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 […]

Deivi Garcia A Very Polished Pitcher For His Age

New York Yankees starting pitcher Deivi Garcia, the team's No. 4 prospect per MLB Pipeline, is extremely polished for a 19-year-old and finished his third professional season at Double-A last year. The Yankees like his high spin rates and a fastball that reaches the mid-90s. If the right-hander continues to show his advanced form on […]

Nate Pearson Could Break Out In 2019

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Nate Pearson, the team's No. 4 prospect and No. 76 overall per MLB Pipeline, looked great in the Arizona Fall League and flashed front-of-the-rotation stuff with a great combination of size, stuff and pitchability. Pearson's 2018 season ended after just 1 1/3 innings when he fractured his right forearm after […]

Starling Marte Day-To-Day With Back Tightness

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Starling Marte was scratched from Thursday's Grapefruit League lineup as a precaution due to lower back tightness. Marte is listed as day-to-day. It doesn't seem like a serious injury, so Marte should be good to go for next Thursday's Opening Day on March 28. Marte hit .277/.327/.460 with a career-high 20 home […]

Luis Severino Throws On Back-To-Back Days

New York Yankees starting pitcher Luis Severino (shoulder) played catch on back-to-back days on Thursday for the first time since being shut down due to rotator-cuff inflammation, and he made 50 throws off flat ground. Manager Aaron Boone said that the session "went well" and that Severino looked more comfortable than on Wednesday. The right-hander […]

CC Sabathia Feels Fine After First Spring Outing

New York Yankees starting pitcher CC Sabathia (heart, knee) gave up one run and two hits in two innings on Thursday in a minor league exhibition game in his first game action since undergoing a heart procedure in December. Sabathia struck out three against the Tigers Triple-A affiliate, Toledo. The veteran left-hander said he "felt […]

Corey Knebel Has UCL Injury, May Need Tommy John Surgery

Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Corey Knebel's elbow injury is an ulnar-collateral ligament issue, according to manager Craig Counsell. Knebel will go for a second opinion. It's not a complete tear of his ligament, though, and it's not definitive that he'll need Tommy John surgery. Even if Knebel doesn't need elbow reconstruction, he seems destined to […]

Drew Anderson, Dylan Cozens Optioned Thursday

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Drew Anderson and outfielder Dylan Cozens were both sent to Triple-A on Thursday. Anderson was 2-0 with a 0.71 ERA in four Grapefruit League outings while striking out 12 and walking two in 12 2/3 innings. The 24-year-old will likely be the first or second call if the team needs rotation […]

Nick Williams Won't Play Center Field

Philadelphia Phillies manager Gabe Kapler said that outfielder Nick Williams will not play center field this year, but he saw a look there in spring action on Thursday. Williams is expected to make the Opening Day roster as the top weapon off the bench, but with Bryce Harper and Andrew McCutchen at the corners and […]

Cardinals Finalizing Extension For Paul Goldschmidt

The St. Louis Cardinals are working to finalize a new five-year deal that would begin next season for first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, a source confirmed to MLB Network insider Ken Rosenthal on Thursday. ESPN's Jeff Passan and the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Derrick Goold reported the deal will be worth around $130 million and is expected […]

Nolan Arenado Is Already In The Groove

Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado looks like he’s already on the right path this year. First, he signed a new mega-deal for $260 million to stay in Colorado until he’s 35-years-old, and now, he’s bashed his third home run of the spring and is hitting .333 during the practice session. Arenado is one of the […]

German Marquez Roughed Up By Angels

Colorado Rockies starting pitcher German Marquez was knocked around by the Angels on Tuesday in an ugly tune-up start. Marquez was hit hard as he gave up a pair of home runs as well as eight other hits in just 4 2/3 innings. After the game, he told reporters the struggles had to do with […]

Chris Iannetta Starting To Warm Up

At 35 years old, Colorado Rockies catcher Chris Iannetta is getting ready to start his 14th season behind the plate. Returning to the place where his career began in 2006, Iannetta knocked 11 homers and hit .224 in a timeshare last season. This year expects to be more of the same, at least at the […]

Tyler Anderson Still Struggling With Homers

Colorado Rockies left-hander Tyler Anderson went six innings in a late tune-up in spring training on Wednesday, and he once again mixed potential with concern. Anderson struck out seven and only walked one, but he also gave up a pair of dingers to the lowly Royals. Obviously, not a ton can be made out of […]

RotoBaller Presents The King and Pocket Aces

Check out the newest podcast team here at RotoBaller HQ, featuring two of the best in the industry. We are thrilled to introduce the awesome duo of Scott "The King" Engel and Anthony "Pocket Aces" Aniano of RotoBaller Radio - tune in below as they discuss the fantasy baseball preseason and get you prepped for your upcoming drafts. […]

Hunter Pence Makes Roster, Willie Calhoun Optioned

Texas Rangers outfielder Hunter Pence will be on the team's Opening Day roster as the fourth outfielder, while Willie Calhoun has been optioned to Triple-A Nashville. Calhoun still has a lot of upside, but as a left-handed hitter he was blocked by Joey Gallo, Nomar Mazara and Shin-Soo Choo. Calhoun will attempt to increase his […]

Adam Plutko Sent to Triple-A

Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Adam Plutko was optioned to Triple-A Columbus on Thursday. Plutko filled in for a few games as a starter last season, but struggled to a 5.28 ERA. He'll serve as rotation depth at Triple-A, but will likely see at least a few starts if injuries strike the Cleveland starting rotation. He […]

Blake Snell And Rays Agree To Five-Year Extension

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Blake Snell has come to an agreement with the club on a five-year, $50 million guaranteed contract. The extension comes in the wake of scrutiny of the Rays for a very small raise after his Cy Young season. There will be no options on the contract and it will buy […]

Hunter Pence Could Earn Roster Spot

Texas Rangers veteran outfielder Hunter Pence is finally healthy and is on his way to earning an Opening Day roster spot for the rebuilding Rangers. The 35-year-old is hitting .356 (16-for-45) with three home runs, seven RBI and six stolen bases in 16 spring games as he tries to make the team. Pence rebuilt his […]

Kole Calhoun Has Bounced Back This Spring

Los Angeles Angels outfielder Kole Calhoun has bounced back this spring after a terrible 2018 campaign. As a result, he figures to be the team's leadoff hitter heading into the regular season. The 31-year-old hit a miserable .208/.283/.369 with 19 home runs and 57 RBI in 137 games for the Halos in 2018. Calhoun managed […]

Manny Machado Launches First Spring Homer

San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado cracked a two-run home run Wednesday, his first of spring training. Machado is hitting just .176 in 34 at-bats this March but it shouldn’t be a concern for the $300-million-man. Machado will likely bat second or third and should test 30 homers along with 180 runs-plus-RBI in 2019. […]

Darwinzon Hernandez May Open In Bullpen

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Darwinzon Hernandez, the team's No. 4 prospect per MLB Pipeline, has electric stuff and has been so impressive that the Red Sox might have him start out of the bullpen on Opening Day. The 22-year-old has only six innings of professional experience above Single-A ball, however. In the long term, […]

Matt Strahm Destined For Starting Rotation

San Diego Padres starter/reliever Matt Strahm is on track to be the team’s fourth starter to begin the regular season. Strahm fired five innings of scoreless ball and recorded four strikeouts Wednesday to bring his spring resume to a 2.65 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 10.1 K/9 across 17 frames. Strahm’s strong performance and injuries to […]

Mark Trumbo Has Been Pleasant Surprise This Spring

Baltimore Orioles outfielder Mark Trumbo's surgically-repaired right knee has held up and he's been one of the team's most pleasant spring surprises. The Orioles are now re-evaluating their plan to have him start the season on the injured list. Trumbo has hit just .200 (2-for-10), but the results aren't as important for him. The slugging […]

Blue Jays Impressed With Teoscar Hernandez

Toronto Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo has raved about outfielder Teoscar Hernandez's power and defense all spring. The 26-year-old has breakout potential and 30-homer power with everyday playing time after hitting .239/.302/.468 with 22 home runs and 57 RBI in 476 at-bats last season. In 15 spring training games, Hernandez is batting .410 (16-for-39) with […]