Leody Taveras Makes Opening Day Roster

Texas Rangers outfielder Leody Taveras has made the Opening Day Roster for the 2020 season. He is ranked by Baseball America as the third-best prospect in the organization. Taveras excels in the defensive aspects of the game, but his bat needs to improve to get in the starting lineup. Taveras batted .279/.344/.376 with five home […]

Byron Buxton Picks Up The Intensity

Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton (foot) worked out in St. Paul on Wednesday and picked up the intensity. Buxton was able to run and take live swings just a week after being carted off the field with a sprained left foot. The 26-year-old was adamant that he would be ready for Opening Day against the […]

Nick Senzel Getting More Comfortable In Center Field

Cincinnati Reds outfielder Nick Senzel had spent his entire career as an infielder until last season, when the team made him a full-time outfielder. After a difficult learning curve, Senzel recently stated that he is "100 percent comfortable" in center field these days. He also lost about 20 pounds during lockdown, which will increase his […]

Jose Martinez, Yonny Chirinos Expected To Be Ready

Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash said the team expects both first baseman/outfielder Jose Martinez and pitcher Yonny Chirinos to be ready to be on the Opening Day roster. Both players were out until this past weekend after testing positive for COVID-19. It remains to be seen how much either player will be able to […]

Dodgers, Mookie Betts Reach 12-Year Extension

The Los Angeles Dodgers and outfielder Mookie Betts agreed to a 12-year, $365 million contract extension on Wednesday, according to sources familiar with the deal. Combined with the one-year, $27 million deal Betts is currently on, the total comes out to 13 years and $392 million. The Dodgers will keep the former American League MVP […]

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. Taking Batting Practice Wednesday

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (side) will take batting practice ahead of Wednesday’s exhibition contest versus the Red Sox. With a day off on Thursday before the team's regular season opener, starting pitcher Tanner Roark will throw live batting practice, and Gurriel is expected to participate in that as well. The 26-year-old experienced […]

Brett Phillips And Bubba Starling Make Royals Roster

Kansas City Royals manager Mike Matheny announced that outfielders Brett Phillips and Bubba Starling would be part of the team's roster going into opening day. Both players have limited big league experience and figure to see a few starts per week each as the season begins. The Royals just moved fellow outfielder Hunter Dozier (COVID-19) […]

Brad Miller Placed On The Injured List

St. Louis Cardinals utility player Brad Miller (ankle) was placed on the 10-day injured list on Wednesday. Miller is dealing with bursitis in his right ankle, and it is currently unclear when he will be able to return to the field. Once he does, he will work in a utility role, likely playing multiple positions […]

George Springer Ready To Roll

Houston Astros outfielder George Springer is expected to be at the top of the Astros lineup when the team begins their 60-game season on Friday against the Mariners. The free-agent-to-be posted career highs in home runs (39), RBI (96) and OPS (.974) last season and only played in 122 games. Springer is the premier leadoff […]

Michael Brantley Could Hit Cleanup Opening Day

Houston Astros outfielder Michael Brantley is in line to hit cleanup Friday in manager Dusty Baker's offense. The veteran enjoyed a fantastic season in 2019 and mostly hit third, but Baker appears to be open to switching Brantley with Alex Bregman in the order. Brantley slashed .311/.372/.503 last season with 22 home runs, 40 doubles […]

Melky Cabrera Released By The Mets

The New York Mets released outfielder Melky Cabrera on Wednesday, corresponding with their signing of outfielder Juan Lagares to a minor league deal. In 2019, Cabrera hit .280/.313/.399 with seven home runs and 47 RBI in 378 at-bats for the Pirates. If Cabrera lands with a team in need of outfield depth, he may be […]

Austin Dean Has A Spot On The Opening Day Roster

St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Austin Dean has earned a spot on the Opening Day roster. The former Marlin should work as a backup option at both corner outfield spots, and can fill in as a center fielder in a pinch as well. He won't have any significant fantasy value without consistent playing time, and he's […]

Mets Sign Juan Lagares To Minor League Deal

The New York Mets signed outfielder Juan Lagares to a minor league deal on Wednesday. A fan favorite in New York, Lagares had previously signed a minor league deal with the Padres back in February. After he was not added to the Padres' 60-man player pool in early July, Lagares elected free agency. Lagares will […]

Ryan Braun Trending Toward Playing Opening Day

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder/first baseman Ryan Braun will serve as the team's designated hitter Wednesday in their exhibition finale versus the White Sox, Todd Rosiak of The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports. Braun has been battling a number of minor injuries the past few days, with a sore left oblique being the most concerning of the lot. […]

Nomar Mazara Placed On Injured List

Chicago White Sox outfielder Nomar Mazara (undisclosed) has been placed on the 10-day injured list. Manager Rick Renteria declined to specify why the outfielder will be on the injured list, but said that Mazara has been “under the weather.” Outfielders Leury Garcia and Adam Engel are the likely candidates to replace Mazara. Outside of DFS, […]

Hunter Dozier Tests Positive For COVID-19

Kansas City Royals outfielder/third baseman Hunter Dozier has tested positive for COVID-19 and will be placed on the injured list as he heads into self-isolation. This will be a sizeable loss to the Royals lineup going into the season, as Dozier slashed .279/.348/.522 with 26 home runs and 84 RBI over 139 games last year. The […]

Austin Hays (OF, BAL) - Week 1 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 9% of leagues ANALYSIS: 25-year-old Austin Hays is a former highly touted prospect, and given the downtrodden nature of the Baltimore Orioles roster, is ready to take the reigns in the outfield at Camden Yards for the abbreviated 2020 MLB season. Whether or not you would slate the […]

Sauceda's Slants: More POWA to your Outfield

We recently introduced our new hitter metric, POWA (which stands for Prediction of wOBA Attempt), to more appropriately align and weight new Statcast metrics to better predict future performance. You can read the introductory piece for the full details and a 2019 POWA leaderboard, but the gist of it is: POWA is nearly 10% more […]

Cole Tucker Makes Outfield Debut

Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Cole Tucker made his outfield debut in an exhibition game against the Indians on Monday and made a highlight-reel catch in center field. The former first-round pick figures he last played in the outfield when he was 14 or 15 years old. The Pirates told Tucker that shortstop remains his primary position, […]

Yoenis Cespedes Expects To DH On Opening Day

New York Mets outfielder Yoenis Cespedes said he expects to be the designated hitter on Friday, July 24, when the team opens the season against the Braves. Because of injuries to his feet and legs, Friday will be Cespedes' first major league game in more than two years. The right-handed slugger is feeling good and […]

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. Probable For Opening Day

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (side) is not in the lineup for the team’s exhibition contest versus the Red Sox on Tuesday, but he will take batting practice beforehand. Manager Charlie Montoyo said if he “feels good” after that, he could see the 26-year-old being ready for Opening Day on Friday. Gurriel experienced […]

Nick Solak (2B/3B, TEX) - Week 1 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 27% of leagues ANALYSIS: After being acquired from the Rays mid-season, Solak made a mark in his MLB debut with Texas, hitting .293/.393/.491 with 5 HR, 19 R, 17 RBI, and 2 SB in 33 games. The knock against the 25-year-old coming into the season was a […]

Fantasy Life Vests: Safe Hitters In A Season Of Chaos

Chaos is the name of the game when it comes to the 2020 Major League Baseball season. We've got a short season, a limited schedule, expanded rosters, universal DH, and the continuously looming threat of a global pandemic. In other words, we have a plethora of factors we've never had to deal with before as […]

Essential Multi-Position Performers for the Shortened Season

We have already seen several players opt out of the season and others having their outlooks for the beginning of the schedule clouded by COVID-19. There will certainly be more players forced out of action, and some may even elect to walk away when they reach certain service time thresholds or if their team falls […]

Updated Outfielder Rankings - Fantasy Baseball Mixed Leagues (July)

With Opening Day of the 2020 MLB season just a few days away, we have a new batch of updated fantasy baseball rankings for you here at RotoBaller. The unpredictable effects of COVID-19 and the implementation of the 60-game season will make the upcoming fantasy campaign the most unique we have ever seen. Not only […]

Trent Grisham (OF, SDP) - Week 1 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ team leagues OWNED IN: 20% of leagues ANALYSIS: Last year, Trent Grisham spent most of his time in the Minor Leagues, making him a somewhat unknown commodity. Throughout stops between Double-A and Triple-A for the Brewers' organization, he accumulated 26 HRs, 71 runs, and 71 RBI, while also stealing 12 bases in only […]

Updated Top 50 MLB Prospects for Redraft Leagues

After a long wait, the 2020 MLB season is almost here. But it’s also going to be a season unlike any season we’ve ever seen. This year is going to feel more like a sprint rather than a six-month marathon. If you’re a fan of prospects — or simply looking for a competitive edge in […]

Jake Marisnick Dealing With Hamstring Tightness

The New York Mets outfielder Jake Marisnick has been dealing with some left hamstring tightness, according to manager Luis Rojas. Marisnick did not play in the Mets' exhibition games against the Yankees on Saturday or Sunday. He was, however, present in Mets' camp on Monday doing baserunning drills. Nevertheless, Marisnick appears questionable to be ready […]

Magneuris Sierra Makes The Marlins Roster

Miami Marlins outfielder Magneuris Sierra has reportedly made the 30-man Opening Day roster. Sierra is out of options, which likely helped him make the team over guys like Monte Harrison. Sierra will likely be used as a defensive replacement and pinch runner at first, based on manager Don Mattingly's comments. Sierra has the potential to […]

Monte Harrison Won't Make The Marlins Roster

Miami Marlins outfielder Monte Harrison reportedly will not make it to the 30-man Opening Day roster. This is likely another class case of service time manipulation, so we can expect Harrison to be up before too long. The top prospect impressed during Grapefruit League play and in Summer Camp, and could push for playing time […]