Daniel Vogelbach Hired By Pirates As Special Hitting Assistant

Former first baseman/designated hitter Daniel Vogelbach has been hired by the Pittsburgh Pirates as a special assistant to the hitting department for the 2025 season. Vogelbach will begin his post-playing career after playing in 31 games for the Toronto Blue Jays last year and hitting just .186/.278/.300 with a .578 OPS, one home run and […]

Alexander Canario Seeing Time At First Base

According to Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Cubs outfielder Alexander Canario saw time at first base on Tuesday. The team is exploring several options to serve as the backup behind Michael Busch. Infielders Jon Berti and Vidal Brujan are also expected to see time at first base during the spring. Canario has been […]

Ben Rice Seeing Work Behind The Plate

According to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com, New York Yankees first baseman Ben Rice worked out with the catching group on Wednesday. Hoch noted that the coaching staff said Rice is in the "backup catcher mix." Rice spent most of his minor league career as a catcher but primarily played first base when he made his […]

Jared Triolo, DJ Stewart, Darick Hall All Options At First Base

Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington mentions Jared Triolo, DJ Stewart and Darick Hall as options that the Pirates will consider at first base now that Spencer Horwitz is expected to miss six to eight weeks with a wrist injury that required surgery. Those three players should see the most reps at first base in […]

Spencer Horwitz To Miss 6-8 Weeks

According to Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Pirates first baseman Spencer Horwitz (wrist) is expected to miss six to eight weeks. Hiles noted that Horwitz underwent a procedure on his right wrist last week to address "chronic symptoms" and is expected to make a full recovery. As a result, the 27-year-old will likely miss […]

Christian Encarnacion-Strand Expected To See Time At Third Base

According to C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic, Cincinnati Reds infielder Christian Encarnacion-Strand is expected to see time at third base during spring training. Last season, the 25-year-old was only able to appear in 29 contests due to hand and wrist injuries. During this limited stint, he was unproductive and posted an underwhelming .190/.220/.292 slash […]

Spencer Horwitz To Miss Time In Spring Training With Wrist Injury

Sources tell Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Andrew Destin that Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Spencer Horwitz (wrist) will miss time in spring training with a right-wrist injury. The severity of Horwitz's wrist injury is unclear, but it will certainly put his status up in the air for Opening Day in late March. The 27-year-old was dealt from the […]

DJ LeMahieu Healthy Heading Into Spring Training

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that infielder DJ LeMahieu (hip) is healthy entering spring training this year. "DJ is healthy, which is really been the issue for him over the last couple of years. He's had those things that have popped up, that have really zapped his greatness. I'm not going to put […]

Spencer Steer Still Recovering From Shoulder Soreness

The Cincinnati Enquirer's Gordon Wittenmyer reports that Cincinnati Reds infielder/outfielder Spencer Steer (shoulder) is still recovering from the shoulder soreness he dealt with late last year and will likely serve as the designated hitter when Cactus League games kick off in spring training. Steer will eventually work up to returning to the field. It's certainly […]

Twins Sign Ty France To One-Year Deal

The Minnesota Twins signed former Seattle Mariners All-Star infielder Ty France to an undisclosed one-year deal on Tuesday, pending a physical. France, who had an .813 OPS in 2021 with Seattle, is an interesting addition to a first base picture in Minnesota that also includes Jose Miranda, Edouard Julien and Mickey Gasper. The 30-year-old right-handed […]

Weston Wilson Competing For Second Utility Spot

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder/first baseman Weston Wilson will be competing with Kody Clemens and Buddy Kennedy at spring training this year for the second utility job behind infielder Edmundo Sosa, who is a lock for the Opening Day roster, according to MLB.com's Todd Zolecki. If the Phillies are looking for balance on their roster, Wilson might […]

Jake Bauers Firmly In The Mix For Opening Day Roster Spot

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Curt Hogg doesn't think that enough people are giving Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Jake Bauers a realistic shot at making the Opening Day roster in 2025. Rhys Hoskins shouldn't be seen as a lock for everyday playing time at first base, and Tyler Black's shaky defense will be under a microscope […]

Eric Cross' Top 10 First Base (1B) Dynasty Fantasy Baseball Rankings for 2025

The Super Bowl and football season are in the rearview mirror, which prompted the annual "It's baseball season" tweets to fill up my timeline. But in the dynasty fantasy baseball world, it's always baseball season! I'll be continuing my positional dynasty fantasy baseball rankings series today with the first base position, which is loaded at […]

What Are ATC Projections? Overview, Uses and Unique Features for Fantasy Baseball

As someone who has played fantasy football for a lengthier period than baseball -- the roster size, league depth, and categorical balance still remains challenging in fantasy baseball. The player pool becomes difficult to master and understand, especially as the league and roster size grows. Thankfully, projection systems help give us a baseline of numbers […]

Kike Hernandez Returning To Los Angeles

According to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic, infielder/outfielder Kike Hernandez is returning to the Los Angeles Dodgers on a one-year contract. The 33-year-old will likely return to a super-utility role for the 2025 campaign. Last summer, Hernandez posted a .229/.281/.373 slash line across 126 contests. He tallied 12 home runs with 16 doubles. He saw […]

Bounceback Hitters: Fantasy Baseball ADP Values for Infielders (2025)

The long winter is almost over, and fantasy baseball draft season is kicking into high gear. The month of February is the first big draft month for most, especially with the end of football after the Super Bowl. So whether or not you already have been drafting/prepping or are beginning now, RotoBaller has you covered […]

Jon Berti Could Be Backup First Baseman In Chicago

According to Patrick Mooney and Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic, Chicago Cubs infielder Jon Berti could be the team's primary backup first baseman during the 2025 season. The team signed Berti to a one-year contract worth $2 million earlier in the offseason. Last season, Berti logged just 25 starts with the Yankees as he battled […]

Hunter Goodman Will Have Limited Role To Start The Season

According to Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post, Colorado Rockies catcher Hunter Goodman is not expected to have an everyday role in the starting lineup to open the season. Saunders noted that the 25-year-old backstop will not start behind the plate more than twice a week. After appearing in just 23 games during his rookie […]

Padres Sign Gavin Sheets To A Minor-League Contract

According to Robert Murray of FanSided.com, the San Diego Padres signed first baseman/outfielder Gavin Sheets to a minor-league contract that includes an invite to spring training. Sheets has spent his entire professional career with the Chicago White Sox. Last season, Sheets posted a .233/.303/.357 line with 24 doubles, 10 home runs, and tallied 45 RBI […]

Blaze Jordan Would Be Included In Package To Acquire Nolan Arenado

According to John Denton of MLB.com, Boston Red Sox first base prospect Blaze Jordan would likely be included in the package to acquire third baseman Nolan Arenado from the St. Louis Cardinals. Denton noted that both teams have remained in discussions, and the Cardinals have shown interest in Jordan. St. Louis' president of baseball operations, […]

David Fry Targeting May Return

According to Zack Meisel of The Athletic, Cleveland Guardians catcher David Fry (elbow) could return to the batter's box in May or June. Meisel noted that given Fry's recovery process from Tommy John, he will not be able to contribute defensively but should be able to return to the batter's box early into the season. […]

Connor Joe Inks Deal With San Diego

According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the San Diego Padres have signed outfielder/first baseman Connor Joe to a contract. Earlier in the offseason, the Pittsburgh Pirates non-tendered the 32-year-old. Joe has spent the previous two seasons in the Steel City. During this stint, Joe held a .238/.330/.396 slash line with 53 doubles, […]

Cubs Invite Matt Shaw, Moises Ballesteros, James Triantos To Spring Training

The Chicago Cubs are bringing infield prospects Matt Shaw and James Triantos, and catcher/first baseman Moises Ballesteros to major-league spring training this year as non-roster invites. Per MLB Pipeline, Shaw is ranked as the No. 19 overall prospect in baseball, with Triantos checking in at No. 73, and Ballesteros at No. 69. If the Cubs […]

White Sox Sign Brandon Drury, Tristan Gray

The Chicago White Sox announced on Friday that they agreed to terms with free-agent infielders Brandon Drury and Tristan Gray on minor-league deals that include non-roster invites to spring training. Drury fell apart in his second year with the Angels in 2024 to the tune of a .169/.242/.228 lash line with four homers, 15 RBI […]

Trey Mancini, Diamondbacks Agree To Minor-League Deal

Veteran first baseman/outfielder Trey Mancini and the Arizona Diamondbacks agreed to a minor-league deal on Friday that includes an invitation to spring training, a source told ESPN's Jeff Passan. The 32-year-old right-handed slugger didn't play at all in 2024 but has remained in shape and will now get his chance to resurface in the big […]

Blue Jays Continue To Work On Extension For Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Toronto Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins acknowledged that talks with first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. remain ongoing on a potential contract extension with the start of spring training coming next week. Guerrero has reportedly set a self-imposed deadline for contract talks for the start of spring training, and it's been widely reported that he […]

Bryce Eldridge Invited To Big-League Spring Training

The San Francisco Giants have invited first base prospect Bryce Eldridge to major-league spring training this year. Eldridge is the Giants' top prospect and also checks in as the No. 24 overall prospect in baseball, per MLB Pipeline. The 20-year-old left-handed-hitting first baseman, the 16th overall pick in 2023, went from Single-A San Jose to […]

Oscar Colas Could Move To First Base

According to Francys Romero, the Chicago White Sox are considering moving outfielder Oscar Colas to first base during spring training. This would significantly improve his chances of making the Opening Day roster. Last summer, Colas appeared in just 13 games on the Southside and held a .273/.368/.273 slash line. He tallied nine hits, but none […]

MLB Owners To Discuss Push For Salary Cap

The Athletic's Evan Drellich reports that Major League Baseball owners will discuss whether to pursue a salary cap at this week's meetings in Florida. According to people briefed on the talks, opinions among owners are mixed, but time remains to discuss the topic, as the collective bargaining agreement doesn't expire until after the 2026 season. […]

What is Plate Discipline (SwStr% and O-Swing%)? Sabermetrics Glossary for Fantasy Baseball (2025)

Welcome, RotoBallers, to our overview of plate discipline. This article is a deeper dive into plate discipline, and is part of our ongoing series "Using Sabermetrics for Fantasy Baseball." In this article, we'll look at how to predict K% and BB% using advanced plate discipline stats such as swinging strike percentage (SwStr%) and chase rate […]