Bubba & the Bloom EP 304 - 2026 First Base Preview

·1 hr 29 min·5 clips

Why Ryan Bloomfield picks Vladimir Guerrero Jr. over Nick Kurtz as the top first baseman for 2026.

This episode of Bubba and the Bloom previews the first base position for the 2026 fantasy baseball season. Hosts Bubba and Ryan Bloomfield analyze player rankings and average draft positions (ADP) from recent 15-team drafts. They structure the discussion around a board showing the top 30 eligible first basemen with projections from FanGraphs. The hosts identify a top-heavy position, with Nick Kurtz, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and Pete Alonso forming a clear top tier going within the first 30 picks. They note a significant drop-off after the top 10, with only one first baseman, Yandy Díaz, being selected between picks 110 and 170. The episode covers specific players like Bryce Harper (ADP 52), Matt Olson (ADP 53), and Rafael Devers (ADP 58), examining their power, health, and consistency. Freddie Freeman's age (36) and recent performance are discussed at his ADP of 67. An interesting insight is that Nick Kurtz's high strikeout rate (nearly 31%) creates skepticism about whether his .290 batting average from his rookie season is sustainable. Ryan Bloomfield expresses a preference for Vladimir Guerrero Jr. due to his elite batting average and massive plate appearance volume. The hosts debate whether Pete Alonso's superior power output makes him a better target than Kurtz, given their similar barrel rates. Bubba reveals he has drafted Alonso and Guerrero in most of his leagues, prioritizing early power at the position. They discuss Bryce Harper's recurring injury history as a key risk factor, despite his strong skills and stolen base contribution. The analysis of Matt Olson highlights how his recent performance challenges the perception of him as a low-average hitter. The tone is conversational and analytical, blending statistical breakdowns with personal draft experiences and preferences. The hosts maintain a casual, insider perspective typical of fantasy sports analysis. Fantasy baseball managers preparing for 2026 drafts, especially those in 15-team leagues, would find this detailed positional breakdown valuable. Listeners who prefer narrative-driven content or are not engaged in fantasy baseball should skip this episode.

As heard by us

A focused first-base preview that turns Devers, Olson, and Ben Rice into useful draft calls.

Episode 304 stays on the 2026 first-base preview and keeps the pace moving through the usual setup before settling into the position debate. It works best when it turns big names into actual fantasy decisions, especially Devers' strikeout trend, Olson's 2023 home-run context,…

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Why you'd press play

You need a first-base board that helps you draft, not just nod along.

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