Ep. 74 : Draft-And-Hold Strategies with Derek VanRiper

Ep. 74 : Draft-And-Hold Strategies with Derek VanRiper

Author: Mike Couillard January 16, 2025 Duration: 57:29
In our 74th episode, Mike Couillard is joined by special guest, Derek VanRiper of The Athletic and host of the Rates & Barrels podcast, to discuss the nuances of draft-and-hold leagues like NFBC's 50-round Draft Champions and Gladiator formats. What strategies and players archetypes get a boost in these non-traditional formats that don't have in-season moves?

You can find us on bluesky at @cardscategories.bsky.social@mcouill7.bsky.social, and @jbrewer17.bsky.social. Email the pod at cardscategories@gmail.com.

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Links to things discussed in the pod:
Upcoming baseball card release schedule:
  • 1/15: 2024 Bowman’s Best
  • 1/17: 2024 Bowman Draft Sapphire
  • 1/22: 2024 Topps Transcendent
  • 1/25: 2024 Topps Diamond Icons
  • 2/12: 2024 Panini Three and Two
  • 2/15: 2025 Topps Series 1
  • TBD: Topps Black & White
  • TBD: Topps Definitive
Categories Discussion

NFBC Draft formats (our discussion focuses on Draft Champions and Gladiator)

Players discussed:
  • High-floor pitchers:
    • Tobias Myers
    • Sonny Gray
    • Frankie Montas
  • Utility bats:
    • Tyler Black
    • Spencer Horwitz
    • Isiah Kiner-Falefa
    • Hunter Goodman

Mike Couillard and Jeremy Brewer have a shared obsession that branches in two fascinating directions: the strategic depths of fantasy baseball and the nostalgic, tangible world of MLB card collecting. Their Cards & Categories podcast sits right at that unique intersection, creating a space where lineup decisions and auction values are debated with the same passion as rookie card prospecting and vintage set completion. It’s a conversation built for those who find equal joy in analyzing a player’s on-base percentage and the crisp corner of a mint-condition insert. Each episode feels like pulling up a chair at a local card shop or diving into a lively fantasy league chat, blending statistical deep dives with personal stories from the hobby. You’ll hear them break down weekly player performances for fantasy relevance while also discussing the cultural and financial currents within the sports card market. This isn’t just another baseball podcast; it’s a dedicated look at how our fandom manifests, both in digital leagues and in physical collections, all through the informed and often humorous perspective of two genuine enthusiasts. Tune in for a regular dose of actionable advice, collecting trends, and the simple pleasure of talking about the game from these two distinct, yet beautifully connected, angles.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Cards & Categories
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