77 | 107 | |
| 77 | Merrill Kelly | ARI | 79 | 103 | |
| 78 | Brandon Woodruff | MLW | 75 | 106 | |
| 79 | Brady Singer | CIN | 103 | 91 | An argument could be made that some names not on the record may/ought to take his place. On the very least, it is a streamer with strikeout potential away from house. |
| 80 | Clarke Schmidt | NYY | 69 | 85 | |
| 81 | Michael Wacha | KC | 66 | 69 | |
| 82 | Walker Buehler | BOS | 71 | 104 | |
| 83 | Matthew Boyd | CHC | 110 | 76 | |
| 84 | David Peterson | NYM | 90 | 85 | |
| 85 | Tomoyuki Sugano | BAL | 94 | 77 | The strikeouts is not going to be there, however the ratio assist ought to be. |
| 86 | Jose Soriano | LAA | 91 | 101 | He’s seemingly too excessive right here, however that FB velocity is fairly candy. |
| 87 | Drew Rasmussen | TB | 104 | 87 | |
| 88 | Chris Bassitt | TOR | 68 | 90 | This was a little bit of a attain because the SP68. I’d have taken Bowden Francis forward of Bassitt if given the selection. |
| 89 | Brayan Bello | BOS | 105 | 78 | I’m ready to listen to if his IL stint will probably be brief or if he’ll want in depth time to construct again up earlier than returning to Fenway. |
| 90 | Tobias Myers | MLW | 82 | 80 | Similar story as Bello above. |
| 91 | Jameson Taillon | CHC | 96 | 91 | |
| 92 | Luis Gil | NYY | 160 | 62 | Gil remains to be a strong keeper league selection in case you have a deep bench and/or can add a alternative by placing him in an IL spot. |
| 93 | Cody Bradford | TEX | 108 | 74 | Texas signing Patrick Corbin doesn’t make me assured that Bradford and/or Grey are coming again quickly. |
| 94 | Luis Severino | ATH | 89 | 97 | |
| 95 | Grant Holmes | ATL | 76 | 111 | |
| 96 | Grayson Rodriguez | BAL | 83 | 27 | At the very least he’s throwing once more. That’s the one optimistic to report right here. This appears like Gerrit Cole over again. I’m no physician, however I don’t suppose cortisone photographs in your elbow and resting a sore triceps muscle are good options to fixing an harm with surgical procedure. |
| 97 | Michael Soroka | WSH | 97 | N/R | |
| 98 | Max Meyer | MIA | 106 | N/R | He hasn’t been formally named to the rotation but however I feel it’s coming quickly. The Weathers harm provides him one much less man to leapfrog. |
| 99 | Bubba Chandler | PIT | 84 | N/R | Similar as Meyer and Weathers however with him and Jared Jones. Bubba was reassigned to the minors a few weeks in the past however there are whispers that he may head to Pittsburgh ahead of anticipated if Jones is cooked. |
| 100 | Jack Leiter | TEX | 123 | 118 | Texas including Patrick Corbin seemingly means unhealthy information for one of many Texas youngsters. I assume Leiter will get the primary look over Kumar Rocker. |
Different names that had been chosen to regulate within the late rounds of your drafts
If you might want to add one other arm for innings, strikeouts, or ratio assist, they usually didn’t make the High 100 record, don’t fear. A few of these names have an opportunity to seem quickly if accidents or poor efficiency knock others out of the record.
(Every identify is listed within the order they had been drafted as an SP in our 42-round RazzSlam draft. The daring ones had been my picks).
Eduardo Rodriguez
Aaron Civale
Casey Mize
Tylor Megill
Kris Bubic
Nick Martinez
Justin Verlander
Kyle Harrison
Eury Perez
JP Sears
Will Warren
Richard Fitts
Kutter Crawford
Zack Littell
Hayden Birdsong
Jake Irvin
Andrew Abbott
Hayden Wesneski
Michael McGreevy
Reid Detmers
Sean Burke
AJ Smith-Shawver
Rhett Lowder
Landon Roupp
That’s it for our Beginning Pitchers from our RazzSlam draft! I omitted about 30 extra names simply to maintain the second record manageable right here.
As I stated above, I used to be OK with ready for some time on pitching as a result of I’ve learn fairly a little bit of details about starters for the final three months and felt snug with my data of the underside a part of the participant pool.
The ‘gambles/threat elements’ with sure gamers who may not have secured a job but are simple to abdomen as a result of our first FAAB run for RazzSlam is scheduled for April eighth. Such an early free agent pickup date in a league with solely two probabilities to select up free brokers might sound foolish, but it surely permits a supervisor to take dangers that they’ll appropriate lower than two weeks into the season.
That, and the truth that it provides us an opportunity to exchange these injured starters, makes this a league format that enables for some totally different considering or planning while you enter that draft room.
To be absolutely clear, Rudy’s Conflict Room has established closers projected to earn excessive level totals in comparison with these mid-level rotation arms. Right here’s my “yellow brick highway” of pitching that I took to fill out my roster after I had my fill of hitting (aside from the newly optioned Zac Veen…ugh).
WHEE! – These gamers launched onto the High 100 record this week.
Jack Leiter – I put Leiter in as our a hundredth SP this week as a result of it looks as if Texas will give him the primary shot on the Rangers’ 5ht starter spot. Kumar Rocker could possibly be our SP101 right here, and you might go along with both one if Texas decides to go along with a 6-man rotation whereas Jon Grey and Cody Bradford are out with accidents.
OOF! – These gamers fell off the High 100 record this final week.
Shohei Ohtani – Dave Roberts’s quote from March sixth was there’s “no clear timeline for when he’ll begin to ramp up as a pitcher”. That’s sufficient data to be snug eradicating him from the pitching facet of issues till it’s clear he’s prepared to start out engaged on pitching.
Shane McClanahan (SP40) – Chopping gamers from the record is hard, particularly while you hope they’ve a robust bounceback from an prolonged well being difficulty. McClanahan’s formally down with a triceps harm and Ryan Pepiot will take over the Opening Day responsibility. I’ll connect the clip under, but it surely doesn’t look encouraging.
Jared Jones (SP44) – This one was a intestine punch. With an iron fist. Dipped in concrete. I chosen Joe Ryan as my SP1 in Spherical 12. I couldn’t cross up Bryan Woo in Spherical 14. By the point Spherical 17 rolled round, I had already stuffed out my complete hitting roster (Alejandro Kirk as my second catcher in RD 16). It will be good to suppose Jared Jones was waving at me within the draft room, telling me he was poised for an enormous season behind Paul Skenes. His well being issues had been behind him and he was able to make a run at 200 Ks on the 12 months!
Properly, the fact bell rang exhausting final week when the Pirates introduced that Jones’ elbow was bothering him and that they had been in search of a second opinion after seeing imaging on his proper elbow. I feel it was Gray who stated one thing alongside the traces of how “in search of out a second opinion not often yields excellent news”. Paraphrasing, in fact. The one silver lining right here is it’d give Bubba Chandler a shot at a call-up ahead of the crew initially deliberate.
That’s all for this week! I hope you loved it! Subsequent week will seemingly be the primary week I’ve simply my High 100 record with information and notes. Which means I received’t mix a draft evaluation and the record notes into one large article.
Drop some feedback within the chat for those who’re feeling further fired up about among the names I do (or don’t) have right here. Better of luck for those who’re drafting this week. I do know I’m excited concerning the FIVE drafts I’ve earlier than subsequent Monday! Have a terrific week!
Comply with me @marmosdad on Twitter/X and Bluesky @marmosdad.bsky.social
