On The Wire – Adam Howe and Kevin Hasting kick off their 2026 fantasy baseball category previews by breaking down power (HR & RBI) and why it has quietly become harder to replace later in drafts. They discuss draft targets, late-round power bats, platoon plays, and roster construction strategies to hit modern home run benchmarks.
0:00–8:30 — Episode Intro & Why Power Matters More in 2026
Category-preview format explanation
Impact of PitchCon and offseason prep
Why managers are falling behind in HR/RBI
Establishing modern power targets (24–25 HR per hitter)
8:30–20:00 — Power vs Speed Tradeoffs in Early Drafts
Players discussed:
Aaron Judge, Shohei Ohtani, Juan Soto, Cal Raleigh, Bobby Witt Jr., Jackson Chourio, Trea Turner
How few true 35+ HR bats exist
Why early speed-first picks create downstream power pressure
Corner infield power vs middle-infield scarcity
20:00–30:30 — Power Benchmarks & Draft Math
Targeting ~350 HR and ~1,100 RBI in 15-team leagues
Why “15 HR + speed” profiles create long-term problems
Emphasizing lineup quality over RBI projections
30:30–44:00 — Corner Infield Power Targets
Players discussed:
Nolan Arenado, Nolan Gorman, Paul Goldschmidt, Bryce Eldridge, Chase DeLauter, Josh Bell, Tristan Casas
Arenado vs Gorman risk profiles
Playing-time certainty vs batting average damage
Eldridge stash upside vs prospect risk
Josh Bell as a boring but reliable power source
44:00–57:00 — Middle Infield Power Options
Players discussed:
Jake Cronenworth, Anthony Volpe, José Caballero, Brooks Lee
Cronenworth as a “glue guy” with sneaky volume power
Volpe’s rebound potential and ADP window
Multi-position flexibility as power insurance
Minnesota infield playing-time outlook
57:00–1:11:00 — Outfield Power Targets
Players discussed:
Jesus Sanchez, Andrew Benintendi, Austin Hays, Cody Clemens
Sanchez as a platoon-friendly power bat in Houston
Benintendi’s power resurgence vs lineup quality
Hays as a free-agent ADP value play
Clemens as a flexible, low-cost power streamer
1:11:00–1:18:00 — Power Streamers & Rate-Based Targets
Players discussed:
Jemai Jones, Dominic Canzone, Tyler O’Neill, Matt Wallner, Zach Dezenzo, Colby Thomas, Christopher Morel, Joey Wiemer, David Schneider
HR per 600 PA as a late-draft tool
Short-side platoon exploitation
Streaming power via matchups and schedules
1:18:00–1:21:00 — Catchers & Utility-Only Power
Players discussed:
Carson Kelly, Marcell Ozuna, Jonathan India
Kelly as a streaming catcher with pop
Ozuna’s ADP volatility if he signs
India benefiting from KC fence changes and lineup role
1:21:00–1:23:00 — Final Thoughts & Power Draft Takeaways
Don’t underestimate power scarcity
Late-round power always carries risk — embrace flexibility
Trust your draft instincts and plan for in-season maintenance
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