Andrew Painter Sharp in Spring Debut, Emerging as Favorite for Starting Role

Philadelphia Phillies right-handed pitching prospect Andrew Painter was sharp in his spring training debut and is making a strong case to earn the final role in the starting rotation at the beginning of the campaign. Painter was given the starting nod on Sunday afternoon and tossed two shutout frames. He did not allow a hit […]

Joe Musgrove Sharp in Simulated Game, Quickly Approaching Spring Training Debut

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Joe Musgrove (elbow) was sharp in a simulated game early this week and is making a strong case to debut in spring training sometime next week. Musgrove is working his way back from Tommy John surgery but is slated to be a full-go for the start of the regular season. […]

Kyle Freeland Nearing Spring Debut

Colorado Rockies left-handed pitcher Kyle Freeland (back) completed a successful bullpen session this week and could make his spring training debut as early as this coming week. The southpaw has been dealing with a minor back injury, but appears to be progressing quite well. Managers should continue to monitor his status, but he does not […]

Willi Castro Expected to be Aggressive on Basepaths in Colorado

Colorado Rockies infielder/outfielder Willi Castro is expected to be aggressive on the basepaths during the 2026 season. Rockies president of baseball operations Paul DePodesta noted that Castro's skill as a baserunner was one of the first qualities they took note of when they signed him to a two-year deal this offseason. While Castro only swiped […]

Gerrit Cole Set to Face Live Hitters Again on Friday

New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole (elbow) is set to face live hitters again on Friday. According to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com, the 35-year-old will face Aaron Judge, Trent Grisham, and Giancarlo Stanton in the live inning. Cole has progressed quite well during the early stages of camp and is making a strong case […]

Gunnar Hoglund Dealing with Knee Injury

Athletics right-handed pitcher Gunnar Hoglund (knee) is set to see a doctor regarding a knee injury he suffered earlier in camp, according to Marin Gallegos of MLB.com. The 26-year-old has not been on the mound since last May after undergoing season-ending hip surgery. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status, but it appears Hoglund […]

Jacob Lopez Throwing Live Batting Practice, Nearing Spring Debut

Athletics left-handed starting pitcher Jacob Lopez (elbow) has been throwing live batting practice this week and is tentatively lined up to make his spring training debut on March 8 against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The 27-year-old has been on the shelf since being placed on the 15-day injured list last August with a shoulder strain. […]

Colt Emerson Heating Up at Spring Training

Seattle Mariners top prospect Colt Emerson has begun to find his footing in spring training and is making a strong case to crack the Opening Day roster. On Tuesday, Emerson went 2-for-3 with two RBI and a run. In his next contest on Thursday, Emerson stayed hot at the dish, going 2-for-3 once again. He […]

Samuel Basallo Not Expected to Undergo Further Testing

Baltimore Orioles catching prospect Samuel Basallo (abdomen) is not expected to undergo further testing. The top prospect was removed from Thursday's game with an abdominal injury, but it appears the move was precautionary. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status over the next few days, but Basallo looks to have avoided a serious injury. […]

Charlie Condon Enjoying Hot Start to Spring Games

Colorado Rockies first base/outfield prospect Charlie Condon has been among the top hitters throughout the opening week of spring training games. The former third overall selection from the 2024 MLB Draft has gone 6-for-10 with two home runs and a 2:2 K:BB. The 22-year-old is in the mix to claim the starting first base job, […]

Aidan Miller Remains Without a Timetable

According to Lochlahn March of The Philly Inquirer, Phillies top infield prospect Aidan Miller (back) is still getting treatments on his back but remains without a clear timetable to resume hitting. March noted that the Phillies remain very cautious with the former 27th overall selection. The 21-year-old was in the mix to potentially crack the […]

Andrew Painter to Make Spring Debut on Sunday

Philadelphia Phillies right-handed pitching prospect Andrew Painter is set to make his spring debut on Sunday against the New York Yankees. Painter is currently in contention for the final spot in the starting rotation, and a strong showing in camp should put him as the favorite to claim it. Last summer, Painter returned to the […]

Carson Benge Making Strong Case to Earn Starting Role

New York Mets outfield prospect Carson Benge was perfect at the plate on Wednesday afternoon and continues to make a strong case to be on the Opening Day roster. Facing the Astros, the team's top hitting prospect went a perfect 3-for-3 at the dish (all singles). Given New York's current outfield situation, Benge could make […]

NHL Power Rankings: Norris Trophy Rankings (February Update)

The Olympic break is finally behind us, and it's time to enter the stretch run of the NHL season. After looking at the top-10 Hart Memorial Trophy candidates last week, it's time to shift our attention to the blue line and post the top-10 candidates for the James Norris Trophy. Since updating these rankings last […]

6 Breakout Pitchers For Fantasy Baseball Drafts

Identifying breakouts is the key to securing a fantasy championship. Last season, managers who bet on the talents of Garrett Crochet and Hunter Brown secured high-end starting pitchers that greatly outperformed their preseason ADP. Last week, we did a deep dive into my hitter fantasy baseball breakouts, and now it's time to turn our attention […]

2026 Fantasy Baseball Mock Draft - RotoBaller Staff's Favorite Picks and Roster Strategies

Hey RotoBallers! Fantasy baseball season is in full swing (pun intended), and it's time to begin enacting our offseason research into mock drafts. Mock drafts are the perfect way for you to simulate a real-draft experience and get a feel of which players will be available for you at your respective picks. This is now […]

Later-Round Fantasy Baseball Prospect Sleepers - Rookies To Stash (2026)

While draft season is in full swing, it is never too early to begin looking at high upside prospects to stash. In the final rounds of your draft, managers often select high-upside prospects who have a path to an early MLB debut. Last season, those who either drafted Nick Kurtz or stashed him early in […]

The #1 Overall Quarterback for 2026 Fantasy Football - Seven Candidates for QB1

The quarterback position can often be the difference between winning and losing your league. If you strike gold and draft a top-3 QB, your team will have a much greater chance to win on a weekly basis due to the upside that position possesses. In 2025, we saw Josh Allen take the QB1 crown once […]

Mickey Moniak Cleared for Spring Debut

Colorado Rockies outfielder Mickey Moniak (oblique) has been cleared to make his spring debut on Wednesday afternoon. The outfielder will serve as the team's designated hitter and bat in the leadoff spot. Moniak has been dealing with some lingering oblique tightness, but did not have to wait long to make his spring debut. Managers should […]

Romy Gonzalez Not Expected to be Ready for Opening Day

Boston Red Sox infielder/outfielder Romy Gonzalez (shoulder) does not see himself being ready for Opening Day, according to Christopher Smith of MassLive.com. Gonzalez expressed that his ramp-up would be "too quick" if he tried to be ready for Opening Day. Last season, Gonzalez appeared in a career-high 96 games at the MLB level and looked […]

Jac Caglianone Launches First Spring Home Run on Tuesday

Kansas City Royals outfielder Jac Caglianone launched his first home run of spring training during Tuesday's contest against the Cincinnati Reds. The former top prospect hit a 460-foot long shot off Reds left-handed pitcher Brandon Williamson. Per Statcast, Caglianone hit the ball 115.2 mph. Caglianone made his MLB debut last summer but was unable to […]

Joe Ryan Plays Catch from 90 Feet

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Joe Ryan (back) was able to play catch from 90 feet on Tuesday, according to Matthew Leach of MLB.com. The right-hander underwent an MRI over the weekend after feeling soreness in his lower back. However, it appears Ryan is not facing a serious injury, as he has already resumed baseball activities. […]

Jackson Jobe Begins Playing Catch

Detroit Tigers right-handed pitcher Jackson Jobe (elbow) is set to play catch up to 105 feet three times this week, according to MLB.com. The former top pitching prospect is still working his way back from the Tommy John surgery he underwent last June. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his progress, but he still has […]

Dillon Dingler Expected to be Ready for Opening Day

Detroit Tigers catcher Dillon Dingler (elbow) is working through a return-to-play throwing progression this week and is quickly approaching his return. The backstop is expected to be a full-go for Opening Day. Dingler had a delayed start to the offseason after undergoing arthroscopic surgery in January. Managers should continue to monitor the 27-year-old's status, but […]

Nathan Church a Name to Closely Monitor in Spring Training

St. Louis Cardinals outfield prospect Nathan Church went deep in his spring debut over the weekend and is a name to follow amid the team's current outfield depth. With starting left fielder Lars Nootbaar (heel) expected to miss the start of the season, Church could claim a starting role with a productive showing in camp. […]

AJ Blubaugh in Competition for Final Rotation Spot

Houston Astros right-handed pitching prospect AJ Blubaugh is in competition for the final rotation spot, according to Chandler Rome of The Athletic. The team's No. 13-ranked prospect on MLB.com will be competing alongside the favorites, Spencer Arrighetti and Lance McCullers Jr.; however, Rome has noted that Blubaugh, Peter Lambert, and Ryan Weiss have begun to […]

Ryan Waldschmidt Showcasing Power Upside in Spring Games

Arizona Diamondbacks outfield prospect Ryan Waldschmidt has already begun to showcase his power upside as he looks to claim a spot on the Opening Day roster. Through his first three games (10 at-bats), the team's top hitting prospect has hit a double and gone deep while posting an .873 OPS. The Kentucky product has also […]

Jonathon Long Takes Swings on Tuesday, Progressing Through Injury

Chicago Cubs first base prospect Jonathon Long (elbow) took some swings on Tuesday, according to Meghan Montemurro of The Chicago Tribune. Long suffered this injury during a spring training contest over the week but appears to be progressing rather well. Cubs manager Craig Counsell also noted that is "soreness is dissipating." Montemurro also noted that […]

JR Ritchie Tosses Two Clean Frames, Continues to Make Case for Early Promotion

Atlanta Braves right-handed pitching prospect JR Ritchie tossed two shutout frames in his spring training debut and continues to make a strong case for an early 2026 promotion. He entered the game after Atlanta southpaw Chris Sale logged two innings himself. Ritchie would not surrender a hit and would hold a 1:1 K:BB over this […]

Bubba Chandler Stumbles in Spring Training Debut

Pittsburgh Pirates right-handed pitching prospect Bubba Chandler struggled in his spring debut on Monday afternoon against the New York Yankees. Across 1 1/3 innings, the top prospect allowed four earned runs with a high four free passes. He did not allow a hit and added two strikeouts. Chandler's command was a major issue during the […]