First Base Draft Strategy & Tiers: Keys To The Position

First Base Power Outage First Base has historically been a source of home runs and RBI. With perpetual fantasy baseball standouts like Miguel Cabrera, Joey Votto and Prince Fielder having off years and missing time due to injuries, first basemen suffered a major power outage. They hit the lowest number of home runs as a […]

Dynasty / Keeper Deeper Dive: Kennys Vargas

A Hidden Gem First base is even more important of a position in dynasty than standard formats. Considering first base is one of the primary positions for offensive output, you want to make sure you're set at the position for years to come. However, if you miss out on the Paul Goldschmidt or Anthony Rizzo […]

Carlos Martinez: 2015 Fantasy Baseball Sleeper

Baby Pedro Carlos Martinez, aka Baby Pedro, has been a touted by prospect analysts for quite some time. Ranked #31 by Baseball America in 2014, he spent last year in the eighth inning role setting up Trevor Rosenthal. This year, he is getting the chance to compete for the fifth spot in the starting rotation with Marcos Gonzales […]

Pitch Framing Metrics: Impact On Fantasy Baseball Pitchers

I’m obsessed with Chuck Shaw wine from Trader Joe's. It’s a $3 bottle of hooch that smells like paint thinner mixed with alcohol. It stings the nostrils. But after a glass or two, it’s the best damn bottle of wine you can get for under $5. I happened to be drinking some of this wine […]

The Value of Veterans: A Howie Kendrick Story

Veteran Value What is Howie Kendrick worth? It's hardly the most exciting question, but if you're in the business of winning, it's one you ought to consider. Veteran players like Kendrick offer fantasy owners two things which can be worth their weight in gold during a long season: playing time and stable production. If veterans […]

MLB Podcast: Starting Pitcher Sleepers & Value Picks

Preseason Fantasy Baseball Analysis: Starting Pitchers RotoBaller is proud to present a unique new take on fantasy sports. With his tongue firmly placed in his cheek your host, the “Living Legend” Joe Gallina, provides you with a great blend of baseball talk featuring sabermetrics and fantasy analysis. Editor’s Note: Be sure to check out all […]

MLB Podcast on RotoBaller Radio: Closers & Catchers To Target Late

Preseason Analysis: Closer & Catcher Draft Strategy RotoBaller is very excited about the launch of our very own radio station. You can now find our new shows on BlogTalkRadio live or on demand, and on iTunes under podcasts. Every Wednesday night at 9:30 PM EST, RotoBaller co-founder Real Talk Raph and co-host Anthony Aniano of DraftSmashers Radio will be […]

MLB Podcast: Fantasy Baseball Outfield Rankings & Analysis (Part 2)

Preseason Fantasy Baseball Analysis: The Outfielders Part 2 RotoBaller is proud to present a unique new take on fantasy sports. With his tongue firmly placed in his cheek your host, the “Living Legend” Joe Gallina, provides you with a great blend of baseball talk featuring sabermetrics and fantasy analysis. Editor’s Note: Be sure to check […]

Eugenio Suarez: 2015 Fantasy Baseball Shortstop Deep Sleeper

  Suarez Can Help Fantasy Owners Now and in the Future Last season, Eugenio Suarez broke into the big leagues with the Detroit Tigers, who struggled to find a consistent presence at shortstop after losing Jose Iglesias in Spring Training to stress fractures in both shins. When the season started, Alex Gonzalez filled that role, […]

Andrew Heaney: 2015 Fantasy Baseball Starting Pitcher Sleeper

Andrew Heaney had a busy offseason in which he was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers from the Miami Marlins only to be traded to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim five hours later. At Anaheim, Heaney will compete for the final spot in the starting rotation with Hector Santiago and Nick Tropeano, according to […]

Save Prospecting: Top Five Non-Closing AL Relief Pitchers

Last week I looked at the top five non-closer NL relief pitcher options. Today we take a look at the top AL relief pitchers currently not occupying closer roles.   Top Five Non-Closing AL Relievers Wade Davis - RHP, Kansas City Royals If we are talking about American League bullpens, you have to start the […]

Marcus Semien: 2015 Fantasy Baseball Middle Infield Sleeper

With 85 games under his MLB belt and still just 24 years old, newly acquired right-handed-hitting Marcus Semien could provide a lot of value to the Oakland Athletics and fantasy owners alike this season. The former White Sox second baseman should see an ample amount of playing time in Oakland, while possibly maintaining eligibility at […]

Austin Jackson: 2015 Fantasy Baseball Outfield Bounce Back Candidate

  Bounce-Back Candidate in 2015 Once a prospect in the Yankees' system, Austin Jackson was dealt to Detroit prior to the 2010 season as part of a three-team swap that also included names like Curtis Granderson and Max Scherzer. He made an immediate impact that year, posting a .293/.345/.400 triple slash line while scoring 103 […]

MLB Podcast: Fantasy Baseball Outfield Rankings & Analysis

Preseason Fantasy Baseball Analysis: The Outfielders RotoBaller is proud to present a unique new take on fantasy sports. With his tongue firmly placed in his cheek your host, the “Living Legend” Joe Gallina, provides you with a great blend of baseball talk featuring sabermetrics and fantasy analysis. Editor’s Note: Be sure to check out all […]

Save Prospecting: Top Five Non-Closing NL Relief Pitchers

  Every year in fantasy baseball leagues about one third of all the opening day closers lose their jobs due to injury or poor performance. It's just the nature of the game. Below are five NL relievers to watch closely in 2015 who could have significant fantasy baseball value if the closer on their team were to […]

Billy Hamilton: 2015 Fantasy Baseball Outfield Sleeper

The Flash, Sometimes While Billy Hamilton didn't steal 100 bases last year, his 56 still were good for the second-mostin the league (Dee Gordon, 64). However, Hamilton left more to be desired last year, with only 72 runs scored and a mediocre .250 batting average. Understandably, Hamilton owners were driven crazy by his inconsistency. It was […]

Taijuan Walker: 2015 Fantasy Baseball Starting Pitcher Sleeper

Taijuan Walker does not fit the term “sleeper” very well. He was a highly regarded prospect coming into 2014, and his name continued to pop up in trade rumors this offseason including for Justin Upton but the front office held onto their ace. Yet for some reason, there is minimal interest for Walker as a […]

MLB Podcast on RotoBaller Radio: Fantasy Baseball Outfield Sleepers & Busts

Preseason Fantasy Baseball Analysis: Outfield Sleepers & Busts RotoBaller is very excited about the launch of our very own radio station. You can now find our new shows on BlogTalkRadio live or on demand, and on iTunes under podcasts. Every Wednesday night at 9:30 PM EST, RotoBaller co-founder Real Talk Raph and co-host Anthony Aniano of DraftSmashers […]

Jason Heyward - 2015 Fantasy Baseball Star?

Understandably Obsessed? It’s a tradition like no other. No, I am not referring to the start of the baseball year. I am talking about my uncontrollable obsession with drafting Jason Heyward. JHey was an enigma during his tenure with Atlanta, showing flashes of his full potential mixed in long stretches of disappointment. Now that he […]

Draft Strategy: How to Use ADPs to Find Fantasy Baseball Sleepers

How to Use ADP Data to Find Draft Sleepers ADPs, or Average Draft Positions, are perhaps the single biggest obsession and reference point for the great majority of fantasy baseball drafters. And it makes sense: you can see where a player is being drafted, judge whether you like him more or less than his ADP, […]

Soothsaying, Particle Acceleration, and R.O.I.D.S

What Happens When Javier Baez and Archie Bradley Collide? The final cycle of Fantasy Baseball ROIDS, your quasi-scientific guide to drafting players that will consistently outperform their ADP, has arrived. Previously, we've talked about Ranking anomalies, new Opportunities, the impact of International players and the conspiracy of a Dark Horse in the draft. Sometimes, I […]

Jay Bruce: 2015 Fantasy Baseball Undervalued Outfielder

Jay Bruce is a Bounce-Back Candidate for 2015 With the exception of 2014, Cincinnati's Jay Bruce has tallied 20+ HR in each of his 7 MLB seasons. His highest totals came during the 2011, 2012, and 2013 seasons, in which he hit 32, 34, and 30, respectively. In 2013 he also drove in 109 RBI […]

Justin Verlander: 2015 Fantasy Baseball Starting Pitcher Bust

  Time for an Oil Change? Over the last 15 years, baseball managers have kept a closer eye than ever on pitch counts. It makes sense, of course. We’re so trained on the importance of avoiding pitcher injuries that there’s a gasp every time someone exceeds 110 pitches. Spectators sit on the edge of their […]

Jonathan Villar: 2015 Fantasy Baseball Deep Shortstop Sleeper

A Sleeper If He Plays Houston Astros shortstop Jonathan Villar is a deep sleeper this year. Out of the three shortstops in Houston, the other two being Jed Lowrie and Marwin Gonzalez, Villar is the only one who has any stand out skill - speed. The itch to develop Villar into a big league asset should set in rather […]

Giovanny Urshela: 2015 Fantasy Baseball Third Base Deep Sleeper

A Land of Opportunity After a BABIP-fueled breakout in the first half of 2014, Lonnie Chisenhall struggled dreadfully in the second half of the season. He hit just four home runs with a .218 batting average in 235 plate appearances. He also played poor defense. If he wins the Indians starting job at third base - […]

Justin Verlander: 2015 Fantasy Baseball Starting Pitcher Sleeper

Once an Ace, Now a Sleeper Before I even start writing this article, I need all of you readers out there who drafted Justin Verlander as your number two or even number one starting pitcher in 2013-2014 to leave your grudges at the door. Same goes for those of you who traded for Verlander at […]

Xander Bogaerts: 2015 Fantasy Baseball Shortstop Sleeper

A Work In Progress As a major contributor to the Boston Red Sox’s championship run in 2013, many fantasy baseball owners targeted Xander Bogaerts in their 2014 drafts. They hoped his toolsy skill set could help him to become a fantasy monster Expectations were high for the young standout. His minor league statistics had Boston fans wondering […]

Fantasy Platoons - Blackmon, Dickerson, Stubbs

Platoon Power Platoons can be an excellent source of cheap, high quality production. Last season, the Colorado Rockies featured a useful outfield platoon with Charlie Blackmon, Drew Stubbs, and Corey Dickerson. All three compiled great seasons individually, and I expect the same from them this season. With Carlos Gonzalez a permanent injury risk, there should be […]

Shane Greene: 2015 Fantasy Baseball Starting Pitcher Sleeper

A Forgotten Asset? Starting pitching is deeper than ever. It’s become a cliché. Fantasy writers frequently point to the depth of pitching as a reason to target position players early in the draft. It isn't just a myth. The raw data firmly supports the statement - there is a virtually unprecedented number of quality pitchers in baseball today. According […]

Zack Wheeler: 2015 Fantasy Baseball Starting Pitcher Breakout Candidate

  Wheeler's Improvements in 2014 Point to Promise in 2015 Pitching depth is always a luxury for fantasy owners who have it. The problem is, sometimes it's pretty hard to come by -- especially in the draft. By the time your league draft has made its way into the late rounds, most of the remaining pitchers are […]