Nick Loftin Scratched With Wrist Injury

Kansas City Royals infielder Nick Loftin (wrist) was scratched from Sunday's starting lineup due to right wrist soreness. Fantasy managers should continue monitoring his status throughout the week in case he remains sidelined. Last season, Loftin logged a career-high 57 games at the MLB level. He held a .189/.282/.236 slash line with four doubles and […]

Tyler Black Returns On Sunday

Milwaukee Brewers infielder Tyler Black (back) made his spring training debut on Sunday. Black has been sidelined during the early part of camp with a minor back injury. However, seeing him return to action suggests he should not face any restrictions by Opening Day. In his debut, he went 0-for-3 at the plate. The 24-year-old […]

Freddie Freeman Playing First Base On Sunday

Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman (ankle) will cover first base and bat third during their contest against the Chicago White Sox on Sunday. This is Freeman's first game playing the field during spring training. During his first taste of spring training, the reigning World Series MVP has exclusively been deployed as a designated […]

How Important Is Batting Order? Sabermetrics Glossary for Fantasy Baseball (2025)

Welcome RotoBallers to our overview of batting order. This article is a deeper dive into batting order, and is part of our ongoing series "Using Sabermetrics for Fantasy Baseball." In this article, we'll quantify the differences between lineup spots for fantasy purposes. Along the way, we'll clearly and concisely answer questions like "How many plate […]

Spencer Steer Could Open The Season On The Injured List

Cincinnati Reds first baseman/outfielder Spencer Steer (shoulder) could open the season on the injured list. Manager Terry Francona said they are taking "as much time as necessary" to ensure his shoulder is right. Steer has battled a lingering shoulder injury throughout camp. He was scratched from Saturday's lineup and received two cortisone shots. Steer has […]

Spencer Steer Receives Cortisone Shot

Cincinnati Reds outfielder/infielder Spencer Steer (shoulder) received a cortisone shot on Saturday which will keep him sidelined for a few days. Steer was a late scratch from Saturday's contest who is still dealing with his lingering shoulder injury. Steer was set to begin a throwing program earlier in the week but felt shoulder discomfort. As […]

Luke Raley Starting On Saturday

Seattle Mariners first baseman/outfielder Luke Raley (undisclosed) is back in the starting nine for Saturday afternoon's contest against the Chicago White Sox. Raley was dealing with an undisclosed injury throughout the week but has been cleared ahead of Saturday's game. He will start at first base and bat in the cleanup spot. Last season, Raley […]

12 Breakout Hitters For Fantasy Baseball Drafts

The word “breakout” is a polarizing one in fantasy baseball. To some, it is a player that will simply outlive the value you have to pay to draft a player. To others, it is a player who is set to take a big step and be going significantly earlier in fantasy drafts next season.  I […]

Nolan Schanuel Hopes To Improve Bat Speed

Los Angeles Angels first baseman Nolan Schanuel worked to improve his bat speed during the offseason. Last season, the former 11th overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft placed in the second percentile in bat speed (65.2 mph). He generated a weak 25.4 percent hard-hit rate and a 3.5 percent barrel rate which placed him […]

10 Fantasy Baseball Bold Predictions - Jarod Rupp's 2025 Picks

In an attempt to win our fantasy leagues, for months leading up to our drafts, we are taking in as much information as possible, forming thoughts and opinions on what the likeliest outcome for a player is. But sometimes, it's fun to take a break from all of that and think about what's possible, even […]

Ryan Clifford Belts Home Run For First Spring Hit

New York Mets outfield/first base prospect Ryan Clifford collected his first hit of the spring season on Thursday, which was a two-run shot in the sixth inning of the team's 5-0 Grapefruit League win over the Astros. The 21-year-old is now 1-for-6 during the spring, although it's not likely that he'll be with the big […]

Samuel Basallo Blasts His First Home Run Of The Spring

Baltimore Orioles catching prospect Samuel Basallo hit his first home run of the spring on Thursday in an 11-8 Grapefruit League win over the Blue Jays. The solo blast was a crushed, clearing the scoreboard in center field. He's now 2-for-4 in three spring appearances, but perhaps more notable was that he came off the […]

Tyler Soderstrom Could See Opportunities Behind The Plate

Athletics first baseman Tyler Soderstrom could still be in the mix to serve as the team's backup catcher. Soderstrom was drafted as a catcher with the 26th pick in the 2020 MLB Draft. However, the 23-year-old has begun to transition to first base. Last summer, Soderstrom made just one start behind the dish in the […]

Jake Lamb Battling Tight Quadriceps

San Francisco Giants first baseman/outfielder Jake Lamb (quadriceps) is dealing with tightness in his left quad. The 34-year-old was lifted from Thursday's spring training contest. The team is expected to provide an update on his status on Friday. Earlier in the offseason, Lamb signed a minor-league contract with the Giants that included an invite to […]

Freddie Freeman To Have His Ankle Taped Through All-Star Break

Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman (ankle) played in his Cactus League debut on Thursday against the division-rival Colorado Rockies as the designated hitter with tape on his right ankle and expects to use the tape through the All-Star break, according to The Athletic's Fabian Ardaya. The tape on his ankle on Thursday wasn't […]

Bryce Harper To Return On Friday

Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper (triceps) will return to the team's Grapefruit League lineup on Friday against the Boston Red Sox after he was hit by a pitch on Wednesday. Harper was removed from Wednesday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays as a precaution after suffering a right-triceps contusion. The Phillies gave the 32-year-old […]

Matt Gorski Could Make Opening Day Roster

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Matt Gorski is making a strong push to begin the season on the MLB roster. Throughout camp, Gorski has begun seeing time at first base with Spencer Horwitz (wrist) sidelined, improving his defensive versatility. The Pirates are lacking a depth outfielder, and Gorski could be given the edge due to his ability […]

Bryce Harper Should Be Fine After Being Hit By Pitch

Updating a previous report, the Philadelphia Phillies think first baseman Bryce Harper (triceps) will be fine after he was hit by a pitch in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Toronto Blue Jays, according to manager Rob Thomson. Harper left the game immediately in the sixth inning and has a contusion in the right triceps […]

Bryce Harper Leaves Early After Being Hit By Pitch

Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper (biceps) was hit on the right biceps by a Richard Lovelady pitch on Wednesday during his Grapefruit League debut versus the Toronto Blue Jays and immediately came out of the game. The 32-year-old was hit in the arm in his third plate appearance of the day in the sixth […]

11 Sleeper Hitters and Pitchers for Fantasy Baseball

The term "sleeper" has become a bit overused in fantasy baseball. Too often I see players who go earlier in drafts categorized as a sleeper, but you won't find that in this article. I'm digging deeper to bring you my fantasy baseball sleepers. In this article, you will find a mix of hitters and pitchers, […]

Freddie Freeman Scheduled To DH On Thursday

Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman (ankle) is scheduled to make his Cactus League debut as the designated hitter on Thursday against the division-rival Colorado Rockies, according to the Los Angeles Times' Jack Harris. The Dodgers have eased Freeman into the early portion of spring training after he had surgery in December to remove […]

X-Rays Come Back Negative On Xavier Isaac

The X-rays on Tampa Bay Rays first base prospect Xavier Isaac (shoulder) came back negative. Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reported that Isaac should resume hitting in the "next few days" and will "work back into throwing." Isaac has begun to see work in the outfield during camp. However, he felt soreness in […]

Tyler Black Hits Off A Tee, Hoping To Return To Games Next Week

Milwaukee Brewers infielder Tyler Black (back) was able to hit off a tee earlier on Tuesday. He is hoping to return to participate in spring training contests next week. Black is currently fighting for a spot on the Opening Day roster. The 24-year-old made his MLB debut last season. Across a brief 18-game stint, the […]

Luke Raley Scratched On Tuesday

Seattle Mariners first baseman/outfielder Luke Raley (undisclosed) was scratched from Tuesday's Cactus League lineup for undisclosed reasons against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Tyler Locklear replaced Raley in the starting lineup and is batting fifth and playing first base. We'll post an update on Raley if he was scratched due to an injury. The 30-year-old left-handed […]

Xavier Isaac Undergoing Precautionary MRI

Tampa Bay Rays first base prospect Xavier Isaac (elbow) is set to undergo a precautionary MRI on his left elbow. Isaac has begun to see time in the outfield during camp, which has put more stress on his arm. Fantasy managers should keep a close eye on his status as he is considered one of […]

Kyle Manzardo Goes Deep On Monday

Cleveland Guardians first baseman Kyle Manzardo went 1-for-1 with a two-run shot during Monday's spring training contest against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Manzardo hit the home run against right-handed pitcher Josh Winder in the fourth inning. Last season, the 24-year-old made his MLB debut and spent 53 games with the Guardians. He posted a .242/.282/.421 slash […]

Later-Round Values for Runs - Fantasy Baseball Category Boosters

If you target power-hitting early in your fantasy baseball drafts, you may be near the bottom in run projections, as most of the players bat in the heart of a lineup and not near the top. Many of these sluggers are responsible for bringing in runs and not scoring them. However, several options are going […]

Mark Canha Expected To Be A First Baseman, Designated Hitter

Milwaukee Brewers first baseman/outfielder Mark Canha is expected to see most of his time as a first baseman and a designated hitter. Canha signed a minor-league contract with the Brewers last week and was invited to spring training. Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel noted that Canha could also be deployed off the bench […]

Tyler Black Battling Back Stiffness

Milwaukee Brewers infielder Tyler Black (back) is dealing with back stiffness and has yet to make his Cactus League debut. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status but should be viewed as day-to-day for the time being. Last season, the 24-year-old made his MLB debut. Across 16 contests, Black held a .204/.316/.245 line with […]

Later-Round Values for Batting Average - Fantasy Baseball AVG Specialists

When chasing elite power early in your draft, you are likely sacrificing your batting average production. These hitters could provide you with high power upside, but, in turn, can you put you at the bottom in batting average. However, there are several hitters going late in drafts that can help offset these power hitters and […]