The Shallows EP 017 - Sunken Ships

The hosts of Pitcher List Fantasy Baseball's 'The Shallows' admit they were spectacularly wrong about several players in the 2026 season, including Zach Wheeler, who defied expectations by returning from a career-threatening shoulder injury and becoming a dominant pitcher. They also re-evaluated their stance on young breakout hitters like Jordan Alvarez and Michael Harris, both of whom have exceeded projections despite past injury concerns and slow starts. The episode dives into the surprising rise of Japanese imports Munitaka Murakami and Kazuma Akimoto, with the hosts debating whether the myth of Japanese players struggling with MLB fastballs is finally dead. They also highlight a wave of elite pitchers returning from injury—Tarek Skubal, Garrett Crochet, and Spencer Schwellenbach—whose return could reshape the fantasy landscape. The segment ends with a bold prediction: the trade deadline will be explosive, especially with the Tigers potentially trading Skubal to the Dodgers for a haul of top-tier prospects like James Tibbs III and Josue DePaula, opening up new fantasy opportunities. The hosts emphasize that the 2026 season is defined by a generational shift in baseball, with a new wave of elite pitchers and hitters emerging while the old guard fades. They caution against overreacting to early-season slumps, citing the case of Austin Riley, whose decline may be more about lost coaching than talent.