OTW 241 - We Have The Power Preview; Drafting HR and RBI

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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