Ah, the trade deadline… AND the First Year Player Draft. What a month it’s been for the HumBabe Dynasty. That magical time of year when fantasy managers pretend they’re Brad Pit in Moneyball and commit to “Winning Now” or the full-blown, Yard Sale, Rebuild. This year didn’t disappoint – so let’s dive in (unless you’re only here to see who won the Pick-Em Payout, it was Pablo – congrats stud).

Who’s Going For It and Who’s Just… There

The Brooklyn Robins went bargain hunting at the pitching aisle’s clearance rack and found Eric Lauer and Drew Rasmussen, while Jackal Attack tried to copy that strategy and added Dean Kremer. Starting Pitcher is certainly a commodity in this league, but apparently you can acquire it quite easily at the deadline if you’re willing to part with Draft Picks (especially First Year Player Draft picks several years down the road … just talk to the Galactic Crusaders).

Pablo and the Secret Weapons made it known that they wanted to add a reliever at the deadline this year – and boy did they get a good one in Randy Rodriguez, the most talked-about reliever that you’ve never heard of. Seriously, Rodriguez could be a Top-5 closer the rest of the way and Pablo had to pony up two young studs (Cole Young and Grant Taylor) to get him.

GM of the Galactic Crusaders admitted in the group chat that they “may not always be attentive, but we always got the For Sale sign ready (melting face emoji),” so let’s focus on their acquisitions. Six total draft picks and two promising prospects. Yes, two of those draft picks are 2028 and 2029 First Year Player Draft Picks, and yes, the two promising prospects are Dodgers. No clue how I’m going to manage keeping track of those off-the-book FYPD picks…

Then there’s the Coastal Splitters. Everyone thought they might have been entering a soft-rebuild when they dealt Kevin Gausman for an injured Jackson Jobe, and THEY WERE – that is until the Super Smash ‘Stros wouldn’t part with Mick Abel. Then the Splitters made a statement louder than a toddler with a drum set. In total, they added a front-line ace in Nathan Eovaldi, plus Jazz Chisholm Jr, Vinnie Pasquantio, Jordan Westburg, AND Simeon Wood-Richardson. If you don’t like it, take it up with the Stros, they had the power to make the Splitters rebuild.

FYP Draft Lessons Learned

Let’s talk about Nick Kurtz, your July fantasy overlord with 187 points. Yes, more than Jose Ramirez (2nd best player in July). That’s the kind of production you hope for when draft FYP talent.

Just for the sake of history (and a little well-earned embarrassment), let’s stroll through some FYP Draft Hits and Horrors:

• Jac Caglianone (GCG, 3rd pick, 2024): 44.5 FPts in July 2025 – solid.
• Chase Burns (LSD, 4th pick, 2024): 75 FPts – better.
• Nick Kurtz (PAB, 10th pick, 2024): 187 FPts – borderline illegal.
• Christian Moore (PER, 11th pick, 2024): 2.5 FPts – he got hurt.
• Paul Skenes (LSD, 1st pick, 2023): 97.75 FPts – first overall actually working out? What a concept.
• Hurston Waldrep (BKN, 11th pick, 2023): 0 FPts in July – but he looked got in the Speedway Series (August)!
• Asa Lacy (anonymous trauma victim, 4th pick, 2020): Remember this name.

Because nothing says “I draft well” like taking Asa Lacy in a draft that featured Spencer Strider, Garrett Crochet, Mick Abel, Pete Crow-Armstrong, and, oh yeah, actual major leaguers. But hey, maybe I was just trying to keep it fair for the rest of the league when I took Lacy? At least I still ended up with Strider … and I can’t seem to get rid of him even if I want to.

Moral of the story: Get you guy in the FYP Draft – or risk embarrassment in future recap posts. Your choice.

July Playoff Implications

The playoff picture is shaping up to be a glorious mess.

• Pablo overtook Wally Mash in the Basket Catch League Vic Division during the month of July, in the most millimeter-tight race of the season. Same record, two freakin’ points apart. That’s a single balk away from flipping the outcome. A balk.
• Super Smash vs Lone Star for the last BCL Wild Card spot – Stros lead in record, but the Drillers have 80 more points on the year.
• Coastal Splitters are chasing Perth in the SCL Charlie Division like a caffeinated chicken. Meanwhile, Nashville and London are ready to club each other over the head for the last Wild Card sport in the Shot Call League. You love to see it.
• This bullet point should probably say something about Jackal Attack, otherwise they’ll complain again… so there it is.

And don’t forget: The Wild Card Play-In is Week 20. That’s right – you’re trying to stay alive in the playoffs while ALSO winning a regular season matchup. No pressure. Just don’t forget to start your players and complain about the playoff format.

Take Aways for July 2025

• Trade Deadline? Absolutely bonkers.
• Nick Kurtz is a legend.
• FYP Drafts are the gift that keep on exposing your scouting skills.
• Playoffs are closing in.
• I took Asa Lacy over Spencer Strider. And y’all are still holding it against me with Trade Vetos.

Good Luck in August gentlemen. I’ll be here to recap it all for you come playoff time.