
Articles

Will Benson Batting Second For The Reds On Thursday
The Cincinnati Reds announced their starting lineup for Opening Day on Thursday in Cincinnati against the Nationals, with outfielder Will Benson penciled into the second spot in the order. Benson gets the start in centerfield after the projected Opening Day starter T.J. Friedl fractured his wrist in a spring game and was officially placed on […]
Jarod Rupp
Corbin Burnes Faces Off With Angels On Opening Day
Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Corbin Burnes will go up against the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday in Baltimore. It will be his first Opening Day start for the Orioles and he'll match up against the Angels' LHP Patrick Sandoval. Burnes allowed five home runs in five spring games and finished with a 6.75 ERA, although […]
Jarod Rupp
Jordan Montgomery Signs With Diamondbacks: Fantasy Baseball Outlook
Well, it took the entire preseason, but the last big-name holdout of the MLB offseason has finally signed on with a new team. Left-handed pitcher Jordan Montgomery signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks on a one-year, $25 million contract that has a second-year player option if the lefty makes at least 10 starts. The 31-year-old joins […]
Jarod Rupp
Oneil Cruz - Fantasy Baseball Draft Values and Sleepers (2024)
BALLER MOVE: Target in drafts ~pick 56 CURRENT ADP: ~95 ANALYSIS: Did you hear that? Oneil Cruz just crushed another baseball into the stands. The Pirates' top prospect now has seven home runs this Spring! The hype train for the Pittsburgh shortstop Oneil Cruz was flying down the tracks last season, too, only to see […]
Jarod Rupp
Jack Suwinksi - Fantasy Baseball Draft Values and Sleepers (2024)
BALLER MOVE: Target in drafts ~pick 214 CURRENT ADP: ~310 ANALYSIS: After giving us a taste of his power in 2022, Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Jack Suwinski went full-breakout mode in 2023, launching 26 home runs and collecting 74 RBI on his way to a 112 wRC+ season over 534 plate appearances. The lefty also scored 63 runs […]
Jarod Rupp
Multi-Position Bats: Fantasy Baseball Targets and Sleepers
We're hurtling toward Opening Day and drafts are about to wind down to a close. If you're one of those folks doing some last-minute preparation, this article should help you towards the end of your drafts when you need to start filling out those bench spots. Who do you select there? What type of hitter? […]
Jarod Rupp
Seiya Suzuki Rips Two More Home Runs Monday
Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki blasted a pair of home runs on Monday in a 6-3 Cactus League loss to the Cardinals. It was the second time this spring he's had a multi-HR game, and he's got six home runs total in Cactus League action. Overall, the 29-year-old is batting .459 (17-for-37) with five doubles, […]
Jarod Rupp
J.T. Realmuto Hits Second Home Run Of Spring
Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto hit his second home of the spring on Monday in a 6-3 Grapefruit League loss to the Rays. It was a long time coming, as his first homer came in his first spring game back in February. The 33-year-old is now 10-for-40 (.250) in the spring, with a double, two […]
Jarod Rupp
Trevor Story With A Home Run, Three RBI On Monday
Boston Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story went 2-for-4 with a home run, three RBI, and a run scored in Monday's 9-2 Grapefruit League win over the Rangers. Story's bat has caught fire of late, as he's collected at least one hit in six straight games while going 9-for-18 (.500) over that span. The two-time All-Star […]
Jarod Rupp
Tyler O'Neill Hits Second Spring Home Run Monday
Boston Red Sox outfielder Tyler O'Neill went yard for the second time this spring on Monday in a 9-2 Grapefruit League win over the Rangers. It was a solo shot and his only hit of the day, although he also drew a walk. O'Neill has been battling a calf injury all spring, but has played […]
Jarod Rupp
Marcell Ozuna Goes Deep Monday, Collects Three RBI
Atlanta Braves designated hitter Marcell Ozuna hit his second home run of the spring on Monday in a 4-0 Grapefruit League win over the Twins. Ozuna had started off the spring hot but his bat had gone cold as of late, going 2-for-17 over his last six games. The 33-year-old is still hitting .306 in […]
Jarod Rupp
Twins Sign Veteran Reliever Jesse Chavez
The Minnesota Twins have signed veteran reliever Jesse Chavez to a one-year big league deal and he will serve in a middle relief role or pitch in matchup-specific opportunities. It will be the 40-year-old's tenth different major league club and 17th season, which is an enviable feat in and of itself. The Twins have lost […]
Jarod Rupp
C.J. Cron Released By The Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox have released first baseman C.J. Cron less than a month after he was signed to a minor league deal with an invitation to camp. At the time of the signing, it was presumed he'd be the backup to Triston Casas with Bobby Dalbec being the odd man out, however, it looks […]
Jarod Rupp
Oakland Athletics Acquire Reliever Austin Adams
The Oakland Athletics have acquired veteran reliever Austin Adams from the New York Mets in exchange for cash considerations. The 32-year-old was added to the Athletics' 40-man roster and in a corresponding move, Trevor Gott was placed on the 60-day IL after it was determined he would need Tommy John surgery. Adams made 24 appearances […]
Jarod Rupp
Nolan Jones Avoids Serious Injury, Should Still Play Opening Day
Colorado Rockies outfielder Nolan Jones fouled a ball off of his kneecap in Saturday's 6-2 Cactus League loss to the Reds. The 25-year-old said he felt numbness in his foot afterward, but today it is just a bruise. He believes he'll be ready for Opening Day and could even play in the final spring games. […]
Jarod Rupp
Jordan Montgomery Has Two Offers On The Table
Free agent pitcher Jordan Montgomery has been offered long-term deals from two teams and it sounds like it won't be long before he signs. Which two teams made the offers is still unclear, and there are still multiple teams that are in need of his services. The Yankees and Red Sox are still reportedly involved, […]
Jarod Rupp
X-Rays On Jake Meyers' Hand Come Back Clean
Houston Astros centerfielder Jake Meyers was struck in the hand by a pitch Saturday during a Grapefruit League game against the Mets. The 27-year-old was sent for X-rays on his hand which on Sunday morning Meyers stated had come back clean. The righty hitter is projected to be the Astros centerfielder, although there isn't much […]
Jarod Rupp
Taijuan Walker Dealing With Shoulder Soreness, Sent For MRI
Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Taijuan Walker was getting loose for a bullpen session on Saturday and stated that his shoulder "didn't feel right." The Phillies sent him for an MRI, the results of which should be known Sunday. Walker had already battled some right knee soreness this spring and had only made two spring appearances […]
Jarod Rupp
Justin Steele Still In Line For Opening Day
Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Justin Steele remains on track to make his Opening Day start this Thursday against the Rangers. The southpaw suffered a knee contusion Friday after being hit by a line drive in a Cactus League contest versus the Giants. By Saturday, Steele said that it was bruised and sore, but that's it. […]
Jarod Rupp
Austin Hays Day-To-Day After Being Hit By Pitch
Baltimore Orioles outfielder Austin Hays was hit by a pitch in Saturday's 3-2 Grapefruit League win over the Blue Jays. Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said that Hays is fine and is considered day-to-day. If Hays is able to go on Sunday, Hyde stated that he'd try to get him in the lineup, otherwise Hays would […]
Jarod Rupp
Gerrit Cole Could Begin Season On 60-Day IL
Yankees GM Brian Cashman stated that starting pitcher Gerrit Cole could be placed on the 60-Day IL if they need to free up a spot on the 40-man roster. Cole is expected to miss an extended amount of time anyway, so putting him on the IL would give them some roster flexibility. If the Yankees […]
Jarod Rupp
Statcast Review: xBA - Noteworthy Fantasy Baseball Over and Underachievers
So far this offseason, we've taken a look at hitters who improved their walk rates the most, those batters who increased their sweet spot% the most, potential stolen base contributors after pick 300, amongst other articles. This particular article will take yet another slice of the data to see what there is to see. For […]
Jarod Rupp
Starting Pitcher Stuff+ Improvers for Fantasy Baseball (2024)
At this time of year when fantasy baseball managers are preparing for drafts, it's wise to look at trends to see which players might be heading in a positive direction and which ones are on a downward path so that strategies are properly adjusted for these signals. If a player is on an upward trend […]
Jarod Rupp
When is Walker Buehler Coming Back? Fantasy Baseball Injury Update
Back in 2018, Walker Buehler began a stretch of dominance that included two All-Star appearances, a World Series title, and culminated with a 16-4 season in 2021 with a 2.47 ERA and 0.97 WHIP. In 2022, however, all of that momentum came to a screeching halt when he had to undergo the second Tommy John […]
Jarod Rupp
Eduardo Escobar Released By The Blue Jays
Veteran third baseman Eduardo Escobar was granted his release by the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday. The 35-year-old was a non-roster invitee and was a long shot to make the roster, but was hitting just .122 (5-for-41) with 17 strikeouts in 15 spring appearances. Escobar was an All-Star as recently as 2021 but has seen […]
Jarod Rupp
Elly De La Cruz With A Triple, Two Runs Scored Thursday
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz went 1-for-5 with a triple and two runs scored in Thursday's 7-6 Cactus League loss to the Mariners. The 22-year-old began the spring season with 11 hits in his first 11 games, but the bat has gone cold as of late with Thursday's triple being his only hit […]
Jarod Rupp
Jose Ramirez Having A Slow Spring
Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez had his third straight game with a hit on Friday in a 10-0 Cactus League win over the Rangers. He's also had a hit in five out of the last six games, but he's yet to have a multi-hit performance this spring and is hitting just .200 (9-for-45) through […]
Jarod Rupp
Trea Turner Collects A Hit And A Walk Friday
Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Trea Turner went 1-for-2 with a single and a walk in Friday's 4-3 Grapefruit League loss to the Tigers. The speedster also stole a base, his second of the spring. The veteran is having a solid but unspectacular spring, hitting just .268 (11-for-41) with four doubles, zero home runs, two RBI, one […]
Jarod Rupp
Bryan Woo Perfect In Third Spring Start
Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Bryan Woo threw four innings of perfect baseball in his third spring outing on Thursday in a 4-2 Cactus League win over the Brewers. The 24-year-old allowed zero hits, zero runs, and did not walk a batter while striking out five over four frames. After getting roughed up his first time […]
Jarod Rupp
When is TJ Friedl Coming Back? Fantasy Baseball Injury Update
Back in 2016, TJ Friedl began his pro career in the Reds farm system, methodically working his way up the ranks until he finally made his MLB debut in 2021. However, it was not until 2023 that he became a regular in the Reds' lineup. The lefty ended the season top-3 on the team in […]
Jarod Rupp