This year, The Dynasty Guru will provide a weekly report every Saturday. The weekly report will link to TDG articles for the past week, touch upon notable player developments, and preview upcoming TDG articles for the next week.

This Week at TDG

Baseball

TDG Weekly Report, March 24-30, 2018

Last week’s report

TDG Podcast, Episode 29: AJ Puk Face

Discussing Opening Day reactions and bold predictions

The Dynasty Guru’s Triple Play: Minnesota Twins!

Analyzing Jose Berrios, Akil Baddoo, and Byron Buxton

The Next Big Thing: 5 DSL Players to Monitor

Evaluating under the radar prospects in the DSL, including Eddy Diaz and Alex Canario, among others

TDG’S THE BEST TWITTER FOLLOWS: TRIPLE-A AFFILIATES – PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE

Providing a list of Twitter follows for information concerning the Pacific Coast League

Pitching Talent for Pennies

Detailing low-cost pitchers for deeper formats, including Tyler Anderson and Colin McHugh, among others

Trader’s Corner: TDGX 2.0

Recounting the early season trades in TDGx2

The Lorenzo Cain Archetype

Assessing players that could mimic Lorenzo Cain’s output

Bold, Underlined, Italics Predictions

In the season of bold predictions, several TDG writers provide some of their own, including some extreme ones

Examining Two Prospect Fallers

Examining Corey Ray and Anderson Espinoza

My 2018 De Facto Favorites

Looking at players Jeff consistently targets in drafts

Football

Football Offseason Win Now Targets

Examining players with the largest difference between redraft ADP and dynasty startup ADP

Basketball

Basketball Stashes for Next Year

Noting several players with potential future value to target before the end of the season

Notable Player Developments

Major Leagues

• Shohei Ohtani quelled many doubts with an excellent debut on the mound. During the outing, his fastball averaged 98.3 mph, touching 100 mph (according to Brooks Baseball). Meanwhile, his splitter (89.7 mph) was brilliant, inducing an incredible 41.7% whiff rate. Although command concerns remain, Ohtani has electric stuff and a bright future. In addition, he blasted three home runs this week! It appears Ohtani will sit the day before, day of, and day after he starts on the mound.
• On Saturday, the Reds benched Billy Hamilton in favor of Scott Schebler. Hamilton may be an unexpected victim of the Reds’ outfield crunch. Through the Reds first three games, Duvall, Hamilton, and Winker rotated in the outfield.
• On Saturday, Scott Kingery started at shortstop and moved to left field later in the game. If the Phillies continue to utilize him all over the field, he could gain eligibility at second base, shortstop, third base, and outfield.
• The injury to Aaron Hicks is a catalyst to Didi Gregorius moving into the cleanup position. Oh and did he ever reward the Yankees for their faith, with a monstrous performance on Tuesday- 4-for-4, 2 home runs, and 8 runs batted in.
• Thus far, Ian Happ has sat in favor of Albert Almora against left-handed pitchers. Further, he is already struggling with strikeouts (14).
• Matt Carpenter already received starts at third base and second base. Health permitting, he should regain his usual multi-position eligibility shortly.
• A complete game shutout for Jose Berrios against the Orioles in Camden Yards.
• Patrick Corbin is off to a fast start, with 20 strikeouts in 13 innings, throwing an incredible 94 sliders (51.9%) over the two outings.
• Mike Minor threw 93 pitches in his longest outing since 2014. As a starter, he maintained increased velocity throughout, averaging 93.1 mph on his four-seam fastball, and utilized a solid 5-pitch mix (including a two-season fastball).
• Blake Snell experienced an increase in velocity, averaging 96 mph on his fastball, touching 98 mph. With a strong finish last year, a fabulous spring, and increased velocity, his arrow continues to point up.
• Mike Mikolas impressed in his 2018 debut, despite giving up 4 earned runs in 5 2/3 innings. His repertoire is deep and solid, with significant velocity (95 mph average fastball) and five pitches (fastball, sinker, curveball, slider, and changeup).
• Tyler Mahle also displayed improved velocity, averaging 94 mph with his fastball, en route to six scoreless innings.
• Jack Flaherty exhibited swing-and-miss stuff, eliciting whiffs on 38.5% of sliders and a deep, four-pitch repertoire. On Wednesday, the Cardinals optioned him to Triple-A to make room for Adam Wainwright.
• In the battle of the borderline pitching prospect, Brian Johnson beat Trevor Richards. Neither pitcher profiles as anything more than a backend starter. Johnson’s fastball averaged a measly 87.5 mph.
• Clayton Kershaw‘s velocity returned to normal (93 mph) on Tuesday night.
• Meanwhile, Kenley Jansen suffered a striking 3 mph dip in velocity over his first two appearances.
• Michael Conforto returned to action on Thursday, a month earlier than expected.
• The Diamondbacks placed Yasmany Tomas on waivers.
• With the injury to Corey Knebel (left hamstring strain, out 6 weeks), Brewers manager Craig Counsell plans to use multiple relievers in the closer role.
• Other notable injuries: Delino DeShields Jr. (broken hamate bone, out 4-6 weeks); Nelson Cruz (sprained right ankle); Billy McKinney (shoulder sprain); Ian Kinsler (groin strain); Mike Zunino (oblique); Matt Wieters (oblique); Joe Musgrove (right shoulder strain); Jedd Gyorko (right hamstring strain).

Prospects

• Michael Chavis suspended 80 games after testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug.
• This week, MLB teams announced minor league roster assignments.
• Griffin Canning debuted for the Angels this week and was very impressive, touching 98 mph:

Griffin Canning’s night is done. 4 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 6 K. FB 94-96 the whole way, 86-87 SL, 80-82 CB both excellent. Impressive professional debut for @66ersBaseball #Angels

— Kyle Glaser (@KyleAGlaser) April 6, 2018

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• Joining Canning in High-A and playing second base (not center field) is Jahmai Jones.
• The Nationals aggressively assigned Luis Garcia (still just 17 years old) and Yasel Antuna to Low-A.
• Meanwhile, the Nationals are holding Seth Romero back in extended Spring Training due to character issues.
• The only 2017 draftees assigned to Double-A are Kyle Wright and Brent Rooker.
• Despite being a polished college player, Brendan McKay received an assignment to Low-A.
• The notable injuries: Eloy Jimenez (sprained left pectoral muscle); Jon Duplantier (sprained hamstring); Jay Groome (mild flexor strain); Evan White (groin strain); Wander Javier (shoulder); Alec Hansen (forearm tightness); Tyler O’Neill (hamstring); Triston McKenzie (forearm); Albert Abreu (appendix surgery); Micker Adolfo (sprained UCL); Michel Baez (back); Grant Holmes (rotator cuff); see also Monthly Prospect Update, March 2018 and last week’s Weekly Report, above.
• With Gyorko heading to the disabled list, the Cardinals called up Harrison Bader.
• With McKinney going to the disabled list, the Yankees called up top prospect Miguel Andujar.

Next Week at TDG

Baseball

• TDG’s Triple Play
• TDG’s The Best Twitter Follows
• Trader’s Corner
• Super Sexy Jordan Hicks
• Top 2018 MLB Draft Prospects, April 2018
• Dr. Mike’s Injury Report

Please feel free to post comments, questions, or your own observations!

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