Jeurys Familia Sharp In Live Bullpen Session

New York Mets relief pitcher Jeurys Familia impressed during a live bullpen session on Thursday. He reportedly induced swings and misses and weak contact from Peter Alonso, Jeff McNeil and Dominic Smith. Familia is coming off of a horrific 2019 campaign in which he posted a 5.70 ERA, a 1.73 WHIP and 63 strikeouts in 60 […]

Finding Combo-Player Values Using Z-Scores and ATC Projections

Towards the end of last season, I asked the question – “Draft Speed or Pound the Power?” Loaded in this seemingly simple query are two contradictory approaches – one for power and one for speed. Power Approach 1: Home run totals are dramatically up in baseball these days. Therefore, there are many power bats available […]

ADP Showdown - Whit Merrifield vs Austin Meadows

Spring training is officially underway, which means baseball season is upon us! Maybe you haven’t started prepping for your drafts, but fortunately for you, there have already been plenty of drafts, which means that fantasy players out there have already begun dealing with tough draft position decisions. The outfield position is deep as always, but […]

2020 Keeper Value Rankings - Third Base

Keeper Value Rankings are intended for Keeper Leagues in which a fantasy owner must forfeit a designated draft pick in order to keep a player into the upcoming season. These rankings are based on Keeper "Values". In the marketing world, Value can be defined as the extent to which a good or service (player) is […]

2020 Dynasty Leagues: Players to Sell (Premium Content)

As draft day approaches in dynasty leagues, the window to sell-high on a big name has never been better. The first days of spring training are a chance to cash in on players who may have hit their peak value before the 2020 season begins. Bartering is a matter of risk vs reward. You hate […]

Dinelson Lamet Won't Be Coddled In 2020

San Diego Padres starter Dinelson Lamet should have no workload limitations this season. The 27-year-old former prospect underwent Tommy John surgery in 2018 and returned last year to toss 73 frames across 14 starts. After shaking the rust, Lamet closed the season strong, posting a 3.60 ERA and electric 13.5 K/9 in his final nine […]

Aristides Aquino Has Minor League Options Left

Cincinnati Reds outfielder Aristides Aquino, who burst onto the scene in 2019, has minor league options remaining, which will make it even tougher to crack the Opening Day roster after the Reds added outfielders Nick Castellanos and Shogo Akiyama in free agency. Aquino hit .320 with 14 home runs and a 1.160 OPS in his […]

Rowdy Tellez On The Roster Bubble

Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Rowdy Tellez appears to be facing an uphill battle to make the roster out of spring training. Toronto must pick three of infielder Joe Panik, outfielders Derek Fisher and Anthony Alford and Tellez. Fisher and Alford are out of minor league options and Panik is almost a sure bet to […]

Erick Fedde May Start In Minors

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Erick Fedde is eligible for a fourth year of minor league options because he's accrued fewer than five full seasons in the majors or minors. Fedde was drafted in 2014 but didn't start pitching in the minors until June of 2015 because of Tommy John surgery. Because he has another year […]

Franchy Cordero Destined For Platoon Role

It is increasingly likely that San Diego Padres outfielder Franchy Cordero will be part of a platoon in 2020. Even if Cordero outperforms projected starting center fielder Trent Grisham in spring training, MLB.com’s AJ Cassavell still believes he won’t play every day. The 25-year-old lefty owns a career .573 OPS against southpaws, paving the possibility […]

Tim Anderson, Yoan Moncada To Hit At Top Of Lineup

Chicago White Sox manager Rick Renteria said he's leaning towards shortstop Tim Anderson and second baseman/third baseman Yoan Moncada hitting in the first two spots in the lineup. Anderson hit a career-high .335 while slamming 18 home runs, driving in 56 and stealing 17 bases in 123 games. Moncada also had an excellent season, slashing […]

No Lingering Thumb Issues For Javier Baez

Chicago Cubs manager David Ross said there are no lingering thumb issues for shortstop Javier Baez. "He's told me no. I've asked him that. I asked him that a while back with the training in the offseason, and I haven't heard anything from our training staff on that subject. So as far as I know, […]

Ian Happ Will Mostly Play Center Field

Chicago Cubs infielder/outfielder Ian Happ will mostly play center field this spring, according to manager David Ross. It's not a surprise, given all the team's options at third and second base. David Bote, Daniel Descalso, Nico Hoerner and Jason Kipnis will battle for playing time at second base in camp. Happ's primary competition in center […]

Aaron Judge To Resume Hitting Friday

New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge (shoulder) threw again on Thursday and is expected to resume his hitting program on Friday while hitting in the cages and taking soft toss. The Yankees are being cautious with Judge after he came to camp with a sore right shoulder. The 6-foot-7, 282-pound slugger should be fine for […]

Luis Severino Shut Down With Forearm Soreness

New York Yankees starting pitcher Luis Severino (forearm) is being shut down with forearm soreness and will be evaluated on Friday. The arm issue has been bothering him off and on since last October. Severino is a high-end fantasy starter when he's healthy -- he was an All-Star in 2017 and 2018 -- but he […]

Jonathan Lucroy Had Surgery On Neck

Boston Red Sox catcher Jonathan Lucroy (neck) said he had surgery for a herniated disc in his neck that had been bothering him for the last three years. "I'd like to sit here and make excuses and say it's the reason I haven't been good, but I'm not going to. It did affect me," Lucroy […]

Ty Buttrey Expected To Be Ready For Opening Day

Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher Ty Buttrey (oblique) played catch on Thursday and threw at around 60-70 percent intensity and "felt good, no pain, throwing." Buttrey had an MRI exam less than week ago on his oblique, but he's expected to be ready by Opening Day as the primary eighth-inning setup man for Hansel Robles. […]

J.T. Realmuto Loses Arbitration Case

Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto lost his salary arbitration case and will make $10 million in 2020 instead of the $12.4 million he was requesting, according to a source. Realmuto was an All-Star for the second straight season in 2019 and hit .275/.328/.493 with a career-high 25 home runs, 83 RBI and nine stolen bases […]

Jimmy Nelson To Throw Bullpen Thursday

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Jimmy Nelson (back) is scheduled to throw a light bullpen session on Thursday. Nelson is a bit behind with a minor injury, but he still has time to be ready for Opening Day. The right-hander is competing with the likes of Dustin May, Ross Stripling and Tony Gonsolin for a […]

Dane Dunning To Throw Live Batting Practice Next Week

Chicago White Sox pitching prospect Dane Dunning (elbow) will throw his first live batting practice of the spring a week from this Friday. Dunning, who finished as the team's No. 5 prospect at the end of last season, missed all of 2019 while recovering from Tommy John surgery. The 25-year-old right-hander had a 2.71 ERA, […]

Keone Kela To Face Hitters Thursday

Pittsburgh Pirates closer Keone Kela (illness) is scheduled to face live hitters on Thursday after missing his first live batting practice session due to a viral infection. The Pirates have named Kela their ninth-inning closer heading into the 2020 season after he posted a very nice 2.12 ERA and 1.01 WHIP with one save in […]

Matt Magill Dealing With Shoulder Discomfort

Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Matt Magill (shoulder) is being held back after feeling shoulder discomfort prior to camp. However, Magill said the injury is minor and he threw a bullpen session on Tuesday without issues. The right-hander finished 2019 as the team's closer and is a leading candidate for the same role this season. Barring […]

Bases Loaded Podcast: Early Round Values

Mike Kurland (@Mike_Kurland) is joined by Jorge Montanez (@Roto_Nino) and Zach Braff (@BraffZ) and they discuss early round values. They go through and highlight a few players that are going inside the top 150 in ADP that offer a great chance to return profit. Subscribe to the Bases Loaded podcast, part of RotoBaller Radio's Podcast […]

Mitch Haniger Not Doing Much At Camp

Seattle Mariners outfielder Mitch Haniger (back) is back in camp but cannot do any lifting or much activities for another month following microdiscectomy surgery on his back. There remains no timetable for Haniger's return, but he fully expects to return this season and is relieved to finally have some answers for his back issues. It's […]

Anthony Rizzo Could Hit Second In Lineup

Chicago Cubs manager David Ross hinted that first baseman Anthony Rizzo could be the team's No. 2 hitter this year. Ross announced on Wednesday that he plans to have third baseman Kris Bryant hit in the leadoff spot. Having the team's best two hitters at the top of the order makes sense, although it could […]

Tanner Roark On Track For Start Of Season

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Tanner Roark (illness) is still sick but is improving, according to manager Charlie Montoyo. Montoyo said that Roark remains on track to be ready for the regular season. The right-hander had a 4.35 ERA and 1.39 WHIP while striking out 158 and walking 51 in 165 1/3 innings over 31 […]

Lourdes Gurriel, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. To Hit 3-4 For Jays

Toronto Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo expressed on Thursday that outfielder Lourdes Gurriel and third baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will hit third and fourth in the lineup for the club this season. Guerrero mentioned he likes batting behind Gurriel since pitchers attack both of them similarly. These bats will be in a prime position to […]

Carlos Carrasco Dealing With Leg Injury

Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco (leg) experienced discomfort in his right leg during a workout Wednesday and is scheduled to undergo further testing and imaging Thursday. He walked into the clubhouse Thursday morning using one crutch under his left arm but was able to put pressure on both legs. While the extent of the injury […]

Second Year Pitcher Preview: Fantasy Baseball 2020 ADP Analysis

Host Anthony Aniano of RotoBaller Radio discuss the 2020 fantasy baseball season and keeps you updated with all the latest news and analysis Be sure to tune into RotoBaller Radio on SiriusXM (channel Sirius 210, XM 87) - every weekday morning between 6-7 AM ET, every weekday afternoon from 1-2 PM ET, Saturday nights from 9-11 PM ET […]

Relief Pitchers to Target for Holds

Hold on... there are fantasy leagues that reward middle relievers, not just starters and closers? Yes, there are, and leagues that reward holds are one of the fastest-growing segments of fantasy baseball as real baseball continues to diminish the role of the starter in favor of building deep bullpens with multiple relievers that throw 95+ […]