Angels Acquire Ryan Schimpf from Braves

The Los Angeles Angels have acquired 2B/3B Ryan Schimpf in exchange for recently DFA'd catcher Carlos Perez. Schimpf will report to Triple-A for now, but could be recalled while Ian Kinsler (groin) is on the DL. Schimpf has hit 34 home runs in 527 career plate appearances, but has a .175 batting average in that […]

Starlin Castro Off To A Nice Start In 2018

Miami Marlins second baseman Starlin Castro is picking up right where he left off last season. The first-year Marlin has notched three RBI over his first three games in South Beach, much to the delight of the Marlins, a team that lost most of its offensive production in the offseason. Castro launched 16 homers in […]

Breyvic Valera Traded To Dodgers

Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Breyvic Valera was traded from the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for minor league outfielder Johan Mieses. Valera was the Dominican League MVP last winter and could be the answer to the second base conundrum facing the team while Logan Forsythe mans third in Justin Turner's (wrist) absence. Valera had an […]

Digging Deeper - Week 1 Waiver Wire Targets

We are here, fantasy baseball enthusiasts! As things get underway, this is a great time to overreact and propose Matt Davidson for Felipe Rivero and Brad Hand because closers are fickle beasts. Don't forget to cut Trea Turner because Dave Martinez likes his speed in the 6-hole. I kid, I kid. Welcome to Digging Deeper. […]

Scott Kingery Picks Up Two More Hits In Defeat

Philadelphia Phillies rookie Scott Kingery started for the second consecutive game at a second different position tonight in Atlanta. The 23-year-old started at shortstop and batted sixth in the club’s 15-2 blowout defeat. His first hit came in the fourth, when he led off with a double as the team already trailed by five runs. […]

Yoan Moncada Connects For First Home Run

Chicago White Sox second baseman Yoan Moncada went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and two runs scored in Saturday night. The youngster has one of the brightest upsides in the game and is still just 22. He offers plenty of upside as a five tool player and should be own in all leagues.

Ian Kinsler Hits the DL

Los Angeles Angels second baseman Ian Kinsler (groin) was placed on the 10-day DL, retroactive to March 30. Angels General Manager hopes it will only be a minimum stay for the veteran second baseman. In his stead, Luis Valbuena will man third base and Zack Cozart will slide over to second base and bat leadoff. […]

DJ LeMahieu Quickly Filling Stat Sheets

Colorado Rockies second baseman DJ LeMahieu has been the epitome of an empty-average player for the last few years. He's only stolen more than 11 bases or topped eight home runs once in the last four years, but he's off to a quick start in 2018. A day after cracking his first homer on Opening […]

Javier Baez Out Of Saturday’s Lineup

The Chicago Cubs will rest second baseman Javier Baez on Saturday. Utilityman Ben Zobrist will start in place of Baez and bat seventh. Zobrist started last night’s thriller and went 3-for-7. He is worth a look in daily leagues tonight, but figured to be in and out of the Cubs lineup this year and is […]

Ian Kinsler Sitting on Saturday

Los Angeles Angels second baseman Ian Kinsler (fatigue) was removed from Friday's game. He is not in the lineup for Saturday's contest, although that was pre-planned as the team wants to give him plenty of rest as he recovers from a groin injury. Once again, Zack Cozart will bat leadoff and play second base in […]

Joe Panik Hits Second Home Run

After leading the Giants to a 1-0 victory on Thursday, second baseman Joe Panik was back at it again as he hit his second home run of the season off of Kenley Jansen to secure a Giants 1-0 victory. Panik is off to a strong start and will be a hot waiver wire pickup.

Scott Kingery Picks Up Two Hits In Debut

It only took until the second game of the 2018 season for Scott Kingery to make his much anticipated debut with the Philadelphia Phillies. The 23-year-old took over third base from Maikel Franco today, batting sixth. After striking out in his first plate appearance, he singled in the fourth inning. His second hit of the […]

Scooter Gennett Picks Up Four Hits In Opener

Cincinnati Reds second baseman Scooter Gennett had a big day at the plate against the Washington Nationals on Opening Day, going 4-for-4 with a double. While it wasn't quite a four-homer game such as he posted in the 2017 season, Gennett did the majority of his damage against Nationals ace and reigning Cy Young winner […]

Ian Kinsler in Starting Lineup Friday

Los Angeles Angels second baseman Ian Kinsler (hamstring) is healthy and in the lineup on Friday, leading off and playing second base. Zack Cozart is back at his normal third base, hitting fifth. Kinsler missed the last few spring training games with a hamstring injury but is fully healthy and ready to go for the second […]

Jonathan Villar Out Of Lineup On Friday

Milwaukee Brewers infielder Jonathan Villar will sit out on Friday against the San Diego Padres. After striking out two times in three at-bats and eventually being replaced by Eric Sogard, it appears Brewers manager Craig Counsell was not impressed with Villar's game Thursday night. The team is also facing a left-handed pitcher Friday. Hernan Perez will […]

Chase Utley Will Start At Second

Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Chase Utley will start on Friday against the Giants. He will bat seventh. Utley and Kike Hernandez will be splitting time at second while Logan Forsythe covers third for the injured Justin Turner (wrist). Utley went 1-for-1 with a steal in the season opener Thursday but offers little in terms of fantasy […]

Neil Walker (1B/2B, NYY) - Week 1 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in Deeper Leagues OWNED IN: 16% of leagues ANALYSIS: We’ll dig a bit deeper here to speak on Walker, who was mercifully plucked from the free-agent pool already by the Yankees. When a guy gets into the Yankees starting lineup, then you probably want to pluck them from the FA pool as well. […]

Cesar Hernandez (2B, PHI) - Week 1 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in Deeper Leagues OWNED IN: 46% of leagues ANALYSIS: Everyone’s over here freaking out about Scott Kingery (which I get) and yet, Hernandez’s moderate yet dependable output is being overlooked in too many leagues. Maybe you feel like he’s been around for too long and just isn’t exciting, but he’s only 27! He’s hit exactly […]

Austin Barnes (C/2B, LAD) - Week 1 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in Deeper Leagues OWNED IN: 36% owned ANALYSIS: Barnes pushed aside Yasmani Grandal for starts down the stretch last year by rocking an .895 OPS with eight homers and four steals in 262 plate appearances, which led to his also starting over Grandal through much of the postseason. Grandal is no slouch, especially defensively, […]

DJ LeMahieu Homers On Opening Day

Colorado Rockies second baseman DJ LeMahieu smacked his first homer in his first at-bat of the season. LaMahieu's never hit more than 11 in a year, so this is likely just the first of a few this season, but his elite contact rate and the lack of depth at second base makes the possibility of […]

Eduardo Nunez Hits Inside-The-Park Home Run

Boston Red Sox utility player Eduardo Nunez hit an inside-the-park home run in the second inning against the Rays. Only recently did Nunez start getting more confident with the strength in his knees; knee injuries ended his 2017 season. The Rays outfielders get an assist for this home run because they misplayed the ball. However, […]

Joe Panik Hits First Home Run

San Francisco Giants second baseman Joe Panik hit his first home run of the season off of Clayton Kershaw Thursday evening. Panik finished the night 2-for-4. Batting second in front of Andrew McCutchen, Buster Posey and Evan Longoria, Panik should pick of his fare share of runs. He is worth a look in NL-only leagues.

Cesar Hernandez Drills Home Run In Opening Day Defeat

For the second season in a row, Philadelphia Phillies second baseman and leadoff man Cesar Hernandez hit the club’s first home run of the season. The 27-year-old led off the top of the sixth with a solo blast to right, sparking a four-run inning that gave his team a five-run lead. At the time the […]

Jonathan Villar Strikes Out Twice, Replaced Against Padres

Milwaukee Brewers infielder Jonathan Villar went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts and was eventually replaced by Eric Sogard defensively in the seventh inning against the San Diego Padres. This is not the start that the Brewers were looking for from Villar, as many were projecting Sogard to start at second. After a disappointing 2017 season where […]

Anthony Rizzo Hits Home Run Thursday

Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo hit a home run in the top of the third inning on Thursday. Rizzo finished the game 1-for-4 with two runs scored. He remains one of the more consistent fantasy players for this season.

Ian Happ Starts 2018 With A Home Run

On the first pitch of the Major League season, Chicago Cubs outfielder Ian Happ hit a home run off of Marlins starter Jose Urena. Happ was a monster this spring and so far he hasn’t slowed down. He finished the game 1-for-5 and did strike out three times, but the power is real and Happ […]

Ian Kinsler Expected to Play Friday

Los Angeles Angels manager Mike Scioscia confirmed that second baseman Ian Kinsler (groin) should only miss Opening Day and is planning to be in the lineup Friday. It was thought all along that this was a very minor injury for Kinsler, and that appears to be the case. In his absence, Zack Cozart is leading off […]

Ian Kinsler Not in Opening Day Lineup

Los Angeles Angels second baseman Ian Kinsler (groin) is not in the Opening Day starting lineup but is expected to play soon. He will not be placed on the disabled list. Zack Cozart will start at second base and bat leadoff in his absence. Luis Valbuena will play third base and Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani […]

Rougned Odor Wraps Up Rough Spring

Texas Rangers second baseman Rougned Odor finished up a spring training worthy of his name. After a poor 2017 campaign despite 30 home runs, the 24-year-old managed just .200/.262/.400 over 60 at-bats. He also struck out in nearly a third of his plate appearances. Odor is a talented, power-over-hit masher who plays a passable second […]

Extension Talks Between Brian Dozier, Twins "Dead"

According to a report from ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick, contract extension talks between the Minnesota Twins and second baseman Brian Dozier are "dead." Sources said that Dozier does not want to have contract talks with the team during the season and plans to become a free agent in November. Dozier has developed into one of the […]