Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire: Week 20

The key to winning your fantasy baseball league is not how well you draft, but the players you add off waivers. This is extremely important because securing hidden talent and call-ups could replace those late-round selections, even mid-rounders, that aren’t having the best season. Here at NFS, we provide the best picks for players you should grab off waivers now before it is too late. As always, both opportunity and performance are taken into consideration for these players. All players listed are rostered below 40 percent on ESPN. Learn to think like a NERD!

Hitters

Bobby Dalbec, 1B, Boston Red Sox
Bobby Dalbec showed some serious potential his rookie year after hitting eight homers in only 23 games. But that power struggled to continue over into his second season as he even had to spend time in the minors to manage his game. Recently, he’s been crushing the ball and proving he could be the first baseman of the future. In his last 10 games, Dalbec has hit .440/.517/.960 with an insane 1.477 OPS. He’s also hit three homers, 12 RBIs, and five runs scored in those same games. Dalbec is currently the hottest hitter on the wire. He should be an immediate pickup. 

Lewis Brinson, OF, Miami Marlins
After the Starling Marte trade, Lewis Brinson was the deserved candidate to fill the role. Brinson has shown clear improvement since his first season back in 2017 with the Brewers. But since moving into the everyday role, Brinson has taken his production to another level. In his last 10 games, Brinson has hit .361/.425/.750 and a great 1.175 OPS. He also hit three homers and 12 RBIs. Brinson is a player with a high ceiling part of a system known to develop talent. Brinson is worth adding now in all league formats. 

Luis Arraez, 2B/3B/OF, Minnesota Twins
Luis Arraez is a young prospect with a high upside in the Twins system. Arraez is still looking for the breakout campaign but has shown solid flashes in stretches of games. In his last 10 games, Arraez has hit .469/.528/.656. Those numbers line up to be 15 hits along with five RBIs. Arraez’s next step would be to turn more of those hits into scoring, most likely RBIs with his lack of power. His position flexibility also makes him a quality pick-up on the waiver wire. 

Frank Schwindel, 1B, Chicago Cubs
Since being moved to the Chicago Cubs off the waivers, Frank Schwindel has boomed in his short time with the club. In Oakland, he struggled to hit the ball and failed to stretch plate appearnces to earn walks. That has completely turned around in Chicago. In his 13 games with the Cubs, Schwindel has hit .381/.422/.714 with three homers and 12 RBIs. While it is very early to say, Schwindel is filling Anthony Rizzo’s shoes very nicely. While he obviously still has a lot more to prove, Schwindel is worthing keeping on the radar for the time being. 

Pitchers

Josiah Gray, SP, Washington Nationals
After being a major trade piece in the Trea Turner and Max Scherzer trade, Josiah Gray has already started to make an impact for the Nationals. During his time with the Dodgers, Gray managed a 6.75 ERA and looked like he needed a ton of improvement. Since then, he’s maintained a 2.81 ERA over 16 innings pitched with 18 strikeouts as well. Still at 23 years old too, Gray has plenty of time to improve in an organization that is focusing on rebuilding. Gray is worth picking up now while he continues to pitch well. 

Tyler Gilbert, RP, Arizona Diamondbacks
After only three relief appearnces, Tyler Gilbert was thrown into the rotation due to injuries and lack of talent. To the surprise of everyone, Gilbert was able to throw a no-hitter against the San Diego Padres, finishing with five strikeouts as well. While it’s only one performance for Gilbert, it is certainly a great start to his first season in the majors. It’ll be extremely interesting to see his ceiling in future starts. For now, he’ll be a popular name on the waiver wire and is worth a pick-up with his potential. 

Eric Lauer, SP, Milwaukee Brewers
After a horrendous 2020 season where he averaged a 13.50 ERA, Eric Lauer has made a lot of improvements to his game and is putting up career numbers. Especially as of late, Lauer has improved his management to have longer-lasting outings. In his last six starts, Lauer has earned a 1.44 ERA with a 3-1 record. He could improve on his strikeout numbers, only having 26 strikeouts in 31 innings pitched. Lauer is a solid pick-up on the waiver wire in deeper league formats until he can prove he can consistently pitch six innings minimum. 

Luis Gil, SP, New York Yankees
With injuries spreading through the Yankees rotation, Luis Gil was a last resort callup for management. Gil was still developing his craft in the minors at the time but still expected to be a key pitcher in the future for the organization. He’s absolutely balled out in his two starts, not allowing a run and earning 14 strikeouts in only 11 innings pitched. His likelihood of pitching again this season in the majors is questionable. But it is great to see his spotlight in the majors. Gil is worth keeping on radars if he’s given another opportunity to pitch again.

Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire: Week 19

The key to winning your fantasy baseball league is not how well you draft, but the players you add off waivers. This is extremely important because securing hidden talent and call-ups could replace those late-round selections, even mid-rounders, that aren’t having the best season. Here at NFS, we provide the best picks for players you should grab off waivers now before it is too late. As always, both opportunity and performance are taken into consideration for these players. All players listed are rostered below 40 percent on ESPN. Learn to think like a NERD!

Hitters

Abraham Toro, 3B/DH/2B, Seattle Mariners
After being traded from the Houston Astros, Abraham Toro has a quick burst of solid productive games. But with 11 games played for Seattle, he is looking like a legitimate piece for the future as he’s shown consistency and productivity. In those 11 games played, Toro has hit .425/.489/.750 and an incredible 1.239 OPS. 11 games still might be a small sample size, but by the game, Toro continues to show is worth more and more. Toro is a priority pick-up on the waiver wire while he continues to shred through these games. 

Jarred Kelenic, OF, Seattle Mariners
After a poor outing in his first stint in the majors, Jarred Kelenic spent a lot of time in the minors to restructure his game and get back on track as a big-time prospect for the Mariners. In his last 10 games, Kelenic has hit .237/.326/.526. But while those numbers may not seem out of this world, Kelenic has also hit three homers, eight RBIs, and six runs scored. Kelenic is a quality pick-up with a big name and slow progression to a quality major league player. 

Rafael Ortega, OF, Chicago Cubs
Rafael Ortega has struggled to stay in the majors but since coming to the Chicago Cubs, he’s been able to show off his power hitting. In his last 10 games, Ortega has hit .368/.442/.737 and a powerful 1.179 OPS. He could improve on his strikeout numbers, as he has 12 in those same games. While he might not be in the offseason plans for the Cubs, Ortega will still be due for a solid payday in the offseason. With the bat continuing to stay hot, Ortega is a solid pickup in deeper formatted leagues. 

Rowdy Tellez, 1B/DH, Milwaukee Brewers
Rowdy Tellez was moved to the Brewers in a minor trade during the deadline. But his bat, like everyone else in Milwaukee, has been red hot since his arrival. In his last 10 games, Tellez has hit .294/.368/.529 with two homers, eight RBIs, and five runs scored. Tellez, still 26, can be a solid power bat for the Brewers going forward. His production will be key for opportunities in the future. For now, he’s worth watching on radars until his hitting becomes more consistent. 

Pitchers

Logan Webb, SP, San Fransisco Giants
Logan Webb has been mentioned in this column before. But he typically ends up hitting a road bump with inconsistencies, or more commonly, injuries. The main reason he’s mentioned again is that he’s grown past that. His most recent six starts are proof that Webb can work out his inconsistencies to become a more productive pitcher. In those six starts, Webb has managed 2.10 ERA with 28 strikeouts over 30 innings. Webb is a feature pick-up on the waiver wire to add immediately. 

Marco Gonzales, SP, Seattle Mariners
A veteran in this game, Marco Gonzales continues to make improvements and be an underrated pitcher in this league. In his last four starts, he has produced productive outings that help keep the Mariners in games. Gonzales has managed a 1.93 ERA with a 2-0 record in those four starts. His command could improve as he only has 16 strikeouts to seven walks. He also only has 16 strikeouts in 23 innings of pitching. But Gonzales is another great pickup to bring solid outings to your fantasy team. 

Vladimir Gutierrez, SP, Cincinnati Reds
Vladimir Gutierrez had a productive stretch of games that earned a spot on this column earlier this season. But he was unable to stay consistent enough to make him a long-term steal off the waiver wire. Now, he’s back on the positive side of production and helping the Reds win games. In his last three starts, all in which he has won, Gutierrez has managed a 1.86 ERA with 15 strikeouts in 19 innings. Gutierrez is a perfect unpopular pickup on the waiver wire to add immediately. 

Daniel Lynch, SP, Kansas City Royals
Daniel Lynch was one of the first top prospects to be called up to the majors this season. many thought this would be an early start to a great future career in the majors. That wasn’t exactly the start, as he struggled to keep his command. Lynch even allowed eight runs in his second start. But after plenty of time in the minors, Lynch has found his stride again, managing a 1.89 ERA in his three recent starts. Lynch is a perfect player to watch on radars through his next handful of starts.

UFC 265 Predictions

Previous Record: 11-4

The decision by the promotion to allow a heavyweight interim belt so soon since Francis Ngannou won the actual title back in late March is questionable. Nonetheless, this card is still filled with intriguing fights all the way back to the prelims. This is a card with the potential to give the audience insane finishes, especially in the main event. Even with the title fight between Amanda Nunes and Julianna Pena being canceled, Saturday night should still be extremely fun. Ethan Hartley is here to give you his main card predictions for tonight’s fights.

Song Yadong vs. Casey Kenney

After a unanimous decision loss to Kyler Philips, Song Yadong looks to get back into the win column on Saturday. His challenge comes against Casey Kenney, who is also coming off a loss against Dominick Cruz back in March. Both fighters are also packed with finishes throughout their careers. But a major factor in this fight is whether it will stay standing or not. Keeney’s submission threat could be a huge problem. Yadong is going to have to show he can handle Casey’s takedown while also implementing his own game plan. I simply think that’s too much to handle as Keeney is one to push his pace for the full three rounds. I think Keeney earns another win and solidifies himself as a ranked opponent in a stacked Bantamweight division.

Prediction: Kenney by Unanimous Decision

Tecia Torres vs. Angela Hill

After a three-fight losing streak, Tecia Torres has set her career back on track, winning two straight fights in 2020. Angela Hill also won her only appearance in 2021 after going 2-2 in 2020. With only one finish by knockout in Torres’s career, it would take a dominating performance for her to earn a win on Saturday. I frankly don’t see that happening with someone like Angela Hill. This isn’t a matchup where Torres is a clear favorite and she’s able to implement her game plan to be a technical fighter. Instead, the fight will be a brawl from the start and it’ll take serious punch power from Torres to score a finish, something she’s obviously never proven. However, Hill is one who can land clean knockouts, as she has five in her career thus far. 

Prediction: Hill by KO/TKO

Michael Chiesa vs. Vicente Luque

One of the most intriguing fights outside of the main event comes between Michael Chiesa and Vicente Luque. Both are rising established names in the Welterweight division. The two fighters also each hold more than a three-fight winning streak. Finally, both of these men have double-digit finished numbers in their careers. Despite Chiesa’s strong wrestling background, Luque has a submission threat of his own that can’t be counted out. However, I believe because of Chiesa’s focus as a wrestler, it’ll just be simply too overwhelming for Luque. Chiesa’s only problem will be defending and countering the shots from Luque while the fight is standing. I think Chiesa’s win will put him in the title-contending conversation and could make him lined up for a number one contender fight. 

Prediction: Chiesa by Submission

José Aldo vs. Pedro Munhoz

Former Featherweight Champion, Jose Aldo, continues his search for another title shot at Bantamweight after losing his opportunity against the now should-be champ, Peter Yan. Aldo put together a convincing win against Marlon Vera at the end of 2020. He now faces Pedro Munhoz, another established Bantamweight who is coming off a big win against Jimmy Rivera in February after back-to-back losses. Munhoz is like a swiss army knife, he’s shown he can compete with the best in standup brawls, but has been known for his submissions his entire career. However, Aldo’s championship experience and adjustment-making could play to his advantage. I still see Munhoz overwhelming Aldo with his versatility, earning himself a key win and another finish. 

Prediction: Munhoz by submission

Derrick Lewis vs. Ciryl Gane

This is a classic matchup of power vs technicality. Derrick Lewis currently is tied with the most knockouts in promotion history. Ciryl Gane is also one of the biggest and newest names to contend in the division. Gane has been almost perfect to this point, earning wins over big names with big finishes across his career. He has been able to pick apart his opponents and make them look almost amateur in their matchup. Derrick Lewis on the other hand has obliterated almost every opponent he’s faced on his win streak. This is an extremely close matchup to predict because of Lewis’s ability to just need one punch. But Gane has been perfect up to this point, why think that stops now? He has to be more than aware of Lewis’s ability to sleep him in one punch which is what gives Gane a major advantage in this fight. His technicality is through the roof, especially for a heavyweight. Gane has been able to pick apart some of the most polished fighters in the weight class and Derrick Lewis can’t be much harder. However, all it takes is one mistake for Gane and it is lights out for him. 

Prediction: Gane by Unanimous Decision

The NL East Race: Post-Trade Deadline Analysis

Heading into the 2021 season, the NL East was expected to be one of the most talented divisions in the entire MLB. In the 2020 season, the Braves finished on top winning 35 games while the Marlins were the biggest surprise and actually won the Wild Card spot. And with the Phillies, Mets, and Nationals all making improvements in the offseason, the race in 2021 was expected to be tight. 

Throughout the first half of the season, the race went much different than expected. While teams remained close to each other in the division rankings, every team in the division failed to live up to their expectations compared to the rest of the divisions. Think of the NFC East in the NFL. With the way the playoffs are set up, one team from each division is forced to go to the postseason. The Phillies and the Braves, for example, are closer to winning the division than earning a wild card spot in this postseason. This scenario is set up because of injuries and lackluster performances from everyone in the division. 

The New York Mets have been hit the hardest with injuries. At the beginning of the season, they were already expected to be missing Carlos Carrasco and Noah Syndergaard with long-term injuries. But Jacob DeGrom, Fransisco Lindor, Jeff McNeil, Michael Conforto, and others have or continue to deal with injuries on and off throughout the season. This has never made their team completely healthy during their games, holding them back to their full potential. The regressing from Dominic Smith, David Peterson, and Jeff McNeil also has only held back the team from the expectations they had going in. But they’ve managed themselves quite well. Plus the emergence of Tajuan Walker, Marcus Stroman, and others have helped this team maintain first place going into the trade deadline. 

The Phillies have been in an interesting boat so far this season. Their bullpen still struggles have continued into this season despite almost a completely new group of relievers. Ranger Suarez has been excellent as the new closer, but no one else has stepped up in a major way to help this team improve. Zack Wheeler has been lights out this year as well. But the regression of Aaron Nola and an average rotation outside of those two. Their hitting is still high powers with names making jumps and regressions. But somehow, they’ve done what they’ve needed to do to remain only 3.5 games out of first place. 

The rest of the division is in a weird place. The Marlins seemed to go back to their rebuild mode, focusing on health for Sixto Sanchez and others. But they have had some bright spots with Jazz Chisholm and Trevor Rogers emerging, along with some other players as well. The Nationals have dealt with all-around struggles, despite adding some veterans in the offseason. And the Atlanta Braves, who were expected to be a top-three team this season, have also dealt with injuries and underperforming players. Ronald Acuna, Mike Soroka, Huascar Ynoa, and Travis d’Arnaud have dealt with long-term injuries. Marcell Ozuna has been dealing with legal issues. Reigning MVP Freddy Freeman has been struggling to hit the ball to any level as he did in 2020. 

But after the trade deadline this past Friday, the race in the NL East just got way more intriguing in terms of who could come out on top. The Mets are easily the biggest winners. Not only is their roster improving healthwise, as some of the long-term injuries are clearing up, but they made solid acquisitions too. The trade with Rich Hill is extremely underrated, his veteran presence will be key down the stretch for the Mets and into the postseason. He is also pitching solid numbers and having a healthy season for himself as well. Javier Baez was one of the most surprising moves at the deadline. With Lindor dealing with an oblique injury, Baez can fill his role until he can return. But he can also play second and third once the team is fully healthy. 

The Phillies also made a solid move. They acquired Kyle Gibson and Ian Kennady from the Texas Rangers in exchange for Spencer Howard and some prospects. Gibson, an all-star this year, helps solidify the middle of the rotation that has failed to find its clear 4 and 5 starters. Kennedy also brings help to a desperate bullpen. However, one name isn’t enough to fix their problems, especially not Ian Kennady alone. It would have been nice to see the Phillies chase after another above-average reliever on a losing franchise to solidify the 7th, 8th, and 9th innings. 

The Marlins made a steal of a trade when giving away Starling Marte for Jesus Luzardo. While Luzardo may be struggling this season, he’s a former top 10 prospect in the entire MLB farm system. He also had a solid 2020 campaign, so the potential is there. The Nationals sold off about every veteran they possibly could for prospects. Including a massive haul from the Dodgers in exchange for Max Scherzer and Trea Turner. While fans may be upset about the move, it was necessary considering they weren’t winning games and their contracts were almost up. The Braves were the biggest surprise at the deadline, as they chose to buy players like Eddie Rosario, Richard Rodriguez, and Adam Duvall despite injuries to their star players including Ronald Acuna Jr. 

Despite the frenzy of moves in the NL East, it will likely be the New York Mets winning the division. DeGrom and Lindor should be returning soon and they’ve already had emerging players like Tylor Megill who have turned it on as of late.  The hitting is also starting to improve from guys like Smith and McNeil who struggled in the first half of the season. They are still the most complete team in the division. The only team that has a half-decent chance of catching up in Philadelphia, who didn’t fill all the holes that they needed to at the deadline to make a late-season run for first place. Nonetheless, the race is still close and anything can happen. Time will only tell for who comes out on top in the toughest division in baseball.  

Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire: Week 18

The key to winning your fantasy baseball league is not how well you draft, but the players you add off waivers. This is extremely important because securing hidden talent and call-ups could replace those late-round selections, even mid-rounders, that aren’t having the best season. Here at NFS, we provide the best picks for players you should grab off waivers now before it is too late. As always, both opportunity and performance are taken into consideration for these players. All players listed are rostered below 40 percent on ESPN. Learn to think like a NERD!

Hitters

Kyle Farmer, SS/2B/3B, Cincinnati Reds
Despite spending most of his career as a utility player, Kyle Farmer has put together one of the best seasons in his career. Especially as of late, Farmer has shown he can be an everyday hitter for the Reds. In his last 10 games, he’s hit .475/.523//.825 with an insane 1.348 OPS. With that, he’s hit three homers, five RBIs, and nine runs scored. Another major advantage for Farmer is his qualification for three infield positions, making him an important filler especially this late into the season. Farmer is a must now pick up in all formats. 

Brendan Rodgers, 2B/SS, Colorado Rockies
A former top prospect in the organization, Brendan Rodgers has taken longer than expected to develop into a cornerstone for the Rockies. But 2021, has by far been his best season and as of late, he’s been great. In his last 10 games, Rodgers has hit .275/.310/.625 along with four homers, six RBIs, and six runs scored. Rodgers does need to drastically improve managing his strikeouts, as he has 11 in those 10 games. But Rodger’s upside makes him a quality player on the waiver wire while he continues to make improvements. 

Abraham Toro, 3B/DH, Seattle Mariners
After being moved during the trade deadline for Kendall Graveman, Abraham Toro now has the opportunity to make a significant impact with the Seattle Mariners, who have been trending up this season. Since the move, Toro has already shown that the move was very beneficial. In his first four games with the Mariners, Toro has hit .429/.467/.929 and an insane 1.395 OPS. He’s also already two homers, four RBIs, and four runs. Toro is a perfect rising prospect to pick up now as he’s only 24 years old. 

Aledmys Diaz, 2B/3B/ OF, Houston Astros
Aledmys Diaz has been an underrated hitter since his entrance to the majors in 2016. He was an all-star in 2016 for the Cardinals. He has continued to remain a consistent hitter since then. Since his return from injury, Diaz has hit .421/.450/1.000 with an insane 1.450 OPS. He’s also hit three homers, eight RBIs, and six runs scored in only four games. His flexibility of eligible positions also gives him a major advantage in fantasy. Diaz is also a quality pickup on the waiver wire as long as his hitting remains consistent. 

Pitchers

Johnny Cueto, SP, San Fransisco Giants
Johnny Cueto has performed consistently good all season long but continues to be overlooked on the fantasy waiver wire. Cueto currently has a 3.84 ERA with a 7-5 record, not bad for a 35-year-old. He’s been even better in his handful of starts. Over his last three, Cueto has managed a 2.30 ERA with 17 strikeouts over 17 innings of work. He didn’t lose any of those starts either. Cueto is a must-now pick on the fantasy wire as he continues to help the Giants surprise everyone with their impressive season. 

Kendall Graveman, RP, Houston Astros
Kendall Graveman was the centerpiece of a controversial trade that saw the Mariners selling their best reliever despite being in the playoff picture. Nonetheless, Graveman now enters a bullpen that is dramatically improved and hence will help his overall performance, earning wins. Graveman has already managed 0.79 ERA all season long, but will have the opportunity to earn some saves with the winning Astros. He’s a quality reliever pickup that is still available in almost 60 percent of leagues. 

Merrill Kelly, SP, Arizona Diamondbacks
After a strong 2020 campaign, Merrill Kelly was bound was an even stronger 2021 season. That hasn’t been the case. Kelly has been unable to maintain his consistent outings. Since the trade deadline, Kelly has found some of his 2020 magic. In his last two starts, Kelly has managed a 3.65 ERA with 12 strikeouts in 12 innings of work. Kelly is a solid last-minute replacement when need be. But he still has a long way to go if he wants to return to any form he had during the 2020 season. 

Matt Harvey, SP, Baltimore Orioles
After being an all-star in 2013, Matt Harvey has basically fallen off the deep end. Bouncing around from franchise to franchise, Harvey was never able to regain his consistency. Now with the Baltimore Orioles, Matt Harvey has put together three solid starts that show flash from his all-star year. In those three starts, he has yet to allow a run over 18 innings. He only had 11 strikeouts but earning wins in all three. Harvey’s outlook is tough to see. But for now, he’s performing well and is worth a pickup in fantasy.

2021 NBA Mock Draft

After the NBA Draft Lottery on June 22nd, we can finally enter full NBA Draft mode after a late start due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Nonetheless, we are still being treated to another draft with a ton of quality prospects with superstar potential. While Cade Cunningham is expected to go first overall, Evan Mobley, Jalen Green, and Jalen Suggs are all the cream of the crop. Not to mention there is also a plethora of freshmen in this year’s draft, especially within the lottery. With a lot of trade rumors, there will likely be some trades to happen as well. Here we have the H&H Mock Draft for the first-round selections in this year’s draft.

1. Detroit Pistons- Cade Cunningham (PG/SG, Oklahoma State, Freshman)

There is not much debate that Cade Cunningham will be the first overall selection. His 6’8″ 220 lb frame makes him more than just an above-average guard. Cunningham will have the ability to play positions one through three right off the bat, making him a mismatch in almost any defensive game plan. Cunningham is also excellent in the pick and roll, making him a premier playmaker, which is something that the Pistons have lacked. Cunningham can score at any level inside the three-point line and was incredible in closing games for the Cowboys. His only struggle is his consistent shooting from beyond the arc but that is easily fixable. Without many weaknesses, Cunningham will likely become the future franchise player for the Detroit Pistons.

2. Houston Rockets- Jalen Green (SG, G-League Ignite, 2002)

Jalen Green made the intriguing decision to forgo his college career and instead sign with the G-League Ignite team that debuted this season. Ignite brought Green into a different spotlight that made him maintain his status as a top-tier draft selection. Green’s elite scoring ability will make him an automatic number one option with the Rockets and their primary closer along with Kevin Porter Jr. Green’s one struggle is his shooting from deep, only maintaining about league average during his time with the Ignite. His defensive ability is also extremely underrated for a player mainly known to score. He is also not much of a playmaker either. Green’s ability to score in volume makes him a perfect fit for the Houston Rockets as their new franchise cornerpiece.

3. Cleveland Cavaliers- Evan Mobley (PF/C, USC, Freshman)

Cleveland’s pick is one that will likely be traded as the Cavaliers already have a franchise big man in Jarrett Allen, who they hope to re-sign this offseason. But that doesn’t change the fact that Evan Mobley will still likely be selected at 3rd overall. Mobley, the number one high school recruit, is a traditional big man with the ability to stretch the floor as well. His 7’4″ wingspan makes him a lockdown defender but also isn’t terrible guarding smaller players as well. He’s great on both ends of the floor, working well in the pick and roll both offensively and defensively. He also has a smooth jumper that makes him lethal from midrange. Mobley’s attitude has come into question a lot during his time at USC but regardless, the talent is there for Mobley. Wherever he ends up, Cleveland or not, Mobley has the realistic potential to become a top-tier big man in the NBA.

4. Toronto Raptors- Jalen Suggs (PG, Gonzaga, Freshman)

With the Toronto Raptors likely trending younger with their roster, Jalen Suggs is the perfect fit with Kyle Lowry likely moving on free agency. Jalen Suggs is a point guard with excellent leadership on and off the court, something that will be needed desperately without Lowry. His large frame gives him huge advantages defensively and offensively. Suggs is an incredible playmaker and is great with picking his shots. Suggs is also an underrated rebounder, something Toronto will need with lacking a true center. Sugg’s main weakness is the shooting inconsistencies that he experienced at Gonzaga. His shooting from beyond the arc and from the free-throw line can improve for his position as well. Suggs will round out an elite backcourt that already featured Fred VanVleet and Malachi Flynn in Toronto.

5. Orlando Magic- Scottie Barnes (SF/PF, Florida State, Freshman)

Scottie Barnes might not be the most NBA-ready prospect who can make an immediate impact, but that is exactly what the Magic need based on their status as a franchise. They recently traded away their big three all during the trade deadline. And with the return of Jonathan Isaac, Scottie Barnes is the perfect fit alongside him and Chuma Okeke. Barnes comes with incredible size, standing at 6’9″ and a 7’2″ wingspan. His biggest strength is his power when attacking the rim. But his ability to stretch the floor is what’s most lethal about him. He has much room for improvement on his jumper but his handles, facilitating, and his ability to defend the perimeter. He’s an underrated playmaker, earning four assists a game in only about 25 minutes a game. Inconsistent jump-shooting, especially from deep, is the biggest weakness of Scottie’s game. But he will form a lengthy and deadly forward duo with Isaac once he reaches his prime during his development.

6. Oklahoma City Thunder- James Bouknight (SG, UConn, Sophomore)

Thanks to an incredible second season at UConn and productive draft workouts, James Bouknight has been one of the biggest risers in the draft. Bouknight is an excellent scorer with and without the ball. Ball handling and athleticism allow him to be an elite isolation scorer. The three-point shot could use some development but mainly just consistency efforts. Defensively and playmaking-wise, Bouknight does lack those abilities. But with development, he should be in good hands wherever he ends up. Originally projected as a mid-round lottery pick, he now sees himself as the sixth overall selection and one of the newest prospects coming to the Thunder. Bouknight can fit in perfectly alongside Shai Gilgous-Alexander to form the Thunder’s backcourt for the future.

7. Golden State Warriors- Franz Wagner (SF/PF, Michigan, Sophomore)

Brother of NBA player Mo Wagner, Franz Wagner comes into this draft with a much different playstyle than his older brother. At 6’9″ and 220 lbs, Wagner is the ideal 3 and D player but with length and versatility. He’s also an underrated finisher around the rim, hitting over 70% of his shots. He’s also an underrated defender and decision-maker as well. His own shot creation will develop over time as for now he is more of a plug-and-play kind of player. Wagner is the perfect fit for this Warriors squad, especially if Andrew Wiggins and Kelly Oubre Jr are traded. He can help Curry and Klay stretch the floor more than imaginable with his three-point shooting.

8. Orlando Magic- Moses Moody (SG, Arkansas, Freshman)

Moses Moody had a successful season at Arkansas and showed a lot of elements that can carry over to the NBA. The biggest being his dynamic scoring. Moody is one who is able to score off the catch and shoot and with some isolation handling. He’s also great at creating contact in the paint, heading to the line almost six times a game in college. Offensively he also always finds ways to stay aggressive and has a wonderful balance. He’s also sneaky, good defensively and has great anticipation. Moody will fill a necessary hole once Terrence Ross will likely get traded in the near future. Moody also fits perfectly with the Magic’s timeline as a player who still needs development over the next handful of seasons.

9. Sacramento Kings- Jonathan Kuminga (SF/PF, G-League Ignite, 2002)

After reclassifying and being one of the rare high school prospects to immediately join the G-League, Jonathan Kuminga produced well enough for the Ignite to keep him as a lottery pick. Kuminga’s offensive game consists of physical drives and a lot of work inside the three-point line. that includes post-ups, mid-range shots, and aggressive layups. Kuminga is also a versatile and physical defender and could easily guard 1-4. Kuminga’s main improvements come with stretching the floor and consistent free-throw shooting. Two aspects that can easily improve with time and practice. His raw ability will work well with the Kings as they continue to build a young core that can compete in the postseason.

10. Memphis Grizzlies- Josh Giddey (PG, Adelaide 36ers, 2002)

Easily one of the most interesting prospects in the entire draft, Josh Giddey brings a positionless game that will already give problems to opposing teams. Standing at 6’8″ and 205 lbs, Giddey brings point guard-like skills despite being the size of a stretch four. Giddey has a superior IQ with the ability to stuff the stat sheet. He’s a superb passer both in transition and half-court. Giddey is also magic in the pick and roll. His only weakness is his lack of physicality and a legitimate frame. He’s also not anything special when trying to create his own shot. He’s more known as a facilitator. His playmaking and length should bring a new and fascinating perspective to a Memphis offense that is looking to shake things up. Giddey’s progression will be interesting as he could be deemed the next “unicorn” player in the NBA.

11. Charlotte Hornets- Kai Jones (PF/C, Texas, Sophomore)

Kai Jones is one of the most fluid big men in this draft. Despite his 6’11” size, he has underrated high post and ball-handling abilities. Mix that with his high motor and insane athleticism and you may be looking at a major steal in the draft. He’s also a very underrated three-point shooter, hitting 39% this past season. He has crafty and stretch offensive skills with his great jump shooting and handle. This might be the easiest pick for the Charlotte Hornets as they’ve lacked a legitimate center for years now. His only weakness is sometimes catching himself in early foul trouble and lack of true strength to guard bigger centers. He could also improve on his rebounding ability as well. Kai Jones’s impact should be almost immediate as he’ll play alongside one of the most underrated lineups with LaMelo Ball, Terry Rozier, Gordon Hayward, and P.J. Washington.

12. San Antonio Spurs- Jalen Johnson (SF, Duke, Freshman)

Despite not finishing his only season at Duke, Jalen Johnson’s raw ability still finds him going to the lottery in this year’s draft. Johnson has shown flashes to be a  future point forward with his versatility offensively and underrated facilitating abilities. Johnson is also elite at finishing around the rim. He also has the ability to stretch the floor, shooting 44 percent from beyond the arc. His defensive ability is outstanding, averaging over a steal and a block per game. His sense to stay consistent could be improved a ton, both in terms of shooting and playmaking. His commitment can certainly come into question after opting out of the season once Duke’s tournament chances were down the drain. Nonetheless, Jalen Johnson can become another young prospect to join a reloading Spurs team already filled with a decent amount of talent.

13. Indiana Pacers- Davion Mitchell (PG, Baylor, Junior)

After an incredible tournament run that earned him a national championship, Davion Mitchell’s stock skyrocketed. His defensive prowess as a guard is a perfect fit for almost any team. But he is also just as aggressive offensively with his ability to attack the basket. He also dramatically improved his three-point shooting throughout college, hitting 44 percent in his final season. Mitchell’s timing and precision of passing make his offensive game only more lethal. He could use major work as a pick-and-roll facilitator. His career 66 percent from the line also isn’t a number that pops out positively. Mitchell has the chance to bring a competitive offensive and defensive spark to the Pacers, something they’ve lacked for seasons since trading Paul George.

14. Golden State Warriors- Keon Johnson (SG/SF, Tennessee, Freshman)

After a raw but flashy season at Tennessee, Keon Johnson has shown major bright spots as an athletic wing, but could certainly use some room for improvement. His entire game revolves mainly around his athleticism, he uses it well to create space on drives and jump shooting. His defending is also top tier, as he’s known for his quick reflexes and anticipation. However, Johnson’s biggest flaw is his inconsistencies and inefficiencies. He only shot 45/27/70 in college, which is the brightest compared to the best players in 2021. He could also improve on his offensive decision-making. Johnson’s development with the Warriors will be cultivating to watch over the next handful of seasons.

15. Washington Wizards- Ziaire Williams (SG/SF, Stanford, Freshman)

Another one-and-done top high school recruit, Ziaire Williams’s athletic and lanky frame makes him a prime prospect for growth. Standing at 6’9″ and 190 lbs, Williams’s frame can prove to be a major advantage on both ends of the floor. He is also an underrated ball-handler for his size. He is a dynamic scorer as well, balancing his shots from deep and mid-range. His biggest weakness is his efficiency. Williams shot 37 percent from the field and 29 from deep. Both of which are clearly not up to standards that’ll keep him around in the league. But being drafted by the Wizards, who seem to still need more time to build a championship roster, could be big for Williams. He’ll have multiple seasons to develop his game before his impact becomes extremely important.

16. Oklahoma City Thunder- Chris Duarte (SG, Oregon, Senior)

Another huge riser in this draft class. Chris Duarte’s 3 and D playstyle makes him the perfect prospect for almost any franchise. His senior season with Oregon exploded him into being included in the first round of many mock drafts. He shot a strong 53 percent from the field and 42 percent from beyond the arc. His defensive awareness and prowess are some of the best in this entire draft for his position. His shot selection is also crisp. His playmaking is also isn’t super spectacular despite above-average ball-handling skills. Duarte’s pairing with SGA and potentially Bouknight in the backcourt could be a lethal trio the Thunder could use in future seasons.

17. New Orleans Pelicans- Miles McBride (PG, West Virginia, Sophomore)

Miles McBride’s breakout sophomore season allowed him to be considered as one of the best point guards in the Big-12. His scrappy pest lime game defensively earned him almost two steals a game in 2021. His 6’9″ wingspan gave him a major advantage to achieve those numbers. He dramatically improved his three-point shooting as well, jumping from 30 to 41 percent. His playmaking abilities are also helpful. His one major improvement could be his iso game, which lacks explosiveness as well. With Lonzo Ball likely leaving in free agency, McBride is a solid replacement for his game and also could bring much more improvement than Ball did during his time.

18. Houston Rockets- Trey Murphy III (SF/PF, Virginia, Junior)

Despite Trey Murphy’s down year at Virginia, his size and frame still make a solid prospect that could be developed into a future star. He’s a great three-point shooter for his size, hitting 43 percent his final season. Murphy is also great at limiting his turnovers, even if he isn’t one to do a ton of ball handling. He is also a phenomenal free throw shooting, hitting 92 percent his junior season. However, he isn’t known for being an aggressive athlete. Nor does Murphy do a great job at rebounding for his position either. But with the Rockets going into a full rebuild, they will have plenty of time to grow Murphy’s confidence and other aspects of his game to make him a much more polished prospect.

19. New York Knicks- Cory Kispert (SG/SF, Gonzaga, Senior)

With Reggie Bullock being a free agent, Cory Kispert is a player that can fill his shoes almost immediately entering the league. Kispert, a four-year player at Gonzaga, was best known for his shooting abilities. Kispert was able to hit at a 44 percent clip his senior season. Kispert can also hit mid-range jumpers at a consistent clip as well. But he is also great at moving without the basketball, timing his cuts well to score open and easy baskets. His biggest improvements can come defensively. Kispert hasn’t quite achieved the athleticism or skills to become an above-average defender yet. For now, his shooting abilities make him a  perfect plug-and-play guy for the rising New York Knicks franchise.

20. Atlanta Hawks- Alperen Sengun (PF/C, Beşiktaş J.K. 2002)

Alperen Sengun is a rising international prospect who made a name for himself in the Turkish basketball league, mainly off of his presence in the paint offensively and defensively. Averaging over a steal and nearly two blocks per game, Sengun could easily compete with NBA centers when need be. But he also has a nice outside jump shot as well, especially in the mid-range. He works great in pick-and-roll scenarios as well. And despite his position, he’s already shown good flashes at both the three-point and free-throw line. His few weaknesses are his athleticism, speed, and ability to draw fouls. But he is the best prospect that fits with what the Hawks already have. He’ll be solid off the bench and with some growth, could be a starter in the future.

21. New York Knicks- Isaiah Jackson (PF/C, Kentucky Freshman)

With Mitchell Robinson dealing with multiple injuries last year, drafting Isaiah Jackson makes perfect sense for the New York Knicks. Jackson’s interior defense is spectacular, averaging 2.5 blocks per game in only 20 minutes of playing time. Built very athletic and lanky, Jackson’s 7’5″ wingspan will always be an advantage offensively and defensively. He is also very efficient with scoring in the paint. Above-average free throw for his archetype as well. He could use some more weight on his frame, as he only weighs 205 lbs. Jackson could also work on his volume scoring. However, this pick makes perfect sense for the Knicks as they’ll fill a role that plugged immediately.

22. Los Angeles Lakers-Nah’Shon Hyland (PG/SG, VCU, Sophomore)

Nah’Shon Hyland may have only played at VCU, but his volume scoring makes him a certain selection for the Los Angeles Lakers. Hyland averaged 19.5 points while shooting 44 percent from the field and 37 percent from deep, both solid numbers alone. What’s even more impressive is that he was basically the focus of every defense he faced in college, making those numbers even more impressive. He also improved on his defense a ton, almost doubling his steals per game. He could improve on adding some weight, as he only weighs 170 lbs. He could also improve on limiting his turnovers as well. The Lakers will now have another high scorer off of their bench if they chose to keep this pick, a possible Dennis Schroder replacement too.

23. Houston Rockets- Usman Garuba (PF/C, Real Madrid, 2002)

Another young international prospect as Usman Garuba hopes his blue-collar style is enough to transform himself into an NBA star. At 6’8″ and 230 lbs, Garuba brings a physical style of basketball that involves a lot of high energy and running to the rim. His short height is made up for by his long wingspan, at 7’2″. Garuba also comes with a high basketball IQ and is underrated at pick and pop threes. His biggest improvement could come with stretching the floor more, especially with his shortened height compared to the normal 5 in the NBA. He could use major changes to his free throw shooting. Garuba is a solid developmental prospect for the Houston Rockets.

24. Houston Rockets- Jared Butler (PG/SG, Baylor, Junior)

After having some medical conditions that needed to be cleared, Jared Butler is ready to make his splash in the NBA. His incredible run during the NCAA Tournament created a huge boost for his stock. Butler is the kind of player that can do it all. Above-average scorer, solid playmaker, aggressive defender are all just some of the strengths in his game. He even has a solid post game for being a point guard. The only big flaw in Butler’s game is the number of turnovers he commits and that he could be a bit better at managing his ball handling. Butler has the opportunity to become the point guard of the future for the Houston Rockets with John Wall likely to be traded.

25. Los Angeles Clippers- Cameron Thomas (SG, LSU, Freshman)

After trading Lou Williams at the trade deadline, the Los Angeles Clipper is now in need of an immediate scorer off the bench. Cameron Thomas fits that role smoothly. As a freshman Thomas dominated the stat sheet, averaging 23 points per game on 40 percent from the field, 32 percent from deep, and 88 percent from the line. He also scores on three levels extremely well, balancing his act to make it more difficult for defenders. While it hasn’t been seen a lot, he’s also solid in off-ball scoring as well. He could improve on scoring more efficiently and also his passing ability. But if the Clippers or anyone brings on Thomas to their roster, he will be best seen making quick baskets to spark runs.

26. Denver Nuggets- Joshua Primo (SG, Alabama, Freshman)

Joshua Primo was another star freshman who helped lead Alabama to a surprising tournament run. Primo has great size for his position, standing 6’5″ with a solid wingspan. He’s best known for his three-point shooting, hitting around 38 percent during his games played. Primo is also most effective moving without the ball to find open shots on catch and shoot opportunities. He also has solid handles and efficient scoring in the paint as well. While this isn’t a flaw, one knock on him is that he does not have a skill he is particularly amazing at. Primo can contribute a lot to an NBA team, but in one way that he specifically excels at. However, he will be a big piece for the Nuggets who are looking to add more depth to their backcourt.

27. Brooklyn Nets- Tre Mann (PG, Florida, Sophomore)

Tre Mann’s decision to stay at Florida for his sophomore year was the best decision he could have made for his basketball career. He made major leaps and bounds to now have himself be projected in the first round. Mann is a skilled combo guard that can play either the one or two. He is great at keeping the pace going which always throws off defenders. Mann is also great at creating his own shot as well. But he also keeps his teammates involved with his playmaking. Mann’s one disadvantage is lack of explosiveness and length, two aspects that are really out of his control. Mann can fill the backup point guard role for the Brooklyn Nets with Spencer Dinwiddle likely walking in free agency.

28. Philadelphia 76ers- Ayo Dosunmu (PG/SG, Illinois, Junior)

Ayo Dosunmu absolutely took college basketball by storm, averaging 20 points along with six rebounds and assists per game. But he also had incredible percentages, 49/39/78. Dosunmu performed so well that he was considered a Woodson Finalist his junior year. He is best known for his exceptional ball-handling and creating his own scoring opportunities. But he also has a wonderful passing vision and had many highlights setting up Kofi Cockburn for dunks. Being the number one option gave Dounmu a lot of opportunities to score in the clutch. He could do better improving his efficiency in his playmaking but a lot of that may come from his usage rate. Dosunmu would join a crowded yet dynamic backcourt in Philadelphia.

29. Phoenix Suns- Jaden Springer (SG, Tennessee, Freshman)

Jaden Springer was another highly rated high school prospect who chose the one-and-done route. But his strong performance, especially percentage-wise, allowed him to stay within the first round. Playing like a combo guard, Springer has great jump shot mechanics and has always been focused on expanding his game at a more efficient rate. He also moves well without the ball and can work perfectly with Chris Paul or other playmaking point guards. Springer does lack athleticism and taking care of the ball. Springer has already shown to be making progressions in the right direction since high school. But learning from Chris Paul and Devin Booker could make him a valuable steal in future years for the Suns.

30. Utah Jazz- Joel Ayayi (PG/SG, Gonzaga, Junior)

After running last season without a true backup point guard, it makes most sense that the Jazz would role with Joel Ayayi, or any guard at that. But Ayayi makes the most sense for his playstyle. Ayayi is an efficient scorer who would fit perfectly defensively with Donovan Mitchell in the backcourt. His large frame will be an instant problem for opposing teams. Offensively, he is great at scoring in the paint and is a smart shooter from deep. Ayayi has never been one to take bad or heavily contested shots that waste possessions. He’s also an above-average rebounder for his position. He could work on his playmaking attributes and volume scoring. But when you’re playing along with one of the best scorers in the league, that won’t matter much.

Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire: Week 17

The key to winning your fantasy baseball league is not how well you draft, but the players you add off waivers. This is extremely important because securing hidden talent and call-ups could replace those late-round selections, even mid-rounders, that aren’t having the best season. Here at NFS, we provide the best picks for players you should grab off waivers now before it is too late. As always, both opportunity and performance are taken into consideration for these players. All players listed are rostered below 40 percent on ESPN. Learn to think like a NERD!

Hitters

Andrew Vaughn, 1B/OF, Chicago White Sox
After being selected as the 3rd overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft, Andrew Vaughn has had a quick ascension through the minors. Because of injuries, he earned an opportunity to make the opening day roster and as of late, he’s been hitting extremely well. In his last 10 games, Vaughn has hit .324/.343/.676 and 1.019 OPS with three homers, seven RBIs, and six runs scored. With his incredible upside being a top-three pick, Vaughn still has the potential to become a star in this league. He is worth picking up now while available as he continues to add to his game. 

Harrison Bader, OF, St. Louis Cardinals
After some mediocre seasons, Harrison Bader was primed for improvement after years of development. He’s improved much more as a power hitter and has been on a great stretch of hitting recently. In his last 10 games, Bader has hit .429/.474/.600 and 1.074 OPS along with a homer and five RBIs. Injuries have also played a huge role in giving Bader the opportunity to consistently be in the lineup. Bader should be added in most league formats until he builds more of a consistent hitting resume. 

Pavin Smith, 1B/OF, Arizona Diamondbacks
In his first full season in the majors, Pavin Smith has been given the opportunity to continue to grow and improve his game despite very little team success. In his last 10 games, Smith has hit .273/.415//.545 along with two homers, three RBIs, and five runs scored. What’s most impressive is that he’s earned eight walks in those 10 games. Smith has been in the conversation for an NL ROTY finalist. For now, he’s a quality pickup on the waiver wire with his upside. 

Ronald Torreyes, SS/3B, Philadelphia Phillies
After having a solid season with the Yankees back in 2017, Ronald Torreyes has mainly filled the role as a pinch hitter with minimal game appearances. Now with the Philadelphia Phillies, he’s had a career resurgence. In his last 10 games, Torreyes has hit .357/.457/.500 with a homer, six RBIs, and seven runs scored. What’s extremely effective about this run is that Torreyes has only struck once in these 10 games. For now, Torreyes is worth keeping on the radars for now. Injuries and high production could help keep him in the lineup in the future, making him a quality pickup. 

Pitchers

Patrick Sandoval, SP, Los Angeles Angels
Patrick Sandoval was mentioned on the waiver wire a few weeks ago as a potential riser in a weak Angels rotation. Now he’s shown off to become a quality pitcher for the Angels. He recently was one out away from a no-hitter that included 13 strikeouts in a performance against the Minnesota Twins. Before that, Sandoval had been a consistent pitcher, but nothing out of this world like we saw last night. Sandoval should be picked up in all leagues, as he is currently still available in about 60% of leagues. 

Tylor Megill, RP/SP, New York Mets
As a major surprise, 2018 8th round pick, Tylor Megill, has pitched lights out since his call-up due to injuries. IN his six starts. Megill has managed a 2.60 ERA with 33 strikeouts to only 10 walks over 30 innings pitched. While he hasn’t earned many wins with only one, he has yet to be beaten. His upside has no limits as long as he continues to surprise and produce for the Mets. Megill is looking like a steal not only for the Mets but anyone who picks him up in fantasy right now.

Cal Quantrill, RP/SP, Cleveland Guardians
Cleveland’s new name has not only brought a surprise to the fans but also a surprise to fantasy owners. Cal Quantrill was one of the prospects in return for the Mike Clevinger trade last season. He showed a lot of promise when he finished the season with a 1.84 ERA in eight appearances for the Indians. Now making some appearances in the rotation, Quantrill has only improved his production. In his last two starts, Quantrill has managed 1.64 ERA with seven strikeouts over 11 innings pitched. Quantrill is worth adding now in deeper formatted leagues until he builds more consistency. 

Tanner Houck, SP, Boston Red Sox
After a wonderful three appearances in 2020, Tanner Houck was bound for a breakout season in 2021. While that start has been a bit slow, there is still plenty of potential. In his last two starts, Houck has earned a 0.00 ERA with 11 strikeouts over 7.2 innings. While in-game appearnces are short in terms of innings, that will very likely expand over the next few weeks. Houck is worth keeping an eye out on radars for the time being. His next handful of starts will be key whether he can become an elite pitcher for a surprising Red Sox rotation. 

Pop Smoke- Faith, Album Review

While remembering the life of Bashar Barakah Jackson, better known by his stage name, Pop Smoke, after he was tragically shot in Los Angeles after revealing his current address on a Facebook live, Republic Records believed that they had enough material to release a second posthumous album. His first, Shoot for the Stars Aim for the Moon, was released back in July of 2020 and one was one of the biggest releases of not only the summer but the entire crazy year of 2020. Shoot for the Stars Aim for the Moon brought a consistent and solid album across the board. While none of the tracks really popped out despite their popularity, 50 Cent did an incredible job bringing together what was thought to be a final send-off for a major artist whose life was stripped too soon at only the young age of 20 years old.

However, and what came as a surprise to most fans, executives at Republic Record and Victor Victor decided there was enough material to make a second posthumous album for Pop Smoke. Not only is this uncharted territory for Pop Smoke’s discography as a fourth studio album, but especially as of late, there has not been an artist who had a second posthumous album organized for them. Faith, like Shoot for the Stars Aim for the Moon, is stacked with features from top to bottom, even including some bigger names than Shoot for the Stars Aim for the Moon. New features from Kanye West, Pusha T, Rick Ross, 21 Savage, Chris Brown, and Kid Cudi were all surprising names to have appearances on Faith. Lil Tjay, Quavo, Future, and Swae Lee are some familiar names that return to the album as well, creating a nice mix. This album on paper looks like it could live up to the expectations even after an inclusive Shoot for the Stars Aim for the Moon.

Breaking down the actual album, I enjoyed the intro to this album. Good News started with the instrumental of Pop Smoke’s breakthrough song Welcome to the Party and his mother talking about the origin of his name. The intro left an incredible moment to transition to an absolute banger. But instead, More Time brings a more mellow and average first track to the album. I enjoyed the hard-hitting vocals from Kanye West and Pusha T on Tell The Vision. The drill beat also fits well and brings a classic Pop Smok theme to the album and to be joined with two rap legends makes an incredible combination. Top Shotta might be my favorite song of Faith. The Jamaican drums with drill sounds are an underrated combination. Between Pop Smoke and Pusha-T, Travi, and Beam as featured, the group brings a unique back and forth with level transitions. Manslaughter and Bout a Million lived to their expectations with quality features from Rick Ross and 21 Savage.

Brush Em and 30 were two of the most underrated tracks on the album. This is mainly because of their features. Rah Swish and Brizzy banks don’t have nearly the same popularity as other features. But they still bring quality verses more than some of the more famous artists on this album. They also have catchy and clever production that makes the tracks more enjoyable. Genius is another great track on Faith. The singing in the beat brings a sinister vibe that fits with the features of Lil Tjay and Swae Lee. Mr. Jones and What’s Crackinwere two good songs but nothing out of this world. Takeoff and Future bring about what would be expected from artists like them. Chris Brown’s feature on Woo Baby was excellent. He and Pop Smoke make a smooth duo and the chemistry between the two is wonderful. The album does have an excellent final track with Merci Beaucoup, where Pop Smoke ends with an inspiring message about being yourself and not letting anyone change you from being yourself and doing your own craft.

Overall, I would rate his album a 5.2/10 with some of my favorite tracks being Tell The Vision, Top Shotta, 30, Genius, Woo Baby, and Merci Beaucoup. Unlike Shoot for the Stars Aim for the Moon, this album has a lot of hits and misses. Whereas Shoot for the Stars Aim for the Moon had a lot of good tracks across the board. A lot of these features were very questionable even from the start. Especially the Dua Lipa feature, which I thought was absolutely horrendous. To almost carbon copy one of her most popular songs to use it for another major opportunity to be on one of the biggest rap albums of the year is not only lacks creativity, but lazy. Then she includes average lyricism and again copies a popular Pop Smoke phrase, “you cannot say pop and forget the smoke”, which was lazy and also extremely corny. Kodak Black’s feature on Back Door honestly ruined the entire song. He’s someone who should never touch the realm of singing with the voice he brings to his own music. Spoiled was a song that I wish was just simply longer. Once the groove really started to hit, the song was over. It was disappointing to see a quality Pharrell feature be overshadowed simply from the length. And as much as I hate to say it, the Kid Cudi feature wasn’t anything out of this world either. I was expecting much more from him. Faith is an album that brings a strong first half but immediately takes a step back in quality once the halfway point of the album reaches. The album is also formatted to where the fewer quality features are also on the second half of the album.

The creation and release of Faith bring up some extremely important questions on how we treat artists after their death. Most first posthumous, like Shoot for the Stars Aim for the Moon, are painted as a way to celebrate an abrupt ending for these artists who passed away in unfortunate circumstances. So if Shoot for the Stars Aim for the Moon is meant to celebrate the late Pop Smoke, then what is Faithmeant for? Could it be money for the label? Potentially. Could this even be an issue if the album was just simply better overall? Also a big possibility. But there has been a lot of buzz since the release that this album should have never been released in the first place. Even Pop Smoke’s best friend made a post about how Pop Smoke would have never wanted this album to be this way. While Faith doesn’t cross into the realm of XXXTENTACION’s Bad Vibes Forever for poor quality posthumous LPs, this album is much rougher than expected. I along with most fans would hope this is the last album we see from Pop Smoke, as he will likely be featured in other albums in the future. May Bashar Barakah Jackson rest in peace after a short but well-remembered life.

The Death of Conor McGregor

No, Conor McGregor did not die on Saturday night. However, many would say that his run as an elite fighter in the UFC died that night. 

After breaking his leg last weekend at UFC 264 in Las Vegas, Conor McGregor not only made some questionable decisions in his choice of words after the fight but also put himself at a crossroads of what comes next. The stats back this up. Conor McGregor has only won one fight since 2016. That last win was against Eddy Alverez where he became the first double champ in the UFC. Since then, he had a 23-month layoff followed by his return to fight Khabib Nurmagomedov, which ended in a submission loss. After that, another 18-month layoff followed, where Conor then fought Donald Cerrone, a UFC legend and a future Hall of Famer. But it was clear it was a warmup fight for McGregor from the start. He eventually dominated Cerrone and earned another first-round finish. That win was followed by another 12-month layoff, where we now reached January 2020 and the rematch between him and Poirier. There’s one similarity throughout that period, layoffs. 

Many had already questioned McGregor’s future legacy during the rematch and where a loss would put him at, but the easy response to that is a trilogy fight. Now we’ve entered a completely different spectrum with consecutive losses to the same man. The McGregor that was displayed at UFC 257 was much different than one we had ever seen before. This version of McGregor gave great respect to his opponent and even offered a $500k donation to Poirier’s charity. Even after losing the fight, McGregor stayed positive and said he would be back better than ever. His response was very similar to when he fought Nate Diaz the first time and eventually lost via submission. McGregor was adamant on a rematch. His request was ultimately granted and he won the rematch with Nate Diaz. 

Many fans drew back to those two fights and thought a similar result could happen at UFC 264. Conor was adamant about a rematch with Poirier to happen in 2021.​​ The UFC planned this as soon as possible, knowing it was the biggest fight they could put on with one of the biggest superstars in the sport. Many fans also expected Conor to be “not so Mr. Nice Guy” anymore. But that could ultimately be one of the biggest “deaths” to his career, exposing his act. 

Conor McGregor’s biggest draw was his bad-boy attitude and vicious knockouts. Not only did he become the first champ-champ in the history of the promotion, but he participated in some of the biggest feuds with other fighters. Nate Diaz, Khabib Nurmagomedov, and Jose Aldo are just some of the biggest names, but almost anyone Mcgregor fought, he was engaging in major trash talk. The appeal was that this was who he is and who he always will be. However, McGregor’s “nature” changed at 257 and many thought he had just matured. But when he attempted to go back to the “old Conor,” it wasn’t the same. The attacks didn’t hit as hard and one could honestly say Dustin had better punchlines at the press conferences. But, the fact that Conor even attempted to go back to the “old Conor” diminishes his entire appeal. All the trash talking could just be seen to feed the entertainment rather than serious bad blood. 

Fast forward to after the fight, there are arguments for both sides that the injury saved and ended his career. On the one hand, there is now an appeal for fans for when McGregor eventually returns and how he will overcome a massive leg injury, regardless of the opponent. There is also still the argument that McGregor could have won the fight with the proper adjustments. However, the question still stands of how this all will play out. It’s already determined that Poirier will be fighting Charles Oliveira at some point for the lightweight title. Let’s say Poirier wins the belt. How many fights will Conor have to win before he gets his fourth fight against him? How quickly will Conor be able to get those fights and win them? Will he even have an interest in lower-ranked opponents or will he just dodge those bouts and continue asking for a fourth fight against Poirier? These questions make his chase for the belt very skeptical and hard to believe. 

So what is next for McGregor? Well, he does have options with the most likely being a trilogy with Nate Diaz. A feud that fans could genuinely buy into despite this strange act Conor recently put on. This is also easily the biggest fight that the promotion could put on for both of these fighters, especially with the stages of their career. The one road bump could be Conor’s requirement to move up to 170 as Diaz has stated multiple times he’s done fighting at 155. Another banger of a fight could be McGregor vs. Tony Ferguson. Two legends that are on losing streaks. This could be a good fight if Conor chose to accept the work needed to earn another title shot. Finally, a wildcard fight that I think would be extremely intriguing is Jorge Masvidal. Two ruthless legends who always cause trouble could set another major money grab for everyone involved in the promotion. And the fans would get a major scrap between two of the best strikers in the sport. 

Regardless, Conor’s career has hit a new chapter. He’ll need some serious time to himself to fully focus on the status of his career and what he chooses to do next. He does have options, but any one of them will change his career in a major direction. The Notorious will still live on in infamy for what he has done for this sport. But as legends move through time, their late-career decisions are key for how they will be remembered when they are finally retired from the sport. We could be seeing that time for McGregor come not too far ahead in the future. 

Vince Staples- Vince Staples, Album Review

Long Beach rapper, Vince Staples, has returned with his self-titled fourth full-length LP Vince Staples after a three-year layoff since his last album, FM!, which was released back in 2018. FM! brought a radio-style with some interesting dark elements to the album. But it seems that the style from FM! wasn’t going to be followed up based on some of the teasers. The single LAW OF AVERAGES gave us a nice sneak peek into some of the sounds we’d be hearing. This included a unique combination of fire lyricism with a more out-of-pocket kind of beat. This was a highly anticipated album not only because of the layoff but because FM! could be considered one of his best albums, and fans only want to see his quality of music go higher. Summertime ’06 and Big Fish Theory are two of his most acclaimed projects that have also aged extremely well as his career has continued to rise, which has built anticipation for this new project. This layoff sets up an opportunity for Staples to bring a new and versatile look to his discography. It is also worth mentioning that this album is entirely produced by Kenny Beats, creating a lethal combination of East Coast sound with West Coast lyricism.

Looking at this album, the biggest standout is that this another short album. In fact, all of his albums since Summertime 06′ have been under 12 tracks. There are pros and cons to this move. Staples can cut out any of the tracks that may seem unnecessary or pushovers on his albums. But that also raises the expectations for each individual track. One lower quality song dampens the overall album more than what a lower quality track would do to an album with 15+ tracks. I personally like the shorter format. Plus for someone like Vince Staples, he can perform well with it. Split between seven musical tracks and three interludes/voice chats, Vince Staples creates higher expectations for itself for each particular track. Personally, I think three interludes is too many. But the content within each one plays a nice part within the sequence of the album. But from meeting with fans to assassination attempts, Vince Staples does a great job keeping the topics relevant, conceptual, and interesting. The chemistry between Kenny Beats and Staples is another major standout on the album. But this album is much more minimal and a smoother approach than some of the more upfront and in your face tracks we’ve seen on previous albums. It is a nice twist at the end of the day.

Overall, I would rate this album a 7.4 with my favorite tracks being THE SHINING and SUNDOWN TOWN. This is a great album for Vince Staples to return upon. But its expectations are high considering the three-year layoff after a more active run of albums from 2015-2018. That isn’t to stay this Vince Staples album is anywhere near bad. There are incredible verses where Vince takes a deep dive into his childhood and poverty. He also does a great job of mixing up the sounds on the tracks as well, bringing a different mood to each one. While he sticks to his usual guns with only 10 tracks, that style is different now and each track holds higher expectations. What will be most interesting is what is next for Staples. This is the first major layoff since the start of his music career. And has the quality of music improved a lot since then? Eh, there’s a debate for it. But the future will be intriguing for Vince Staples. Whether he chooses to take another long layoff or be much more active like before is up in the air. But at the end of the day, Vince Staples is a quality project for Staples’s discography. However, to say it brings anything that could ascend his career is a stretch.