Poetry in Motion: The Five Tools of Jose Altuve

Jose Altuve is the American League Most Valuable Player. OK, it's still a bit early, but if a vote were taken right now, he would be heavily considered along with Manny Machado and Robinson Cano. In reality, he might finish third at the moment, mainly because the other two are on first-place teams. The Astros have been one […]

Yesterday's Studs and Duds: Fantasy Baseball Recap from 5/11/16

Every day, we will be taking a quick look at the best and worst fantasy baseball performers from yesterday's games. There were several dominant performances on both sides of the ball, as an MLB record was tied and several players went deep multiple times - including one of the last guys you'd expect. Here's a […]

NL-Only League Waiver Wire Pickups for Week Six: Cozart, Eickhoff, Rodney and more

One thing fantasy baseball managers can be guilty of at times is trying too hard. In search of the next hot prospect or hidden gem, we can look right past a productive player because he is already a known commodity. These players may not go on to suddenly have career years, but there is something […]

AL-Only League Waiver Wire Pickups For Week Six: Smoak, Pearce, Karns and More

If there is one takeaway from the movie Captain America: Civil War, it is that superhero ensemble movies greatly benefit from the right amount of new blood mixed with the old. Newcomers Spider-Man and Black Panther stole the screen anytime they showed up, injecting new-found excitement and possibilities for the Avengers' future. But by limiting […]

Brandon Phillips (2B, CIN) - Waiver Wire Pickups

Baller Move: Add in all leagues Owned in: 51% of Fleaflicker leagues Analysis: Brandon Phillips is having a pretty ideal season, especially when looking forward. With six home runs, three stolen bases, and a slash line of .284/.310/.523, it seems almost too good to be true for the 34 year old defensive guru. Phillips has […]

Javier Baez (2B/3B/SS, CHC) - Waiver Wire Pickups

Baller Move: Add in 12+ team leagues Owned in: 33% of Fleaflicker leagues Analysis: No one should be too surprised that highly touted prospect Javier Baez is living up to his big name this season, but everyone should be surprised at how widely available he is, especially given his triple infield eligibility. This season in […]

Brett Lawrie (2B/3B, CHW) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in all leagues OWNED IN: 54% of Fleaflicker leagues ANALYSIS: Brett Lawrie has been one of many fortunate players swinging a bat for the Chicago White Sox this season. Owning the best record in the American League, the White Sox continue to piece together wins and throw together a deep lineup daily. Batting sixth in that lineup […]

Jose Ramirez (2B/SS/3B/OF, CLE) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in Deep Mixed Leagues, AL-Only Leagues OWNED IN: 8% Fleaflicker ANALYSIS: Jose Ramirez, the Indians' nine-hitter, has been playing left field and third base, and he should occasionally spell Jason Kipnis and Francisco Lindor in the middle infield slots. He's been hot to begin the season, hitting .310 with 12 RBI, and […]

Derek Dietrich (2B/3B/OF, MIA) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in NL-Only Leagues OWNED IN: 6% Fleaflicker ANALYSIS: With Dee Gordon suspended, Derek Dietrich has been handed the starting job at second base. So far, he’s running with it, hitting .323/.408/.597. Dietrich hit 10 homers in 289 plate appearances last season, so the pop is real. The average is probably headed down, […]

Martin Prado (2B/3B, MIA) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in Deep Mixed Leagues, NL-Only Leagues OWNED IN: 24% Fleaflicker ANALYSIS: Martin Prado isn’t going to hit .400 all season. We all know better than that. But he is a career .293 hitter and routinely one of the most difficult hitters in baseball to strike out. Reliable sources of batting average are […]

Dynasty Review: Deep Fantasy League Advice for Week 6

Welcome back to the Dynasty Review. The purpose of this column is to advise you on up-and-comers in dynasty leagues. We're Phillies themed today. As of this writing, the club is two games back in the NL East with a 18-14 record - tied eighth best in baseball. Despite their early success, they have plenty of room for […]

MLB Ready Prospects: Top 30 Fantasy Rankings for Impact Rookies (Week 6)

The early rookie sensations that captured the baseball spotlight earlier in the year have begun to fade and others have now started to make a name for themselves. Players like Brandon Drury and Aledmys Diaz have really started to garner a lot of attention as their hot play of late has made them must-own fantasy […]

Top Hitter Waiver Wire Streamers for Week 6

Whether it’s because of an injury or poor performance, there are always opportunities to stream players off the waiver wire. The best players to stream are those who are under-owned and face appealing match-ups for the upcoming week. Here are five players who are available in more than half of Fleaflicker leagues and have attractive […]

MLB Ready Prospects: Top 30 Fantasy Rankings for Impact Rookies (Week 5)

There were several top pitching arms promoted over the past few days and most of them looked very solid for their respective teams. Jose Berrios debuted for the Minnesota Twins, Sean Manaea debuted for the Oakland Athletics, and Michael Fulmer debuted for the Detroit Tigers. If you want to read more about these arms, check […]

Martin Prado (2B/3B, MIA) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 24% Fleaflicker ANALYSIS: Martin Prado has been lauded as a consummate professional in the clubhouse. This may not mean much to fantasy owners, but Prado can contribute the same to your team as he does in real life - consistency. Prado has a career line of .293/.341/.426 and has […]

Devon Travis (2B, TOR) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 16% Fleaflicker ANALYSIS: On the disabled list since the year began, Devon Travis is working his way back by playing in extended spring training. There is not a clear timeline for him to return, but he should surely be a part of Toronto's loaded offense before the All-Star […]

Yesterday's Studs and Duds: Fantasy Baseball Recap from 5/5/16

Every day, we will be taking a quick look at the best and worst fantasy baseball performers from yesterday's games. We saw three teams get shut out (one in 10 innings), while another scored 13 runs in a single frame. Here's a quick look at those who impressed on Thursday, and those who want to […]

NL-Only League Waiver Wire Pickups for Week Five: Dietrich, Drury, Gray and more

When the going gets tough, the tough look desperately to the waiver wire in hopes of finding the next Aledmys Diaz. I think that's how that saying goes... One month of the MLB season is officially in the books. Fantasy owners likely have a good sense of their team's strengths and weaknesses by now. Whether […]

Brandon Phillips (2B, CIN) - Waiver Wire Pickups

Baller Move: Add in All Leagues. Owned in: 50% of Fleaflicker leagues. Analysis: Despite his youthful energy and taste in walk-up music, Brandon Phillips is actually 34 years old and was drafted in 1999 by the Montreal Expos. However, despite predictions for years, his age has yet to take a significant toll on his play. […]

Joe Panik (2B, SFG) - Waiver Wire Pickups

Baller Move: Add in All Leagues. Owned in: 60% of Fleaflicker leagues. Analysis: Joe Panik has gotten off to a great start at the plate this season, which is even more impressive considering he makes San Francisco his home turf. In 93 AB this season Panik has three HR, a 120 OPS+, and an impressive […]

Yesterday's Studs and Duds: Fantasy Baseball Recap from 5/4/16

Every day, we will be taking a quick look at the best and worst fantasy baseball performers from yesterday's games. It was a big night offensively, as 13 teams scored at least five runs and two put up double digits. Here's a quick look at those who impressed on Wednesday, and those who want to […]

Javier Baez (2B/3B/SS, CHC) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 15% Fleaflicker ANALYSIS: Javier Baez has served as the ultimate utility man for the Cubs so far this season, appearing at all four infield positions. He begins most games on the bench, but Joe Maddon has found ways to get Baez in the game more often […]

Brett Lawrie (2B/3B, CHW) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in Deep Mixed Leagues, AL-Only Leagues OWNED IN: 22% Fleaflicker ANALYSIS: Brett Lawrie is on an absolute tear at the moment. In his last 15 games, he's hitting .294 with seven RBI and 10 runs scored. While he goes down swinging a ton, if you're in a league that doesn't count strikeouts, he's been […]

Week 5 Waiver Wire: Second Base (2B) and Shortstop (SS)

Over the course of the season I’ll be giving you two players at second base and shortstop per week who I think can help your team. These players are usually widely available in any format, and should turn nice profits in the weeks to come. As always, feel free to reach out to me directly […]

The Cut List (Week 5): Players To Consider Cutting Bait On

The calendar is turning to May and Week 5 is about to start. The hot starters are beginning to cool off, and the sleepers may have hit the snooze button. Injuries, changes in the lineup, etc. - so many things are coming into play. Here is a list of some guys with whom you shouldn't […]

Yangervis Solarte (1B/2B/3B, SD) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Wait to Add in 14+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 10% Fleaflicker ANALYSIS: After a solid start to the 2016 campaign, Yangervis Solarte tweaked his right hamstring and was placed on the 15-day DL. He is already eligible to rejoin the team, but will likely return to action closer to mid-May. He had a hot start […]

2016 MLB Team Analysis for April: Chicago White Sox

Welcome to this look-in for Chicago White Sox as we enter May. As the RotoBaller writer responsible for the daily coverage of the White Sox, I decided to create a "one-stop shop" for all things South Sider thus far. First, let’s get you the team numbers. Then we'll break down the hitters, starting pitchers, and relievers. […]

2016 MLB Team Analysis for April: Colorado Rockies

Colorado Rockies Team Breakdown: April Edition Welcome to the Colorado Rockies team report for April. As the RotoBaller writer responsible for the daily coverage of the Rockies, who better than me to break them down for you as we enter May? First, let’s get you the numbers. Here you’ll find team stats, and then those […]

Dynasty Review: Deep Fantasy League Advice for Week 5

April has come and gone. With it, we've witnessed the usual array of breakouts, unexpected flops, and early season hot streaks. The purpose of this column is to advise you on up-and-comers in dynasty leagues. Often, our attention will be focused on up-and-coming prospects. However, we'll also keep an eye on any non-prospects who could […]

Champ or Chump: What to Make of Aledmys Diaz, Neil Walker and Joey Votto

If you look at any baseball coverage with an analytical bent, you are sure to see the word "regress" or one of its derivatives. Baseball writers frequently cite it when a given player's performance, whether good or bad, seems likely to revert to a previously established level. The word is widely misinterpreted, however. If Player […]