Projecting Power in 2022: Increases in Air% Exit Velocities

Balls come and balls go but regardless of the current offensive environment in baseball, what hasn't changed is our fantasy love of power. But after the happy fun ball days of 2019 and 2020, the MLB went back to the lab in an attempt to deaden some of the bouncy ball hijinks. And deaden they […]

A Seam-Sifted Ranger Suárez Looks to Quantum Leap

He was a starter throughout his minor league career but Philadelphia's Ranger Suárez had only seen action from the bullpen in the big leagues before 2021 and again started this past year as a reliever. Suárez dominated from the jump, posting a 1.12 ERA (3.32 FIP) over 40.1 IP, starting as a multi-inning fireman role and […]

2022 Fantasy Breakout Candidates - NL Central 

Identifying potential fantasy breakout players in drafts each Spring can be crucial in building a championship-winning roster for fantasy managers. Often times the breakout players, if they do in fact break out, will significantly outperform their draft position and help you find success. It may be a late-round pick performing like a quality contributor who […]

2022 Fantasy Breakout Candidates - NL East

One of the keys to a successful fantasy baseball draft, and a subsequently successful season, is finding players who outperform their draft position. By and large, you’re more likely to find those types of players later in drafts. Sure, you’ll find those relatively early-round players who perform at an elite level – think Max Muncy or […]

2022 Fantasy Baseball Breakout Candidates - AL West

Even with the offseason now in full swing with players receiving qualifying offers, it’s never too early to start identifying the players who’ll help your team take the title next season. Of course, impact fantasy players taken near the top of drafts are crucial for fantasy contenders. But, finding breakout candidates late in the draft […]

Tyler Stephenson - Fantasy Baseball Draft Values

Welcome back RotoBallers! We had the first action of the MLB hot stove period yesterday when Tucker Barnhardt was traded from Cincinnati to the Detroit Tigers. This trade should pave the way for more playing time for Cincinnati’s young backstop Tyler Stephenson. Stephenson is now bound to be a trendy late round pick at the […]

2022 Fantasy Baseball Breakout Candidates - AL East

As Major League Baseball’s postseason starts to move towards a conclusion, the greater fantasy baseball-playing world is probably either still basking in the glow of a fantasy championship or lamenting losses or missteps in coming up short. Either way, it’s never too early to start compiling a list of players who could help you win […]

2022 Fantasy Baseball Breakout Candidates - AL Central

It’s never too early to start laying the groundwork for a fantasy championship run next fall, whether you’re looking to repeat or not. Maybe you found success with 2021 breakout fantasy stars Tyler O’Neill or Cedric Mullins. Maybe you were a big believer in Austin Riley, Jordan Romano, or Jonathan India. Identifying and drafting or adding […]

Pitcher Advanced Metrics Studs and Duds - End of Season Review

Welcome back to RotoBaller’s Statcast pitcher Studs and Duds article series! Every week I have selected an advanced stat, chosen two top performers and two under-performers, and analyzed what those stats could mean for future fantasy output. I have covered both Statcast and Fangraphs metrics to help identify hidden value as well as sell-high candidates. With […]

Are You For Real? Surprising Pitcher Starts from Week 26

Welcome to Are You For Real?, a weekly column where we look at pitchers who turned in surprisingly good starts and try to determine whether they are the real deal. Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more, as we go to battle one more time in search of fantasy titles. This week we're […]

Are You For Real? Surprising Pitcher Starts from Week 25

Welcome to Are You For Real?, a weekly column where we look at pitchers who turned in surprisingly good starts and try to determine whether they are the real deal. We're already on Week 25, meaning it's the fantasy playoffs in head-to-head leagues, or crunch-time in Roto leagues. Every start, every win, and every strikeout […]

Pitcher Advanced Metrics Studs and Duds - SIERA For Week 26

Welcome back to RotoBaller’s Statcast pitcher Studs and Duds article series! Each week I have selected an advanced stat, chosen two top performers and two under-performers, and analyzed what those stats could mean for future fantasy output. As the season winds down, I'll revisit one of my favorite metrics: SIERA.  SIERA is a great metric […]

Are You For Real? Surprising Pitcher Starts from Week 24

Welcome to Are You For Real?, a weekly column where we look at pitchers who turned in surprisingly good starts and try to determine whether they are the real deal. This week we're looking at a trio of pitchers who have been around the block for a while, but have come alive recently with some […]

Pitcher Advanced Metrics Studs and Duds - Pitch Run Values For Week 25

Welcome back to RotoBaller’s Statcast pitcher Studs and Duds article series! Each week I have selected an advanced stat, chosen two top performers and two under-performers, and analyzed what those stats could mean for future fantasy output. This week I will focus on a stat that describes how particular pitches have performed overall: run value. Run value […]

Are You For Real? Surprising Pitcher Starts from Week 23

Welcome to Are You For Real?, a weekly column where we look at pitchers who turned in surprisingly good starts and try to determine whether they are the real deal. This week we're looking at some of the young arms that non-contending teams are using to fill out their rotation for the end of the […]

Pitcher Advanced Metrics Studs and Duds - wOBA For Week 24

Welcome back to RotoBaller’s Statcast pitcher Studs and Duds article series! To those of you who have advanced to the fantasy playoffs or have locked up a spot, congratulations! Each week I have selected an advanced stat, chosen two top performers and two under-performers, and analyzed what those stats could mean for future fantasy output. This […]

Catcher's Corner Exam Room: Edward Cabrera

Eric Samulski of RotoBaller does a deep dive on Edward Cabrera, analyzing the Miami Marlins starting pitcher and explaining why fantasy baseball managers should be adding him as an upside stash for the end of the season. Be sure to also tune into RotoBaller Radio on SiriusXM (channel Sirius 210, XM 87) - every weekday morning between […]

Are You For Real? Surprising Pitcher Starts from Week 22

Welcome to Are You For Real?, a weekly column where we look at pitchers who turned in surprisingly good starts and try to determine whether they are the real deal. The youth went wild this week, as we're taking a look at three starting pitchers all under the age of 27 who turned in excellent […]

Pitcher Advanced Metrics Studs and Duds - Strikeout Rate For Week 23

Welcome back to RotoBaller’s Statcast pitcher Studs and Duds article series! Each week I have selected an advanced stat, chosen two top performers and two under-performers, and analyzed what those stats could mean for future fantasy output. This week I will focus on another broader stat that can has a direct influence on a pitcher's fantasy value: […]

Pitcher Advanced Metrics Studs and Duds - WHIP For Week 22

Welcome back to RotoBaller’s Statcast pitcher Studs and Duds article series! Each week I have selected an advanced stat, chosen two top performers and two under-performers, and analyzed what those stats could mean for future fantasy output. This week I will focus on a broader stat that can influence other aspects of a pitcher's game: walks and […]

Statcast Hitter Leaderboard - Second-Half xBA

As we revisit expected statistics such as xBA, it's only logical to focus on recent performance in the second half. In this week's column, I will evaluate the xBA leaderboard since the All-Star break, using 30 plate appearances as a minimum. Rather than run down the entire leaderboard, we'll skip over the obvious names and […]

Catcher's Corner Exam Room: Cal Quantrill

Eric Samulski of RotoBaller does a deep dive on Cal Quantrill, analyzing the Cleveland starting pitcher and explaining why fantasy baseball managers should be cautious about his recent run of success. Be sure to also tune into RotoBaller Radio on SiriusXM (channel Sirius 210, XM 87) - every weekday morning between 6-7 AM ET, Saturdays from 8-10 […]

Are You For Real? Surprising Pitcher Starts from Week 21

Welcome to Are You For Real?, a weekly column where we look at pitchers who turned in surprisingly good starts and try to determine whether they are the real deal. It's late August, which means all fantasy sports eyes are on one thing: the fantasy baseball playoffs! We're down the contenders in most leagues, which […]

Are You For Real? Surprising Pitcher Starts from Week 20

Welcome to Are You For Real?, a weekly column where we look at pitchers who turned in surprisingly good starts and try to determine whether they are the real deal. It was apparently the week of the lefty and the week of the Diamondback, as we're breaking down three southpaws in this piece, including two […]

Statcast Hitter Leaderboard - Second-Half Exit Velocity

We're a month removed from the All-Star break so it's time to narrow our focus on second-half stats. In other words, it's time to look the players on your roster in the eye and ask, "What have you done for me lately?" They won't respond, but it's a good mental exercise for you to practice. […]

Pitcher Advanced Metrics Studs and Duds - Barrels/Batted-Ball Event For Week 21

Welcome back to RotoBaller’s Statcast pitcher Studs and Duds article series! Each week I have selected an advanced stat, chosen two top performers and two under-performers, and analyzed what those stats could mean for future fantasy output. This week I will focus on the rate of barrels per batted-ball event a pitcher allows (Brls/BBE %). Barrels are […]

Hidden Gems On Bad Teams

The MLB trade deadline has come and gone, the contenders are separated from pretenders, and the playoff race is coming into focus. Yes, it's the dog days of summer, and fantasy managers are getting reminded how long baseball season is during non-pandemic years. As the good teams enter the most exciting portion of the schedule, […]

Catcher's Corner Exam Room: Carlos Hernandez

Eric Samulski of RotoBaller does a deep dive on Carlos Hernandez, analyzing the Kansas City Royals starting pitcher and explaining why fantasy baseball managers should be buying in on his high upside. Be sure to also tune into RotoBaller Radio on SiriusXM (channel Sirius 210, XM 87) - every weekday morning between 6-7 AM ET, Saturdays from […]

Are You For Real? Surprising Pitcher Starts from Week 19

Welcome to Are You For Real?, a weekly column where we look at pitchers who turned in surprisingly good starts and try to determine whether they are the real deal. Things are starting to heat up in the baseball universe, with fewer than two months left in the regular season. With many contenders looking to […]