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On The Wire

On The Wire

By: Adam Howe Kevin Hasting
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 Join Adam Howe (@EightyGrade) and Kevin Hasting (@HastingKevin) every Sunday with insights and updates on how to use your fantasy baseball FAAB before your bid deadlines hit.2022 Pitcher List Baseball & Softball
Episodes
  • OTW 243 - Opportunity is Knocking; Drafting AVG and Playing Time

    OTW 243 - Opportunity is Knocking; Drafting AVG and Playing Time
    Feb 15 2026

    On The Wire - Adam and Kevin continue their 2026 fantasy baseball draft prep with a deep dive into the batting average category and how it interacts with roster construction. They discuss stabilizers versus risk bats, early-round foundations, and where drafters can find hidden average upside without sacrificing power or speed.

    The episode focuses on balancing category floors with ceiling plays, identifying players who can buoy team batting average, and highlighting potential landmines that could drag teams down in 2026 drafts.

    0:00 – Intro and category framing
    Overview of batting average landscape in 2026 drafts, league-wide trends, and how average scarcity shapes roster construction.

    8:00 – Early-round batting average anchors
    Players discussed: Luis Arraez, Freddie Freeman, Juan Soto, Bobby Witt Jr., Mookie Betts, Julio Rodríguez

    Discussion centers on foundational hitters who provide strong average without sacrificing counting stats, and how early picks set the tone for category flexibility later in drafts.

    23:00 – Power bats with average risk
    Players discussed: Kyle Schwarber, Matt Olson, Pete Alonso, Elly De La Cruz, Oneil Cruz

    Conversation around batting average volatility, strikeout rate concerns, and how much risk managers can absorb depending on early roster builds.

    40:00 – Mid-round average stabilizers
    Players discussed: Steven Kwan, Nico Hoerner, Bryson Stott, Jeff McNeil, Xander Bogaerts

    Focus on contact skills, lineup role, and identifying players who can quietly support average while contributing across categories.

    58:00 – Bounce-back and growth candidates
    Players discussed: CJ Abrams, Corbin Carroll, Fernando Tatis Jr., Bo Bichette

    Evaluating BABIP regression, age curves, and approach adjustments that could lead to batting average improvements in 2026.

    1:10:00 – Late-round average targets and fades
    Players discussed: Luis Rengifo, Thairo Estrada, Brice Turang, Jake McCarthy

    How to approach batting average late in drafts, when to chase category protection, and when to accept volatility.

    1:20:00 – Draft strategy recap and closing thoughts
    Key takeaways on balancing floor and ceiling in batting average builds, understanding roster synergy, and planning category targets before draft day.

    Hosts: Adam Howe | Kevin Hasting

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    Proud member of the Pitcher List Podcast Network


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    1 hr and 26 mins
  • OTW 242 - Top Speed Preview; Drafting R and SB

    OTW 242 - Top Speed Preview; Drafting R and SB
    Feb 8 2026

    On The Wire - Adam and Kevin continue their 2026 fantasy baseball category preview series by focusing on the speed categories — Runs and Stolen Bases. They discuss how stolen bases remain scarce across player pools, how lineup context influences runs scored, and how to balance early-round five-category stars with mid- and late-round speed options. The episode highlights reliable contributors, category specialists, and draft strategy considerations to help managers build competitive speed totals without sacrificing roster balance.

    They break down elite speed anchors, mid-round stabilizers, and late-draft specialists while emphasizing the importance of playing time, lineup position, and category targets when constructing fantasy rosters.

    Episode Topics and Timestamps

    0:00 – Intro and category strategy overview
    Speed scarcity in modern drafts and roster construction goals.

    6:30 – Early-round speed anchors
    Players discussed: Bobby Witt Jr., Ronald Acuña Jr., Corbin Carroll, Julio Rodríguez, Elly De La Cruz, Trea Turner, Mookie Betts

    24:00 – Mid-round speed contributors
    Players discussed: Oneil Cruz, CJ Abrams, Nico Hoerner, Bryson Stott, Andrés Giménez, Tommy Edman, Ha-Seong Kim

    49:00 – Late-round speed targets and specialists
    Players discussed: Esteury Ruiz, Jon Berti, Victor Scott II, Brice Turang, Garrett Hampson, Jake McCarthy

    1:13:00 – Runs category deep dive
    Players discussed: Kyle Schwarber, Marcus Semien, Steven Kwan, Juan Soto, Freddie Freeman

    1:28:00 – Draft strategy recap and closing thoughts
    Final takeaways on balancing stolen bases and runs in 2026 fantasy drafts.

    Hosts: Adam Howe | Kevin Hasting

    Subscribe: Apple | Spotify | Amazon | YouTube | RSS

    Join: PL+ | PL Pro

    Proud member of the Pitcher List Podcast Network


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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    1 hr and 38 mins
  • OTW 241 - We Have The Power Preview; Drafting HR and RBI

    OTW 241 - We Have The Power Preview; Drafting HR and RBI
    Jan 31 2026
    On The Wire - Adam Howe and Kevin Hasting kick off their 2026 fantasy baseball category previews by breaking down power (HR & RBI) and why it has quietly become harder to replace later in drafts. They discuss draft targets, late-round power bats, platoon plays, and roster construction strategies to hit modern home run benchmarks.0:00–8:30 — Episode Intro & Why Power Matters More in 2026Category-preview format explanationImpact of PitchCon and offseason prepWhy managers are falling behind in HR/RBIEstablishing modern power targets (24–25 HR per hitter)8:30–20:00 — Power vs Speed Tradeoffs in Early DraftsPlayers discussed:Aaron Judge, Shohei Ohtani, Juan Soto, Cal Raleigh, Bobby Witt Jr., Jackson Chourio, Trea TurnerHow few true 35+ HR bats existWhy early speed-first picks create downstream power pressureCorner infield power vs middle-infield scarcity20:00–30:30 — Power Benchmarks & Draft MathTargeting ~350 HR and ~1,100 RBI in 15-team leaguesWhy “15 HR + speed” profiles create long-term problemsEmphasizing lineup quality over RBI projections30:30–44:00 — Corner Infield Power TargetsPlayers discussed:Nolan Arenado, Nolan Gorman, Paul Goldschmidt, Bryce Eldridge, Chase DeLauter, Josh Bell, Tristan CasasArenado vs Gorman risk profilesPlaying-time certainty vs batting average damageEldridge stash upside vs prospect riskJosh Bell as a boring but reliable power source44:00–57:00 — Middle Infield Power OptionsPlayers discussed:Jake Cronenworth, Anthony Volpe, José Caballero, Brooks LeeCronenworth as a “glue guy” with sneaky volume powerVolpe’s rebound potential and ADP windowMulti-position flexibility as power insuranceMinnesota infield playing-time outlook57:00–1:11:00 — Outfield Power TargetsPlayers discussed:Jesus Sanchez, Andrew Benintendi, Austin Hays, Cody ClemensSanchez as a platoon-friendly power bat in HoustonBenintendi’s power resurgence vs lineup qualityHays as a free-agent ADP value playClemens as a flexible, low-cost power streamer1:11:00–1:18:00 — Power Streamers & Rate-Based TargetsPlayers discussed:Jemai Jones, Dominic Canzone, Tyler O’Neill, Matt Wallner, Zach Dezenzo, Colby Thomas, Christopher Morel, Joey Wiemer, David SchneiderHR per 600 PA as a late-draft toolShort-side platoon exploitationStreaming power via matchups and schedules1:18:00–1:21:00 — Catchers & Utility-Only PowerPlayers discussed:Carson Kelly, Marcell Ozuna, Jonathan IndiaKelly as a streaming catcher with popOzuna’s ADP volatility if he signsIndia benefiting from KC fence changes and lineup role1:21:00–1:23:00 — Final Thoughts & Power Draft TakeawaysDon’t underestimate power scarcityLate-round power always carries risk — embrace flexibilityTrust your draft instincts and plan for in-season maintenance Hosts: Adam Howe | Kevin HastingSubscribe: Apple | Spotify | Amazon | YouTube | RSSJoin: PL+ | PL ProProud member of the Pitcher List Podcast Network Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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    1 hr and 24 mins
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