MLB Spring Training Notebook - February 25th

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 at least made it through the first week of pitchers and now full-squad workouts are beginning to take place as well. 

We're just a few days away from the first exhibition games so we're still going off of written word and not performance, but there's still plenty of injury news, contract news, and free agency signings on tap. It's important to remember that just like any other preseason, certain information can, and should, be taken with a grain of salt since players and organizations are just getting back into the swing of things (pun intended).

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.

• Fantasy baseball trade analyzer
• BvP matchups data (Batter vs. Pitcher)
• PvB matchups data (Pitcher vs. Batter)
• Who should I start? Fantasy baseball comparisons
• Daily MLB starting lineups
• Fantasy baseball closer depth charts
• Fantasy Baseball live scoreboard
• Fantasy baseball injury reports

Injuries/COVID

• Washington Nationals ace Max Scherzer (ankle) was able to throw a 40-pitch bullpen off a mound on Wednesday and had no issues. This is encouraging news, following the random injury before spring training. A weak ankle isn't ideal for pitchers, so it's encouraging to hear his bullpen was worry-free. At 36, "Mad Max" might be losing a step or two, but fantasy managers don't seem to think due to his 28 ADP through early mocks.
• Chicago White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday, though it seems he is completely asymptomatic, according to manager Rick Hahn. Abreu was the American League MVP in a shortened 2020 season after hitting 19 homers and driving in 60 runs, and despite his age he doesn't really seem to be letting up. His .300 ISO is a completely unsustainable metric, but he still had an ISO north of .200 in each of the prior three seasons. The 34-year-old has an ADP of 36, but at a deep position, there may be better opportunities later on unless you're banking on him carrying over his 2020 pace.
• Houston Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez (knees) hasn't been able to workout with the team yet in spring training. He played in just two games in the shortened 2020 season before needing surgery, but at 23, you'd expect a full recovery. The lefty slugger hit 27 homers in his rookie 2019 season, and fantasy managers haven't forgotten, as he's still going around pick 83, which could wind up being insane value if his 2019 performance is to return.

• Astros third baseman Alex Bregman (hamstring) has been absent from workouts the last few days thanks to a hamstring he originally tweaked last season but then re-aggravated this offseason. Hamstring injuries are very tricky, because at any moment they can fall apart again. The 26-year-old had a down 2020 but most are willing to throw last season out altogether. He slugged 41 home runs and drove in 112 in 2019 which is the fuel for his 41 ADP, but at such a deep position most will want to be sure he's ready to go for opening day.
• Minneosta Twins top prospect Royce Lewis suffered a torn ACL in his right knee which will require surgery. In most cases, this will require at least nine months of recovery, so the 21-year-old shortstop will have to wait to have his MLB time card punched. This really only affects dynasty formats, especially if Lewis is forced to miss time into next season.

Roster Moves

• Free agent starting pitcher Jake Odorizzi has been drawing interest from several teams, including the Phillies, Red Sox, and Angels among others following an injury shortened 2020 season. It feels like Odorizzi has been around for forever, but he's entering his age-31 campaign, and after an All-Star 2019 season, he still has something left to give. A career 3.92 ERA and 22.7 K%, he's proven to be a solid middle-of-the-rotation arm, especially on a contender. It's tough to gauge his fantasy interest until he winds up on a roster, but as spring training starts to really heat up, expect him to sign sooner rather than later.

Around The Diamond

• Toronto Blue Jays infielder Vladimir Guerrero Jr. dropped 42 pounds this offseason and feels better than ever.  He's set to spend more time at first than at third this year, but his defense isn't why he's one of the hottest young stars in baseball. Slugging 24 homers and driving in 102 over his first 183 games, Vlad Jr. has higher expectations than that, as evidenced by his 55 ADP. Will the weight loss be the improvement that sets him over the top? Only time will tell.

• Tampa Bay Rays infielder Brandon Lowe will get some time at the hot corner, according to manager Kevin Cash. With 37 career home runs and a .513 SLG over 699 plate appearances, he's seen his fantasy stock rise at a weak keystone position. He's currently rated the sixth best at the position, and with some positional flexibility, his value could rise even higher of his bat stays hot.
• Chicago White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson will remain in the leadoff spot this season, said new manager Tony La Russa. The 27-year-old is a 20-20 candidate which pretty rare in today's MLB, but he did just that in 2018. He's also hit over .322 in each of the last two years, so Anderson continues to impress at the plate. He's currently the ninth shortstop off the board and going around pick 41, which speaks of the guys going before him, but Anderson is certainly a contender to finish top 5 at his position.
• Minnesota Twins third baseman Josh Donaldson could see extra rest in 2021 in an effort to allow him to make it through the entire year. Donaldson dealt with some leg injuries a season ago and at 35 years old, there's no guarantee the slugger can consistently remain healthy, even with rest. After slugging 37 homers in 2019 with the Braves, it's crazy to see his current 193 ADP, but at his age, it's totally reasonable. If he can remain healthy and produce at even a portion of that rate again this year, he'll provide great value at the back-end of drafts.

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