UPDATES
I just updated the Rotoman Pitcher and Hitter Sheets with transaction updates (signings and team changes) since January 1, which should have made a dent in wrong team assignments. That’s a change that was long overdue, and should make keeping up with them going forward almost possible.
I also added a league column because a few of you asked for it. My first reaction was that it wasn’t necessary because we all know what league the teams are in (even though my reflex is still to put Milwaukee in the AL and Houston in the NL), but of course, if you want to sort the sheet because you play in AL or NL only leagues, the column might be helpful. You wish, et alia.
The Rotoman Sheet (I’m cutting the name down now, less typing) is available to paying subscribers. It has a line for each hitter and pitcher, with a bid price for roto leagues this year, cost and earnings scans for the last five years, games played by position for major league hitters and I’m slowly adding in primary position for minor leaguers, comments for many pitchers and hitters, and 2023 projections.
If you’re not a paying subscriber you can learn more about paying by clicking the green button:
I should point out that by paying the monthly rate now it will cost $10 through opening day, (all monthly subs end in early April) with access to the Sheet and Comments and answers to your questions, which is what the Fantasy Baseball Guide would have cost if it still existed. Alas.
No problem if you don’t subscribe. There will be enough free material here that I hope to convince you to support the effort, but I’m glad to have you here in any event.
But if you sign up for the annual play you also get access to the subscriber areas at Pattonandco.com for no extra cost. A $36 value, so there is that.
And become a Pattonandco.com subscriber and you’ll get an annual subscription here for no extra charge! It’s your choice.
The link to the new Rotoman Sheet can be found past the paywall which comes after the signature below.
A FEW COMMENTS
While trying to work out projections for some of the coming prospects I realized that my past classification system for players who didn’t get bid values wasn’t going to work. Using letters instead of numbers breaks spreadsheets. So as I worked my way through the low-cost players, some of whom are very talented hitters and pitchers who may or may not make a difference this year, I started giving those who I thought might have value later in the year but weren’t worth buying even in an only-league auction, negative values.
This should be controversial. Psychologically a negative value looks like a diss, but sorting-wise, a negative value finishes above no value at all, which is why I hope we can roll with the cognitive dissonance. There are just a few of them now, so you may not even notice (I didn’t even check that I did it right), but there will be more.
Some new profiles:
Oscar Colas, OF, White Sox: A Cuban emigree who came up in the NPB minor league system, everyone agrees he's got a fantastic power bat. Less clear is whether he'll otherwise hit enough to justify that power in the lineup, especially since he's not valued defensively. He's invited to spring training but he'll probably start the season in Triple-A, where he finished last year, and then could be promoted this year. PAN
Hmm. Why is that a pan. The key here is that he’s not a good hitter and not a good defensive player. He could have some very good seasons, but even at a $3 bid price, as I have him, he’s a risk of failure even if he gets a chance.
Photo: Jeffrey Hyde
Anthony Volpe, SS, Yankees: He only has 99 plate appearances so far at Triple-A, so expect the Yankees No. 1 rookie candidate to start the season in the minors. He's got power and speed and fantastic makeup, scouts say, but does his glove warrant quick promotion? More likely to end up at second base, promotion and playing time issues may keep him cheap, which makes him a fair endgame/reserve flyer. MEH
Hmm. Why MEH? Lots of talent and advanced maturity, so he could be promoted quickly. But defensive deficiencies and blocked by Gleybar Torres. He is so young he may well not get promoted this year. But he could be….
Taj Bradley, P, Rays: He throws in the mid-90s with control, both up and down in the zone, and has great control of his slider, giving him two major league-ready pitches. He's used his curve and change infrequently in the minors, but will need one or the other or both for long-term effectiveness as a major league starter. He's young but pitched in Triple-A last year effectively, and given the creative ways TB introduces its pitchers to the majors he could arrive at any time. It just might not be in an impact role. MEH
Hmm. I think that’s pretty straight forward.
Bobby Miller, P, Dodgers: Dominant last summer at Double-A and after four starts in Triple-A he also suffered a bit of gopheritis at the higher level. He throws hard, 98-99 mph, but also has very good secondary pitches with good control and command. His chances this year will depend on the health of the Dodger rotation, but he's certainly worth an endgame buy or reserve slot depending on your rules. PICK
Hmm, do pitchers ever stay healthy? The Dodgers do have other options, which is why Miller should be a dollar or two, but his heat, control and command of a variety of pitches should give him an edge.
WHAT ABOUT SHORTSTOPS?
Coming. More likely Friday than tomorrow.
THE ENDGAME
Thank you to paying and not-paying subscribers. I appreciate you reading, and hope you’re getting what you were looking for. Please share if you like.
Please ask questions, point out mistakes, voice opinions. Paying subscribers can use the commenting system. Free subscribers should write to askrotoman@gmail.com. Paying subscribers get to use the link.
Remember, below the sig is the paywall and a link to the Rotoman Sheet. Is that a good name? Maybe I’ll back to the Rotoman Pitcher and Hitter Sheets.
Sincerely,
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