Breakout Pitchers and Hitters, XFL's Season Opener, Oscar Buzz

I am your host, Greg Susman. Walk with me, we'll talk. We got a lot of great people here today. We have Freik Stamfili. Everybody. Frank Stafile is in the house today. Frank, welcome, Welcome to the program. Thanks for having me. Gregg, very excited to be here. Happy Friday to you. Happy Oscar's edition of the Fantasy BFF. It's great to have you here. Frank. Not nominated for any awards these years. Down year for Frank,

but that's okay, Bob, you'll get him next year, all right. Yeah, hopefully we do have some fantastic nominees though here coming up. We got yeah, you have to you have the applause. There, you got some. Now needs we have your breakout picture of the year coming up. All right, let's go breakout picture. We have the breakout hitter of the Year coming up. All right, break out hitter, you gotta find that. Next stud Also special guest here joining our Awards broadcast making

a special appearance. He doesn't do this off in ladies and gentlemen, but Justin Freedman will be here as he comes and discusses some of what's going on in his world, of course with the x f L. And of course we will have our memorium segments saying goodbye to those that are no longer worth it to us anymore in Fantasy Baseball. It'll be a sad, sad moment, but it's important and we need to talk about it, so we

will do all that. Our Oscars edition all the BFFs rolls on right after this from Shawn Guassama Sports Grade News Update dom John Grossolock in with your BFF Sports Trait News update. All right, let's get to the NBA action. So now you have the Gallas mass at the Washington Wizards Mavericks one thirty minus one thirty on the money line. Two point favorites in that one. Waiting on word of for Zingis, but we know Luka Dontech will not play

in that matchup. Memphis Grizzlies at the Philadelphia seventy six or six Ers Open four on their recent road trip. Look to snap out of it there at twenty two or two at home there five and a half point favorites minus two thirty on the money line. The Atlanta Hawks at the Boston Celtics Kemba Walker will return after missing the previous three games. Nine and a half point favorites for the season minus for sixty on the money line.

Detroitroit Pistons at the Oklahoma City Thunders. Oklahoma City Thunder minus twelve and a half point favorites minus not fifty on the money line. As you know, Andre Drummond was traded from the Pistons to the Calves last night, so he is not available. That's why they Thunder all big favorites in that one. Rafters looking for their thirteenth straight victory there on the road at the Indiana Pacers Raptors one point favorites minus one fourteen on the money line.

Houston Rockets two and a half point favorites on the road at the Phoenix Suns tonight they are minus one thirty two on the money line, and the Miami Heat plus one and a half tonight at the Sacramento Kings. No Jimmy meet Butler. He has been ruled out and wrapping things up on the slate. In the NBA, the Portland's Trailblazers at the struggling Utah Jazz Jazz nine and a half point favorites in that one and other uh news.

Let's go to the XFL to tomorrow. They kick off their season and it's the Dragons at the DC Defenders. The Defenders seven a half point favorites. That's followed by the Wildcats at the Roughnecks. The Roughnecks six and a half point favorites in that game. And then on Sunday, the Tampa Bay Vipers at the New York Guardians, the Vipers re point favorites. That's followed by St. Louis Battle

Hawks at the Dallas Renegades. Renegades, It's come down now there were double digit favorites, is now nine and a half for them in that one. One MLB note, Steve Cohen will not buy the New York Mets. That has been ruled off by Commissioner Rob Manfred. So the New York Mets will look for a new buyer. And let's get back to the BFFs with Greg Susman and Frank Stanford. Back to you guys. All right, we have some technical difficulties with Greg Susman here at the Fantasy Best Friend

Forever Oscars. How about me now give over to you, buddy. Welcome to the twenty twentys. Thank you, thank you so much, Thank you so much. I am grace so proud to be your host. Shall we get to our first award over the evening? Let's do it, all right, our first award over the evening. We are looking at the breakout picture of twenty twenty. Ladies and gentlemen, crowd to announce your nominees. Let's bring out Gray Susman. All right, thank you so much, pleasure to be here. All right, let's

get right see we're gonna read the cue cards. Okay. Your nominees for this prestigious award are well, the Arizona Diamondbacks, Zach Gali, Oh, the Atlanta Braves, Max Free over the San Diego Padres, Danielson lam Nette, and finally in the Oakland Athletics, it's Frankie Mantas. Top the year last year. Frankie Mantas, you know, real bounce back and we'll see what happens. It's morning. Those are your nominees who will be your winner. Well, let's take a look at what's

to come? All right, Greg Susman, thank you for throwing it over it here. You want to just run through each one of these guys. Tell you what happened last year. They're the nominat they're the notes, and I want you to tell me what's to come, what was how they got to where they're sitting right now? All right, Well, when it comes to Frankie Montage, he said that he had a rough year last year. In fact, he had

a phenomenal season. We were already in the course of a breakout season last year for Frankie Mantas with a two point six three ear a. Of course, his season got cut short because of a pe D suspension. Will that limit him from being the breakout starting pitcher this upcoming year? You have to wait and see. Zach Gallon you mentioned traded over to the Arizona Diamondbacks last year, Greg, and this was quite a surprise traded for prospect Chaz

Chisholm last year. And when it comes to Zack Gallen, phenomenal year in the minors really took everybody by surprise. And he was that prospects starting pitchers that everybody wanted to pick up mid season last year in fantasy baseball, and when he first got called up, he was great. He was great last year. We had some issues with the walks, but the strikeouts remained. The underlying statistics for Zack Gallen were great last year, again a member of

the Arizona Diamonbacks. Some people worried about whether or not he's gonna start the year in the rotation. I don't really think that Mike Leak is stiff competition for Zack Gallen. We'll find out later on if he is the breakout starting pitchers this upcoming season. Greg. To Nelson Lament turns twenty eight. The season returned in twenty nineteen after missing the entire twenty teen season. We know that the strikeouts

for Nelson Lamett are phenomenal. Basically a two ish picture here, but reminds me a lot of a Luis Castillo, someone who can get groundball, someone who we do have some concerns over the walk rate this upcoming season, but the strike out upside is tantalizing. When it comes to the Nelson Lamett, of course, in a rotation with other youngster Chris Paddock. Everyone's excited about Chris Paddock. Will we be as excited about Nelson Latte this upcoming season? You'll have

to wait and see. And of course, it seems like this is the front runner for this award, Greg Max Freed, A lot of people excited about Max Freed. Spolkes to Matt Modica earlier on fs T, he has Max Freed ranks inside his top twenty five starting pitchers this upcoming season. It was a solid campaign for Freed last year. The ear a up over four, but the underlying statistics were much better for Max. Freed really improved his command. Will he be able to build off that this upcoming season.

We'll just have to wait and see. Greg Sussman, the those are the four contestants for breakout starting pitcher in those are your nominees for your breakout pitture in twenty Frank broke it down so well, what Zach Gallen and Nelson Lamette, Max Freed and Frankie Mantas did in nineteen to make it this far, to make it here to the BFF Oscars. He's done it, He's gotten there. But who will win? Who is the guy that you want the most? Well, Frank, let me throw this back at

you before we hit our first break You know it. Listen, it's along. It's an OSCARS telecast. There's a lot of commercials. I get it. There's a lot of filler, It's true. But I got more questions, Frank, who is going the earliest of these four players? Of these four players in the month of February, according to NFBC a DP, we have Max Freed at pick on, Frankie Mantas at one seven, Lament at one twenties six, and Zac Gallen at one thirty six. So these guys are all going within twenty

spots to Nelson Lamente, just bear the edges out. Frankie mantaz As being drafted the earliest of the breakout starting pitchers right now, according to the NFPC a DP, I have the envelope who will be your breakout? Picture of we revealed a winner right after this. Are you ready for the nation's first and only free, twenty four hour network dedicated to you, the betting and fantasy sports enthusiast.

Sports Grade will provide you with a real time content, statistics and gaming intelligence unlike anything you've ever seen before. Located both in the heart of New York City and inside the FanDuel Sports book at the meadow Lands, Sports Grade, he's live eighteen hours a day here to serve you the fanatic. This is Sports Grade. Get off the Grid Academy Awards. I am still happen to be here and

the host for the prestigious, prestigious event. You know, it's been it's been a long time since we were able to have an awards show su prestigious and so valued in our community, and it's just excited. Uh it's to be a small part of it. But before we get back to it, Frank, how are you doing? Very well? Greg? Thank you for asking. It's Friday, t G I F the weekend is approaching. Very excited to be here, very excited to discuss some of these breakout hitters and pictures.

How are you doing? I just sleep last night, Greg, You know I I slept well last night. It was going into Friday, I slept well a little too well, if you know what I mean. All Right, all right, should we get back into these breakout of pictures? Frank, whatever you want after that. Fantastic, fantastic cameras over here, But no big deal. Let's continue on with your break out starting Pistons the end of the Nolinees a few moments ago, from Zac Gallen all the way to Dean.

Nelson Lamette, Frankie Mantas and Max Freed are in there as well. I wanted to break this down a little further before we revealed and opened the envelope for your breakout picture of the Year. So let me start with Nelson Lamette, Frank and I. The reason I asked is because you know, it's just a few months ago you said to Nelson Lamette, He's gonna be the great goot picture of the year. He is gonna be the hype

guy for now. We're there, man, You're in these drafts, you're in these draft champions, you're nfbc's what have you and people want to know is your prediction correct? Nelson Lamette is going the earliest of this group here. Greg and I am currently in a draft as you mentioned, and he went in the eighth round. The person that was drafted the earliest in this draft of that group was Frankie Mantas, but they all went within one round of each other. So it seems like most people are

buying into the breakout for de Nelson Lamett this upcoming season. Greg, they're buying into the break out. But frank you don't answer my question. Are you buying? You do it? I am cautiously optimistic. That's the phrase that will use when it comes to de Nelson la Met Last year a four oh seven e r A a three or four four x fit still had a very high whip. He walks a ton of batters A three point seven zero walks per nine last year. Uh, He's over four walks

per nine for his career as well. I mentioned a two ish pitcher uses a slider forty percent of the time, has a fast four seamer, has a sinker that he uses as well. His splits were weird. He had an area over five at home two nine to e r A on the road. That slider is nasty though, like it is a dominant pitch. The fastball. I don't know

if he knows where it's going half the time. Here Greg a thirty three point six percent strikeout rate last year that would have ranked fourth among starting pitchers if he qualified. So we're talking about in the range of the max trusers and Jacob Degram's last year. The strikeout stuff is absolutely fantastic, but there are legitimate concerns when it comes to the walks. With to Nelson Lament and of course you have to worry about the injuries as

we've seen in his career. Here Greg, the strikeouts certainly seemed real. The walk seem real too. He hasn't been able to go deep in games. You enough to be a breakup pitch of the year find out in just a moment. Zak Gallen was traded last year from Miami and Arizona. He was a hype guy. As the All Star break approach, We're like, hey, this guy could win you a league in the second half of the year.

The Miami Marlin said we don't need you, vanishing owners and not they've got a nice value on Zac Gallanway went to Arizona. He stayed in the rotation, leaving were fantasy rotation this year. Frank I do like Zack Gallen coming into the season there is I'm concerned whether or not he's gonna start the year and remain in the

Diamondbacks rotation for most of the season. I'm not really worried about Mike Leak, someone who might be battling it out for one of those final rotation spots with Meryl Kelly. Gallan was phenomenal last year. Greg. You remember he dominated triple A one seven seven, e r A A zero point seven whip evan case per nine under two walks per nine. That all came in the pc L as well.

Once he came up. Eight Ennings pitched in the majors last year at two eight one ear A one to three with he struggled with walks, something we didn't see in the minor leagues. Uh the walks per nine up over four last season, but he started to get better once he got traded over to the diamond Backs. It seems like he developed some more confidence with the team. Eight starts with the Diamondbacks, his walks went from four point four six per nine to three point seven for nine.

The swinging strike rate over percent, the chase rate nearly thirty seven percent. First pitch strike percentage seventy percent. We're looking at a legit four pitch arsenal from Zack Gallen, and he pitched a hundred and seventy endings between the miners and the major's last year. I think that he can approach that number again this season with the Arizona Diamondbacks UH in the majors for the entirety of the season. Zach Gallen is somebody that I am targeting this upcoming season.

Grace Susan, thank you so much for that analysis. Frank, narrative narrator of us there um that Gallen so so good in the minors last year, he was so good at the majors last year may be the breakoup picture of the year. We're not there yet, folks, we are just not there quite yet. Because I need to hear more about Max Freed now. I remember last year, Frank, when Max Freed did not make the rotation out of the spring, it was Freddie Freeman and said, this guy's

got the best stuff on our staff. Well, the rest of the majors they figured that out soon enough. You believe that Max Freed has the best stuff on the Atlanta Bradive staff. And then Max Freed what need the breakout picture of the year. I do think if he doesn't have the best stuff for the Atlanta Brads, he's certainly up there. We saw last season has to breaking pitches with the curve ball and the slider. We knew about the curve ball, he started to implement the slider

more so as the season went on last year. Has a mid nineties fastball as well. Finished up with a four O two e r A and three point three two x FIPS. So it seemed like there was some unluckiness there for Max Freed last season and then his

last nine games started. Uh, the three nine one e r A is not encouraging, but a two point nine one X fit a three point four skill interactive e r A. That's Sierra nearly percent swinging strike rate, a nine percent strikeout rate as well, so the strikeouts are there.

The one problem I have and concern I have with Max Freed is if you look at his command, this is somebody who averaged over four walks per nine every level of the minor leagues and then last year really really tighten that up average just two point five batters per nine while he was in the majors. Is that something he can keep up for the entirety of this upcoming season, or will we see some of those command

issues kind of rear their ugly head again. In that's one of the concerns that I have when it comes to Max Freed. But a solid fastball to breaking pitches that he can rely on, a really good curve, started to use the slider more last year as well. Yeah, I think that you can make a legitimate case that he does have some of the best stuff on the Land of Braves pitching staff, and he is somebody that I will be targeting this upcoming season. Will the walks

come back to haunt him at some point? That remains to be seen. One last player to get to before we officially reveal the envelope, just a few minutes to go before that. He's Frankie Mantas. He was a guy last year, frank he was We were a big fan of here her here on this program. The entire academy loved him, and then he got suspended a very long time. Now, I asked you this yesterday off the air. I'm gonna

do it here live on our telecast. Frank Frankie Mantas, be good that steroids I think that Frankie Mantas can be good without steroids. He's always been someone who throws hard, throws in the mid to upper nineties. But you know, last year it was the inclusion of a splitter, a new pitch that he never used before. He used the splitter about eighteen percent of the time last year, And you know, look, the the p e d s are not going to affect your ability to throw a splitter.

I mean, maybe they might help you throw the ball hard, but he is someone who's always been able to throw the ball hard. But I like what I've seen out of the slitter eighteen percent of the time, twenty five percent of the time uses a slider as well, has two different variations of a fastball that he throws very hard. Twenty point three percent K minus wal Craig last year would have ranked fourteen among qualified starting pitchers last season

groundball rate. I think there's a lot to like about Mantas. He pitches in a really good ballpark as well out there in Oco. I'm not worried about the suspension from last year the p e d s. I don't think the p e ds helped him develop and use that splitter. Correctly. I do like Frankie mantas Uh this upcoming season, and he is the one that's actually going ahead of all the other pictures according to NFBC a d P among

this group of breakout starting pitchers. So who is the breakout starting pitcher of the year, Greg, and I have the envelope? Please? Thank you so much, Greg. All right, here we go. Breaking out picture off the year is Zach Galan Zack gall In your breakout pitcher off the year? Fantastic? But what did he do? Go in the ar? Look what Zach Gallen is going to do this upcoming season. The reason why you want him on your staff is

he does a lot of things very well. He establishes the strike zone early, he gets a ton of swinging strikes, He gets opposing batters to chase, he has a four pitch mix. Love what I saw from him last year and the fact that he progressed as the season went on as well. I think the Diamondbacks have a lot of faith in him, enough faith that they wanted to give it up. One of their top hitting prospects last year comes over from the Miami Marlins. I think there's

a lot to like about them. I think the command starts to improve this upcoming season as well. Uh. He gets around groundballs, so he does a little bit of everything that you want. And I trust the Arizona Diamonbacks organization. They've done great job, a great job with starting pitchers the past couple of years. And it's not a knock on all these other guys because they are all targets of mine, maybe outside of the Nelson lament, but Gallen is the one that I really thing can take that

step forward this year. Uh. He's the one that we're talking about when one draft Greg, who is going to be drafted inside that top four five round range when it comes to starting pitchers. I think he's your breakout. He's the breakout. Max Free has been the guy. He've been talking him up, Frank, and I was surprised to see Gallen has the winner here. Yeah, I'm not making it up. It says Zach Gallant. As you can see right there, I does say Zach Allen. I'm surprised it

wasn't Max Freed. It sounds like you on Max Freed to be your breakout starting pitcher of the year. Greg, did you get a vote here as as part of the Oscars listen as a as a host. I am a bipartisan member of this academy. I am an objective and I will not place a vote for me. I say nothing. Max Freed. I do like Max Freed as well, but I do worry about those walks. Are they going to come back a little bit this year as well?

The command was phenomenal last year. He made huge strides, but is that something that he can maintain heading into And again we're just splitting hairs here. I do like all of these pictures. I like Frankie Mantas as well. He's a target of mine. Max Freed is a target of mine as well. But when you're trying to differentiate these pictures, you do have to split hairs and you have to figure out which one you do like the most of this group when it comes to ranking the

starting pictures as well. So that's why I put Zach Gallen a top this list. Again, I do like all these guys. Uh maybe outside of the Nelson Lament. The strikeout stuff is absolutely phenomenal for Lament, but I really really do worry about those walks. In well, our Oscars party, they'll continue here on the BFFs because up next we're gonna talk about the acts. Wow, Justin Freeman is gonna join us to do just that. We'll get you a breakout hitre and of course our e Memorian segment is

coming up as well. We have a lot more to do. Stick around the OSCARS party here on the BFFs and that continues to roll on and after it. Are you ready for the nation's first and only free our network dedicated to you the betting and fantasy sports enthusiast. Sports Grade will provide you with a real time content, statistics

and gaming intelligence unlike anything you've ever seen before. Located both in the heart of New York City and inside the FanDuel Sports Book aff the Metal Lends Sports Crade. He's live eighteen hours a day, here to serve you the fanatic. This is Sports Grade. Get on the grid. This ys damn right. It is the XFL is here. It is upon us this weekend to join us on our VFF Oscars sitting in the crowd in his talks ready to go for the XFL. It's Justin framing of

number ball. What's up? Justin? Oh man? This is uh, this is the time to be allowed right now, I've got my ultimate Warner face paint on, and you know, I'm trying to be trying to you know, two last minute colonels in the gym and you put that nice, get nice, and you know, Luke all the way around, and William Brace is w and except that's gonna be awesome. It is a special, special weekend because you have the debackery that is the XFL mixed with W W E

and the class c oscars that we are. Frank Yeah, I'm not sure that anyone who's ever referred to us as classy, but we are class We'll try our best. We are a gentleman, classy, classy gentleman. That's exactly right, that's right now. Justin the one name that I think people are most excited about here this weekend when it comes to the XFL is card L. Jones, the former Ohio State star, former NFL quarterback. He's the highest price

quarterback in DFS. He's a player that we're all excited to see, player that we think could have an NFL future. What do you expect to see of card L. Jones this weekend? Yeah, it's kind of interesting that Pat to Uh, Yeah, I tried to make it a point to talk to as many uniting people as our kids have been covering the kid. There's a'su a little bit of discouragement around the Cardinal Jones. I'm not super super excited about him.

I've heard that they've already begun just trying to start installing a few read option packages for Tyree Jensen needs the backup quarterback. There's like two quarterbacks on the roster. Said, it should be really interesting. Obviously he's gotten the first you know, the name, brand, recognition, star power, all that stuff that you're looking for. I'll start league, but I do have my question. Stop me think he's got a national champ ship up under under a spell, then pretty

decent little resume there. But let the thing did offer lost his job to to jaking bang there at the High State, you know, didn't didn't last there in the league of the backup for the Chargers for a little while. So what wrong people? Is actually from some other quarterbacks I'm slightly more excited about. There are other quarterbacks to be excited about. I want to hear about all of them.

We're gonna call you back in just a second. He's like, oh, we have a tough connection there were Frank, and are you were excited about Cordel Jones? You talk, you're off the ledge here a little bit. Now, Yeah, he's the highest price quarterback this weekend Kardel Jones on DraftKings ten thousand, two hundred dollars. So, uh, look, it seems like they're already starting to make some plays up here, for for Tyree Jackson. You heard him mention Tyree Jackson mentioned j T.

Barrett as well. JT Barrett as well Matt mcgloy. We got a few NFL former NFL quarterbacks pointing this weekend. Connor Cook as Well's not playing many guys on the bench. He's a cook. He's a backup, cornerback, backup. So you can't even win a starting quarterback job. Doesn't seem great. It also reminds me of the movie Drafted, because his teammates of Michigan Seats hated him, just like the kids in the movie Draft Day. Frank, Aaron Murray, how about

Aaron Murray, Craig Aaron Murray, He's a superstar. Now I can get your attention here with the Tampa Bay Vipers. Huh, I feel like you knew I was. Do you know he was always an Aaron Murrayott. I did not know that. So I have loved Aaron Murray's in Georgia and I don't thought he should be NFL superstar. It hasn't happened, Justin, Is this Aaron Murray's chance to be a superstar football player? I think you better believe it. Man, Aaron Murray a

touchdown passes and a passing yards. Uh. You know that's not Joe Brower, that's not Tim t but interested Ann Murray only leeds of a shot. Man, I think this could be and I'm all al onboard and a couple of great cups of I'm really excited about this team. I think they could have a pretty potent offense. Hey, Justin, Uh, so we already spoke about Cardel Jones and Aaron Murray. Are you looking to actually pay for either of those? Are you looking to go in a different direction when

it comes to the quarterback position this weekend? Uh? During this four game XFL sleep, Yeah, I think Aaron Murray's definitely weren't paying. You can consider a little bit of any line ups and want to play. I think you know obviously what we're dealing with a young, upstart league. It's it's kind of pret preseason DF. It's really just sort of a news game. You're kind of looking for

updated depth charts and the sort of grinding away. There's there's not a whole lot of Adam Schefters out there reporting all, you know, all the jury days and everything else because you want and we don't have much. We don't know what to excite for any of these guys. Do one thing about this use salary is really not an issue. You know, you don't have to be a super price conscious You can get the guys you warn

you can. I must certainly fit everybody again, unless you're just going like z number one guy the board at every single position. So yeah, I definitely a guy want um. The Houston Restaments have a dude named Pegan and Walker, who I'm excited about. The restaurants coach Jones, Jones offensive history, just a yeah, we're having spetetically difficulty with any buddy. We can't We can't really hear you very well. Hopefully back on soon to talk more about the XFL. Frank,

we got games Saturday, we got games on Sunday. Are you in? I'm definitely gonna have a few DFS lineups this weekend. As you mentioned, UH four games Slate this upcoming weekend. The Seattle Dragons going up against the DC Defenders, Los Angeles Wildcats against the Houston Roughnecks. What a name there, Houston Roughnecks. Love that Tampa Bay Vipers June Jones and Houston Roughnecks. June Jones. He's a crazy guy. June Jones is nuts. He was in the NFL coach many years ago.

He's the Hawaii coach. They're all around college football. This guy is innovative. He's gonna take all these bs rules around the XFL about throwing multiple forward passes, the creativity at a June Jones, I like Houston. Tell you right now, I like Houston this week. You like laying the points minus six and a half, You're laying all the points. Give me Houston minus six and a half, give me the over. Two on June Jones have the St. Louis battle Hawks going up against the Dallas Renegades as well.

Greg and It's big favorites, the Tampa Bay Vipers in New York Guardians. These are two teams that are in the top three to win the entire thing this year, every champ. Yes, we know what like And it's also the closest spread, so perhaps the most competitive game this weekend. I like the Vipers, Frank, you know why. I'll come on. You can't like we live in New York. Unit turn you're back on the Guardians. I'm trying to win money, Frank, that is what I'm here for. Yes, the Vipers. Do

you know why? Why is that Greig Varren Murray? That's that's one reason. Yes, I like Aaron Murray a lot. Who's the quarterback of the New York Guardians, Frank, that would be Matt mcgloyd. Aaron Murray greater sign Matt McLoyd. Do we know that for certain? Who's that coach of the Vipers, Frank? I couldn't tell you Vipers head coach. I know the coach of the Guardians. It's Kevin Gilbride. Whoever the coach of the Tampa Bay Vipers are Creators

signed Kevin Gilbride. No chance, guys, man, are you gonna turn your back on the former giant great like this? Don't do that. I think Aaron Murray and Cardell Jones are the ones that people are looking at most this weekend in terms of spending up at the quarterback position in DFS. Greg Jones A stupid man. Oh I can't believely got this. Mark Trustman writers signed Kevin Gilbride. That's the easiest Mark Trustman or do come on one CFL titles?

Come on? Hello, Come on, Greg? What did Kevin Gilbright ever do? Come on, You're in a great offense. He got punched in the face by Buddy Ryan and Mark Treshman. It's gonna punch his team in the face this weekend. All right, Greg, Look, when it comes to the running back position, you gotta go with your guy, Andre Williams. Right, No, you're not using Andre Williams. No, Andre Williams. I'm using Darrell Pressley instead. Star Cameron Artist Pain too. I am

actually legitimately looking at Cameron Artist Pain. I think Christine Michael is someone that stands out a lot of here's the problem, Frank, you're just playing players that you know their names. No, I'm actually looking at DFS rankings for this weekend and Cameron Artist Pain and Christine Michael are ranked inside the top three. I don't like it. I don't like Well, we're your XFL DFS frankings, Greg, Frank, I will reveal those in a matter of moments if

you must. If you want to send Greg a dollar on Venmo, you want to, then move me. You'll get my DFS rankings for the accep out. All right, Well, I'm just telling you right now that I am looking at projections for XFL dfs this weekend and Cameron Artist Pain Darrell Presley is number two in XFL running back rankings. So you're not wrong there, Christine Michael, we actually have seen have a role in the NFL and actually be pretty good. So I think moving over to the XFL

you can have some success in the spot. Tim Cook, that's who I want, Tim Cooks. I thought you didn't like the New York Guardians. Well I like Tim Cook. I just don't like him Gilbride, Tim Tim Cook, Tim Cook. According to the list that I'm looking at here, Gregg has them ranked as the seventh best running back this week. So Frank, I don't know about Tim Cook. Are you gonna listen to those rankings? Are gonna listen? Tor bf fs? Well, when you put it that way, I'm definitely not gonna

use Tim Cook this week. I'm definitely going to look at the monkeys. Greg. A few of the A A F standouts last year are among the hyped up wide receivers in XFL as well. Remember we did an A F F Fantasy draft together. We did. We did had first play a long time. Who did he take with the first page? Trent Richardson? How did that work out for you? Very poorly? Michael McKay and Rashaud Ross were

two wide receivers a fly. We're dominating last years with Ray Shawn Ross the trumpet player of the bathis man. But you are intrigued by Rashaud Ross. At least I could talk you into him speed. I'm talking to you and him I brought. I mentioned in him mcam McKay. There's the top two ranked wide receivers. Just throw the water, serier me. I would have told you that Shade Ross is the guy. He's also the highest price wide receiver and draftings at ten thousand, four hundred dollars vandal yes,

allectual Satan. How about Sammy Coates Greig and interested Sammy Coach No, Sammy Coast can't cash. I'm out you're How about another former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Eli Rodgers. I like Tina the tight end. Nick Trusdell, that's my guy tight end. Nick Trusdell, former an NFL tight end, Right, sure, you say it's so confidently here Greg Jazz Ferguson an interest there? No all right? Are there any of the wide receivers you white outside of her? Shot Ross? Not? Really?

Really no answer is michaiel McKay is like six ft eight though I do remember that of him. He is a huge body. He's gonna be targeted in the red zone. I don't know that he's gonna score a touchdown this week. I'm telling you that right now. I don't know. Kael McKay. I just sold he's highest price wide receip He's really expensive, Nick Trusdale. E J. B just said, Nick Trusdell, I'm just reading out the top. He doesn't projected this week in XFL Week one. E J. Bibbs, Donald Parham, let's

get bad, Brandon Barnes. We got the breakout hitter of the year coming. I have the envelope right right here there in my hand. We're gonna open it up. Let you know who you can break out? Are you ready for the nation's first and only three four hour network dedicated to you, the betting and fantasy sports enthusiasts. Sports Grade will provide you with a real time content, statistics

and gaming intelligence unlike anything you've ever seen before. Located both in the heart of New York City and inside the Fandel Sports Book at the meadow Lands, Sports Grade, he's live eighteen hours a day here to serve you the fanatic. This is Sports Grade. Get on the Grade. Welcome bmm Oscar Award Attention break out hitors. We also have to have time to talk about who we've lost over the last year, Frank, do we guess the Nolanies

werena break out hitters. Let's do it. We'll break out hitter Alanis spor This Oh the checks for the Oakland Athletics, Ramon Loriano four, the Chicago White Socks, Luis rob Us Roads alias Robert only known as Louis Robert Believe it's also known as Frank. And finally, your final nominee is Bix Doors Washington. Frank, those, Let's start things off with bo Baschette. The beautiful, luscious locks of bou Baschette. The guy has baseball running through his veins. Much like a

lot of the Toronto Blue Jays hitters do. A lot of these guys are second generation talents here, and Bobichette came up last year and flashed some of that upside. Only played in forty six games, but made his presence felt right away from the get go. Three eleven batting average, eleven home runs, twenty one RBI and four stolen bases.

He has a power speed combination. He's gonna be hitting a top a really good Toronto Blue Jay's lineup, one that features lord as Guriel, Vladimir Guo Junior, Travis Shaw later on in that lineup as well. So there are a lot of reasons to like Bobaschette this upcoming season.

We'll see if the plate discipline worries us enough or not when it comes to him breaking out in the other name that you mentioned, Ramon Loriana, we saw a little bit of it last year, dealt with some injuries, but ultimately another one who has a power speed combination going in that fifth sixth round range this upcoming season ended up hinting two eight, twenty four home runs, thirteen

stolen bases. Greg someone I know that you love because I was advocating that we take him later on in our auction last year, and you uh continuously laughed at me for wanting Ramon Loriano. I think the joke is on you now, Greg, because Roman Loriano a legitimate breakout candidate this upcoming season. Projected to back second in the Oakland A's lineup between Marcus Simon and Matt Olsen. That

is a great spot to hit. He's gonna see a ton of pitches to hit this upcoming season as well, and I think he's gonna have the green light to run batting early in that Oakland A's line up. Let's move over to Victor Roeblas. Victor Roeblis didn't really live up to what he wanted him to do last year. Greg does have legitimate speed. Still twenty eight bases, the

batting average was not great to fifty five. Uh. The problem with Victor Roebliss is that you're not really getting him at discount right, so you still have to draft him fourth fifth round this upcoming year. Ended up hitting seventeen home runs eighty six runs scored, while majority of his playing time came towards the back end of the Washington Nationals lineup. Still was able to score eighty six runs last year. I think there's upside in the batting average.

Someone who bat who hit three hundred in his minor league career. I think the batting average can come up a little bit. And I think there's upside for even more than the twenty stolen basis we saw from Victor Roeblais last season. And then Luis Robert. Everyone is excited about Louis Roberts this year, not known as Robert, known as Luis Robert. A lot of people are kind of crowning him as the next Ronald Cuna for that power

speed combination. Greg what he did in the miners last year, three batting average going thirty thirty, thirty two home runs, thirty six stolen bases. He's already signed his extension with the Chicago White Sox. He will be in their lineup on opening Day. You don't have to worry about when he's gonna get called up from the minor leagues. He already signed his extension. He should be up to start the season. He had a one thousand ops across three

different minor league levels last season. Uh, and he is joining a very very potent Chicago White Sox line up here in Gregs. Those are your breakout candidates. And now I want to go a little bit deeper, Frank. We have a few minutes left here in the program. I'd like to do a slight bit deeper, and I want to start with where you ended with Victor Rubles. My issue is we drafted him last year, Frank, and we liked him quit a bit. Batting ninth, he's a struggle.

I don't see him moving up in the order. How much has changed. I understand, Anthony rind he's no longer there batting ninth. You lose a lot of that bats. The rest of these players no significantly higher than that. I understand where you're coming from. But again, he still scored eighties six runs last year while batting ninth or eighth or ninth for the majority of last season. I think that they should find a way to move him up in the order. Adam Eating is a fine player.

He does what he's asked to do. But I think Roblist has more upside. I think that there's a chance that if they move him up in that order, we can legitimately see him score over a hundred runs. Obviously, in that lineup. They still have trade turners, so they've got a little bit that they have to figure out here. I understand your concerns when it comes to where he's batting in the order, Greg, but we have to remember

the prospect pedigree that comes with Victor Roebliss prospect. I'm not sure Ramon Loriano has that much prospect pedigree, if we're being honest, But I think Victor Roebliss, especially with the speed everyone's trying to find speed, this is somebody who can steal you thirty five to forty bases. See Boett is one of our nominees, one of our snows potentially is he teammate Cavon Vigio. No one's speaking about him, Frank,

Why is this? Because Cavon Busio, as great as he was last year, has a little bit of a power speed combinations himself struggles big time with strikeouts, so that batting average not gonna be anywhere near some of these players here. I think Bobaschet is probably someone you can project for a two seventy to two eighty batting average this upcoming season. Cavon Busio is someone who's going to bat in the knee to twenty to two forty range. He hits way too many five balls. He strikes out

a lot as well, has great plate discipline. He's gonna walk, he's gonna get on base, he's gonna score a lot of runs, and he'll probably give you close to twenty home runs and twenty soul on bases. But the batting average is a real drag when it comes to Cavon Busio this upcoming season, Greg Norman Loriano, that power speed combination, it is true, it's real, and we I may or

may not have suggested. We we don't draft froman Loriano that that may have happened potentially, but you know we I still think the average, I still think Oakland A I I don't know, I don't know. I'm excited about Louis Robert also known as Luis Robert. I'm excited for what he can do. He's not a young and improving White Sox lineup. Look, it is a great lineup, But if you're worried about Victor Roeblas, you have to worry about Luis Robert as well. He's probably going to back

towards the bottom of this lineup. This lineup is stack. They have Jose Bray, they added Edwin and Carnacion, they still have Eloy Jimenez as well. So I think Luis Robert, probably Tim Anderson Isson Anderson Mr. Anderson, will be batting towards the top of that lineup. You also have you on Moncada. This is an amazing Chicago White Sox lineup. But it's because of that that Luis Robert is probably going to bat somewhere near the bottom of this White

Sox lineup. And if we're worried about the strikeouts with someone like kvam Visio, you have to be worried about the strikeouts with Luis Robert. Struck out twenty nearly twenty five percent of the time, still has a few holes in that swing. Wouldn't surprise me if he approaches a thirty percent strikeout right, maybe even exceeds that this upcoming season, which could be a drag on the batting average in his rookie campaign. Here, Greg, let's get to the envelope,

ladies and gentlemen you're with for breakouts. It's as having a little bit of trouble here on the Fantasy Baseball Oscars, and the winner is Moonlight. Excuse me, it's Victor Robless right or U the year. It sounds like you don't agree, Greg, I don't agree. I don't would you rank him last out of this group? I don't know how I him last. I don't agree with the robelest. I think it's I think if I had to shooes one, and probably if I'm being honest with this year, I like Bobichet as well.

But the four stolen basis for caught stealing, they might rain him back a little bit when it comes to him running on the base paths. And you know, we saw the strikeouts come up last year when he joined the major league ranks, so I do worry about the plate discipline a little bit. He doesn't walk all that mon just six and a half percent of wal create

last year. He could continue to get better again. What he did last year as a twenty year old was phenomenal, So we could definitely see Bobachett continue to take that those steps forward. But Victor Roeblis, to me, is someone that can still hit twenty home runs, steal your thirty five to forty basses. Everyone projected him to to develop into that Starling Marte type player last year, and I still think that there's a chance that we can get there in as well. So you want speed to me.

The breakout hitter of is going to be Victor Roebliss going in that fourth fifth round range. He's still a young man, unlike some of we have to get to next rank. As you know, it was a tough year in for some of the older generation of stars. Right now, unfortunately, it's time we say goodbye to members of the Fantasy Baseball class we lost, and that of course includes you're

not supposed to say anything. Yes, it's of course Evan Liboria way right, sade team for a little bit frank luster fifteen team or everyone was on my team, your guy last year, not anymore. Unfortunately you went a spitish. It was like videos great, so sad. Oh no, there's Jeff Luno step not a Cheater's Steven going. That's Carlos Belchion cheeter h Alex Cora, also a cheater. Not so sad A J. Hinch the Riddler, LL say goodbye? Who's

al today? Houston Astro's clubhouse? Do you see the trash can in the background there, No, we'll see the lot of there so sad and there there is your an memorium? What anything else on on these players? Let's say goodbye. Evan Longoria really does not provide much anymore. Hitting in that ballpark out there in San Francisco. Maybe he'll give you twenty home runs. Obviously not. The player that he

wants was Adam Wayne Right. I don't think he deserves to be on this list if we're being honest, because there was a stretch last year where Adam Waynewright was actually quite viable from a fantasy baseball perspective. Jason Heyward might be platuning this upcoming season. You don't know what to expect from Jason Heyward. He got off to a nice start last year. The first couple of months he looked pretty good, but then really tailed off in the second half. You went a Sesspenis, man, your guest is

as good as mine. I think J D. Davis is awesome. Are they really gonna play Unassispenis some days over? J D Davis? Come on, man, j D. Davis is a stat cast hero. Give him the playing time, and if they do that, I don't really see how you win, assess, but it gets in the line up here. Greg, the player you'd want to add the least out of all these guys, it's the fat Man. We spoke about him yesterday. He literally looks like CC Sabathia. We spoke about him

yesterday with Greg Sussman. With Greg's with Michael Floorio, the the Mets fan, and he was not a fan of un Assist. But it's either let's get J. D. Davison net line up no more un Assist because he's the one you want to avoid most this upcoming seat. Enjoy the XFL, Enjoy the Oscars, Frank, and I'll be back on Monday. Come up next for real. Coast to coast next to everybody back downstairs. We all get on Monday. We all hope