BABS June 2018 Update – Batters

Access the second BABS update of the season here. by Chris Doyle We’re two months into the season and things are finally starting to crystalize. Have we learned anything after the first third of the schedule? Let’s see if we can draw any conclusions. Cream of the crop Mookie Betts (PW, SB, A+) Mike Trout…

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Tourniquet

The following article was written 10 years ago, at BaseballHQ.com, during the season that was filmed for the “Fantasyland” documentary. In honor of my current last place Tout Wars team, and Memorial Day, I present this redux.  I woke up on the morning of April 24 to find my Tout Wars team (12-team AL) in…

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BABS Mining for Closers

by Justin Cary Closers continue to be a difficult game to maneuver. Here are a few interesting insights and speculations for in-season acquisition. The elite (E+, K+, SV) closers group includes many names you’d expect: Aroldis Chapman, Wade Davis, Edwin Diaz, Brad Hand, Craig Kimbrel and Bud Norris. Most were highly touted coming into the…

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BABL at the first mile marker

It’s May 15, and for me, that is an important date. Up until now, all we’ve been experiencing is statistical noise. And despite the fact that most stats never really stabilize fully, May 15 is the date I like to use to consider the “rough realness” of where my players and teams stand. This first…

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Early first round underperformers

This is my weekly article for ESPN Insider. When we draft players in the first round, or spend $30 or more for them in auctions, we expect them to provide a statistical foundation to our teams. Although we are only a month into the season, the fates of these players are likely tied tightly into…

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Deconstructing Didi Gregorius

by Chris Doyle As is often the case this early in the season, a look atop the leaderboards can make your head spin. This time last year we were marveling at Aaron Judge’s power display and wondering if it was for real. Fast forward 12 months and it’s another Bronx Bomber stealing the spotlight out…

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Who’s joining the $30 Club?

This is my weekly article for ESPN Insider. In a world where head-to-head games and snake drafts have become fantasy baseball’s standards, the industry began nearly 40 years ago as AL/NL-only Rotisserie auction leagues. Millions still play those games and there is an artifact from that format with utility for every style of play. Dollar…

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The major impact of a minor rule change

Over its two decade existence, Tout Wars has been known to tinker with established rules in order to test different directions for our competitions. We were the first experts league to go 5×5, allow $0 FAAB bids and use the Vickrey Method for free agent acquisition. These were changes with major impact; however, even the…

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Surprise pitchers who could be for real

This is my weekly article for ESPN Insider. There is a reason why four starting pitchers had first round ADPs last month. Elite pitching is precious and scarce. So if there is any hint that some new stars could be emerging, free agent foragers will be all over them. Once again, he who hesitates is…

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Surprise batters who could be for real

This is my weekly article for ESPN Insider. It’s barely two weeks into the season and we are still within the period of insufficient sample sizes. Most batters have fewer than 40 plate appearances. Starting pitchers have appeared maybe three times. And yet, fantasy owners have been scouring the free agent pool for replacements, upgrades…

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