Take 10 with Tim – July 3, 2025 – Reviewing the first half and looking to the second half

1.We are at the halfway point of the season. What three lessons have you learned or were reminded when reflecting on the first half?
a.Which player did you get wrong at the draft table – not injury, but you just thought he would be better?
i.Jacob Marsee – for me.
b.Which player did you get right and wish you had more shares?

2.First half MVPs – Mine are listed.
a.Your personal MVP
i.Tim – Sal Stewart
ii.Ben Rice – 23 home runs, 57 runs, 54 RBI and a .269 BA. He has slowed a bit since Judge has been out – he was also hurt a bit.
b.Catcher
i.Tim – Liam Hicks
ii.Dillon Dingler – He has 19 home runs! You could have gotten him in the 16th round.
c.First base
i.Tim – Ryan O’Hearn
ii.Miguel Vagas – 19 HR and 11 SB. He was the 34th 1B off the board.
d.Second base
i.Tim – Luis Garcia Jr.
ii.Casey Schmidt – 16 HR, 7 SB, and a .283 BA. His runs and RBIs are a bit suppressed because he plays for the Giants.
e.Shortstop
i.Tim – Otto Lopez
ii.Bryan Rocchio – Partly, because I thought he was done – maybe a utility guy because of the defense. But, 5 HR, 14 SB and .270 BA. For a waiver wire guy as your middle infielder, not bad.
f.Third base
i.Tim – Kaz Okamoto
ii.Curtis Mead – A guy I always liked, but if I’m being honest, I would have bet Asia over what he’s doing this season – by a wide margin. 14 HR, 4 SB, but only a .227 BA
g.Outfield (3)
i.Tim – James Wood, Andy Pages, Carson Benge
ii.PCA – I know he was a second round pick, but he’s on pace for a 40-40 season and if that happens, he’s a Top 3 pick.
iii.Jordan Walker – 18 HR, 10 SB, 58 RBIs, and a .288 average. As a reminder, he was the 87th outfielder off the board.
iv.Angel Martinez – He’s on the IL, but 11 HR and 9 SB for the 270th outfielder off the board.
h.Starting Pitcher (3)
i.Tim – Foster Griffin, Eduardo Rodriguez, Jacob Misiowroski
ii.Kyle Harrison – 2.57 ERA, 8 wins, 96 Ks. You could have gotten him in the 29th round.
iii.Davis Martin – 3.00 ERA, 9 win, 90 Ks. Great waiver wire pickup.
i.Reliever
i.Tim – Louis Varland
ii.I hate them all, but I’ll take Jacob Latz

3.Give me a player or two that you think will improve significantly in the second half.
a.Vlad Jr. and Tatis Jr. – Easy ones.
b.Riley Green
c.Kyle Stowers – he’ll get to 20+ home runs and 80+

4.What’s your #1 Closer in waiting in preparing for the trade deadline.
a.Garrett Whitlock
b.Luke Weaver

5.What hitter are you targeting for this weekend’s FAAB?
a.Didn’t get to

6.What pitcher are you targeting for this weekend’s FAAB?
a.Didn’t get to