Gregory Polanco Close To Returning

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Gregory Polanco (shoulder) could play in minor league games as early as next week, according to Todd Tomczyk, the team's director of sports medicine. The 27-year-old had his 2018 season cut short due to surgery on his throwing shoulder. Despite playing in just 130 games, he set career highs of 23 HR, […]

Felipe Vazquez Locked In On The Mound

Pittsburgh Pirates closer Felipe Vazquez appears to be in midseason form as spring training begins to wind down. During an appearance against the Tigers on Tuesday, the southpaw retired all four hitters he faced, including striking out the side in the fifth. Adam Berry of MLB.com noted that Vazquez hit 101 mph on the stadium […]

Blake Swihart Showing Up In Spring Training

Boston Red Sox catcher Blake Swihart has appeared in 10 games this spring and has been taking advantage of his chance to win the starting job in Beantown. A slash line of .360/.385/.480 with five RBI over 25 at-bats is far-and-away the best at the position, whereas Christian Vazquez and Sandy Leon are known more […]

Jung Ho Kang Named Opening Day Third Baseman

Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Jung Ho Kang will man the hot corner for the club on Opening Day, beating out Colin Moran, the club announced on Monday. Kang's big league career has been a roller coaster due to injuries and legal issues in Korea but he seems poised to make good on his past. This […]

Dustin Pedroia Will Begin Season in Extended Spring Training

Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia (knee) will not be with the team on Opening Day, announced manager Alex Cora on Monday. However, the skipper also noted that there have been no setbacks with the 35-year-old but he just needs some more reps once major league camp breaks to build back up to game […]

Adam Frazier on a Tear in Spring Training

Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Adam Frazier has been mashing his way through his first full week of spring training. Over just 16 at-bats, the 27-year-old has five hits, including two doubles and two home runs, while driving in five and scoring three times. It's expected that he will be the lead-off hitter for the Pirates […]

Joe Musgrove Set to Make Spring Debut on Friday

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Joe Musgrove (abdomen) is set to pitch in his first Grapefruit League game of the spring on Friday night against the Tampa Bay Rays. The right-hander threw three innings in a simulated game last Saturday but this will be his first live game action. Slated to be the Pirates number four […]

Rafael Devers Continues Strong Spring

Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers finished 2-for-3 and scored once in Thursday's 4-4 tie with the Tigers. So far this spring, the 22-year-old leads his team with 13 hits in 11 games, including a home run, two doubles, and a triple, while also driving in four. However, the most important number is that […]

Steve Pearce Homers Twice on Thursday

Boston Red Sox first baseman Steve Pearce broke an 0-for-11 spring training streak in a strong way by mashing two home runs in a 4-4 tie with the Tigers on Thursday. Despite his 2018 postseason heroics, today's showing is a direct example of what to expect from Pearce. Periods of ineffectiveness at the plate are […]

Eduardo Rodriguez Fans Eight On Thursday

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez worked five innings, allowing three runs on three hits, while striking out eight and walking two against the Detroit Tigers. It was a solid day all around for the 25-year-old but a three-run second put a damper on the outing. The Sox are hoping to stretch out the […]

Chris Sale Throws in Simulated Game Monday

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale completed three innings of work against the organization's minor leaguers in a simulated game on Monday. He fanned five hitters, walked one, allowed three hits, and also hit a batter in the outing. The most important note is that his fastball sat between 91-93 mph as he continues […]

ADP Cost Analysis - Jameson Taillon vs Steven Matz

Value is everyone’s favorite word come draft season in fantasy sports. Here at Rotoballer, we put a big emphasis on comparisons to make sure you have the right information to assemble the best team in your league. In this edition of Early ADP Analysis, we’ll focus on two young starting pitchers who have dealt with […]

Jung Ho Kang (3B, PIT) - Fantasy Baseball Draft Sleepers

BALLER MOVE: Draft target ~pick 400 CURRENT ADP: ~460 overall ANALYSIS: Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Jung Ho Kang is the pure definition of a sleeper. After missing the entire 2017 season due to legal issues in his home country of South Korea, Kang re-obtained his work visa in April of 2018 and shortly returned to the organization […]

Biggest Breakouts of 2018 - Running Back

As volatile as running backs are on the real-life gridiron, they’re equally as volatile for us fantasy owners. Injuries, suspensions, and contract holdouts have recently plagued some of the bigger names in the NFL, allowing lesser-known entities to step into the limelight. These “breakout” players are what makes fantasy so rewarding because these are the […]

Jung Ho Kang - 2019 Fantasy Baseball Sleeper

Is there a better feeling in fantasy sports than drafting or claiming a guy that no one else even sniffs, but he pans out to be a valuable contributor to your roster? Aside from winning your league, finding that stud sleeper is what makes your countless hours of research and prep time well worth it. […]

Matthew Stafford Tosses Two Touchdowns in Week 17

Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford finished 20 of 32 for 266 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 31-0 win over the Green Bay Packers. This was one of Stafford's most complete games of the season, all missing his top target wide receiver Kenny Golladay. He instead targeted Brandon Powell and Andy Jones a combined 21 […]

Kenny Golladay Targeted 15 Times On Sunday

Detroit Lions wide receiver Kenny Golladay caught six of his 15 targets for 58 yards in the 27-9 loss to the Vikings on Sunday. This marks the second game this year that Golladay has garnered 15 targets and his fourth double-digit target game of the season. This kind of volume usually leads to insane fantasy […]

Theo Riddick Silenced Against Vikings

Detroit Lions running back Theo Riddick received just three carries for two yards, while also catching four passes for a measly seven yards. This was one of the worst games of the season for the pass-catching back but it doesn't help his case that the offense has been down right awful recently. He typically has […]

Zach Zenner Leads Team With 45 Rushing Yards

Detroit Lions running back Zach Zenner toted the ball eight times for 45 yards in Sunday's 27-9 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. He also caught two passes for 22 yards in the loss. Zenner has been very active since Kerryon Johnson got injured a few weeks back, and has been splitting carries with LeGarrette Blount. […]

LeGarrette Blount Has 13 Touches Against Vikings

Detroit Lions running back LeGarrette Blount took 11 carries for 29 yards and caught just two of four targets for negative five yards. He led the team in carries but it was Zach Zenner that made the most of his opportunities, rushing for 45 yards. Blount isn't a viable fantasy option due to the emergence […]

Matthew Stafford Benched In Week 16 Loss

Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford finished 18 of 32 for 116 yards and no touchdowns in Sunday's 27-9 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Stafford was eventually replaced by backup Matt Cassel in the fourth quarter. His play as of late is indicative of how the Lions have played as a team and this loss added […]

Detroit Lions Defense Performs Admirably Against Bills

The Detroit Lions defense/special teams surrendered just 14 points in a tough 14-13 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. The Lions held the Josh Allen-led Bills to just 312 yards of total offense in the loss, but they weren't able to force any turnovers in the effort; something they have done at least once […]

Levine Toilolo Returns Hauls In Four Passes Against Bills

Detroit Lions tight end Levine Toilolo caught all four of his targets for 28 yards in the loss to Buffalo on Sunday. Toilolo has been the only tight end used in this offense recently and in turn has provided the most steady play from the position all season. He's now caught 12 passes for 144 […]

Brandon Powell Finishes With Three Reception In Week 15

Detroit Lions wide receiver Brandon Powell caught all three of his targets for 11 yards, while also taking a carry for four yards in the 14-13 loss to the Bills on Sunday. This was the busiest game of Powell's young career, having only caught one career pass coming into the game. While his name as […]

TJ Jones Catches Just One Pass In Week 15

Detroit Lion wide receiver TJ Jones caught one of three targets for just five yards in Sunday's loss to the Bills. Jones was expected to be the direct beneficiary to Bruce Ellington (hamstring) missing the game but that was not the case. Three targets ties his season-high but he still has nothing worthwhile to show […]

Andy Jones Finds The End Zone In Week 15

Detroit Lions wide receiver Andy Jones caught two passes for just nine yards but he scored his first career touchdown in the loss to Buffalo on Sunday. It's nice to see Matthew Stafford connecting with other receivers than Kenny Golladay but Jones isn't a game changer the Lions are looking for. It's impossible to trust […]

Kenny Golladay Hits Century Mark In Week 15

Detroit Lions wide receiver Kenny Golladay caught seven of eight targets for 146 yards in Sunday's loss to the Bills. This is the third game this season in which Golladay has had over 100 receiving yards; it was the first time since Week 11. Golladay has enjoyed decent success as the Lions WR1; however, the […]

Zach Zenner Scores In Week 15

Detroit Lions running back Zach Zenner took 10 carries for 45 yards, while also finding pay dirt in the loss to the Bills on Sunday. The score was Zenner's second on the season and the second in consecutive weeks. He also caught three passes in the game, but didn't net any positive yardage. The 27-year-old […]

LeGarrette Blount Lays An Egg Against Bills

Detroit Lions running back LeGarrette Blount took seven carries for just nine yards in Sunday's loss to the Bills. This continues a trend downward for Blount, as both Zach Zenner and Theo Riddick have been receiving the bulk of the rushing work. The bruising back heavily relies on volume to produce, so on an offense […]

Theo Riddick Sees 10 Touches In Week 15

Detroit Lions running back Theo Riddick rushed for 47 yard on just eight carries, while also hauling in two passes for a paltry nine yards in the loss to the Bills on Sunday. Riddick has seen an increase in carries the past three games which typically would help increase his floor; however, it has taken […]