Hardly ever am I shocked by a demotion. Jake Burger being demoted shocked me. We should always have a contest subsequent preseason to guess the man who might be demoted that may ground individuals. Needs to be a man within the prime 125 or so in drafts, and I’ve to pin down what “floored” means. So, I’m nonetheless understanding the specifics. I do keep in mind I bought one appropriate with Keston Hiura. ‘Member him? He was, like, a prime 70 choose in 2021, then demoted. Rattling, I’m nonetheless residing off that decision of mine. Although, Burger was a vet, they usually traded for him; that is very stunning. Like several Burger, I’m nonetheless making an attempt to course of it. Hardly ever do I quote anybody else that I don’t know, however this Burger joke put the chuck in chuckle:
What-AAA-Burger
— Steve (@iamtherealsteve.bsky.social) Could 1, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Blaine Crim was referred to as as much as substitute Burger. So, dot dot dot, does he have the meat, Clara Peller? Itch mentioned this final 12 months, “As a 5’10” right-handed first baseman, Rangers 1B Blaine Crim, Unbiased (27, AAA) faces an uphill battle to ascertain himself within the majors, however he’s combating the great combat, slashing .280/.375/.474 with 19 homers and a 17.5 p.c strikeout price. That’s principally a carbon copy of the road he produced in 124 Triple-A video games in 2023. He may want a change of surroundings to get an opportunity, however he’s a bat to observe if he lands on a much less aggressive roster. Be good if he landed on prime of Gray with a thud.” C’mon! So, Crim appears like a Quad-A participant, however has pop (7 HRs this 12 months in 115 ABs). Possibly AL-Solely, perhaps a deep combined league flyer, if determined. Looks like a poor man’s Burger. Name him White Fort. By the by, I’ve by no means seen him, however with a reputation like Blaine, I do know it’s not, say, Latin Fort. Anyway, right here’s what else I noticed yesterday in fantasy baseball:
Gunnar Hoglund – Was referred to as up by the A’s. Right here’s what Itch mentioned about Gunnar Hoglund, “I don’t purchase in on many pitching prospects, however after I do, they’ve bought plus command of a number of off-speed pitches in a pitcher-friendly setting. The first return for Matt Chapman, Hoglund may’ve been a 1.1 choose if not for an elbow harm. He nonetheless went nineteenth general and pulled an elite main league third baseman in commerce, then threw eight shutout innings throughout three begins when he returned to the sphere. Now, let’s talk about beating up Gray.” Okay, what? So, am I selecting up Hoglund in combined leagues? Stated like Dana Carvey imitating George Bush Sr., “I’m not Gunnar do it.” Not but at the least. The wonderful command does have me monocle’ing.
Jeffrey Springs – 6 IP, 0 ER, 3 baserunners, 1 Okay, ERA at 4.98. One Okay in six innings is a few Doyle Alexander shizz, however I’m starting to suppose all A’s starters are horrible calls at dwelling and Highway Students.
Tyler Mahle – 6 IP, 1 ER, 6 baserunners, 6 Ks, ERA 1.19. You had been proper in March, a Rangers starter is unhittable this 12 months. Solely it’s Mahle, not deGrom.
Justin Martinez – Hit the IL with “I’ve felt like poo for weeks.” DBags suppose a couple of weeks is all he wants, however ‘feeling like poo’ can linger. Somebody who doesn’t really feel like poo is the individual in your league who picked up Shelby Miller (1 IP, 0 ER, ERA at 0.00, and his 1st save), however nobody escapes selecting up Shelby Miller for very lengthy. Although in equity, he does have stable ratios this 12 months, and was nice in 2023. [cough covering words] And terrible in 2024. [cough cough] There’s additionally Kevin Ginkel, and MTV’s The Problem Torey Lovullo feels like he favors him. Although, not but. When? Haven’t the foggiest! Oh, and Youngsters within the Corridor’s Ryan Thompson bought the save on Wednesday. Now, watch Jalen Beeks get the following save, the one man nobody is selecting up. So, yeah, a large number, however go Miller.
Tim Tawa – 1-for-3 and his fifth homer, all since Ketel went on the IL. Albeit, his homer was probably Tawa’s final at-bat within the majors. Can Ketel not come again? Is that attainable? Really feel like this genie lamp I purchased off the again web page of a wrestling journal doesn’t work. No a refund assure sucks too, I believe I used to be ripped off.
Geraldo Perdomo – 2-for-4 and his fifth homer, hitting .275. This weekend Ketel Marte returns, which doesn’t spell the E-N-D for Perdomo, however he’ll probably transfer down the lineup. Although, perhaps solely to the three-hole and Pavin strikes additional down.
Zac Gallen – 6 IP, 1 ER, 5 baserunners (3 BBs), 8 Ks, ERA at 4.93. This was very good to see, as a result of Gallen was practically in that vary of, “You don’t must go dwelling, however you possibly can’t keep on my fantasy staff.”
Juan Soto – 2-for-3 and his third and 4th homer, and 1st time he homered in CitiField. Comatose Mets Fan, “Whoa, 1st homer at dwelling for Soto?! I have to not have been comatose very lengthy. What’s it, April 2nd? third?…fifth?” Take it simple, CMF, the Mets are doing properly.
Bryan De La Cruz – Claimed by the Yanks. You chuckle however watch as he takes all of Dominguez’s taking part in time.
Miguel Vargas – 1-for-3, 3 RBIs and his 2nd homer. Miguel Vargas in his final 9 video games — .394/.459/.545, 4 strikeouts in 37 plate appearances. He received’t be on this afternoon’s purchase however that’s a schmotato.
Tyler Fitzgerald – Hit the IL as a result of his ribs, i.e., Fitz is on the fritz.
Heliot Ramos – 1-for-4 and his fifth homer, and 2nd homer in two video games, and hit leadoff yesterday. Nonetheless lots time on this season for this preseason sleeper to awaken (pun factors).
Justin Verlander – 6 1/3 IP, 2 ER, 6 baserunners, 4 Ks, ERA at 4.38. Simply placing it perspective, this was at dwelling vs. probably the worst staff in historical past.
Camilo Doval – 2/3 IP, 0 ER, ERA at 1.84, as he pitched the seventh. So, I suppose Ryan Walker’s the Giants’ nearer once more? Why can’t managers simply depart one man within the ninth inning? Am I asking too freakin’ a lot?
Ryan McMahon – 1-for-3 and a slam (3) and legs (1), hitting .152. “Hear, I’d fortunately assist you to get that physique in that overhead compartment, however there’s no manner you’re becoming–Maintain on! McMahon moved! He’s alive!”
Zach Agnos – 1 IP, 0 ER, ERA at 0.00, and his 2nd save. Welp, guess I’ve to take this critical. Agnos touches 98 MPH with a superb 84 MPH change, stable command and spectacular mustache. He was a better within the minors. Suckies may lose 120 video games, and that isn’t actually a terrific place to search for saves, and neither is Coors, however right here ya are, if determined.
Gleyber Torres – 3-for-3 and his 4th homer, hitting .300, and 2nd homer in three video games. You realize he’s gonna be on this afternoon’s Purchase column, as a result of he’s scorching.
Javier Baez – 1-for-5 and his 2nd homer, and 2nd homer in two video games, hitting .291. What 12 months is that this, 2016? Oh, I believe I figured when Baez hits properly. Who did he vote for?
Casey Mize – 7 IP, 4 ER, 9 baserunners, 4 Ks, ERA at 2.70. You realize issues are going your manner whenever you A) Have an ERA nonetheless beneath 3 and quit 4 runs to the Angels. B) Are allowed to pitch seven innings after giving up 4 runs. C) There’s no C.
Dillon Dingler – 3-for-5, 3 RBIs and his 4th homer, hitting .291. [hundreds of poop emojis come flooding into my group chat with Dingler’s Dingers] We’re legion. By no means doubt the Dingler.
Spencer Torkelson – 1-for-5, 2 RBIs and his ninth homer, hitting .239. I’m sorry, I simply heard Kanye’s new track and my mind now not works.
Jorge Soler – 1-for-4, 2 RBIs and his sixth homer, hitting .243, 2nd homer in two video games. Soler is the kind to get hotter than the, properly, solar.
Logan O’Hoppe – 2-for-4 and his ninth homer, 2nd homer in three video games, and third homer in per week, hitting .280. If solely I drafted O’Hoppe within the 1st spherical as a substitute of Gunnar.
Yusei Kikuchi – 5 IP, 2 ER, 6 baserunners, 5 Ks, ERA at 4.21. Yawnsei Kikuchi. (I’m such a hater.)
Jhonkensy Noel – 1-for-4 and his 2nd homer. Huge Christmas in Could it’s simply ridiculous. What’s subsequent, Ramadan in June? President’s Day gross sales in July? Are we animals?!
Ben Vigorous – 5 2/3 IP, 0 ER, 5 hits, zero walks, 2 Ks, ERA at 3.72. Ya know what Vigorous is? An adverb for energetic! He’s additionally a stable starter for deep leagues, you could’t actually begin in shallower ones.
Dansby Swanson – 2-for-4, 2 runs and his sixth homer, 2nd homer in three video games. He received’t be on this afternoon’s Purchase column, as a result of I believe he’s rostered in additional than 50% of leagues, however Swanson has been sizzling, if he was dropped in your league.
Seiya Suzuki – 2-for-4, 3 RBIs and his eighth and ninth homer, hitting .295. As I as soon as informed my canine, Ted, “Seiya balls!”
Kyle Tucker – 1-for-4 and his eighth homer. Tucker about to get a billion in free company. Or regardless of the Dodgers are keen to pay him.
Colin Rea – 6 IP, 2 ER, 6 baserunners, 2 Ks, ERA at 1.46. He has a 1.8 BB/9, so even when the Streamonator hates him, I may see tiptoeing in.
Bryan Reynolds – 1-for-3, 2 RBIs and his 4th homer. That’s a Reynolds rap! As in a knock. Rap on a door? Is it getting higher?
Paul Skenes – 5 IP, 3 ER, 9 baserunners (4 BBs), 2 Ks, ERA at 2.74. I’m nonetheless the one individual speaking about his strikeouts falling dramatically. What’s that, have I ever learn anybody else to know in the event that they’re speaking about? Bro, who’s bought time to learn? I’m busy unionizing lemonade stand children.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. – 1-for-4, 3 RBIs and his 4th homer, and 2nd homer in three video games. The pitch by Slaten that he hit out was about three inches off the bottom and the one manner Cake Batter may get to it was by swinging up. Extra pitches on the bottom for him please.
Daulton Varsho – 1-for-3 and his 2nd homer, and 2nd homer in two video games, after simply getting back from the IL three video games in the past. High quality, schmotato alert!
Jose Berrios – 6 2/3 IP, 2 ER, 8 baserunners, 8 Ks, ERA at 3.98. His peripherals are [holds nose]. They’ll get much less [scrounges face, waves hand in front of nose], however, opposite to widespread thought, I smelt, Berrios dealt.
Walker Buehler – Returned to Boston for exams on his shoulder, as a result of that’s the place all the universities are. Elias Sports activities Bureau mentioned, “No pitcher within the majors has a wholesome arm.” Hmm, sounds proper.
Tanner Houck – 7 IP, 1 ER, 4 hits, zero walks, 6 Ks, ERA at 6.38. Welcome to 2025, Tanner Houck! Streamonator likes his subsequent one and I may see it. Higher act fast, as a result of another nice begin and he’s gonna be flying off waivers.
Yandy Diaz – 1-for-4 and his 4th homer. “Dude’s constructed like a brick home and hits like a church mouse!” That’s from the Jeopardy! class, Issues I Wouldn’t Say To Yandy’s Face.
Shane Baz – 5 2/3 IP, 7 ER, ERA at 3.86. I’m reminded of Brad Pitt taking part in Billy Beane in Moneyball. To paraphrase him, “If Baz is such a terrific pitcher, why doesn’t he pitch nice?”
Seth Lugo – 6 IP, 2 ER, 5 hits, zero walks, 5 Ks, ERA at 3.07. I simply had a thought, so I searched who has the most effective ERA since 2023 with at the least 400 IP. Zack Wheeler does; Seth Lugo is third finest in case you permit him in at 397 IP. And that’s who you’re questioning in case you ought to sit in your fantasy league. (Guess you possibly can’t guess quantity two.)
Bobby Witt Jr. – 1-for-3, 3 RBIs and his third homer. His hitting streak has now reached 22 video games. 34 extra video games and he will get an automated drip espresso maker and to sleep with a Marilyn Monroe lookalike.
Maikel Garcia – 3-for-5, 1 run, 1 RBI, 3 steals (5, 6, 7), hitting .296. He was a preseason sleeper, by the by. Cust kayin’ as a result of I hardly ever kay it about him.
Spencer Steer – 2-for-3 and his third homer. Him and McLain really feel like purchase lows, however they’re additionally contingent on well being, in order that makes them a purchase…medium?
Jose Trevino – 1-for-3, 3 RBIs and his third homer, 2nd homer in three video games. Oh, you finest imagine he’ll be on this afternoon’s Purchase column! Fairly the attract, huh? Jose Trevino!
Alexis Diaz – Despatched to the minors. He’ll spend a while there coming to phrases with shedding the nearer job to Emilio Pagan. That’s gotta hit anybody as a fairly onerous intestine shot. “He’s a loser. I’m a better. Like the good Kyra Sedgwick!” That’s Alexis Diaz taping up a “Nearer starring Kyra Sedgwick” poster over his lavatory mirror whereas his minor league roommate watches on with shaving cream on his face.
