ROTOWIRE.COM NFL MLB / Minors NBA NHL GOLF RACING    COMMUNITY FORUMS PODCASTS MYROTOWIRE ASK AN EXPERT GAMES
Thursday, July 2, 2009

Rany Jazayerli, Banned By the Royals

Rany Jazayerli, of Baseball Prospectus and Rany on the Royals fame, has been banned by the team for having the temerity to challenge the job done by the Royals' medical staff.

Read all of Rany Jazayerli, Banned By the Royals

Does Not Compute

The Pistons get Villanueva and Gordon, the Magic get Vince Carter, the Grizzlies get Z-Bo... and I don't get any of it.

Read all of Does Not Compute

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

How Does Albert Pujols' Fantasy Season Stack Up Historically?

Through 80 games, Pujols has 30 homers and 10 steals, putting him on a pace to be the majors' first ever 60/20 player.

Read all of How Does Albert Pujols' Fantasy Season Stack Up Historically?

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

MLB Notes

Tim Lincecum won the Cy Young last year, but he’s been an even better pitcher this season, despite a 7.56 ERA after his first two starts. His K rate is ever so slightly down compared to last year, but 10.42/9 is still an acceptable number, and his walk rate is down significantly (2.21 BB/9). His xFIP (2.80) is the second best in baseball, so despite a decrease in velocity (92.5 mph), Lincecum remains one of the three best pitchers in the game. And he’s becoming more efficient too, averaging a staggering 8.75 innings pitched over his last four starts, never throwing more than 110 pitches in the process. The choice between Lincecum or Dan Haren starting the All-Star game is a tough one.

Read all of MLB Notes

Under the Big Straw Hat - No. 2

This has been a particularly interesting and rewardng year for top prospects in virtually every major league organization.  Many familiar names we have been watching and writing about have made their major league debuts within the past month or two.  Some come to mind as particularly intriguing:

Read all of Under the Big Straw Hat - No. 2

MLB Thoughts and Observations

I haven't heard a lot of talk about Nate Schierholz - surprising especially from DDD who's a Giants fan. Schierholz isn't a super prospect, but he posted an OPS of well over .900 for two years in a row at Triple-A and is still just 25. He'll run a bit, hit for average and a little pop. He won't take a walk, but that's not a bad thing in fantasy, especially since his contact rate isn't a problem. Got him in the RotoWire Staff 18-team keeper league a couple weeks ago for $1 - which shows how forgotten he'd been. I'd suggest picking up players like James McDonald, Matt LaPorta, Chase Headley and Clay Buchholz - even in deeper one-year mixed leagues because you never know when one will break out, and you want to be there before it happens.

 

Read all of MLB Thoughts and Observations

Mauer Revisited

One month ago there was some discussion that Joe Mauer's newfound power was more than just a hot streak and that he had developed a new skill.

Read all of Mauer Revisited

Monday, June 29, 2009

Why My Friends and Family Blockbuster Has Worked Out So Far (Knock on Wood)

On June 3, despite being comfortably in first place in the Yahoo Friends and Family League, I made the following blockbuster trade: I dealt Carl Crawford, Jayson Werth, Jorge Posada and Gil Meche to Mike Salfino for Hanley Ramirez, Geovany Soto, Roy Oswalt and Carlos Quentin.

Read all of Why My Friends and Family Blockbuster Has Worked Out So Far (Knock on Wood)

RotoWire 150

Here's our overall NFL cheat sheet - at least as of late June:

Read all of RotoWire 150

Sunday, June 28, 2009

NFBC Free Agent Results, Week 13

Marlins closer bidding war week.

Read all of NFBC Free Agent Results, Week 13

Saturday, June 27, 2009

Who's Available in Your League?

It's been awhile since I've solicited names from you for our FAAB articles - I figured now's a good time to get a gauge on what's out there.

Read all of Who's Available in Your League?

Buy Lowest - Part 2

I wrote the first version of this column three weeks ago, and judge for yourself whether you should have bought into that portfolio generally at the going rate. (It's almost impossible to remember what the market was like for those players now that many have turned it around so completely - unlike the stock market we can't just look back at the dollar value at which they were trading). Here are a few more.

Read all of Buy Lowest - Part 2

Friday, June 26, 2009

The View from Under the Big Straw Hat

Since I went to Scout School and worked as a professional scout for the Houston Astros and Seattle Mariners, I haven't been able to watch a baseball game without evaluating each and every player.  I don't watch a game the way I did before I worked as a scout.

Read all of The View from Under the Big Straw Hat

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Jarrod Washburn

Another great performance by the unheralded lefty.

Read all of Jarrod Washburn

MLB Notes

Over his last six starts, Felix Hernandez has a 1.00 ERA and 1.04 WHIP. Three games against the NL West have certainly helped, but after back-to-back seasons with WHIPs approaching 1.40, Hernandez may finally be realizing all that potential, and it’s easy to forget he’s still just 23 years old. While his command could still use some improvement, his 8.68 K/9 mark is a career-best, and despite Seattle fielding one of the better defenses in baseball, Hernandez’s BABIP (.311) has hardly been lucky. While his G/F ratio has dropped from a remarkable 2.67 in 2007, of the top-30 starting pitchers who have induced the most groundballs in 2009, Hernandez has the best K rate by a wide margin, which is the type of combination that could eventually lead to a Cy Young.

Read all of MLB Notes

NBA Mock Draft

A stab at the first 15 picks:

Read all of NBA Mock Draft

Pre-Draft Thoughts and Observations

What's on my mind heading into Thursday's NBA draft:

For all the talk about how the Clippers can't screw this one up with Blake Griffin sitting there for them at #1, the reality of the situation is that they certainly can (and will probably find a way to). The Clippers have been nearly as bad when it comes to player development as they have been with evaluating/drafting prospects. Even if they do end up drafting Griffin first overall, Clipper nation shouldn't be breathing a sigh of relief just yet.

Read all of Pre-Draft Thoughts and Observations

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

2009 NBA Draft: Tiered Top-30 Prospect Rankings

With trade talks heating up and numerous picks expected to change hands on draft day, mock drafts are becoming less and less useful of a tool as each day passes. So instead of putting together a mock draft that will more than likely be outdated by the time the draft begins, I've opted to create a top-30 tiered rankings list of this year's prospects. They may differ dramatically in some aspects from what we've been seeing in the mainstream mocks and rankings, but they are a reflection of my thoughts and opinions on each player's pro potential based on a wide variety of evaluators.

Read all of 2009 NBA Draft: Tiered Top-30 Prospect Rankings

Intentionally Walking a Batter with Runners on First and Second

With the Braves down 8-4 in the ninth inning and runners on first and second with two outs, manager Bobby Cox intentionally walked Robinson Cano to load the bases.

Read all of Intentionally Walking a Batter with Runners on First and Second

Are Any of the League's Top Power Hitters Clean?

Looking over the last 20-odd years, nearly all of baseball's top power hitters are accused or confirmed PED users. Here are the top-10 career home run leaders from this era:

Read all of Are Any of the League's Top Power Hitters Clean?

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

MLB Notes

There have been a lot of rookies who have failed to impress this year, but Colby Rasmus isn’t one of them. His .772 OPS doesn’t jump out, and his .114/.220/.182 line against southpaws is an abomination, but Rasmus is hitting .358 in June, and his defense in center field has been the absolute best in baseball (30.1 UZR/150). Moreover, he recorded 74 steals with an 81% success rate over four abbreviated seasons in the minors, so more activity on the basepaths should be expected (he has just one steal this season). Better plate discipline is a must, but Rasmus looks like a keeper.

Read all of MLB Notes

Tuesday MLB Pregame Notes & Snapdraft Lineup

There's a full slate of games on Tuesday, here's my look at tonight's game plus my SnapDraft lineup.
Here's who I went with:


C  Joe Mauer - MIN @ MLW - Tue @8:05 PM    $2,610,000
1B Albert Pujols - STL @ NYM-Tue @7:10 PM    $3,670,000
2B Chase Utley - PHI @ TB - Tue @7:08 PM    $3,040,000
3B Chipper Jones - ATL vs. NYY-Tue @7:10 PM    $2,880,000
SS Hanley Ramirez - FLA vs. BAL - Tue @7:10 PM    $3,320,000
OF Jason Kubel - MIN @ MLW - Tue @8:05 PM    $1,760,000
OF Nate McLouth - ATL vs. NYY - Tue @7:10 PM    $2,350,000
OF Michael Cuddyer. - MIN @ MLW - Tue @8:05 PM    $1,820,000
P Tim Lincecum - SF @ OAK - Tue @10:05 PM    $3,030,000
P Zack Greinke - KC @ HOU - Tue @8:05 PM    $2,370,000

Read all of Tuesday MLB Pregame Notes & Snapdraft Lineup

Mitch Stetter, Sooper-LOOGY

Maybe it's the fact that he pitches for Milwaukee. Maybe it's the fact that he's considered little more than a lefty specialist. But Mitch Stetter has gotten very little attention despite being on something of a crazy tear over his last five games.

In that stretch, he's faced 13 batters. One of them, Troy Tulowitzki, beat out an infield single to shortstop. Another, Victor Martinez, grounded back to the mound and reached on a fielder's choice.

The other 11 struck out.

Read all of Mitch Stetter, Sooper-LOOGY

Monday, June 22, 2009

The Limitations of Yards Per Target

While writing up the wide receiver section for our football magazine the last several years, I've noticed a few things about wideout stats that hadn't initially occurred to me. For starters, it turns out that deep threats as a group average more yards per target than possession receivers.

Read all of The Limitations of Yards Per Target

BABIP and Control (or Lack Thereof)

It's widely believed that for pitchers, batting average on balls in play is largely due to luck and that over time, will settle toward .300. Put differently, 30 percent of batted balls that don't go over the fence are expected to drop in for hits regardless of the pitcher. (This does not account for extremely good or bad defense, but assuming the defense is close to average, the main explanation for severe deviations from a .300 BABIP is dumb luck).

Read all of BABIP and Control (or Lack Thereof)

Sunday, June 21, 2009

NFBC Free Agent Results, Week 12

Quieter week on the bidding front:

Read all of NFBC Free Agent Results, Week 12

BABIP of the Week: Carl Pavano(?!)

In this week's edition of BABIP of the Week, we examine a very unlikely tout: Carl Pavano.

Read all of BABIP of the Week: Carl Pavano(?!)

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Boston Rottweilers, Orlando...Poodles?

Paul Pierce on Lakers vs Magic, and next year's Celtics.  Gotta love Twitter.

Read all of Boston Rottweilers, Orlando...Poodles?

What We're Keeping our Eis on --- Saturday Edition

Don't see Year One.

Read all of What We're Keeping our Eis on --- Saturday Edition

Juan Big Problem

With Manny Ramirez's return coming soon, the Dodgers are put in a tough spot. Juan Pierre has produced and wants to keep playing, so what to do? Whatever it is, there will be fantasy blood.

Read all of Juan Big Problem

<< [1] 2 3 4 >>

Tell Someone

  • Digg it
  • submit to reddit reddit
  • Add to Mixx!

Recent Favorites

RotoWire 150
Here's our overall NFL cheat sheet - at least as of late June:

Buy Lowest - Part 2
I wrote the first version of this column three weeks ago, and judge for yourself whether you should have bought into that portfolio generally at the going rate. (It's almost impossible to remember what the market was like for those players now that many have turned it around so completely - unlike the stock market we can't just look back at the dollar value at which they were trading). Here are a few more.
The View from Under the Big Straw Hat

Since I went to Scout School and worked as a professional scout for the Houston Astros and Seattle Mariners, I haven't been able to watch a baseball game without evaluating each and every player.  I don't watch a game the way I did before I worked as a scout.
MLB Notes
Over his last six starts, Felix Hernandez has a 1.00 ERA and 1.04 WHIP. Three games against the NL West have certainly helped, but after back-to-back seasons with WHIPs approaching 1.40, Hernandez may finally be realizing all that potential, and it’s easy to forget he’s still just 23 years old. While his command could still use some improvement, his 8.68 K/9 mark is a career-best, and despite Seattle fielding one of the better defenses in baseball, Hernandez’s BABIP (.311) has hardly been lucky. While his G/F ratio has dropped from a remarkable 2.67 in 2007, of the top-30 starting pitchers who have induced the most groundballs in 2009, Hernandez has the best K rate by a wide margin, which is the type of combination that could eventually lead to a Cy Young.
The Limitations of Yards Per Target
While writing up the wide receiver section for our football magazine the last several years, I've noticed a few things about wideout stats that hadn't initially occurred to me. For starters, it turns out that deep threats as a group average more yards per target than possession receivers.

RSS Feeds