About Justin Raffone - RotoBaller
Surprising Starts From Fantasy Baseball Pitchers: Who Will Regress?
When putting together a fantasy baseball team, starting pitching may be the most difficult position to account for. Chances are you won't put together a team full of set-it-and-forget-it aces. As the season goes on, injuries will occur and some sleepers will end up not making the big jump some people expected. On the other... Read More
When is Bryan Woo Coming Back? Fantasy Baseball Injury Update
Bryan Woo made his MLB debut in 2023, starting 18 games for the Seattle Mariners. While Woo struck out 93 batters in 87 2/3 innings, he finished the year with near-average run-prevention numbers. Woo made 16 starts for three levels in the MiLB in 2022 and nine in Double-A last season. His 3.74 ERA and... Read More
Fantasy Baseball Players Being Dropped After Rough Performances (Week 2)
Each year in fantasy baseball, there are bound to be a handful of players who weren't highly drafted but go out and perform well the first week. Managers will rush to pick them up, hoping the production continues throughout the year. If a player you drafted was moved to the IL and you now have... Read More
When is Gavin Williams Coming Back in Fantasy Baseball?
Before the 2023 season, Gavin Williams was considered a top pitching prospect in the minors. Williams was drafted in 2017 by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 30th round. Instead of signing, he decided to go to East Carolina University. In the 2021 draft, the Cleveland Guardians drafted Williams in the first round, 23rd overall.... Read More
Josh Jung Playing Saturday
Texas Rangers third baseman Josh Jung (calf) was at third base and hitting third in the lineup Saturday. It was announced earlier in the week that Jung would likely be ready for Opening Day and his getting into the lineup with five days left should bode well for his chances. ATC projects Jung to have... Read More
Corey Seager Gets Into Cactus League Action
Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager (hernia) made his Spring Training debut Saturday. Seager was at shortstop, hitting second to start the game. The 29-year-old had sports hernia surgery in January. Saturday marks his first game action of the spring. Even with the limited action, Seager is not a lock to open the season on the... Read More
Ceddanne Rafaela Makes Red Sox Roster
Boston Red Sox OF/IF Ceddane Rafaela will be part of the Opening Day roster. Rafaela is a center fielder who could play some second base with Vaughn Grissom out to start the season. Manager Alex Cora praised the 23-year-old for his athleticism and versatility; he also has a .275/.327/.569 slash line over 51 Spring Training... Read More
CBS Undervalued and Overvalued Picks - Fantasy Baseball ADP Advantages for Drafts
When looking at certain fantasy baseball players' worth, one area to look at is the average draft position (ADP). While you will want to keep your league settings in mind while trying to grasp how other managers are drafting, looking at a player's ADP can give you a hint of where to try to target... Read More
Blake Snell Signs With Giants - Fantasy Baseball Impact
The top free-agent pitcher still available and one of the best in the game has finally signed. Blake Snell agreed to a contract with the San Francisco Giants Monday night. It comes late in spring training after Snell saw his market fall short of what was expected, ultimately signing for two years worth $62 million... Read More
Grayson Rodriguez - Fantasy Baseball Draft Values and Sleepers (2024)
BALLER MOVE: Target in drafts ~pick 61 CURRENT ADP: ~73 overall ANALYSIS: Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Grayson Rodriguez had an up-and-down year in 2023 but came into his own in the second half of the season. A 7.35 ERA in the first half of the season was a big blow to his overall numbers and fantasy prospects.... Read More
Lucas Giolito Set To Undergo Surgery
Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Lucas Giolito (elbow) will have surgery on his right elbow Tuesday afternoon. The extent of the ligament damage isn't known. It's possible Giolito needs Tommy John surgery but he could also require just a brace procedure. Either way, he is most assuredly out for 2024. If he requires Tommy John,... Read More
Spencer Strider Turns In Dominant Spring Outing
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Spencer Strider was in midseason form on Monday. The ace struck out nine over five scoreless innings. He gave up two hits and a walk. For the spring, Strider has 20 K's while giving up nine hits and four walks over 14 scoreless innings. Arguably the top pitcher in fantasy circles,... Read More
Sonny Gray Completes Bullpen Session
St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Sonny Gray (hamstring) was able to throw a 20-pitch, light bullpen Monday. He is expected to throw a longer session on Wednesday or Thursday. After topping out at 92 mph on Monday, it sounds like Gray is trending in the right direction. The 34-year-old shouldn't have to build his arm... Read More
Gerrit Cole To Have MRI On Pitching Elbow
New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole (elbow) is set to have an MRI on his pitching elbow. This is a concerning release for both the Yankees and fantasy managers. Cole is arguably the top pitcher in baseball and fantasy alike. According to Yankees manager Aaron Boone, Cole is having trouble recovering between starts. Per Cole, it... Read More
Connor Norby Out A Few Days
Baltimore Orioles infielder Connor Norby (side) should be able to play in a few days. He is currently dealing with some soreness in his side. Norby had a .290/.359/.483 slash line in Triple-A last season, while hitting 21 home runs and stealing 10 bases. Norby will look to make it to the majors for the... Read More
Ian Gibaut To Rest A Few Days
Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Ian Gibaut will be shut down from throwing for 3-5 days because of a pronator strain. Manager David Bell stated it is "nothing serious." If that is the case for Gibaut, he shouldn't fall behind in the spring. The 30-year-old is a decent play in save+hold leagues after making 74 appearances... Read More
Sandy Alcantara Placed On 60-Day Injured List
Miami Marlins starting pitcher Sandy Alcantara (elbow) was put on the 60-day injured list Saturday. The move was made to clear a 40-man roster spot for the newly-signed Tim Anderson. Alcantara will miss the 2024 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in October. The recovery time for Tommy John is roughly 14 months, so Alcantara... Read More
Robert Stephenson Agrees To Deal With Angels
Relief pitcher Robert Stephenson will sign with the Los Angeles Angels, pending a physical. The former first-round pick struck out 77 of the 201 batters he faced in 2023, compiling 52 1/3 innings. Stephenson should work the late innings and closing is a possibility in Los Angeles, even though he has three career saves. After... Read More
Yariel Rodriguez Leaning Towards Blue Jays
Cuban pitcher Yariel Rodriguez looks to be close to signing with the Toronto Blue Jays. There is no signing, and it wouldn't be surprising to see another team swoop in, but ESPN's Enrique Rojas has been told by sources that Toronto has taken the lead for Rodriguez's services. The 26-year-old pitched in Japan from 2020-2022.... Read More
Chris Flexen In Agreement With White Sox
Free-agent right-hander Chris Flexen is in agreement on a one-year, $1.75 million deal with the Chicago White Sox. Flexen will have a chance to pitch out of the rotation for Chicago. He was ineffective last year, making 16 starts between Colorado and Seattle. The 29-year-old pitched to a 68 ERA+, 32 percent worse than league... Read More
Estevan Florial Headed To Cleveland In Trade With Yankees
Outfielder Estevan Florial has been traded by the New York Yankees to the Cleveland Guardians for pitcher Cody Morris. Florial was once a top prospect for the Yankees and has been a conundrum for dynasty managers for a few years now. He is 26, however, and his star has faded. With that being said, he... Read More
Kevin Kiermaier Returning To Toronto
Outfielder Kevin Kiermaier has agreed to a contract to head back to the Toronto Blue Jays, pending a physical. The 33-year-old doesn't offer much in fantasy outside of AL-only or the deepest of leagues, as he has a history of injuries and provides little in the run-scoring categories. He swiped 14 bases last season, however,... Read More
Mitch Garver Inks Contract With Seattle
Catcher Mitch Garver agreed to terms with the Seattle Mariners for two years. Garver is coming off a World Series title with division foe Texas but will look to help the Mariners improve upon their 88-win season. Cal Raleigh is Seattle's top backstop, and this signing shouldn't change that. Garver will likely be deployed as... Read More
Luis Patino Claimed By Padres
Right-hander Luis Patino was claimed off waivers by the San Diego Padres. Patino was released earlier in the week by the Chicago White Sox. The former top prospect threw 21 2/3 innings last season, compiling a 4.57 ERA and 5.33 FIP. Patino was formerly with the Rays and was a big piece of the trade... Read More
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. Running It Back With Arizona
Outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. will re-sign with the Arizona Diamondbacks on a three-year deal. Gurriel can opt out after year two and there is a club option for a fourth year. The 30-year-old made his first All-Star appearance in 2023. Gurriel Jr. was part of a December 2022 trade, moving from the Toronto Blue Jays... Read More
Justin Turner In Talks Of Going To Mets
Free agent infielder Justin Turner and the New York Mets are engaged in talks on a potential reunion. The 39-year-old produced a .276/.345/.455 slash line with 23 homers and 96 RBI in 146 games for the Boston Red Sox. These talks come on the heels of losing third baseman Ronny Mauricio to an ACL tear.... Read More
Edward Cabrera, Jesus Luzardo Drawing More Trade Interest
Miami Marlins starting pitchers Jesus Luzardo and Edward Cabrera continue to draw trade interest. Luzardo has three years of team control left while Cabrera has five. Rosenthal goes on to say new president of baseball operations Peter Bendix may be more open to moving a starter than previous general manager Kim Ng. Both pitchers are... Read More
Dylan Cease Middle Of Trade Rumors
Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Dylan Cease is being talked about in trade rumors. The White Sox don't seem inclined to move Cease right away, possibly until Yoshinobu Yamamoto is signed. The Reds and Orioles are contenders for Cease's services. The Yankees, Braves, Giants, and Rangers are also considering making a move, according to Rosenthal.... Read More
Trey Wingenter Sticking With Tigers
Relief pitcher Trey Wingenter signed a minor-league deal to stay with the Detroit Tigers. The deal has an invitation to Spring Training. Wingenter has a career 3.82 FIP. His 5.28 ERA over 90 games isn't as promising as his FIP, but his 121 strikeouts in 87 innings show his potential. The 29-year-old doesn't hold any... Read More
Trevor Gott Signs With Athletics
Relief pitcher Trevor Gott signed with the Oakland Athletics on Friday. The 31-year-old pitched with the Seattle Mariners and New York Mets last season, appearing in 64 games with a 4.19 ERA. The A's could try to deploy Gott in high-leverage situations, hoping to move him for a prospect at the deadline if he shows... Read More