Robinson Chirinos Making Push To Be Starting Catcher

Houston Astros catcher Robinson Chirinos is making a push to earn the majority of at-bats from behind the plate to start the season, hitting .345 in 14 spring games with two home runs and three doubles. The Astros appear intent on using a timeshare behind the plate this season and Chirinos currently has the inside […]

Yuli Gurriel Slugging .515 This Spring

Houston Astros first baseman Yuli Gurriel is enjoying a fantastic spring training, slashing .364/.417/.515 through 33 at-bats. Gurriel is tied for the team lead with five doubles and will be looking to get off to a fast start in 2019 after starting last season on the shelf with a broken hamate bone in his hand. […]

Michael Brantley Has Boom-Or-Bust Potential

Houston Astros outfielder Michael Brantley is having a solid spring training with his new team, hitting .313 in 32 at-bats this spring. Brantley is as professional hitter as it gets in baseball but the 31-year-old has failed to stay healthy throughout his career. The upside for Brantley is obvious hitting in a potent Astros offense […]

Carlos Correa Enjoying A Solid Spring

Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa is enjoying a solid spring training, slashing .324/.375/.541 with six extra-base hits in 15 games played. Correa's is coming off the worst season of his career that was derailed by a back injury that simply never went away. Correa slugged an average of .506 through his first three seasons but […]

George Springer Hoping To Regain Power Stroke In '19

Houston Astros outfielder George Springer has only one extra-base hit through 35 spring at-bats heading into the final week before the regular season. Springer is a player trying to rebound from a 22-home run 2018 season after popping 63 home runs the previous two years before that. Most of that can be traced to nagging […]

Chris Sale, Red Sox Agree On Long-Term Extension

Updating a previous report, the Boston Red Sox agreed on a long-term contract extension with starting pitcher Chris Sale on a deal that is believed to span from 2020 to 2024, a source told MLB Network's Ken Rosenthal on Friday. The deal is expected to be worth slightly less than $150 million and is likely […]

Hyun-Jin Ryu To Start On Opening Day

With Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Rich Hill dealing with a strained MCL in his left knee and most likely to open the year on the injured list, Hyun-Jin Ryu will start on Opening Day on March 28 against the Diamondbacks. Ross Stripling will start the second game of the year. The soon-to-be 32-year-old Ryu […]

Red Sox Nearing Extension With Chris Sale

The Boston Red Sox have a framework in place for a long-term extension with starting pitcher Chris Sale, a source confirmed to MLB.com's Ian Browne on Friday. The left-handed ace is entering the final year of his contract in 2019. Since being acquired from the White Sox before the 2017 season, Sale has a 2.56 […]

Grant Lavigne Has Chance To Put Up Gaudy Numbers

Colorado Rockies first baseman Grant Lavigne, the team's No. 5 prospect per MLB Pipeline, is No. 7 on the top-10 prospect first basemen list and could put up gaudy numbers at hitter-friendly Asheville in his first full professional season in 2019. The New Hampshire product could take more time to develop than others, but he […]

MacKenzie Gore Could Dominate In 2019

San Diego Padres starting pitcher MacKenzie Gore, the team's No. 2 prospect and No. 15 overall per MLB Pipeline, only threw 60 2/3 innings over 16 starts for Single-A Fort Wayne last year due to a blister issue in his first full season. The third overall pick in 2017 showed improved velocity this spring and […]

Heliot Ramos Has Impressive Power/Speed Combo

San Francisco Giants outfielder Heliot Ramos, the team's No. 2 prospect and No. 91 overall per MLB Pipeline, hit .245/.313/.396 in 2018 as the youngest regular (18 years old) in the South Atlantic League (Low A). However, he sports an impressive power/speed combination and showed improvement with making contact. For a rebuilding Giants squad looking […]

Kristian Robinson Has Impressive Raw Power

Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Kristian Robinson, the team's No. 5 prospect per MLB Pipeline, has an exciting package of tools, including raw power that could make him one of the best sluggers in the minors. He also has plus speed and arm strength and could stick in center field long term. Robinson hit .279/.363/.428 with seven […]

Oneil Cruz Has Enormous Offensive Upside

Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Oneil Cruz, the team's No. 4 prospect and No. 95 overall per MLB Pipeline, reached double-digit home runs and stolen bases in full-season ball last year after being acquired from the Dodgers in 2017 in the Tony Watson trade. While the 6-foot-6 left-handed hitting shortstop might not stick at the 6 at […]

Cole Roederer Compared To Andrew Benintendi

Chicago Cubs outfielder Cole Roederer, the team's No. 5 prospect per MLB Pipeline, has been compared to Red Sox outfielder Andrew Benintendi and he sports a quick left-handed swing and advanced bat-to-ball skills. The 19-year-old hit .275/.354/.465 with five home runs, 24 RBI and 13 stolen bases in 36 games in the Rookie League in […]

Tristen Lutz One Of Brewers Best Prospects

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Tristen Lutz, the team's No. 4 prospect per MLB Pipeline, showed his dynamic bat in his first full season in 2018 with 13 home runs and 33 doubles at Single-A. The No. 34 overall pick in 2017 struck out often, but his solid approach showed he could make adjustments as the season […]

Luis Garcia Could Climb Prospect Lists Quickly

Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Luis Garcia, the team's No. 4 prospect per MLB Pipeline, won the Gulf Coast League batting title in his professional debut last year to open some eyes. The switch-hitter swings well from both sides of the plate and can add some power, can run and plays good defense. Garcia was signed for […]

Ronny Mauricio Has High Ceiling

New York Mets shortstop Ronny Mauricio, the team's No. 3 prospect per MLB Pipeline, earned a promotion to the Appalachian League at age 17 last year after slashing .279/.307/.421 with 19 extra-base hits in the Gulf Coast League. He's an athletic shortstop who could also develop a plus hit tool and plus power, and he […]

Manuel Margot Falling Out Of Favor

It’s becoming probable that San Diego Padres outfielder Manuel Margot won’t be given an everyday job in 2019. After a disappointing .245/.292/.384 slash with just eight homers and 11 steals (53 percent success rate) last year, Margot needs to showcase his offensive worth to remain in the lineup. Despite his excellent defense and a promising […]

Rookie Catchers that Could Help You in 2019

It’s not enough to just be overflowing with talent to have a good rookie season. You also need to have an opportunity. And $1 buys, or late-round selections likely won’t win you a championship on their own but most championship seasons in fantasy baseball need a little luck from those picks or a lucky waiver […]

Updated Shortstop Rankings - 5x5 Roto (Mixed Leagues)

Our updated fantasy baseball tiered rankings analysis rolls on with the shortstop position. With the 2019 MLB season technically underway in Japan, RotoBaller writers Nick Mariano, JB Branson, Bill Dubiel, Pierre Camus, and Scott Engel have given their rankings a final update. Check out our fantasy baseball rankings dashboard for a current list any time. Shortstop […]

Updated Outfielder Rankings - 5x5 Roto (Mixed Leagues)

We continue our fantasy baseball tiered rankings analysis with a look at the star-studded outfield position With the 2019 season beginning in a matter of days, RotoBaller writers Nick Mariano, JB Branson, Bill Dubiel, Pierre Camus, and Scott Engel have given their preseason rankings a final update. Check out our fantasy baseball rankings dashboard for a […]

Nate Green's 10 Bold Predictions for 2019

Here at RotoBaller, we offer only the best, most factually-grounded fantasy analysis. Then, once a year, along comes everyone's favorite exercise: the Bold Predictions. Ah yes, wherein those of us who write analysis about a sabermetric-driven sport are encouraged to make the wildest guesses about the coming season in fantasy baseball. Some statistical basis ought […]

First Basemen Set To Break Out in 2019

First base is no longer the premier position it once was for fantasy baseball. Aging sluggers have not been replaced by all-around talents for the large part and it has left a massive gulf in quality. Part of the decline in hitting has been due to the demand to get better fielders at first base, […]

Hans Crouse Mixes Deception With Stuff

Texas Rangers starting pitcher Hans Crouse, the team's top prospect and No. 84 overall per MLB Pipeline, possesses a riding mid-90s fastball and a wipeout slider. He also gets animated on the mound in order to disrupt hitters' timing at the plate. The 20-year-old right-hander posted a 2.47 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 10.2 K/9 in […]

Mariners Excited About Julio Rodriguez

The Seattle Mariners are very excited about outfielder Julio Rodriguez, the team's No. 5 prospect per MLB Pipeline, despite the fact that he hasn't even played in a game in the United States yet. He showed up to camp in excellent shape and has wowed the team with his makeup and tools and has a […]

Austin Beck Could Become Dynamic Center Fielder

Oakland Athletics outfielder Austin Beck, the team's No. 5 prospect per MLB Pipeline, led the Single-A Midwest league in 2018 in hits in his first full season and also hit close to .300 despite a 117/30 strikeout-to-walk ratio. He has great bat speed and raw power and has the tools to become a dynamic center […]

Luis Robert Has Five-Tool Potential

Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert, the team's No. 4 prospect and No. 40 overall, lit up the Arizona Fall League in 2018 after rarely being healthy in his first two professional seasons in the minors. The White Sox gave him a $26 million bonus and few players can match his combination of exit velocity […]

Wander Javier Has Yet To Reach Full Potential

Minnesota Twins shortstop Wander Javier, the team's No. 4 prospect per MLB Pipeline, missed all of the 2018 season due to injury, but a full year of at-bats could help him enter the conversation as one of the better prospects in baseball going into 2020. The Twins signed Javier for $4 million in July of […]

MJ Melendez Rising Up Minor League Ranks

Kansas City Royals catcher MJ Melendez, the team's No. 3 prospect per MLB Pipeline, had 19 home runs and threw out close to 42 percent of potential base stealers in 2018 in his first full minor league season. With a step forward in his approach at the next minor league level, Melendez could put himself […]

George Valera May Be Best Pure Minor League Hitter

Cleveland Indians outfielder George Valera, the team's No. 5 prospect per MLB Pipeline, could emerge as one of the best pure minor league hitters, according to scouts. His season was cut short after just six games in 2018 due to a broken hamate bone, but he has a sweet left-handed swing, an advanced approach, plate […]