Max Scherzer Allows Five Runs

Washington Nationals ace Max Scherzer had a rough fourth inning on Tuesday in which he allowed five runs to the Boston Red Sox. Scherzer was more himself in the first three innings, where he retired all nine batters faced with three strikeouts. That perfect start is much closer to what you should expect in 2019 […]

Jeremy Hellickson Working on Slider

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Jeremy Hellickson is practicing a quick pitch and a slider this spring training. "I just think nowadays a slider is a big strikeout pitch and I've just never had one...It's a tough pitch to throw, been trying to throw one forever," Hellickson said. He also revealed that he's talked to Patrick […]

Delino DeShields Back In Action Tuesday

Texas Rangers outfielder Delino DeShields (knee) was back in action on Tuesday for the Rangers. DeShields had missed a few days after injuring himself making a catch at the center field wall. It is positive to see DeShields back in the lineup, but any prospective fantasy owners still need to be wary. The main fantasy […]

Drew Smyly Strong In Latest Spring Outing

Texas Rangers starting pitcher Drew Smyly put together a strong outing against the Oakland Athletics this week. Smyly pitched more than one innings for the first time since undergoing Tommy John surgery in July 2017, and allowed just one walk in two innings. It may not have been the Athletics strongest lineup but the signs […]

Joey Gallo Prepared To Bunt In Spring

Texas Rangers outfielder Joey Gallo has demonstrated a willingness to use bunting in order to try and defeat the shift this spring training. Gallo was roundly criticized last season for his lack of willingness to bunt when teams used the four outfielder shift on him. However, twice this spring already Gallo has shown an indication […]

Luis Severino Diagnosed With Rotator Cuff Inflammation

After being scratched from his Spring Training start on Tuesday, New York Yankees starter Luis Severino went for an MRI on his shoulder. The results revealed rotator cuff inflammation and the club plans to shut him down for two weeks before receiving an injection and resuming his throwing program. Team manager Aaron Boone said it […]

Mike Foltynewicz Resumes Throwing On Tuesday

Atlanta Braves starter Mike Foltynewicz (elbow) will resume his throwing program on Tuesday after missing the start of camp with elbow soreness. The injury is not too detrimental, as the Braves have stated he would play through it if it occurred in the regular season. He'll continue to build arm strength before being good to […]

Miguel Sano Out Until May

Minnesota Twins third baseman Miguel Sano (Achilles) underwent a wound debridement on the laceration in his right lower Achilles on Tuesday and is expected to stay at the Mayo Clinic for two to three days while the wound is aggressively treated. The Twins don't expect the slugger to begin baseball activity until mid-April, meaning he […]

Howie Kendrick Injured Tuesday

Washington Nationals infielder Howie Kendrick left the game on Tuesday against the Red Sox after limping past first base on an RBI infield single in the third inning. He immediately took himself out of the game and slammed his helmet down in frustration. The 35-year-old tore his right Achilles last May. It doesn't look to […]

Aaron Hicks Still Out Tuesday

New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Hicks (back) remains out of action on Tuesday after he experienced back stiffness after Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Orioles. Hicks certainly has plenty of fantasy appeal as the primary center fielder in a stacked lineup, but injury concerns will push him back to the middle rounds. The switch-hitter […]

Clayton Kershaw In Danger Of Missing Opening Day

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (shoulder) is in doubt for Opening Day because of a left shoulder injury. Manager Dave Roberts said Kershaw is making steady progress from inflammation and played catch again on Monday. The left-hander is scheduled to throw again on Tuesday. While Kershaw is still ranked as the No. 6 […]

Luis Severino Scratched From Tuesday Start

New York Yankees starting pitcher Luis Severino was scratched from his spring training start on Tuesday with right shoulder discomfort. He will be further evaluated Tuesday afternoon. Severino is the team's expected Opening Day starter after going 19-8 with a 3.39 ERA while finishing eighth in the majors with 220 strikeouts in 32 starts in […]

Raisel Iglesias Allows One Run In Spring Debut

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Raisel Iglesias allowed one run in one inning in his spring training debut on Monday. The veteran closer gave up a hit and walk in the frame while striking out one. After the outing, he told reporters that he felt good and that his velocity "was there". Iglesias was solid as Cincinnati's […]

Kyle Gibson Pitches Two Scoreless Innings

Minnesota Twins right-hander Kyle Gibson pitched two scoreless innings against the Baltimore Orioles in Grapefruit League action on Monday. The veteran hurler made his spring debut after being brought along slowly due to an E. coli infection. Gibson struck out three and walked two in the outing. He is coming off a mini-breakout in 2018, […]

Mitch Haniger Still Out With Back Tightness

After the Seattle Mariners scratched outfielder Mitch Haniger (back) in Sunday's game, the team held him out again in Tuesday's contest. Haniger said he "tweaked" his back weight-lifting on the weekend and will play it safe over the next few days. It appears this is a precautionary measure, but the Mariners start their season on March 20 […]

Mallex Smith Resuming Baseball Activities

Seattle Mariners outfielder Mallex Smith was limited early in spring training with a strained elbow. After consulting a doctor, the speedster has been cleared for throwing and participating in other baseball activities. He was able to play "light" catch on Monday, and it's a good sign moving forward. Smith may not be ready in time […]

ADP Champ or Chump - Garrett Hampson and Rougned Odor

Traditionally, fantasy talent is evenly distributed between the keystone and shortstop positions, but shortstop looks considerably stronger heading into 2019. As such, you should probably plan to draft at least two SS-eligible players to cover your SS and MI slots. That said, you still need at least one second baseman to fill out your roster. […]

Jake Arrieta Reverting Back To Old Arm Angle

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Jake Arrieta posted a disappointing 3.96 ERA during his debut season with the Phillies last year, a number he credits to an unfamiliar arm angle. The 33-year-old told the Philadelphia Inquirer on Sunday that he somehow fell out of his usual three-quarter slot that he used during his Cy Young-winning season […]

Julio Urias Healthy For 2019, But Role With Dodgers Unclear

Los Angeles Dodgers pitching prospect Julio Urias is healthy heading into spring training and is ready to prove himself, per Orange County Register's Bill Plunkett. At just 22 years old, Urias has been one of the Dodgers' top pitching prospects for several years but has been unable to stay healthy. Manager Dave Roberts said that […]

Ross Stripling Preparing For Hybrid Pitching Role In 2019

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Ross Stripling is approaching spring training as a starter with a relief role, per the Orange County Register's Bill Plunkett. When asked how his 2019 role was described to him, Stripling mentioned his versatility and compared himself to the pitching equivalent of fellow teammate Kike Hernandez. The 29-year-old put up All-Star-worthy […]

Travis Jankowski Out For Significant Time

San Diego Padres outfielder Travis Jankowski (wrist) left Sunday’s game after diving for a ball in the outfield. He suffered a broken wrist on the play and will be out indefinitely. It appears this will be a lengthy absence, freeing up more playing time for the remaining players in the crowded Padres outfield. Jankowski was […]

The King's Insider Report - Machado a Bust? Buehler Being Overdrafted?

All other Premium Tools can be accessed on the premium dashboard. The King returns with his award-winning Fantasy Baseball Insider Series, an annual feature that takes you into the dugouts, locker rooms and press boxes to gain access to highly valuable nuggets of information. On the condition of anonymity, Scott "The King" Engel brings you […]

Later-Round Second Basemen - Targets and Avoids

Once you reach the later rounds of drafts, you start thinking about upside fliers that can provide a great return on value. These are the rounds to take risks on more unknown commodities like prospects, forgotten-about veterans, players returning from injuries or players that have previously showed promise but haven't put it all together yet. […]

Predicting the Top 10 Finishers for Runs in 2019

Welcome to my never-ending journey through baseball numbers past, present and future. Today we are going to predict the 10 MLB players who will lead the league in runs scored for the 2019 season. Before we start, however, let's look back at a little bit of history in order to give ourselves an idea of […]

Using Sabermetrics for Fantasy Baseball Part 10 - Pitcher Batted Ball Distribution

The league average batted ball distribution in 2018 was 21.5% liners, 43.2% grounders and 35.4% flies. We have previously seen how pitchers may specialize in either grounders or fly balls. Fly ball pitchers have a BABIP advantage over their ground ball-inducing counterparts, since fly balls (.117 BABIP in 2018) consistently have lower BABIPs than worm […]

Ryan Zimmerman Makes Spring Debut

Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman played his first game of the spring on Saturday, going three innings in the field and 0-2 at the plate. The news here is that Zimmerman, who was criticized for skipping last year's spring training, will play more often this spring, saying: "When things are good and my body is good, […]

Travis Jankowski Injures Arm In Spring Training Game

Padres outfielder Travis Jankowski left Sunday's game after diving for a ball in right field. He appeared to be favoring his left wrist, and the team announced he'll undergo an MRI. Jankowski batted leadoff in this game, flying out in his only at-bat. In a crowded outfield this year in San Diego, it will take […]

Khris Davis Able To Swing The Bat On Sunday

Oakland Athletics designated hitter/outfielder Khris Davis (calf) was able to take more at-bats at the team's minor-league camp on Sunday. He is making his way back from a strained left calf, and might be able to start playing in Cactus League spring games later this week. Davis has been one of the most consistent power […]

Mike Fiers Works In Simulated Game

Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Mike Fiers was in line to start the Cactus League spring game Sunday, but he threw 60 pitches in a simulated game at the minor-league complex instead. There isn't anything to worry about, however, as managed Bob Melvin didn't want him to face the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, a division […]

Marco Estrada Trying To Hide His Pitches This Spring

Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Marco Estrada has a changeup that is considered one of the best in Major League Baseball. However, he throws it often and has received feedback that he's been liable to tip his pitches in the past. "I've been told that before," Estrada said. "Especially out of the stretch, it's a little […]