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Tough Decisions, Staying Ahead of Second-Half Fades & Starting Pitchers We're Worried About

Tough Decisions, Staying Ahead of Second-Half Fades & Starting Pitchers We're Worried About

Update: 2024-06-03
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This episode of Rated Barrel's Monday begins with fantasy baseball news, focusing on Spencer Torkelson's demotion to AAA. The hosts discuss the reasons behind the demotion, including Torkelson's low barrel rate and high fly ball rate. They compare Torkelson's situation to Henry Davis, who has shown improvement after a minor league demotion. The episode then moves on to Justin Henry Maloy's call-up to the Tigers, highlighting his potential and the challenges he faces as a player with limited defensive versatility. The hosts also discuss the Twins' roster moves, including Royce Lewis's return and Edward Julian's demotion, analyzing the team's decisions and the impact on fantasy baseball. The episode then delves into a segment called "The Question of Our Times," which focuses on trading first-half stars before their value drops. The hosts discuss the challenges of timing trades with players who are on innings limits or showing signs of fatigue. They provide insights on identifying players who are likely to see a skills drop in the second half of the season. The episode concludes with a segment called "Where the Money Went," highlighting popular player pickups and drops from the weekend. The hosts discuss the reasons behind these moves, including injuries, performance, and playing time. They also provide their insights on the long-term outlook for some of these players.

Outlines

00:00:00
Fantasy Baseball News

This Chapter discusses the recent fantasy baseball news, including Spencer Torkelson's demotion to AAA, Justin Henry Maloy's call-up, Royce Lewis's return, and Edward Julian's demotion. The hosts analyze the reasons behind these moves and their impact on fantasy baseball.

00:30:34
The Question of Our Times

This Chapter focuses on trading first-half stars before their value drops. The hosts discuss the challenges of timing trades with players who are on innings limits or showing signs of fatigue. They provide insights on identifying players who are likely to see a skills drop in the second half of the season.

00:52:11
Where the Money Went

This Chapter highlights popular player pickups and drops from the weekend. The hosts discuss the reasons behind these moves, including injuries, performance, and playing time. They also provide their insights on the long-term outlook for some of these players.

Keywords

Spencer Torkelson


Spencer Torkelson is an American professional baseball first baseman for the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He was drafted first overall by the Tigers in the 2020 MLB draft. Torkelson is known for his power hitting and has been a highly touted prospect since his college days at Arizona State University. He made his MLB debut in 2021 and has been a key part of the Tigers' rebuilding efforts. However, he has struggled with consistency at the major league level, leading to his recent demotion to AAA.

Justin Henry Maloy


Justin Henry Maloy is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He was drafted by the Tigers in the 2017 MLB draft. Maloy has been a consistent performer in the minor leagues, known for his strong on-base percentage and decent power. He has finally earned a call-up to the major leagues, providing a potential source of value for fantasy baseball managers.

Royce Lewis


Royce Lewis is an American professional baseball shortstop for the Minnesota Twins of Major League Baseball (MLB). He was drafted first overall by the Twins in the 2017 MLB draft. Lewis is a highly touted prospect known for his speed, power, and defensive abilities. He has been hampered by injuries throughout his career, but his return to the major leagues is a positive development for the Twins and fantasy baseball managers.

Edward Julian


Edward Julian is an American professional baseball shortstop for the Minnesota Twins of Major League Baseball (MLB). He was drafted by the Twins in the 2018 MLB draft. Julian has shown promise in the minor leagues, but his recent demotion to AAA suggests that he may need more development time before becoming a consistent contributor at the major league level.

Innings Limit


An innings limit is a restriction placed on a pitcher's workload, typically used to prevent injuries and ensure long-term health. In fantasy baseball, pitchers with innings limits can be valuable assets, but their value can fluctuate depending on how close they are to reaching their limit. Managers need to be aware of these limits and make strategic decisions regarding trading or holding these pitchers.

Pitch Modeling


Pitch modeling is a statistical analysis technique used to evaluate a pitcher's performance based on the characteristics of their pitches, such as velocity, spin rate, and movement. Pitch models can provide insights into a pitcher's true talent level and potential for future success. Fantasy baseball managers can use pitch modeling data to make informed decisions about drafting, trading, and starting pitchers.

Weighted Bat


A weighted bat is a baseball bat that is heavier than a standard bat. Using a weighted bat can help hitters develop strength, improve swing mechanics, and increase bat speed. However, the long-term effects of using weighted bats are still being studied, and some experts believe that they can lead to changes in swing path and decreased bat control.

David Hamilton


David Hamilton is an American professional baseball shortstop for the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball (MLB). He was drafted by the Red Sox in the 2018 MLB draft. Hamilton is known for his speed and has shown potential as a base stealer. He has earned a regular role in the Red Sox lineup, making him a valuable asset for fantasy baseball managers who need stolen bases.

Reed Detmers


Reed Detmers is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels of Major League Baseball (MLB). He was drafted by the Angels in the 2020 MLB draft. Detmers is a left-handed pitcher known for his strong slider and inconsistent fastball command. He has shown flashes of brilliance, but his inconsistency has made him a risky fantasy baseball asset.

Q&A

  • What are some of the key factors to consider when trading first-half stars before their value drops?

    When considering trading first-half stars, it's crucial to assess their potential for a skills drop in the second half. Factors like innings limits, signs of fatigue, and the team's approach to managing workloads can influence a player's value. It's also important to consider the market value of the player and whether you can get a return that reflects their current performance.

  • How can pitch modeling data help fantasy baseball managers make informed decisions?

    Pitch modeling data can provide insights into a pitcher's true talent level and potential for future success. By analyzing pitch characteristics like velocity, spin rate, and movement, managers can identify pitchers who are likely to maintain their performance or experience a decline. This information can be valuable when making decisions about drafting, trading, and starting pitchers.

  • What are some of the key factors to consider when evaluating a player's long-term potential?

    When evaluating a player's long-term potential, it's important to consider their skills, playing time, and the team's plans for them. Factors like pitch shapes, command, and the player's ability to adjust to higher levels of competition can all influence their future success. It's also important to consider the player's age and injury history.

Show Notes

Eno and DVR discuss tough in-season decisions for the Tigers (Spencer Torkelson's demotion) and Twins (Edouard Julien's demotion), and the promotion of Connor Norby, before considering the factors to account for when trying to move on from pitchers that have performed very well during the first two months of the season. 


Rundown

1:48 Spencer Torkelson: Optioned to Triple-A

8:31 Justyn-Henry Malloy Gets the Call

12:38 Royce Lewis' Return Bumps Edouard Julien to Triple-A

23:19 Connor Norby: Promoted by Orioles

29:08 Adam Mazur: Gets the Call to San Diego

31:42 Question of Our Times: Timing Value Drops for First-Half Stars

42:31 Which Pitchers Are You Most Worried About?

53:38 Where the Money Went: Yimi Garcia, Matt Vierling, Mark Vientos & David Hamilton

1:02:00 Reid Detmers' Long-Term Outlook


Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarris

Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper

e-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.com


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Tough Decisions, Staying Ahead of Second-Half Fades & Starting Pitchers We're Worried About

Tough Decisions, Staying Ahead of Second-Half Fades & Starting Pitchers We're Worried About

The Athletic