Yulieski Gurriel (3B/2B/1B, HOU) - Fantasy Baseball Draft Values

BALLER MOVE: Draft target ~pick 200 ANALYSIS: In his second full season with the Houston Astros, Yuli Gurriel’s 2018 numbers were exactly as expected. He hit a cool .291 with 13 HR, 70 R, 85 RBI and he even chipped in five stolen bases. Other than superb contact skills, Gurriel is league average in all batted […]

Carlos Santana (3B/1B, CLE) - Fantasy Baseball Draft Values

BALLER MOVE: Draft target ~pick 170 ANALYSIS: Carlos Santana has been fairly consistent, and to some extent, you know what you are getting. Depending on your league and needs, that can be a good thing or a bad thing. If your league and roster construction require an upside play, then Santana would not be your guy. […]

Jorge Soler Slated For Everyday Role

When the Kansas City Royals traded for outfielder Jorge Soler, he was expected to slot into the middle of their lineup right away. Instead, he's been an adventure. Soler has bounced around between the majors and Triple-A as he's had a mix of ice-cold and white-hot weeks. He's also dealt with injuries, a breakout by […]

Yankees Not Worried About J.A. Happ

After a sensational stint with the New York Yankees following a trade last season, J.A. Happ re-signed with the Bronx Bombers. This Spring, however, has been an abysmal one for the 36-year-old veteran. He's surrendered 10 runs in 11 innings of work, but while getting routinely torched might worry his manager, that appears to be […]

Mets Imply Roster Spot For Peter Alonso

There are increasing signs that the New York Mets will indeed carry first baseman Peter Alonso on their Opening Day roster. With the season just days away from kicking off, Jed Lowrie and Todd Frazier both remain in injury limbo, opening up a spot for the 24-year-old first baseman. While the Mets haven't specifically stated he […]

Brad Keller Could Be Poised For Breakout

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Brad Keller was a Rule 5 pickup last year and instead of disappearing into the void like the vast majority of such claimed players, Keller was lights-out. Initially, he thrived off his sinker and a sky high ground ball rate. That severely limited his fantasy value because a strikeout rate […]

Domingo Santana (OF, SEA) - Fantasy Baseball Draft Values

BALLER MOVE: Draft target ~pick 190 CURRENT ADP: ~240 overall ANALYSIS: The second Santana was dealt to the Mariners this off-season, I boarded the hype train. He wasn't going to get the necessary amount of PA in Milwaukee's crowded outfield and is too talented to be sitting on the pine as a reserve. Last season […]

Luke Voit Will Avoid First Base Fate For Now

With just days until the start of the 2019 MLB regular season, the New York Yankees are still seemingly undecided over the starting first baseman. Entering the spring, the club had both Luke Voit and Greg Bird in competition for the everyday job, with the loser surely losing out on a spot on the big […]

Nick Markakis (OF, ATL) - Fantasy Baseball Draft Values

BALLER MOVE: Draft target ~pick 195 CURRENT ADP: ~250 overall ANALYSIS: Let's say you view Eaton as a significant injury risk, and Reyes as too vulnerable to playing time concerns. Markakis is the antithesis of both. He's averaged 670 plate appearances per season in his 13-year career and hasn't logged fewer than that since 2012. […]

Wily Peralta Expected To Remain In Save's Mix

Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Wily Peralta performed well last season when he took over the closer role late in the year, but some underlying concerns have led to him starting the season as part of a late-inning committee. While Peralta was effective at closing out games, he was constantly plagued by baserunners, mostly due […]

Adam Eaton (OF, WAS) - Fantasy Baseball Draft Values

BALLER MOVE: Draft target ~pick 155 CURRENT ADP: ~206 overall ANALYSIS: There's no mystery as to fantasy owners' trepidation toward investing in Eaton this year. In his first two seasons with the Nationals, Eaton has suited up for a mere 118 games thanks to a torn ACL in 2017 and last year's ankle issues. There […]

Kyle Farmer Will Start Season With Reds

Cincinnati Reds catcher and utility infielder Kyle Farmer will begin the season on the team's 25-man roster as a result of Scooter Gennett's injury. Farmer had lost out on the team's backup catcher position to Curt Casali earlier in the week, but will now serve as depth on the bench. The most AB he's gotten […]

Scooter Gennett To Injured List With Groin Strain

Cincinnati Reds second baseman Scooter Gennett (groin) will be out eight to 12 weeks with a right groin strain, the team announced on Saturday. Gennett injured himself while fielding a ball during Friday's Cactus League game against Milwaukee and his MRI confirmed the severity of the injury. This is bad news for Gennett owners as […]

Ian Kennedy Relegated To Bullpen

The Kansas City Royals have sent pitcher Ian Kennedy to the bullpen to start the season. It will be Kennedy's first time pitching out of the bullpen since 2009, but he absolutely wasn't working as a starter for the team. Kennedy has alternated between being bad and atrocious over the last two years, so something […]

Brian Flynn Sidelined With Elbow Issue

Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Brian Flynn has been hampered by a sore elbow, and that likely means he'll start the season on the Injured List if he makes the roster. Flynn shined with the team in 2016, but he fell apart in 2017, like much of the Kansas City pitching staff. The hope was […]

Danny Duffy Could Head To Bullpen In 2019

What the Kansas City Royals are going to do with ace starting pitcher Danny Duffy seems to be a bit of a conundrum at this point. Duffy is expected to start the season on the Injured List due to his ongoing shoulder injury, but when he does return, it's not even clear that he'll be […]

Alex Gordon Leaves Early Due To Tight Calf

Kansas City Royals outfielder Alex Gordon left Friday's game early with a tight left calf, but he seemed like he quickly recovered since he was seen jogging at a brisk pace between innings. Manager Ned Yost reported that Gordon wanted to keep playing, but Yost opted to be cautious with the 35-year-old veteran. Gordon is […]

After Hours with RotoBaller Radio: Starting Pitcher Preview Part 4

Host Anthony Aniano of RotoBaller Radio discuss the 2019 fantasy baseball season and gets you warmed up for the MLB preseason. This radio show is sponsored by our good friends over at RT Sports. Be sure to check out their Best Ball leagues, drafting every day, and their awesome contest the RealTime Fantasy Sports Baseball Championship with a […]

Francisco Liriano and Melky Cabrera Make Opening Day Roster

Pittsburgh Pirates veteran starting pitcher Francisco Liriano and outfielder Melky Cabrera have been assured by the team that they have made the Opening Day roster. Liriano played last season with the Detroit Tigers, finishing with a 4.58 ERA and 18.8 K%. Cabrera played 78 games with the Cleveland Indians last year, slashing .280/.335./.420 with six […]

Brad Peacock To Be Fifth Starter

Houston Astros manager A.J. Hinch confirmed on Friday that Brad Peacock will serve as the team's No. 5 starter to open the season. The 31-year-old right-hander started only one game last year after making 21 starts in 2017. He went 3-5 with a 3.46 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 96 K's and 20 walks in his […]

Carlos Martinez Not Ready To Throw Off Mound

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Carlos Martinez (shoulder) resumed throwing on Wednesday after taking a few days off for the birth of his daughter, but manager Mike Shildt said it will be "another couple weeks" before Martinez will throw off a mound. The team won't rush a decision on whether to use him as a […]

Julio Urias Moved To Dodgers Rotation

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Julio Urias will be a starter to begin the season, according to president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman. Urias was originally slated to begin the year in the bullpen, but a knee injury to Rich Hill has now pulled Urias into the rotation. He will return to relieving once Hill is […]

Matt Olson Undergoes Hand Surgery

Oakland Athletics first baseman Matt Olson suffered an injury to his right hand after fouling a ball off of it in Thursday's game in Japan. He had to undergo surgery on his hamate and will be out an extended period of time. The A's haven't specified an exact timetable for his return yet, but these […]

Rich Hill Dealing With Strained Knee

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Rich Hill said on Friday that he has a strained left knee and doesn't know if he'll start the year in the rotation. The veteran left-hander said he felt the knee injury at the end of his Sunday start. Because of Hill's injury, it's now likely that Hyun-Jin Ryu will […]

Scooter Gennett Headed For An MRI

Cincinnati Reds second baseman Scooter Gennett had to be helped off of the field on Friday after suffering what appeared to be a leg injury while playing in the field against the Milwaukee Brewers. The veteran second baseman is slated to go for an MRI to determine the severity of the injury but things did […]

Jimmy Nelson Has Elbow Soreness

Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Jimmy Nelson reported some elbow soreness after pitching into the fourth inning in a minor league game on Thursday, and he was to be examined by the team's head physician on Friday. Manager Craig Counsell expressed optimism that Nelson's injury wasn't serious. The team is hoping Nelson is just experiencing soreness […]

Aaron Hicks Hasn't Resumed Baseball Activities

New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Hicks' chronic back pain hasn't eased to the point where he has been able to resume baseball activities. The switch-hitter had hoped to be activated from the injured list on April 4, but manager Aaron Boone said that timetable was "probably too ambitious." Hicks' power and speed combination is attractive […]

Jed Lowrie Still Not Running At Full Speed

New York Mets third baseman Jed Lowrie hasn't attempted to run at full speed five weeks after suffering a sprained left knee capsule. He ran earlier this week on an anti-gravity treadmill, but he doesn't seem close to a full slate of sprints or baseball activities. As a result, Lowrie won't be ready for Opening […]

Reds Send Nick Senzel To Minor Leagues

The Cincinnati Reds sent third baseman/outfielder Nick Senzel to the minor leagues on Friday. The Reds had been working Senzel in center field this spring and he hit .308 in major league camp. Agent Joel Wolfe told ESPN's Jeff Passan on Friday that his client was sent down to prevent his major league service time […]

Matt Duffy May Start Season On Injured List

Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Matt Duffy (hamstring) was scratched from the lineup Saturday and could open the season on the injured list. Although Duffy can be left off of fantasy rosters, there are a few promising candidates for at-bats behind him. Yandy Diaz and Brandon Lowe have both impressed this spring training and could […]