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--- 2026_preview [2026/04/07 19:12] – admin
+++ 2026_preview [2026/04/08 18:02] (current) – admin
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 **Rockem 25 Preview:**
-For the last three years now I said this in the opening of the preview:
+For the last four years now I said this in the opening of the preview:
 “Onto the preview. This is the most wide open draft and the most wide open MLB has been in all our years. No consensus anywhere, could be 100% wrong with my views below and I would not be shocked if the team I pick to finish 12th wins the whole thing; it is going to be a fun year of baseball.”
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 {{https://media1.tenor.com/m/FBLbQkiuUPgAAAAC/lets-get-to-work-da-jack-mccoy.gif?nolink&498x280}}
-Below be my predictions yo, but more than any other year this could go sideways. No one drafted really poorly as some people have in recent years (cough Tom cough). I truly believe anyone can win. If you are in the bottom fret not or maybe take it as an omen that I know nothing.
+Below be my predictions yo, but this could all go sideways. I truly believe anyone can win (well, almost anyone). If you are in the bottom fret not or maybe take it as an omen that I know nothing.
 As always I am just dealing with your team as of the draft with my takes; I can’t keep track if you picked up Johnny Hotnuts or slipped the tongue to Malcolm McVultureSave. I am not going off past managerial performances either…some of you have taken August off in previous seasons. I am also doing this before I read your responses to my questions, any connection is just serendipitous. In Draft Order…
-//__**Moon:**__ //
+//__**Moon:**__  //
 ) How would you rate your draft (feel free to create your own scale)?
@@ Line 31: / Line 31: @@
 ) What was your favorite experience of the Houston trip for those who went, for those who didn’t attend, what was your favorite part of draft day?
-Maybe it's because we are all a bit older, wiser and calmer?, but every stop on this trip was memorable. From dinner on Thursday, BBQ brunch, brewery pregame (Pinball, THC and euchre), WBC, ferris wheel bar (and even the upstairs club stop) and post draft beer garden - lots of smiles, laughs and good times.
+Maybe it's because we are all a bit older, wiser and calmer?, but every stop on this trip was memorable. From dinner on Thursday, BBQ brunch, brewery pregame (Pinball, THC and euchre), WBC, Ferris Wheel bar (and even the upstairs club stop) and post draft beer garden - lots of smiles, laughs and good times.
 ) What is Family Style?
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 {{https://media3.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTZjMDliOTUybGU1OHgwbGNzYTU2OGo2ZG95MmhrbDhmc3pkMDJka2NianlnMHA4NyZlcD12MV9naWZzX3NlYXJjaCZjdD1n/Me1N1UA7Fn6vw6ilqf/giphy.gif?nolink&480x480}}
-Jay is looking to be the first Rockemite to win back to back since 2018 when Birdie won his third title in a row. We all know how great 2018 was, Avengers: Infinity War was the biggest hit movie…which I still haven’t seen, Drake "God’s Plan" was the biggest hit song, which I have never heard…wait did Covid completely wipe out my memory of 2018?
+Jay is looking to be the first Rockemite to win back to back since 2018 when Birdie won his third title in a row. We all know how great 2018 was, //Avengers: Infinity War //was the biggest hit movie…which I still haven’t seen, Drake "God’s Plan" was the biggest hit song, which I have never heard…wait, did Covid completely wipe out my memory of 2018?!??
 Anyways…back to 2026. Moon’s offensive bats are familiar faces as he tries to bring the band back together from last year.
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 {{https://media1.tenor.com/m/E37r4zSVGyMAAAAC/were-putting-the-band-back-together-were-getting-back-together.gif?nolink&498x266}}
-Judge, Chourio, Turner, Suarez…I think he had all those guys, I am too lazy to check. He has a good combo of speed and pop and if Buxton and Seyia are healthy (big if) and Konnor Griffin is the real thing, he could be in the free eats again like McNally witht he left over BBQ in Houston.
+Judge, Chourio, Turner, Suarez…I think he had all those guys, I am too lazy to check. He has a good combo of speed and pop and if Buxton and Seyia are healthy (big if) and Konnor Griffin is the real thing, he could be in the free eats again like McNally with the leftover BBQ in Houston.
-Then again his staff is filled with question marks, but looking at the full league, I will be saying this often in this preview. Is this Mclean’s year to become a dominant #1, is Gausman cooked? Will Misorowski’s arm fall off. I like the upside is certainly here, but there is a lot of uncertainty certainly makes certain sense. A fun team for sure, just not sure it is built to win it all…
+Then again his staff is filled with question marks, but looking at the full league, I will be saying this often in this preview. Is this Mclean’s year to become a dominant #1, is Gausman cooked? Will Misorowski’s arm fall off. Will Moon get a job before the all-star break? All may be doubtful, but not impossible. I think the upside is certainly here, but there is a lot of uncertainty certainly makes certain sense?!?!? A fun team for sure, just not sure it is built to win it all…
-Prediction: Middle Third - Moon is playing with house money since the Catalina Cup is currently sitting on Eeets a Boat in Southwest Connecticut
+Prediction: Middle Third - Moon is playing with house money since the Catalina Cup is currently sitting on Eeets a Boat in Southwest Connecticut, but he has a legit shot.
 __//**Bull:** //__
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 __//**Commish’s Take:** //__
-He almost broke a ferris wheel, but can Bull break into the free eats category and win the league again? Anything is possible, even Biz Markie coming back from the dead to take his taco order in Houston.
+He almost broke a Ferriswheel, but can Bull break into the free eats category and win the league again? Anything is possible, even Biz Markie coming back from the dead to take his taco order in Houston.
 {{https://media.tenor.com/_NNh6BJzPkcAAAAM/biz-markie.gif?nolink&220x165}}
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 El Toro Blanco’s arms are fortified by the best bullpen in Rockem, Miller, Hader and Megill will give him the lead in saves, low whip and K’s. Starters like Peralta, Eovaldi will do the same, just switch saves with wins. Two returning arms could be huge as well with Snell and Cole. Welp, looks like we will all be ponying up to feed Bull yet again…
-Prediction: Top Third, with a great set of arms and Ohtani El Toro Blanco will be ferriswheelin’ into the title race.
+Prediction: Top Third, with a great set of arms and Ohtani, El Toro Blanco will be Ferriswheelin’ into the title race.
 __//**McNally:** //__
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 {{https://media.tenor.com/CNkkeroB26AAAAAM/you-are-amazing-alesha-dixon.gif?nolink&220x220}}
-I usually butter up people then clock them in the jaw, but Donnie’s team doesn’t look so bad. On the offensive side he went with well rounded guys and got quite a few of them. Witt Jr., Carroll, Merrill, Happ, Doyle. He may need some extra pop but bats like Goodman, Bregman (in windy Wrigley) and Adell could provide that extra whomp to push him towards the top.
+I usually butter up people then clock them in the jaw, but Donnie’s team doesn’t look so bad. On the offensive side he went with well rounded guys and got quite a few of them. Witt Jr., Carroll, Merrill, Happ, Doyle. He may need some extra pop but bats like Goodman, Bregman (in windy Wrigley) and Adell. All of them could provide that extra whomp to push him towards the top.
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 __//**Commish’s Take:** //__
-Big Jay was stuck doing voice over work for Japanese hentai….oh wait just read his text again, I guess it was a video game?!? You playing he role of King Slender tubby?
+Big Jay was stuck doing voice over work for Japanese Tentacle Po….oh wait just read his text again, I guess it was a voice over for a video game?!? You playing the role of King Slender tubby?
 {{https://i0.wp.com/cdn.wikimg.net/strategywiki/images/8/87/Pro_Wrestling_Karate_Kick.gif?nolink&256x224}}
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 ) What is Family Style?
+{{:25throckemdraft11.jpeg?nolink&480x640|25throckemdraft11.jpeg}}
 That's a lot of meat.
@@ Line 220: / Line 222: @@
 Coming to bring the boat back to its dock.
-Commish’s Take:
+__//**Commish’s Take:** //__
-Always stressed, always walks away with a solid squad from the draft…he is the Champ for a reason. A few CG’s on the bench last year and he would literally be the champ now, but so it goes…
-(Slaughterhouse five)
+Always stressed, always walks away with a solid squad from the draft…he is the Champ for a reason. A few CG’s on the bench last year or he would literally be the champ now, but poo-tee-weet…so it goes…
-C-Town seems to have stocked a fairly good mix of solid and risk, perhaps a bit more risk this year than most, but with J-Ram, leading the charge all categories should get filled in, ALvarez for Pop, Turang for speed, Perdomo for lots of booze.
+{{https://y.yarn.co/643be1a2-5214-4d61-9c3c-c9a51fe6f5c4_text.gif?nolink&400x225}}
-(booze gif)
+C-Town seems to have stocked a fairly good mix of solid and risk, perhaps a bit more risk this year than most, but with J-Ram, leading the charge all categories should get filled in, Alvarez for Pop, Turang for speed, Perdomo for lots of booze.
-It is great that this pick caused BK to drink, then the rest of the league followed suit. A record 4 sober rounds in before Perdomo kicked down the alcoholic flood gates. After that I think Busch and Stowers are legit, but otherwise his O may have some question marks, Butler, Okamoto, Edwards, Vientos? If they come out swinging, BK is in the money easy…
+{{https://i.redd.it/y56u6ykdk8ka1.gif?nolink&498x371}}
-(Easy Money?)
+It is great that this pick caused BK to drink, then the rest of the league followed suit. A record 4 sober rounds in before Perdomo kicked down the alcoholic flood gates, a great pick memory to have before alcohol erases it from our minds. Back to real baseball, after that pick I think Busch and Stowers are legit, but otherwise his O may have some question marks, Butler, Okamoto, Edwards, Vientos? If they come out swinging, BK is in the money easy…
-Well, maybe not THAT easy. Crochet is a hell of a late 2nd round grab, and I dig on Kirby, but is Sheehan going to be the real deal holyfield? Is Gore more than a walks whore? Chapman, Abreu, Yates, Dominguez COULD constitute a nice back end…
+Well, maybe not THAT easy. Crochet is a hell of a late 2nd round grab, and I dig on Kirby, but is Sheehan going to be the real deal Holyfield? Is Gore more than a walks whore? Chapman, Abreu, Yates, Dominguez COULD constitute a nice back end…
-(ass?)
+{{https://media.tenor.com/liIB4vssM1MAAAAM/hot-blonde-girl-shaking-ass-big-butt.gif?nolink&220x408}}
 …but is BK’s team vulnerable this year?!?
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 \\
-Winston
+__//**Winston** //__
 ) How would you rate your draft (feel free to create your own scale)?
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 \\
-Commish’s Take:
+__//**Commish’s Take:** //__
-While I dream of always having a team like BK’s, this year Winston drafted a team that if the universe tilted a little bit would be mine, sexy young and lots of upside, don’t google that, no Epst*in List here.
+While I dream of always having a team like BK’s, this year Winston drafted a team that if the universe tilted a little bit would be mine, sexy young and lots of upside….don’t google that, no Epst*in List here.
-(Don’t google)
+{{https://reactiongifs.com/r/google.gif?nolink&327x183}}
-He went right after it with Elly, the ultimate first round wild card…where did he rank to end last year? Too late 28, I thought he was actually worse, so if that is his down year…look the fack out.
+He went right after it with Elly, the ultimate first round wild card…quick question, where did he end up ranked to end last year? Too late, 28, I thought he was actually worse, so if that is his down year…look the fack out.
-(look out gif)
+{{https://media.tenor.com/1RnAuV5eqmoAAAAM/what-up.gif?nolink&220x287}}
-His power comes from out west with Kurtz, Soderstrom and Pasquatch, while Wood and Abrams give him Avg and Speed from DC. Barger, Keaschall and Caglianone are young with almost no track record, but a wonderful pedigree, but like racehorses, thye may need a few laps (years) of seasoning.
+His power comes from out west with Kurtz, Soderstrom and Pasquatch, while Wood and Abrams give him Avg and Speed from DC. Barger, Keaschall and Caglianone are young with almost no track record, but a wonderful pedigree, but like racehorses, they may need a few laps (years) of seasoning.
-(Seasoning gif)
+{{https://media.tenor.com/ZT3CalzWCTsAAAAM/chef-sprinkle.gif?nolink&220x220}}
-The youth movement continues with the arms as BRadish, Burns, Lodolo and Yesavage could all be in the all-star game…in 2030. I kid, their kids. I don’t want to hurt their feelings. Maybe that is why Jeff went young, putting those parenting skills to the test. He will also certainly be testing the waiver wire for closers as his bullpen, outside of Kenley, is wonky at best.
+The youth movement continues with the arms as Bradish, Burns, Lodolo and Yesavage could all be in the all-star game…in 2030. I kid, because they are kids. I don’t want to hurt children's feelings but c'mon, have they graduate high school yet?!? Maybe that is why Jeff went young, putting those parenting skills to the test. He will also certainly be testing the waiver wire for closers as his bullpen, outside of Kenley, is wonky at best.
-I know from experience when you go all sexy and young (in fantasy baseball) you usually are the one footing the bill.
+I know from experience when you go all sexy and young (in fantasy baseball, just fantasy baseball) you usually in trouble and are the one footing the bill.
 Prediction: Middle third. Some risks work out, some don’t, end up in the middle.
 \\
-Fatone:
+__//**Fatone:** //__
-How would you rate your draft (feel free to create your own scale)?
+) How would you rate your draft (feel free to create your own scale)?
 Pretty good. I think I have a chance but I am concerned my offense may struggle.
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 \\
-Commish’s Take:
+__//**Commish’s Take:** //__
 Fatone was oh so close to winning his first title last year, but then things slipped away, like half the league's hair. It was great that he could draft with us in person, but did he compile a competitive team….
-(I got no idea)
+{{https://media.tenor.com/JdA2f-7EkTwAAAAM/elmo-sesame-street.gif?nolink&220x126}}
-With a few teams this year I think one or two picks can really swing the results. For Fatty I see it as Mookie Betts. If Betts’ last season was really a fluke due to some flesh eating Japanese virus, then Fatty got the steal of the lifetime in the 4th round. Pairing him with Acuna, PCA and Marte, makes for an incredibly well rounded squad. If he has really fallen off a cliff I like this team a hell of a lot less. Steer Diaz and Mongomery on the CI tip leaves power to be desired so he better hope Mookie is back to his old self.
+With a few teams this year (specifically Fatone and Birdie) I think one or two picks can really swing the results. For Fatty I see it as Mookie Betts. If Betts’ last season was really a fluke due to some flesh eating Japanese virus, then Fatty got the steal of the lifetime in the 4th round. Pairing him with Acuna, PCA and Marte, makes for an incredibly well rounded squad. If he has really fallen off a cliff, I like this team a hell of a lot less. Steer Diaz and Montgomery on the CI tip leaves power to be desired so he better hope Mookie is back to his old self.
-(young again)
+{{https://media.tenor.com/vocfcaXV5zgAAAAM/makes-me-feel-young-again-fogell.gif?nolink&220x220}}
 Fatone went back to practicing his No Closers policy, will it work? It hasn’t yet, so there is no reason to think it will, but his Starters are fairly legit. A top four of Framber (his bouncing boy) Ryan, Luzardo (could be a steal) and Pivetta are as deep as anyone’s, maybe if Imai or Weathers move to the bullpen he can grab some SV’s. As it stands though….
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 Prediction: Bottom Third - Great to see you in person Fatty, take this kick in the nuts home with you!
-SPD:
+__//**SPD:** //__
 ) How would you rate your draft (feel free to create your own scale)?
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 Love You All. Now Read the Preview!
-Commish’s Take: Guest Preview this year conducted by none other than the reigning champ of Rockem Sockem, Jay Moon.
+Commish’s Take: Guest Preview this year conducted by none other than the reigning champ of Rockem Sockem, Jay Moon!
+It was just a normal Tuesday afternoon in March as I spam applied for the same jobs as Tom on LinkedIn when I finally got the call up (text) from the Commish. I’ve dreamed (dreaded) of this moment for over two decades. This is what I’ve been training for (thank god for the Wiki and ChatGPT) all my life. Am I ready? Hell no. Will I be judged and mocked by the rest of the league? Of course, but when you get the opportunity you step up to the plate you swing for the fences. (My actual high school stat line was 2 for 20 with a single, HR and 9K. (A regular Mark Reynolds). Thank god for volleyball.
+{{:p1guest1.jpeg?nolink&301x472|p1guest1.jpeg}}
+(For once) is right
+Shawn’s decades belated request got me thinking so I started doing some research on the beloved and highly skimmed previews and predictions. Per the Wiki previews started in 2005 with the first commish preview by Eben (not documented on the Wiki, but probably rolling around in our email archives). Over the last 21 years we have seen guest previews from the following Rockem members:
+{{:p1guest2.png?nolink&208x233}}
+Note no guest preview in 2020? How does he choose? Is it past champions? Clearly not (see Tom, Vig and McNally. And yes Eben has won the boat). Literary pedigree? BK and Eben lean yes, but not leading the pack. Racist jokes? Music references? Dare I say baseball knowledge?
+{{:p1guest3.jpeg?nolink&373x417|p1guest3.jpeg}}
+Irregardless (that's a word right?) of how he chooses it leaves Bird, Fatone and myself like kids in the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6x4SGvjErZA|RIF - Reading is fundamental]] commercials from the 70’s who go to the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQ-8IuUkJJc|Derek Zoolander Center for Kids Who Can Read Good]]. I say why not us? Well, now that I have entered the hallowed halls of guest previewdom I have to put the Commish on DEI notice for the guest previews.
+{{https://media.tenor.com/N-eliFaeJwwAAAAM/quotation-marks-chris-farley.gif?nolink&220x165}}
+Few other tidbits and factoids I found Overall the Commish has predicted 10 of the 12 Rockem members would win excluding himself (how noble) and McNally (no comment).
+{{:p1guest4.jpeg?nolink&283x290|p1guest4.jpeg}}
+Bird leads the way on 1st place predictions with 4, but when SPD picks the hearstoppers he is most accurate at an average finish of 2.3 including last year where he nailed the first place prediction. #humblebrag. He was also spot on in 2016 and 2018 picking Bird. In the years that BK won he predicted 3, 2, 10, 2, 2 finishes. Always a good horse to bet on I would think.
+{{:p1guest5.jpeg?nolink&367x292|p1guest5.jpeg}}
+His average error rate (predicted rank - actual rank) is 4 for first place prediction and 4.3 for the actual winner. Feels pretty good but I’ll let Bird run the model for his guest preview. His worst prediction years came in 2007 and 2024 with a total error rate of 19
+Commish Prediction - Fatone - finished 10th
+Actual Winner - Bird - commish predicted 11th
+Commish Prediction - Bird - finished 12th (ouch)
+Actual Winner - SPD - commish predicted 9th (no shame in picking yourself, jinx!)
+What does it all mean…nothing. I guess I’ll get to the draft portion of the preview.
+Official Guest Preview:
+Drafting out of the 8 hole SPD stacked the offense and corner infield early with some familiar and likely candidates who are not currently incarcerated.
+{{:p1guest6.jpeg?nolink&421x265|p1guest6.jpeg}}
+Vlad (the double Canadian) and Harper are no longer young but still very sexy picks who provide an elite power foundation. Wander Franco err. Junior Caminero ([[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PI_Jl5WFQkA|Canyonero!]]) fills that young and sexy void that gets Shawn through the day between High Life’s. After picking him in the 6th round last year the Commish goes back to the well in the 2nd this year. Could be aggressive with other proven bats still out there, but a repeat performance is highly likely. Question? Will the Trop be as friendly as Steinbrenner Field?
+Rooker (4), Bichette (6) and Altuve (8) bring some even keel to the offense and then some sneaky later round veteran values in Trout (13), Ozuna (19) and Correra (21) could really make this an offense to be reckoned with.
+SBs will rely on Kwan and Caballero which will keep him out of the basement in the category but not by much. The only options are to trade (do we still do those?), waiver wire (slim pickens) or punt (best choice IMO).
+I’d like to note that Shawn drafted a catcher, Alejandro Kirk, in the 17th round which I believe is the earliest ever. At 5’8” and 250 lbs they might want to start calling him “Little Dumper”. Overall the offense is solid up and down with limited risk and high upside.
+Starting pitching is the key to this team's success. Some top level proven aces and aces to be (see Cam Schlittler), but it could all disappear in a weekend when injuries come a knocking for deGrom, Ohtani, Rodon and Woodruff.
+{{:p1guest7.jpeg?nolink&508x350|p1guest7.jpeg}}
+If 2 or 3 of these guys stay healthy along with Cam and hopefully Holmes it could be a dominant staff.
+Iglesias / Pagan in 9th and 10th were a decent attempt to gain saves on teams that should be competitive. Dennis Santana is presumably the closer in Pittsburgh, but will there be save chances to be had?
+Final Thoughts Shawn never disappoints when it comes to the draft. His balance of baseball acumen and passion for making things interesting usually construct a team that can easily take him to free eats or leave him dwindling down at the bottom, but it's always a fun ride just like a ferris wheel in Houston. This year is no exception but I’m leaning closer to the former. I think he dodges the injury bug and gets solid performances from his line up and staff all year.
+{{:p1guest8jpeg.png?nolink&343x258}}
+Top Third I know, I was as surprised as you.
-\\
 Prediction: Top Third, Thanks Jay, I think this team has free eats written all over it. Which means I will probably stink out the joint.
-Wilson:
+__//**Wilson:** //__
 ) How would you rate your draft (feel free to create your own scale)?
@@ Line 406: / Line 471: @@
 I am sorry I was not there for the draft, as I missed seeing all of you and those wonderful incidental side conversations. I will see you at my dinner.
-Commish’s Take:
+__//**Commish’s Take:** //__
-Neezer drafting remote, you were missed, but also, we knew who you were going to take. Nats, Rocks, Yanks and too large of a side order of Catchers.
+Neezer drafting remote, you were missed, but also, we knew who you were going to take. Nats, Rocks, Yanks and too large of a side order of Catchers...wait he didn't draft 4 of them?!?!
-(More please)
+{{https://media1.tenor.com/m/LfxdLblPZiYAAAAC/hungry-please-sir-may-i-have-some-more.gif?nolink&300x224}}
 Let’s flip the script and start with the pitching as Wilson has the best top to bottom staff in the league. Skenes, Yamamoto, Fried, Senga with Munoz, Duran and Helsely in the Pen. For a league with a lot of questionable pitching, Neezer cornered the market. But will it be enough?
-(never enough)
+{{https://y.yarn.co/1cb30e80-eea4-491e-a289-9cb6183f36a8_text.gif?nolink&400x168}}
-It better be, because his offense looks to be ancient and or questionable at best. Tatis Jr. sure, but then…Contrearas? Is Ben Rice really for real? Giancarlo as a starting OF? Stanton famously said this off season his elbow hurt him when he opened a bag of chips. I could see The Full Monty’s team struggling as well.
+It better be, because his offense looks to be ancient, broken down and weak. I mean we are talking wimpy wimpy wimpy. Tatis Jr. sure, but then…Contrearas? Is Ben Rice really for real? Giancarlo as a starting OF? Stanton famously said this off season his elbow hurt him when he opened a bag of chips. I could see The Full Monty’s team struggling with the proverbial bag of chips that is Rockem as well.
-Prediction: Bottom Third - Maybe he finds hitting magic, but for now the pitchers need to carry everything.
+Prediction: Bottom Third - Maybe he finds hitting magic, but for now the pitchers need to carry on wayward son.
-\\
+__//**Mike:** //__
-Mike:
 ) How would you rate your draft (feel free to create your own scale)?
@@ Line 431: / Line 495: @@
 ) One pick you were stoked about, one you should have changed?
-Stoked for Andrew Abbott in Round 17 - he fell forever!!!!?! SP1, Opening Day for the Reds, and hopefully another strong year. Could have taken Jac Caglione instead of JJ Wetherholt? But seeing as how JJ just got promoted and is batting leadoff to start the season, I am not sure I would have changed anything at all.\\
+Stoked for Andrew Abbott in Round 17 - he fell forever!!!!?! SP1, Opening Day for the Reds, and hopefully another strong year. Could have taken Jac Caglione instead of JJ Wetherholt? But seeing as how JJ just got promoted and is batting leadoff to start the season, I am not sure I would have changed anything at all.
 ) Whose team are you most impressed with?
@@ Line 450: / Line 515: @@
 I feel like I have said this before but… ties. We should wear ‘em on draft days. So it’s not just Eben and I looking super rad, all gussied up. Should do a proper Rock’em Draft, Kentucky Derby-style, one year. It would be tremendous.
-Commish’s Take:
+__//**Commish’s Take: ** //__
-Rockem Zigs, Ryniec Zags. I don’t think anyone could predict who Mike was picking in any round this year, will it work out? Who knows, but I think that tie Mike was sporting may have cut off some blood flow to the brain…
+Rockem Zigs, Ryniec Zags.
-(blood flow brain?)
+I don’t think anyone could predict who Mike was picking in any round this year, will it work out? Who knows, but I think that tie Mike was sporting may have cut off some blood flow to the brain…
-I mean, Jazz says 50/50 and if he does that, Ryniec will look glorious, but 1st rounder? Odd, but he did get J-Rod and if you flip that, it makes sense so no harm no foul, but other bats outside of Roman Anthony are…umm, Langoliers? Polanco? Garcia? Vaughn? I am not sure there is enough meat on that sandwich…
+{{https://i.makeagif.com/media/3-12-2015/MnUjrV.gif?nolink&320x178}}
-(Sandwich?) Is hotdog ?
+I mean, Jazz says 50/50 and if he does that, Ryniec will look glorious, but 1st rounder? Odd, but he did get J-Rod and if you flip that, it makes sense so no harm no foul, I foul...then you look to the other bats. Yikes, outside of Roman Anthony are…umm? Yucky? Langoliers? Polanco? Garcia? Vaughn? I am not sure there is enough meat on that sandwich…
-That must mean he went pitcher heavy…slow down. Mike went safe with Webb and Castillo 1-2 then a lot of scratchoffs with Abbott, Chandler, Baz and McClanahan…OK then his bullpen is stacked right? One confirmed closer with Cade Smith, and two live arms with Abner and Whitlock…Mike Zags, Rockem Zigs.
+{{https://y.yarn.co/5f989c48-fbec-429d-934e-f04fc0b939ba_text.gif?nolink&400x224}}
-Prediction: Bottom Third - could be proved wrong, but I see Mike pawning the tie he wore to pay for dinner.
+That must mean he went pitcher heavy…slow down Sparky. Mike went safe with Webb and Castillo 1-2, admirable, then a lot of scratchoffs bought late night at a Houston Gas Station with Abbott, Chandler, Baz and McClanahan…OK then his bullpen is stacked right? Easy tiger...Ooe confirmed closer with Cade Smith, and two live arms with Abner and Whitlock…Mike Zags, Rockem Zigs.
+Prediction: Bottom Third - could be proved wrong, but I see Mike pawning the tie he wore to the draft to pay for dinner.
 \\
-Bird:
+__//**Bird:** //__
 ) How would you rate your draft (feel free to create your own scale)?
@@ Line 491: / Line 558: @@
 Good Luck gents.
-Commish’s Take:
+__//**Commish’s Take:** //__
 Drafting next to Birdie and his robot overlord was a cool experience because I don’t think we overlapped once with picks. His AI says he is winning the league by a ton, and I am last place so we will see who is right and who takes over the earth in 10 years.
-(AI Robots gif)
+{{https://www.gadgetify.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/16/Ameca-Modular-Human-like-Robot.gif?nolink&430x240}}
-I feel Johnny went safe with Tucker and Henderson 1-2 but can’t fault him there. I said it next to him at the time so I might as well write it here, I think his team comes down to Austin Riley. If he is back-back, then I think Bird could be in contention, especially if Oneil Cruz also comes to life and puts it together. We shall see.
+I feel Johnny went safe with Tucker and Henderson 1-2 but can’t fault him there. I said it next to him at the time so I might as well write it here, I think his team comes down to Austin Riley. If he is back-back, then I think Bird could be in contention, especially if O'neil Cruz also comes to life and puts it together. I watched him a lot last year and unless he was playing completly through injury, he looked cooked. We shall see.
-(binoculkars)
+{{https://i.pinimg.com/originals/6b/7e/3e/6b7e3e6c20d37945bdd2cf65b94c9dbe.gif?nolink&400x224}}
-On the pitch side of things, there is pedigree for success, but also a bit of zaniness. Like most staff, Ferrari’s is a mixed bag, Gilbert healthy? Ragans and Cease right after last year’s blips for both? Gray and Nola still got it? I do like his Bullpen, because the air bender is going to bring Queens a championship this year, right? He will do the same for Birdie, right?
+On the pitch side of things, there is pedigree for success, but also a bit of zaniness. Like most staffs in 2026, Ferrari’s is a mixed bag, is Gilbert healthy? are Ragans and Cease right after last year’s blips for both? Gray and Nola still got it? I do like his Bullpen, because the air bender is going to bring Queens a championship this year, right? He will do the same for Birdie, right?
 Prediction: Middle Third - More out of not knowing where to put him, and I hate AI. I think I could also be loud wrong about this team.
-Tom:
+__//**Tom:** //__
 ) How would you rate your draft (feel free to create your own scale)?
@@ Line 537: / Line 604: @@
 Oh, competitors? Is that what they are? Eat my dust, losers.
-Commish’s Take:
+//__**Commish’s Take:**__  //
 Riding the back end of the snake can be a rattling experience!
-(Rattler gif)
+{{https://media3.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTZjMDliOTUyMTRha2Fxc3dyMm83ODdma2Zic2ZzYmN3dXczaXJqZWg1ZGt3ZTNsdSZlcD12MV9naWZzX3NlYXJjaCZjdD1n/ko9psLQGiZFs1DkdEO/giphy.gif?nolink&400x225}}
-I will see my self out….see’s self back in.
-Tip your bartenders the way that Tom tipped his cap to Canada, rooting for them deep in the heart of Texas. While that didn’t work out, his draft looks like it might have. Leave it to Rockem to have picks and players drop to the snake…
+I will see my self out….(see’s self back in).
-(snake gif)?
+Thank you, Thank you. Tip your bartenders the way that Tom tipped his cap to Canada, rooting for them deep in the heart of Texas. While that didn’t work out, his draft looks like it might have. Leave it to Rockem to have picks and players drop to the snake…
 On the bats side, Gallagher has a nice mix of pop and avg with the likes of Schwarber, Olson, Machado, Seager, and Teascor. Duran and Simpson add some speed to the recipe while a lotto ticket like Benge could/would/pleasegodlethim do both. (LGM!). Things seem pretty safe and reliable on the offensive front with room for growth.
-(Growth gif)
+{{https://i.pinimg.com/originals/36/5e/c2/365ec212d9a87cc26f39073b42543401.gif?nolink&268x268}}
 A big 1-2 of Skubal and Sale could be devastating, while Palencia and Estevez give him a solid foundation in the Pen. If Strider and Alcantara come back to 2024, then this could be something really special. Hmm…is this FINALLY Tom’s year?!?
@@ Line 559: / Line 624: @@
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 \\
-For those of you still reading…this is a reminder, I got last year’s prediction correct! What does that mean? Absolutely nothing!
+For those of you still reading…this is a reminder, I got last year’s prediction correct! What does that mean? Absolutely nothing! (//Editors note//: //nice breakout by Jay in the guest preview of predicitons!//)
 Predicted order of finish:
@@ Line 573: / Line 638: @@
 . Bird
-. Moon
+. Jeff
-. Jeff
+. McNally
-. McNally
+. Moon
 . BK