Using Sabermetrics for Fantasy Baseball: Spin Rate

Spin rate has become one of the most recognizable Statcast metrics, with supporters of a given pitcher highlighting his spin rates to make their case. Unfortunately, the baseball world has done a lousy job conveying what spin rate really means. The result has been a ton of owners who know that spin rate exists, but […]

J.D. Davis To See Time At Third Base In Camp

The New York Mets plan to have infielder/outfielder J.D. Davis practice 50 percent of his time at third base this spring, even if playing time during Grapefruit League games keeps him in the outfield. This plan is being put into place in order to give Davis defensive confidence at the position before Opening Day. Jeff McNeil […]

2020 Fantasy Baseball Sleepers - Khris Davis

The Oakland Athletics finished 2019 with a record of 97-65, which was good for a second-place finish in the AL West and a second-consecutive wildcard birth. They did this despite a statistically down season from their superstar, Khris Davis. Davis struggled mightily in 2019 by slashing .220/.293/.387 with 23 HR, 73 RBI, 61 R, and […]

ADP Cost Analysis: Trey Mancini vs. Christian Walker

One of the most important skills in a fantasy draft is the ability to identify a player with similar value at a lower ADP. When you're able to find similar production at a lower cost, this allows you to use an earlier pick to fill out other areas of your roster, resulting in a stronger […]

Franklin Barreto Has Chance To Win Second Base Job

Oakland Athletics second baseman Franklin Barreto has a real chance to make the team's Opening Day roster as the starter at second base after previously being blocked by Jurickson Profar and Jed Lowrie. “There’s not one particular guy in front of him right now. This is his best shot,” manager Bob Melvin said. The 23-year-old […]

Jimmy Nelson Could Work Out Of Bullpen

Los Angeles Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said that starting pitcher Jimmy Nelson could become a Brandon Morrow-type of late-inning reliever if he's not in the starting rotation. Nelson isn't a lock to win a rotation spot, especially since he's already dealing with a groin injury in camp. The 30-year-old had a fine […]

Alex Reyes Being Stretched Out As Starter

St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Alex Reyes is on a starter's workload this spring and impressed during live batting practice on Monday. With Miles Mikolas (elbow) expected to miss the start of the regular season, Reyes, along with John Gant, Ryan Helsley, Genesis Cabrera, Daniel Poncedeleon and Austin Gomber, will be looking to win the No. […]

Brad Peacock Likely Out Of Rotation Competition

Houston Astros pitching coach Brent Strom said that starting pitcher Brad Peacock (neck) is likely out of the competition for the No. 5 rotation spot because of his injury. With Peacock likely to start in the bullpen when he's ready, the No. 5 spot will come down to Josh James, Austin Pruitt or Framber Valdez. […]

Gabe Kapler Excited About Billy Hamilton Signing

The San Francisco Giants recently signed outfielder Billy Hamilton to a minor league contract, and manager Gabe Kapler is already thinking of ways to implement his speed. Hamilton has historically been an elite source of steals in fantasy leagues, but his below-average hitting skills have ousted him from regular playing time over the past few […]

Trea Turner Could Hit Third In Lineup

Washington Nationals shortstop Trea Turner is an option to hit third in the batting order now that Anthony Rendon is with the Angels. "We'll see. I talked to Davey briefly about it. I thought it was kind of a joke for the last month or so. But now I guess it's somewhat serious," Turner said. […]

Seth Lugo Has Small Fracture On Toe

New York Mets pitcher Seth Lugo (toe) has a small fracture on his left pinkie toe, but it's "no major concern," according to manager Luis Rojas. Lugo will take around three days off from throwing. It looks like this isn't an injury that will keep the 30-year-old out for the start of the regular season. […]

Bases Loaded Podcast - Relief Pitchers Preview

Mike Kurland (@Mike_Kurland) is joined by Jorge Montanez, Zach Braff and Mike Simione as they jump into their relief pitcher preview! Subscribe to the Bases Loaded podcast, part of RotoBaller Radio's Podcast Network. Like and Subscribe to the RotoBaller channel on Youtube to get all our latest podcasts and catch us on iTunes and BlogTalkRadio as well! […]

Keone Kela Dealing With Viral Infection

Pittsburgh Pirates closer Keone Kela (illness) didn't throw his scheduled live batting practice session on Tuesday because he's dealing with a viral infection. It's something that shouldn't keep Kela out for long. The 26-year-old (27 in April) right-hander will open the year as the team's ninth-inning man after posting an excellent 2.12 ERA, 1.01 WHIP […]

Padres Still Motivated To Move Wil Myers

The San Diego Padres and Boston Red Sox continue to discuss a potential trade involving outfielder Wil Myers in the last two days, according to sources. A deal to send Myers to Boston seems contingent on the Red Sox taking on roughly half of the $61 million owed to Myers over the next three years. […]

Red Sox Close To Signing Jonathan Lucroy

The Boston Red Sox are close to a deal with catcher Jonathan Lucroy on Tuesday, according to sources. Lucroy would become a depth option behind Christian Vazquez and Kevin Plawecki and would likely be settling for a minor league deal. The 33-year-old veteran backstop hit just .232/.305/.355 with eight homers and 36 RBI in 101 […]

Miles Mikolas To Miss Start Of Season

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Miles Mikolas (elbow) will miss the start of the regular season because of a flexor-tendon issue in his right elbow, according to manager Mike Shildt. Mikolas will receive a platelet-rich plasma injection and be re-evaluated in three to four weeks. The right-hander had a PRP injection after last season ended […]

2020 Fantasy Baseball Sleepers - Jose Urquidy

It's been a tumultuous winter for the Houston Astros. Not only were they embroiled in a sign-stealing scandal (which has, naturally, progressed apace to unsubstantiated conspiracy theories about ever more sophisticated methods of cheating), but they watched staff ace Gerrit Cole sign a mammoth free-agent deal with the Yankees. Plenty of virtual ink has been […]

2020 Fantasy Baseball Sleepers - Mark Canha

Mark Canha had a solid 2019 campaign and is one player that probably deserves more attention heading into 2020 than he is currently receiving. He finished the season hitting .273/.396/.517 with 26 HR, 58 RBI, 80 R, and 67 BB in 410 at-bats. It was a very productive line for a guy that played in […]

Aaron Judge Dealing With Shoulder Discomfort

New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge (shoulder) is not taking batting practice on Tuesday as he deals with shoulder discomfort. Judge is expected to participate in most of the team’s workout on Tuesday, so the Yankees are likely just being extra cautious in this case. Judge tore the cover off of the ball again in […]

Four Prospect Sleepers for 2020 Redraft Leagues

Recently, Rotoballer launched a list of the Top 50 MLB prospects for the coming year. The top of the list was populated by names such as Gavin Lux, Luis Robert, and Brendan McKay. These players, among others, feature a promising combination of talent and favorable playing time projections to suggest they’ll be the cream-of-the-crop among […]

Francis Martes Suspended 162 Games

Houston Astros pitcher Francis Martes was suspended for 162 games without pay after testing positive for Boldenone, a performance-enhancing drug. Martes was suspended for a similar offense last March, so he'll miss the entire 2020 season for his second violation. The 24-year-old Dominican last pitched in the big leagues in 2017, making 32 appearances (four […]

Nick Solak Has Chance To Be Starter In Center Field

Texas Rangers second baseman/outfielder Nick Solak has a chance to win the starting center field job this spring. Acquired from the Rays last year, Solak hit a cool .293/.393/.491 with five home runs and 17 RBI in 33 games for the Rangers to finish the season. The 25-year-old ended the year ranked as the team's […]

Francisco Lindor Might Not Hit Leadoff

Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor, who is in negotiations with the team on a multi-year deal, might not hit leadoff in 2020. Lindor has been the team's primary leadoff hitter for the last two and a half years. He's hit 70 home runs in the last two years and could be better off in the […]

Brock Holt To Sign With Brewers

Utility player Brock Holt has agreed to a deal with the Milwaukee Brewers, pending a physical, MLB Network insider Ken Rosenthal reported Monday night. Holt finished his seventh season with the Red Sox with a .297 batting average, 39 runs scored and 31 RBI in 259 at-bats. He figures to serve as a super-utility man […]

Giancarlo Stanton Fully Healthy Entering Spring Training

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that outfielder Giancarlo Stanton is fully healthy and should make his spring training debut on February 24th. Stanton only managed to play in 18 games last season as he battled a variety of injuries, so his health will be important to monitor as fantasy drafts approach. Stanton is […]

Jake Cronenworth Offers Two-Way Abilities

San Diego Padres infielder/pitcher Jake Cronenworth will work primarily as a fielder this spring training. Cronenworth, who joined the Friars along with outfielder Tommy Pham from the Tampa Bay Rays this offseason, is competing for a roster spots among a deep crew of infielders. The 26-year-old posted a .949 OPS with 10 homers and 12 steals […]

Avisail Garcia, Ryan Braun To Split Time In Right Field

Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell said that outfielders Avisail Garcia and Ryan Braun will share time in right field this year, with Braun also playing some first base. Christian Yelich will move from right field to left field in 2020. Braun, 36, managed to play in 144 games for Milwaukee last year, hitting .285 with […]

Garrett Richards Shouldn't Be Limited In 2020

San Diego Padres starter Garrett Richards should have a restriction-free workload in 2020, assuming he emerges from spring training unscathed. The 31-year-old underwent Tommy John surgery in July 2018 and returned to toss just 8 2/3 frames at the end of last season. Richards’ last full campaign was in 2015 when he posted a 3.65 […]

Yoenis Cespedes, Jed Lowrie Take Part In Monday's Workout

New York Mets outfielder Yoenis Cespedes (ankle, heels) and infielder Jed Lowrie (side) both took part in the team's workout on Monday. Lowrie had no physical restrictions, according to manager Luis Rojas. He took ground balls and live batting practice and is a full-go in practice. Cespedes took part in most activities but remains a […]

Jonathan Villar To Begin In Center Field

Miami Marlins manager Don Mattingly said that infielder Jonathan Villar will start camp working in center field. Villar will continue to get repetitions in the infield, but the Marlins are hoping Villar becomes their center fielder. It remains to be seen if Villar can stick at the position having little experience in the outfield, but […]