
Articles

John Means Throws Odd First Outing Tuesday
Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher John Means got his first action of spring training in Tuesday's 4-2 loss to the Yankees. Means pitched 1 2/3 innings, allowing a single run on four hits with no walks or strikeouts. He got through two outs in the first inning but was pulled after his 28th pitch. However, he was […]
Connelly Doan
NL Outfielders - Draft Avoids for 2021
MLB players have reported for Spring Training and plenty of big offseason moves have taken place; it's beginning to feel a lot like baseball season! Big-league players are not the only ones getting ready for the start of the season at this time, though. Fantasy players are now putting the work in to prepare for […]
Connelly Doan
Yusniel Diaz Hits Two-Run Home Run Sunday
Baltimore Orioles outfielder Yusniel Diaz started Spring Training off on the right foot in Sunday's 6-4 loss to the Pirates, going 1-for-2 with a two-run home run. The 24-year-old crushed a sixth-inning Carson Fulmer pitch over the left-field wall. Diaz's is one of the O's better prospects and is expected to make his MLB debut […]
Connelly Doan
Trey Mancini Receives Standing Ovation Sunday
Baltimore Orioles first baseman/outfielder Trey Mancini received a standing ovation in his first Spring Training at-bat Sunday against the Pirates in what was his first since March 2020. Mancini spent the entirety of the 2020 season receiving treatment for colon cancer, so this at-bat was an emotional one. Mancini finished the at-bat by singling to […]
Connelly Doan
Chris Davis Will Need To Earn Playing Time In 2021
Baltimore Orioles first baseman Chris Davis said Friday that he has spoken with manager Brandon Hyde, who indicated that he would need to prove that he deserves to play in 2021. Davis, who is entering the sixth year of a seven-year, $161 million contract, was once a major power threat at the plate. However, he […]
Connelly Doan
Scott Kazmir, Giants Reach Minor League Deal Tuesday
The San Francisco Giants and veteran left-handed pitcher Scott Kazmir have agreed to a Minor League deal with an invitation to big league camp, per ESPN's Buster Olney. The 37-year-old has not pitched since 2016, but reportedly threw up to 93 MPH in his latest bullpen session. Kazmir owns a career 4.01 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, […]
Connelly Doan
Giants, Shun Yamaguchi Agree To Terms Saturday
The San Francisco Giants agreed to terms with pitcher Shun Yamaguchi on Saturday, per the San Francisco Chronicle. The deal is likely to be a split Major League/Minor League deal. The 33-year-old made his big-league debut last season, posting a poor 8.06 ERA and 1.75 WHIP over 25 2/3 innings pitched with the Blue Jays. […]
Connelly Doan
Matt Harvey May Not Start For Orioles
Baltimore Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said Thursday that he will keep his options open with newly signed pitcher Matt Harvey. In terms of whether Harvey would be considered as a starter or a bullpen option, Hyde said: "Nothing is set in stone and we're just going to give him an opportunity to make the team." […]
Connelly Doan
Trey Mancini Reports Early To Camp Thursday
Baltimore Orioles first baseman/outfielder Trey Mancini "looked really good" during Thursday's training sessions, per manager Brandon Hyde. Mancini fielded ground balls and hit as well. The 28-year-old missed the entirety of the 2020 season receiving treatment for colon cancer, so it is great news to see him back on the field. Mancini posted career numbers […]
Connelly Doan
Felix Hernandez Motivated By Hall Of Fame
Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Felix Hernandez said Thursday that his motivation to continue pitching is to reach the Hall of Fame, per MLB.com's Joe Trezza. King Felix, now 34 years old, put forth stellar numbers over his first 12 seasons with the Mariners. However, things started declining for him in 2017 and Hernandez has not […]
Connelly Doan
Giants Sign Aaron Sanchez
The San Francisco Giants have signed right-handed pitcher Aaron Sanchez to a one-year deal worth $4 million plus incentives, per the San Francisco Chronicle's Susan Slusser. The 28-year-old reportedly touched 98 mph on his fastball during a recent bullpen session. Sanchez once held fantasy intrigue but was plagued by injuries and poor performance over the […]
Connelly Doan
Hitters Who Changed Scenes - Fantasy Impacts
Well, the 2021 off-season has finally come to life! Over the course of January, we have seen some big splashes, both in terms of pitchers and hitters on the move to new teams. There are still plenty of unsigned big-name free agents, but we have some juicy free agent hitter signings and trades to take […]
Connelly Doan
Year-In-Review: Framber Valdez
Houston Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez has been one of the team's many intriguing prospects over the past several seasons. He first got consistent playing time (mostly in relief) in 2019 and put forth poor results with a 4-7 record, 5.86 ERA, 1.67 WHIP, and 20.7% strikeout rate over 70 2/3 inning pitched. He also pitched […]
Connelly Doan
Year-In-Review: Jesse Winker
Cincinnati Reds outfielder Jesse Winker had a 2020 season that, in many ways, reflected the arc of his career. His excellent approach allows him to get on base while also hitting for average and power. However, he also experiences stretches of unproductivity and has battled injuries and inconsistent playing time. This makes him a difficult player […]
Connelly Doan
Analyzing Fly Ball Metrics: Pitchers to Trust in 2021
Welcome back to some 2020-2021 offseason fantasy baseball analysis! I recently took a look at pitchers who could see a decrease in performance next season based on their fly-ball metrics from this season. Some of these metrics included home run-to-fly-ball ratio, fly-ball rate, and average launch angle. To reiterate the value of this type of […]
Connelly Doan
Analyzing Fly Ball Metrics: Pitchers Who Could Bust in 2021
Welcome to the 2021 offseason! This past season was different and exciting, offering a new flavor of baseball with definite impacts on fantasy baseball. The shortened season brought forth some new strategies from a fantasy perspective and smaller sample sizes from an analytics perspective. That being said, assuming a "regular" 2021 season, it makes sense […]
Connelly Doan
Mauricio Dubon Hits Three-Run Home Run Wednesday
San Francisco Giants second baseman/outfielder Mauricio Dubon went 1-for-3 with a three-run home run and a walk in Wednesday's 7-2 win over the Rockies. Dubon crushed a fifth-inning Yence Almonte breaking ball into the centerfield seats for his third HR of the season. While he hasn't hit for power this season (.386 slugging percentage), Dubon […]
Connelly Doan
Dean Kremer Has First Poor Start Wednesday
Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Dean Kremer fell to 1-1 in Wednesday's 9-1 loss to the Red Sox. Kremer lasted just 2 2/3 innings, allowing seven runs on seven hits and three walks with two strikeouts. The 24-year-old had three great starts prior to this one, but it brings his season totals to a 4.82 ERA […]
Connelly Doan
Johnny Cueto Allows Seven Runs In Monday Loss
San Francisco Giants starting Johnny Cueto turned in a poor outing in Monday's 7-2 loss to the Rockies. Cueto pitched 4 1/3 innings, allowing seven runs on eight hits (including a solo home run) and three walks with four strikeouts. The veteran just hasn't been able to return to his former self and now owns […]
Connelly Doan
John Means Strikes Out A Dozen In Sunday Win
Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher John Means had his best start of the season in Sunday's 2-1 win over the Rays. Means pitched 5 2/3 innings, allowing a single run on three hits (including a solo home run) and no walks with 12 strikeouts. The 27-year-old struggled mightily at the beginning of the season but has […]
Connelly Doan
Darin Ruf Plates Four Sunday
San Francisco Giants first baseman/outfielder Darin Ruf continued to hit well in Sunday's 14-2 win over the A's. Ruf went 2-for-4 with a single, a two-run home run, four RBI, and two walks. The veteran has posted an insane .400 with four HR and nine RBI in September. Hopefully, fantasy players have a lineup they […]
Connelly Doan
Tyler Anderson Earns Win Sunday
San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Tyler Anderson improved to 3-3- in Sunday's 14-2 win over the A's. Anderson pitched 5 2/3 innings, allowing two runs (none earned) on four hits and three walks with four strikeouts. Anderson now has a 4.53 ERA on the season, but should be avoided in his final start against the […]
Connelly Doan
Brandon Crawford Hits Grand Slam Sunday, Stays Hot
San Francisco Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford had a big game at the plate in Sunday's 14-2 win over the A's. Crawford went 2-for-5 with a double, a grand slam (his sixth home run of the season), and two strikeouts. The veteran has been hitting well lately, batting .318 with 13 RBI in September. Given his […]
Connelly Doan
Austin Hays Hits Solo Home Run Friday
Baltimore Orioles outfielder Austin Hays provided all of the team's runs in Friday's 2-1 loss to the Rays. Hays went 2-for-3 with a single, a solo home run, and a walk. He took Tyler Glasnow deep in the fourth inning for his second HR of the season. Hays has not provided the success he had […]
Connelly Doan
Alex Cobb Takes Tough Loss Friday
Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Alex Cobb fell to 1-5 despite pitching well in Friday's 2-1 loss to the Rays. Cobb pitched six innings, allowing two runs on four hits and three walks with five strikeouts. Despite the positive outing, the veteran now owns a 4.76 ERA and should be avoided for the remainder of the […]
Connelly Doan
Logan Webb Pitches Poorly Again In Friday Start
San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Logan Webb fell to 2-4 in Friday's 6-0 loss to the A's. Webb pitched 3 1/3 innings, allowing six runs on six hits (including a three-run home run) and two walks with one strikeout. The 23-year-old started the season well but now has a 5.73 ERA. Fantasy players should definitely […]
Connelly Doan
Hitter Streamers for Fantasy Baseball Week 10
Welcome back to another installment of the hitting streamers column! This edition is for September 21 through September 27. As will be the case every week, I will offer a couple of worthy streamers for each position (catcher, corner infield, middle infield, outfield) based on the number of games the players have for the upcoming […]
Connelly Doan
Keegan Akin Earns First Win Of Season Wednesday
Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Keegan Akin improved to 1-1 in Wednesday's 5-1 win over the Braves. Akin pitched five innings, allowing no runs on three hits and a walks with nine strikeouts. The 25-year-old rookie now has a 3.38 ERA with 25 strikeouts and nine walks over 18 2/3 IP this season. Akin will likely […]
Connelly Doan
Hanser Alberto Held Hitless Tuesday, Continues Cold Streak
Baltimore Orioles second/third baseman Hanser Alberto continued his cold September in Tuesday's 5-1 loss to the Braves, going 0-for-3 with two strikeouts. Alberto started the season off well but has struggled in September, hitting just .189 with no extra-base hits. Fantasy managers should bench Alberto if they can afford it as he is not producing […]
Connelly Doan
Thomas Eshelman Takes First Loss Of Season Tuesday
Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Thomas Eshelman fell to 3-1 in Tuesday's 5-1 loss to the Braves. Eshelman. pitched 3 1/3. inning, allowing two runs on six hits (including a solo home run) and a walk with four strikeouts. The 26-year-old now has a 4.13 ERA with 15 strikeouts and nine walks over 28 1/3 IP […]
Connelly Doan