Hunter Greene vs. Logan Webb! Are These Players Breaking Out? (4/8 Fantasy Baseball Podcast)
Apr 8, 2025
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The hosts dive into Hunter Greene's near-shutout and Logan Webb's revitalized changeup, sparking excitement for their breakout potential. Hayden Wesneski’s impressive outing is also highlighted. Injury updates, including a broken thumb for Spender Arrighetti, create urgency in team strategies. The discussion features Tyler Soderstrom's home runs and evaluations of pitchers like Logan Gilbert and Kodai Senga. Finally, they explore the Cubs' strong start and analyze bullpen dynamics, offering crucial insights for fantasy baseball enthusiasts.
01:15:19
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Quick takeaways
Hunter Greene's near-complete game shutout, featuring high velocity and reduced walks, signals potential as a top-tier pitcher despite injury concerns.
Logan Webb's revamped changeup has improved his performance, showcasing his adaptability and increasing expectations for consistent results this season.
Hayden Wesneski's impressive strikeout potential and new pitch repertoire make him a valuable asset in deeper fantasy leagues going forward.
Deep dives
Hunter Green's Breakout Performance
Hunter Green has shown exceptional improvement in his performance this season, highlighted by a recent game where he pitched almost a complete shutout, allowing no earned runs while achieving seven strikeouts. Notably, his average fastball velocity has remained impressive, consistently reaching around 99 miles per hour, despite a slight drop compared to his previous starts. The significant reduction in his walk rate has also contributed to a remarkable stretch where he posted a 1.09 ERA over his final ten starts last season, indicating his growth and potential as a top-tier pitcher. However, concerns regarding his ability to maintain this level of performance due to past injuries and high pitch velocity linger, leaving some uncertainty about his long-term sustainability as an ace starter.
Logan Webb's Evolving Pitch Mix
Logan Webb has demonstrated an evolution in his pitching approach, as evidenced by a recent start where he achieved seven shutout innings with ten strikeouts. His improved use of a newly refined changeup has been crucial, generating a high whiff rate and contributing significantly to his effectiveness against batters. As Webb continues to mix in additional pitches more frequently, there is optimism regarding his potential to maintain consistent performance throughout the season. This adaptation not only enhances his value as a starting pitcher but also indicates growth in his ability to navigate varying lineups successfully.
Hayden Wesneski's Emerging Value
Hayden Wesneski has quickly garnered attention this season, showcasing impressive strikeout potential with a recent outing where he only allowed two earned runs over seven innings, producing a substantial number of whiffs on his pitches. Notably, he has diversified his pitch repertoire—reintroducing a curveball that he had not previously utilized—resulting in a more formidable arsenal capable of baffling hitters. While Wesneski's historical performance has left some skeptics questioning his abilities, recent improvements suggest that he could be a valuable asset in deeper fantasy leagues, especially with the potential for extended innings. Ongoing monitoring of his performance against more robust lineups may solidify his standing as a credible starter moving forward.
Tyler Soderstrom's Breakthrough Potential
Tyler Soderstrom has made waves early in the season with a stellar batting average and power numbers, including a recent double and two home runs in a single game. His ability to maintain a high line drive rate coupled with a significant pull rate has allowed him to capitalize on hitting opportunities, positioning him as a potential breakout player. As he continues to face tougher pitching, there is intrigue about whether he can sustain this level of production based on his pedigree as a former first-round pick. While it's early in the season, fantasy managers should take notice of Soderstrom's impressive performance and assess whether he can solidify his role as a key contributor.
Casey Mize's Optimistic Start
Casey Mize has emerged as a pitcher to watch this season following a strong performance against the Yankees where he displayed improved velocity and a solid mix of pitches. His ability to generate whiffs with his newly classified slurve has bolstered his positive performance, suggesting he might finally be harnessing his potential. Recent games indicate a notable change from previous seasons, particularly with a significant increase in his swinging strike rate compared to past years. As he continues to refine his command and pitch mix, Mize holds promise for fantasy owners looking for reliable options in their rotation.
Hunter Greene came within one out of a complete game shutout (2:27). ... Logan Webb's changeup was back (10:00)! ... Hayden Wesneski was great against the Mariners (13:43). ... Tyler Soderstrom hit two more homers (18:18). ... News (23:38): Spender Arrighetti broke his thumb. ... What's going on with Willson Contreras (28:14)? ... Are these players breaking out (37:14)? ... Two quick questions on Logan Gilbert and Kodai Senga (48:18)? ... Carlos Rodon and Zac Gallen have been frustrating (52:55). ... The Cubs are off and running (57:12). ... We wrap up with leftovers, bullpens and streamers (1:00:30).
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