2281 - Players off to hot starts

Take 10 with Tim – April 18, 2025 – 9:30 am. We will use Microsoft Teams1.The Cubs demoted Matt Shaw this week after getting off to a tough start, where he only hit .172 in 18 games.a.It appears Gage Workman will be on the strong side of a platoon with Jon Berti. Workman is a Rule-5 guy I recommended during the Spring because I thought he’d get a shot. Any chance for success here?b.If we’re taking Matt Shaw’s demotion, one has to wonder when the Nationals will pull the plug on Dylan Crews. Crew’s performance makes Matt Shaw look like an All-Star.2.Spencer Strider returns to the mound after almost a year to the day of his TJS. a.Were you encouraged? 5.0 IP, 5 hits, 2 ER, 5K/1BB. Fastball was a tad off – down 0.9 MPH 3.Surprising Starts - Sell High or hold what you gota.Tyler Soderstrom (ATH) – 76 PA, 8 HR, 17 RBI, .324 BA, 14K/8BBb.Spencer Torkelson (Det) – 79 PA, 6 HR, 14 runs, 13 RBI, .275 BA, 25K/9BBc.Matt Mervis (Mia) – 45 PA, 6 HR, 12 RBI, .275 BA, 18K/4BBd.Ben Rice (NYY) – 65 PA, 5 HR, 2 SB, 12 runs, 7 RBI, .273 BA, 15K/10BBe.Kameron Misner (TB) – 49 PA, 3 HR, 1 SB, 9 runs, 10 RBI, .395 BA, 8K/3BBf.Trent Grisham (NYY) – 44 PA, 4 HR, 10 RBI, 10 Runs, .308 BA, 8K/4BBg.Pete Crow Armstrong (CHC) – 89 PA, 15 runs, 10 RBI, 3 HR, 7 SB, .259 BA, 22K/5BBh.Trevor Story (Bos) – 80 PA, 3 HR, 6 SB, .299 BA, 24K/3BBi.Geraldo Perdomo (AZ) – 79 PA, 9 runs, 16 RBI, 3 HR, 2 SB, .311 BA, 5K/13BBj.Jung Hoo Lee (SF) – 76 PA, 19 runs, 14, RBI, 3 HR, 3 SB, .338, 12K/7BB4.The Brewers traded for Quinn Priester, and he responded with an impressive win on Tuesday against the Tigers. Granted, it was the Tigers, but I wrote a long post about him to our Patreon members, indicating that the data looked pretty good. Was this just a lucky outing or do you think it’s sustainable?5.The Dodgers are handling their pitching staff as we suggested. They are using that fifth spot in the rotation, soon to be sixth as a minor league start. They’ve used Justin Wrobleski, Bobby Miller, and Landon Knack. Knack has pitched the best. Is he worth a grab, or with Ohanti and Gonsolin due back, should you avoid the entire situation?6.I saw where you were able to trade for Shane Baz in our Dynasty League and, surprisingly, it didn’t cost you much. Were you surprised?a.What do you think the upside is with Baz this season and in Dynasty Leagues?7.Let’s take a look at the standings – just looking for surprise starts (both good and bad) and do you think they will stay that way.a.American Leagueb.National League8.I know we don’t have regrets, but I want two anyway.a.Who do you wish you had left on the draft table for someone else?b.Who should you have drafted and didn’t?9.What one hitter are you looking to add in this weekend’s FAAB?10.What one pitcher are you looking to add int his weekend’s FAAB?