MLB Spring Training Notebook (3/4) - Realmuto Nearing Return

March 4, 2021

Steve Janik breaks down MLB's most recent spring training news, notes, risers, injuries and position battles for 2021 fantasy baseball drafts.

Welcome to the 2021 edition of RotoBaller's Spring Training Notebook. I began this column a year ago, and made it about four or five articles in when Major League Baseball decided to shut things down, just like everything else around the globe, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

We've finally made it to (real?) baseball games. Spring training games have officially begun and now we finally have some semblance of substance with a player's performance. There are still going to be some free agent moves, injuries, and roster moves from here on out, but a lot of our discourse here will be performance related, as it pertains to fantasy baseball. However, keep in mind we still have a full month of exhibition games, so everything should still be taken with an enormous grain of salt.

As fantasy baseball managers, we must perform our due diligence in understanding every team's situation heading into the season. There's so many names to keep track of so it's crucial to find a place where the most important information is in one spot. Here at RotoBaller, we have everything you need for success this season, and I'll do my part here as I bring you a quick-read, one-stop shop of 2021 spring training information with a fantasy twist.

Injuries

Realmuto To Get X-Ray
Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto (thumb) is expected to get an x-ray on his broken thumb by the end of this week. While he's missed most of the early part of spring training, he's been able to catch bullpens, which is a positive sign. However, there is still a chance he'll miss the first few games of the season to ensure he is completely healthy. In terms of fantasy, there's no catcher within 40 picks of Realmuto in early drafts, so if you take him, you'll sacrifice the first week of the season for a year's worth of his production.

Rendon Makes Spring Debut
Los Angeles Angels third baseman Anthony Rendon (soreness) made his first appearance this spring in Wednesday's game against the Texas Rangers. The team was just being very careful with the 30-year-old slugger to begin a long camp period. There shouldn't be any issue for the Top 5 fantasy to be ready for opening day, unless something were to flare up.

Kershaw Spring Coming Along
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw threw a bullpen Wednesday and will throw one more time before appearing in a spring training game. At 32, Kershaw has had plenty of health issues in the past few seasons. Many would say that he's not the pitcher he once was, and while that may be true, he's still pretty darn efficient; the highest ERA he's had since 2017 was 3.03. He's currently the 12th pitcher off the board, going around pick 35, which on this loaded Dodgers team is going to provide solid value for the southpaw.

Clayton Kershaw Could Make Spring Debut Soon https://t.co/3AHH4HAnqd

— RotoBaller MLB (@RotoBallerMLB) March 3, 2021

Winker Has Sore Hip
Cincinnati Red outfielder Jesse Winker (hip) was scratched from Monday and Tuesday's spring training lineup and it was announced that his was the cause. The 27-year-old has been a solid part of this Reds lineup, after hitting 12 homers in 54 games last year, but relies a little too much on the long ball to drive in runs. Of course, no one will complain about "too many" home runs in fantasy, and with his career .199 ISO, he should continue down this path. Granted this hip doesn't cause any longer-lasting issues, his 210 ADP will likely remain for the rest of draft season.

Mondesi's Foot Holding Him Back
Kansas City Royals shortstop Adalberto Mondesi (foot) has yet to be seen on-field during spring training after being hit by a pitch before the onset of camp. However, he was able to take batting practice, run the bases, and partake in some fielding drills Wednesday's which is a step in the right direction. The 25-year-old is arguably the most dangerous base stealer in the game right now, after stealing 24 bases in a shortened 2020 season after swiping 43 in 2019.  He's currently a Top 5 shortstop in drafts but he's more of a points league asset, compared to categories, as evidenced by his career .284 on-base percentage.

Valdez Picked Up Serious Finger Injury
Houston Astros pitcher Framber Valdez (finger) took a line drive off the hand on Tuesday and it's serious enough that he could miss the beginning of the regular season. The 27-year-old came on strong in 2020 thanks to a 5-3 record with a 3.57 ERA, high groundball rate, and significantly improved walk rate from 2019. He was going in the top 100 picks before the injury, but you can expect with the news he may miss opening day, that you'll be able to pick him up later in drafts, which should provide great value, given that he returns without any snags.

Roster Talk

Danny Santana Drawing Eyes
The free agent utility-man Danny Santana has supposedly caught the eye of the Minnesota Twins, following an injury-shortened 2020 season. Now 30 years old, the former Ranger is trying to catch onto a team in a bench role. If he does land with a team, they'll hope he can replicate the 28 HR, 21 SB 2019 season with Texas.

Twins Showing Interest In Danny Santana https://t.co/ZvH8qirHJ1

— RotoBaller MLB (@RotoBallerMLB) March 3, 2021

Sogard Signs With Cubs
The Chicago Cubs agreed to a one-year deal with 34-year-old infielder Eric Sogard on Wednesday. The former Brewer took a big step back in 2020, playing in 43 games while homering just once and driving in 10 runs on a slash line of .208/.281/.278. The 10-year veteran isn't much more than bench depth at this point, given the Cubs current infield situation, but if any major injuries occur, it's possible the team looks to his experience over some of their younger bats. Even if that scenario does occur, he wouldn't provide much value outside of AL-only formats.

Gonzalez Signs With Hometown Marlins
The Miami Marlins signed veteran starter Gio Gonzalez to a minor league deal on Wednesday. Though he made just four starts with the White Sox last season, the 35-year-old will look to catch on as an innings eater with Miami. The bigger ballpark should aid his HR/FB % which has been creeping higher and higher the past few seasons. If he makes the team, there's very little fantasy value for the southpaw, aside from the occasional stream or DFS start.

Around The Diamond

Walker Slugs Homer
Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Christian Walker had two hits Wednesday against the Indians, including a home run while driving in two runs. The slugger followed up the 29 homers he hit in 2019 with just seven last year, but his 110 wRC+ from 2020 is right in line with his 2019 mark of 111. The 29-year-old is one of the more underrated power hitters in MLB, and his 196 ADP is a fantastic choice if you choose to hold out on a first baseman come draft day.

Christian Walker Homers in Diamondbacks' Win Wednesday https://t.co/eMMhNGXgLC

— RotoBaller MLB (@RotoBallerMLB) March 4, 2021

Pivetta Strong In Spring Debut
Boston Red Sox pitcher Nick Pivetta threw two innings Wednesday, allowing a run and hit apiece while striking out one and walking none. Encouraging signs were his fastball that sat 95 mph but reached 96 mph after averaging just short of 93 mph in 2020. Still just 28 years old, Pivetta has shown signs of sheer brilliance but has combined it with long bouts of inconsistency. If he continue to perform well this spring, he may land at the back-end of the Sox' rotation, but that would merely give him some AL-only value.

Cruz Launches Three-Run Shot
Minnesota Twins designated hitter Nelson Cruz opened his spring in a big fashion, crushing a three-run homer in Wednesday's game against the Red Sox. The shot registered at 108 mph off the bat, so even at 40 years young, Cruz is still able to bring the boom with his bat. At a 97 ADP, the slugger is tough to predict given his age, but with home runs like Wednesday's, another 35-plus home run season isn't out of the question.

Nelson Cruz Crushes Three-Run Home Run In First Action Of Spring https://t.co/S1LJKtbVqP

— RotoBaller MLB (@RotoBallerMLB) March 3, 2021

Colome Shelled In Twins Debut
Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Alex Colome had a rough go of it Wednesday against the Boston Red Sox. The righty gave up four runs on five hits, including a home run, while also striking out one. The former White Sox closer is surely in contention for saves with his new squad, but Wednesday wasn't a good first impression.

Berrios Goes Two Scoreless
Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Jose Berrios threw two scoreless innings against Boston on Wednesday. Needing 26 pitches, the righty allowed just one hit and struck out three in the outing. Last season was a double-edged sword for Berrios, registering a 25 K% but almost reaching a 10 BB% with just a 1.1 fWAR in 63 IP. He's fallen down to an 85 ADP but has the chance to return solid value at that spot, given the status of this Twins team heading into 2021.

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