Freddie Freeman to Hit Fifth Against Lefties

Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman batted fifth in the lineup in Monday's Cactus League game against the Angels with left-hander Reid Detmers on the mound, something manager Dave Roberts stated he would do with his lineup against southpaws to begin the season. Freeman will typically bat fourth, and catcher Will Smith will bat […]

Triston Casas Placed on 10-Day Injured List to Start the Season

Boston Red Sox first baseman Triston Casas (knee) was placed on the 10-day injured list on Wednesday. This was not a surprise as the 6-foot-4 slugger was unable to participate in any Grapefruit League action as he continues to recover from a ruptured left patellar tendon that he suffered in 2025. He recently faced live […]

7 Fantasy Baseball Bold Predictions - Jarod Rupp's 2026 Picks

As spring training wraps up and the last fantasy drafts of the 2026 MLB season take place, let's have a little fun with some bold predictions! Now, these are bold predictions, which, by their nature, are long shots. However, I'll make the case for each, and even if they don't come fully true, perhaps they […]

Bubba Chandler Carrying Some Momentum Into 2026

Pittsburgh Pirates pitching prospect Bubba Chandler appears set to open the season in the team's starting rotation, though no official confirmation has been made yet by the team. Right now, RosterResource projects the Pirates' top-ranked pitching prospect as the team's No. 3 starter. The right-hander didn't have the cleanest of springs, but looked sharp his […]

Aidan Miller Still Dealing With Back Issue

Philadelphia Phillies shortstop prospect Aidan Miller (back) likely won't be ready for Opening Day at Triple-A Lehigh Valley due to an ongoing back issue. The Phils' top-ranked prospect dealt with a back injury late last year that prevented him from participating in the Arizona Fall League, and it has lingered into 2026, resulting in Miller […]

Kevin Alvarez to Start 2026 With Single-A Fayetteville

Houston Astros outfield prospect Kevin Alvarez will begin the season with Single-A Fayetteville, per Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com. The Astros' top-ranked prospect was part of the 2025 international signing class and performed well in the Dominican Summer League last year as a 17-year-old, recording a .301/.419/.455 slash line with a 23:19 BB:K in 47 games […]

Jamie Arnold Ticketed for Double-A Midland to Begin 2026

Athletics pitching prospect Jamie Arnold will begin the season at Double-A, per Martin Gallegos of MLB.com. The Athletics' first-round pick in the 2025 Draft (11th overall) did not debut professionally last season after being selected, so this will be his first taste of pro ball. The left-hander was invited to big league camp this spring, […]

Gage Jump Will Head to Triple-A Las Vegas to Start 2026

Athletics pitching prospect Gage Jump will begin the season at Triple-A Las Vegas, per Martin Gallegos of MLB.com. The Athletics' third-ranked prospect made a good impression this spring, allowing just two earned runs in 9 2/3 innings of work (1.86 ERA), with a 1.24 WHIP and a 7:3 K:BB, but has yet to pitch above […]

Lazaro Montes Will Begin 2026 at Double-A

Seattle Mariners outfield prospect Lazaro Montes will begin the season at Double-A Arkansas, per Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com. The Mariners' fourth-ranked prospect played nearly half of his games in 2025 there after starting the season at High-A. The powerful left-handed hitter blasted 32 home runs in '25, 14 of which came in 64 games at […]

5 Breakout Pitchers For Fantasy Baseball Drafts: Jarod Rupp's Picks

It's always a fun exercise to try to identify breakout players, as getting it right can deliver a big return on investment while hopefully providing enough production to give your fantasy teams a boost in the standings. In this article, we will identify five breakout pitchers for 2026 fantasy baseball drafts. You can probably find […]

5 Starting Pitcher Prospects for Fantasy Baseball Drafts (2026)

With less than a few days before the regular season gets underway, fantasy managers might have a good idea which players they are targeting in the early rounds. But who should be targeted in the mid-to-late rounds? In some cases, prospects are a lesser-known commodity, but as such, they can return plenty of value. In […]

8 Breakout Hitters For Fantasy Baseball Drafts: Jarod Rupp's Picks

Identifying hitters who are on the precipice of a breakout season is one way to have a successful fantasy draft and is a stepping stone toward having a championship-caliber fantasy season. It is because many of these breakout hitters will be very cheap, potentially providing a high return on investment, while you stack your team […]

Will Tommy Troy be Fantasy Relevant in Redraft Leagues in 2026?

Arizona Diamondbacks infield prospect Tommy Troy impressed during his first taste of big-league camp this year, going 12-for-32 (.375) with eight singles and four doubles. The D-backs' fourth-ranked prospect wasn't necessarily expected to make the Opening Day roster, however, his performance reinforced the success he saw in 2025. The former first-round draft pick began the […]

When Will Noah Schultz Make His MLB Debut?

Chicago White Sox pitching prospect Noah Schultz was reassigned to minor league camp earlier this month after making a pair of Cactus League appearances. The former first-round draft pick showed well in his limited action, offering glimpses of his strikeout potential with five punchouts in 4 1/3 innings pitched while walking none. The 6-foot-10 hurler […]

CJ Kayfus the Odd Man Out in Cleveland Outfield?

Cleveland Guardians first baseman/outfielder CJ Kayfus has been competing for a spot on the team's big league roster this spring, but could be the odd man out when it comes to final roster cuts. The left-handed slugger played some first base down the stretch for the Guardians in 2025, but with the team's signing of […]

Ryan Waldschmidt to Begin Season at Triple-A Reno

Arizona Diamondbacks outfield prospect Ryan Waldschmidt will begin the 2026 campaign at Triple-A Reno, according to Sam Dykstra of MLB.com. The D-backs' top-ranked prospect was invited to big league camp this year and held his own, going 10-for-39 (.256) with a home run, a stolen base, and producing some eye-opening exit velocities on his batted […]

Connelly Early Shines in Final Spring Audition

Boston Red Sox pitching prospect Connelly Early made his final case for an Opening Day roster spot on Wednesday, tossing five shutout innings against the Yankees in his fifth Grapefruit League appearance, allowing just one hit and two walks while striking out seven. He was also charged with a wild pitch and hit a batter […]

When Will Jesus Made Make His Major League Debut?

Milwaukee Brewers infield prospect Jesus Made earned an invitation to big league camp this spring after cruising through three levels of the minor leagues last year with a .285/.379/.413 slash line, nine home runs, and 47 steals in 115 games, finishing the year in Double-A as an 18-year-old. The Dominican slugger was reassigned to minor-league […]

Abimelec Ortiz Optioned to Triple-A

The Washington Nationals announced on Wednesday that they optioned first baseman/designated hitter Abimelec Ortiz to Triple-A Rochester. The left-handed slugger had spent his entire career in the Texas organization before being acquired this offseason in the MacKenzie Gore trade. He showed well in his first taste of Triple-A pitching in 2025, slashing .283/.388/.565 with nine […]

Andrew Painter Fires Four Scoreless in Final Spring Tune-Up

On Wednesday, Philadelphia Phillies pitching prospect Andrew Painter made what is likely his final spring appearance before the regular season gets underway, twirling four innings of one-hit ball against the Braves, allowing just one hit and a walk while striking out three. The Phils' top pitching prospect had a bumpy outing his last time out […]

Matthew Liberatore Named Cardinals Opening Day Starter

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Matthew Liberatore will get the nod as the team's Opening Day starter in 2026, taking on the Tampa Bay Rays at home on Thursday, March 26. The left-hander was second on the team in wins, quality starts, and strikeouts last season behind Sonny Gray, who is no longer with the […]

Gerrit Cole Sees Good Velocity in Abbreviated Spring Debut on Wednesday

New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole (elbow) made his first Grapefruit League start of 2026 on Wednesday against the Red Sox, and although the one-inning outing was short, it was encouraging. The veteran threw only 10 pitches, but his fastball averaged 97.1 mph and topped out at 98.7 mph; for reference, the right-hander's fastball […]

Edward Florentino a Powerful Bat to Keep an Eye on in 2026

Pittsburgh Pirates outfield prospect Edward Florentino broke in with the team as a 17-year-old playing in the Dominican Summer League in 2024, then dominated the Florida Complex League in 2025 to the tune of a .347 batting average, six home runs, and a 1.085 OPS in 29 games before earning a promotion to Single-A. The […]

Chase DeLauter Looking Like a Potential Breakout Candidate in 2026

Cleveland Guardians outfield prospect Chase DeLauter is looking comfortable at the plate this spring, collecting at least one hit in seven of the nine games he's played, going 10-for-25 (.400) with three doubles, a home run, and a 2:2 BB:K. The Guardians' second-ranked prospect is expected to break camp as the team's everyday right fielder […]

Could Colt Emerson Make the Mariners' Opening Day Roster?

Seattle Mariners shortstop prospect Colt Emerson remains in camp with the team with just over a week until the regular season begins. It's a near certainty that Emerson will debut with the club in 2026, but it's trending toward being sooner rather than later. Ambuguity around the health of J.P Crawford's ailing shoulder could be […]

Carter Jensen Continues to Look Like a Value Pick at Catcher

Kansas City Royals catching prospect Carter Jensen appears poised to break camp as the team's designated hitter for 2026, while also likely to spell veteran Salvador Perez behind the plate on occassion. The Royals' top-ranked prospect surged through the upper levels of the minor leagues last year, culminating with an impressive 20-game debut in the […]

Carson Benge Remains on Track to Begin Season in the Majors

New York Mets outfield prospect Carson Benge remains on track to make the team's Opening Day roster. The Mets optioned outfielder MJ Melendez to Triple-A on Tuesday, clearing away some of Benge's competition for the role of right fielder. The Mets' top offensive prospect has continued to put together a strong spring, now 13-for-32 (.406) […]

Later-Round Fantasy Baseball Prospects for 2026 - Drafts Targets, Sleepers, and Stashes

Rookies are a great way to build your fantasy baseball team with some exciting new talent, and there are some exciting young players ready to emerge onto the scene in 2026. Some rookies are being drafted very early in drafts, but others can bring great value late in drafts with one of your last few […]

Zach Neto Expected to Return to Game Action on Tuesday

Los Angeles Angels shortstop Zach Neto (wrist) will return to game action on Tuesday, according to Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register. It could either be a minor league game or the Angels' Cactus League game against the Cubs. Regardless of which it is, it appears his return from a sprained left wrist is […]

Matt McLain to Bat Second in the Cincinnati Lineup

Cincinnati Reds second baseman Matt McLain will bat second in the lineup this season, per manager Terry Francona. The 26-year-old is scorching hot this spring, hitting .553 (21-for-38) with six home runs, a pair of steals, and a 5:4 BB:K. The former first-rounder showed a strong blend of contact, power, and speed potential in his […]