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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Ke'Bryan Hayes Stays Hot Monday

Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes continued his hot hitting in Monday's 11-2 Grapefruit League rout of the Phillies. The 27-year-old went 3-for-4 with a run scored, making it three straight multi-hit performances for the youngster and the sixth of the spring. He's now 16-for-38 (.421) with two doubles, three home runs, nine RBI, and […]

Carlos Correa Hits First Spring Home Run

Minnesota Twins shortstop Carlos Correa hit his first home run of the spring on Monday in a 5-2 Grapefruit League win over the Red Sox. It was a solo shot off of Red Sox pitcher Nick Pivetta, and Correa finished the day 2-for-2 with a walk, an RBI, and one run scored. On the spring, […]

Max Fried Strikes Out Four In Six Innings Of Work

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Max Fried took the loss on Monday in a 7-3 Grapefruit League game versus the Tampa Bay Rays. Although he took the loss, the veteran pitched well. The southpaw hadn't given up a run through five innings of work, but allowed four singles and a sac fly that turned into four […]

Erik Swanson Dealing With Forearm Tightness

Toronto Blue Jays reliever Erik Swanson experienced tightness in his forearm and underwent an MRI. According to Jays manager John Schneider, there was no injury and no inflammation, so the 30-year-old will be shut down for "a day or two." The veteran had four saves and 29 holds for the Jays last season and figures […]

Jordan Romano Dealing With Elbow Inflammation

Toronto Blue Jays closer Jordan Romano is dealing with inflammation in his elbow. The 30-year-old had an MRI done and it showed no structural damage, so at this point it doesn't appear to be serious. The 2x All-Star will receive an anti-inflammatory injection Tuesday and will be shut down for three days, but will then […]

MJ Melendez Homers, Drives In Three On Saturday

Kansas City Royals outfielder MJ Melendez hit his second home run of the spring on Saturday in a 7-6 Cactus League loss to the Cubs. Melendez went 2-for-4 in the contest, with a double, home run, three RBI, and one run scored. He was also caught trying to steal third base. The Royals' leadoff hitter […]

Bo Bichette Hits First Home Run Of Spring

Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette hit his first homer of the spring in a 10-9 Grapefruit League loss to the Yankees on Saturday. The 26-year-old is having a productive spring, hitting .410 (16-for-39) with six RBI, nine runs scored, and two stolen bases. The 1:7 BB:K is a little eye-opening, although the walk rate […]

Nathaniel Lowe Not Likely To Be Ready For Opening Day

Texas Rangers first baseman Nathaniel Lowe was scratched from his start on March 7 and a subsequent MRI indicated that he suffered an oblique strain. There is no specific date set for his return but the 28-year-old is expected to miss at least four weeks, putting his status for Opening Day in serious jeopardy. The […]

Spencer Jones Blasts Two More Home Runs Saturday

New York Yankees prospect Spencer Jones hit a pair of home runs on Saturday in a 9-1 Spring Breakout win over the Blue Jays' prospects. The Yankees' second-ranked prospect per MLB.com went 3-for-4 on the day with four RBI and two runs scored. Jones has been showcasing his prodigious power all spring, including a majestic, […]

Giancarlo Stanton Crushes First Home Run Of Spring

New York Yankees outfielder Giancarlo Stanton clobbered his first home run of the spring on Saturday in a 10-9 Grapefruit League win over the Blue Jays. The 34-year-old demolished a 1-0 fastball from Jays pitcher Paolo Espino and finished the day 2-for-4 with a home run, two RBI, and a run scored. It took Stanton […]

Rafael Devers Blasts Third Spring Homer Friday

Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers hit his third home run of the spring in an 8-5 Grapefruit League win over the Twins on Friday. The majestic blast left JetBlue Park, traveling over the stands in right field. The lefty was 2-for-4 on the day with two RBI and a run scored. That brings […]

Abraham Toro Playing His Way Onto Roster

Oakland Athletics infielder Abraham Toro continued his strong spring on Thursday in a 3-1 Cactus League loss to the Cubs. The switch hitter went 1-for-2 in the game and is now 11-for-30 (.367) in the spring with a home run, seven RBI, four runs scored, and a 4:5 BB:K. Right now he's projected to make […]

Hunter Harvey Continues His Strong Spring

Washington Nationals reliever Hunter Harvey pitched one inning of relief on Friday in a 7-3 Grapefruit League win over the Mets. Harvey has had a nice spring, allowing six hits and two earned runs with a 10:1 K:BB over six and one-third innings pitched (2.84 ERA). The 29-year-old is coming off the best season of […]

Aaron Judge Set To Resume On-Field BP On Saturday

New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge (abdomen, oblique) is scheduled to resume taking on-field batting practice on Saturday. Even though the veteran didn't hit with the team on Friday, he was still taking swings in the cage. It sounds like Judge is progressing well and should be ready for Opening Day. The team won't rush […]

Paul Goldschmidt Stays Cold Friday

St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Paul Goldschmidt went hitless in four at-bats in an 8-4 Grapefruit League loss to the Marlins on Friday. The veteran has been scuffling this spring, hitting just .148 (4-for-27) including 11 strikeouts (33.3%) and just one home run. You don't want to put too much stock in spring stats, but […]

Jeremy Pena - Fantasy Baseball Draft Values and Sleepers (2024)

BALLER MOVE: Target in drafts ~pick 205 CURRENT ADP: ~240 ANALYSIS: From a power perspective, Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena's 2023 was a disappointment. In 2022, the rookie belted 22 home runs and had an above-average ISO of .173 in 521 at-bats, but in 2023 the HR total dipped to just 10 and the ISO went […]

Jarren Duran Has A Big Day At The Plate Friday

Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran doubled his spring hit total in an 8-5 Grapefruit League win over the Twins on Friday. The 27-year-old came into the game with three hits, none for extra bases, and finished the game with three more hits which included a double and a home run. The lefty also had […]

Bryan Woo - Fantasy Baseball Draft Values and Sleepers (2024)

BALLER MOVE: Target in drafts ~pick 195 CURRENT ADP: ~203 overall ANALYSIS: Seattle Mariners right-hander Bryan Woo was drafted in 2021 and logged just 282 IP in the minors before being thrust into action last season. The former sixth-round pick pitched admirably despite the lack of seasoning, ending the season 4-5 with a 4.21 ERA (4.13 SIERA), […]

Christian Encarnacion-Strand Clubs Third Home Run Of Spring

Cincinnati Reds first baseman Christian Encarnacion-Strand went 2-for-5 on Wednesday in a 19-11 Cactus League win over the Giants. His day at the plate included a home run, two RBI, and three runs scored. The 24-year-old is now batting .292 (7-for-24) with three home runs, eight RBI, and eight runs scored in the spring season. […]

Ronald Acuna Jr. Back In Lineup Thursday

Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (knee) is slated to return to Grapefruit League action on Thursday against the Tampa Bay Rays. The reigning MVP will serve as the designated hitter and bat in his usual leadoff spot in his first spring game back after he experienced soreness in his right knee last week. Obviously, […]

Tommy Edman Will Begin Season On Injured List

St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Tommy Edman (wrist) will begin the season on the injured list, according to manager Oliver Marmol. Edman has been recovering from wrist surgery he had in October of last year, but with lingering pain in the wrist, he's yet to make a Grapefruit League appearance. This announcement seemed like it was […]

Gerrit Cole Will Undergo More Testing, Unlikely For Opening Day

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone stated that there is no update on starting pitcher Gerrit Cole's (elbow) MRI and that last year's American League Cy Young winner will undergo more testing Tuesday. Boone also acknowledged that regardless of what is determined from the testing, Cole has not got enough work in this spring and […]