Matt Harvey Drawing Praise For Velocity This Spring

Baltimore Orioles pitcher Matt Harvey has been throwing between 92 and 95 mph with his fastball this spring and is earning praise from the team, per MLB Network's Jon Heyman. The 31-year-old is fighting for a spot on the O's roster after struggling for the past several seasons of his career. While the velocity may […]

Jose Leclerc Sent For Tests On Injured Elbow

Texas Rangers pitcher and potential closer Jose Leclerc (elbow) has been sent for additional tests on his ailing elbow. General manager Chris Young is expecting to be without the high-leverage reliever for an extended period of time. The club is also without Jonathan Hernandez (elbow) for a lengthy time — as well as Joely Rodriguez […]

Matt Barnes' Spring Performance Impressing Alex Cora

Boston Red Sox reliever Matt Barnes has been absolutely dominant this spring, and his performance has caught the attention of manager Alex Cora. Cora said on Sunday that his fastball looks the best it has in years, and he has done a good job cleaning up his delivery. Barnes has thrown four scoreless innings this […]

Drew Rasmussen Strikes Out Two Batters

Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Drew Rasmussen threw 1.1 shutout, hitless innings and struck out two Seattle Mariners on Sunday. He's having a solid spring with two runs allowed in seven innings (2.57 ERA). He's given up just three hits but has also walked four while striking out nine batters. Rasmussen has the ability to pitch as […]

Wil Crowe Holds Red Sox To One Run

Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Wil Crowe held the Boston Red Sox to just one run over 3.2 innings on Sunday. The young right-hander is looking to secure a spot in the rebuilding club's starting rotation to open the year. Crowe was acquired from the Washington Nationals back in December as part of the modest return for […]

MLB Sophomores: Who Will Improve, Who Will Stumble?

We all expect excellent rookie seasons from the most hyped prospects in baseball. But the reality is that some players just don’t hit their strides for a year or two. Other prospects start off strong but then fade away. If we look back at 2015, Corey Seager, Miguel Sano, Carlos Correa, and Kris Bryant had […]

Kyle Bishop's 10 Bold Predictions for 2021

I've been in the bold predictions game since 2015 and in that time I've had my share of successes. Befitting a premise that demands spicy takes, though, I've also wildly missed the mark a bunch of times (whither goest thou, Byung-Ho Park and Delino DeShields?) The format's been around long enough that you almost certainly know the […]

Keynan Middleton Strikes Out Three

Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Keynan Middleton has had a spring training to forget, but took steps to get back on track Sunday, throwing a scoreless inning while striking out three. Middleton did allow two baserunners, on a hit and a walk. This marks the first scoreless outing for Middleton out of six appearances this spring. […]

Nick Mariano's Top 140 Saves+Holds Rankings

To any reader who thinks they don't have a voice here at RotoBaller, let it be known that this article came from a simple Reddit comment about how those seeking Saves+Holds reliever ranks were often overlooked. Poof, and here we are. Allow me, Nick Mariano, 2018's most accurate draft expert (top-three for RPs in '18 […]

Aroldis Chapman Getting Comfortable With Splitter

New York Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman is getting more comfortable with his split-fingered fastball this spring. Chapman has relied upon his four-seam fastball-slider combo while using a changeup and splitter sparingly over the years, though he's intent on adding the latter pitch to his arsenal. One American League scout said the pitch looks "nasty"- noting […]

Chad Green Working On A Curveball

New York Yankees relief pitcher Chad Green is introducing a curveball to his arsenal this season, providing him with a possibly strong complimentary pitch to his high-spin fastball. Green had originally planned to introduce a curveball last season but temporarily scrapped the pitch because of the delayed and shortened season, though pitch-tracking systems appear to […]

Yimi Garcia Strikes Out The Side On Sunday

Miami Marlins relief pitcher Yimi Garcia struck out all three batters he faced in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Houston Astros. Garcia pitched the eighth inning and needed just 13 pitches (nine strikes) to strike out all three batters. Garcia has some pretty good strikeout upside but will at least start the season behind […]

Tyler Clippard To Be Shut Down For Six Weeks

Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Tyler Clippard (shoulder) will be shut down for six weeks with a capsule sprain in his right shoulder, reports Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic. Clippard exited Friday's game early after allowing seven runs on four hits, two walks and a hit by pitch as he failed to record an out […]

Steven Wright Signs Minor League Deal With Pirates

Free agent pitcher Steven Wright agreed to a minor league deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday, according to USA Today's Bob Nightengale. Wright has missed time over the last three years due to suspensions for domestic violence and PED use, before being knocked out of the 2020 season following Tommy John surgery. Wright is […]

Chase Anderson Rocked In Spring Start Versus Tigers

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Chase Anderson allowed four runs in 3 2/3 innings in a Grapefruit League start against Detroit. Anderson struck out five, but that's where the positives end for a starter competing for a rotation slot in Philly. The 33-year-old righty was plagued by the long ball in this one serving up two […]

Using Sabermetrics for Fantasy Baseball: MiLB Stats

Once you've grown accustomed to having advanced tools to help make fantasy decisions, it can feel disorientating to be without them. Prospects are increasingly becoming a focal point in both real and fantasy baseball, but the minors simply do not have all of the data publically available for MLB players. For example, advanced plate discipline […]

Pitcher Targets Under $5 - Salary Cap League Values

It's a cliché to say that those managers who finally dip their toe into salary cap leagues never go back to snake drafts. Snake drafts have their own charm. There is simply more going on, and thus, more fun to have when participating in a salary cap draft. There become no bounds on how one […]

Joey Gerber Blitzed Saturday

Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Joey Gerber had a disappointing outing Saturday against the Texas Rangers, allowing four runs on three hits and a walk while only recording a single out. Before this appearance, Gerber had pitched in six games, holding his opponents scoreless in all but one. The bullpen mix for Seattle is wide open […]

Ryan Weathers Strikes Out Six But Allows Three Runs

Looking to secure an opening day role, San Diego Padres pitcher Ryan Weathers allowed three runs in three innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday. It wasn't all bad for the rookie as he posted a K-BB of 6-1. Overall this spring, the left-hander has a 6.30 ERA and has allowed 12 hits and […]

Wes Benjamin Roughed Up By Mariners

Texas Rangers pitcher Wes Benjamin hit his first rough patch of the spring on Saturday. The 27-year-old left-hander allowed five runs on seven hits and a walk over 3.1 innings. Prior to Saturday, he had allowed just one run in six innings over three appearances. Benjamin is coming off a 2020 season that saw him […]

Dollar-Day Targets - Salary Cap League Values

Players who go for just $1 in salary cap leagues are guys who lack outside confidence. Not a lot of managers trust that they will be useful on a roster. In standard leagues, many of these players will go entirely undrafted and float around the waiver wire until they produce enough to be picked up […]

Richard Rodriguez Earns Loss Saturday Against Tigers

Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Richard Rodriguez earned the loss on Saturday against the Tigers, allowing one run on two hits in one inning of work in a 3-1 defeat. Rodriguez looked sharp in his first three appearances of the spring, but his last two performances have not been as good, as he has allowed two […]

Jon Anderson's 10 Bold Predictions For 2021

Today, I am honored to take my turn giving you my 10 bold predictions for the 2021 season here at RotoBaller. It's a thrill to be featured on this site, and I look forward to continuing to put out content for you all over the 2021 season and beyond. This was not an easy post […]

Jose Alvarado Collects Three Strikeouts Versus Blue Jays

Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Jose Alvarado struck out three of four batters he faced in a Grapefruit League game Saturday against Toronto. Alvarado allowed a ground-rule double to lead off the inning, but tightened up after that whiffing the next three Blue Jays. The left-hander is coming off a lost 2020 season where he pitched […]

Kirby Yates To Likely Be Blue Jays Closer To Start Year

Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Kirby Yates is the likely closer to open the 2021 season, according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. According to Feinsand, Blue Jays pitching coach Pete Walker described the situation as "it's his job to lose," although Feinsand also adds that it is contingent on Yates being healthy and ready to […]

Prospect Sleepers for 2021 Redraft Leagues

This time last year, I provided RotoBaller readers with some sleeper prospect names for 2020 redraft leagues. The advice aged quite well despite the stunted major league season and lack of minor league games. Among my predictions, I spoke glowingly about Tony Gonsolin — a pitcher that had not received much love from others. However, […]

Randy Dobnak Keeps Missing Bats This Spring

Minnesota Twins pitcher Randy Dobnak looked impressive once again, tossing 3 1/3 scoreless innings while allowing one hit and one unearned run. Dobnak fanned five more batters on Friday, giving him an impressive 13 strikeouts against zero walks in 8 2/3 innings this spring. His improved slider seems to be baffling hitters, which would be […]

Garrett Whitlock Looks To Secure Roster Spot

Boston Red Sox pitcher Garrett Whitlock looks like a steal. Acquired from the New York Yankees during the offseason via the Rule 5 draft, the right-hander continued to overpower spring hitters with three innings of shutout baseball on Friday. He allowed just one hit and struck out five Tampa Bay Rays batters. So far this […]

David Bednar Continues Dominant Spring Friday

Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher David Bednar continued what has been a dominant Spring Training performance on Friday, striking out two in a perfect inning of relief against the Orioles. Bednar has yet to allow a run in seven appearances this spring, as he has allowed just two hits and one walk while striking out 13 […]

Tyler Clippard Struggles, Exits With Injury Friday

Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Tyler Clippard (shoulder) left the game without recording an out on Friday against the Brewers. Clippard struggled in the outing, allowing seven runs on four hits, two walks and a hit by pitch, while also throwing a wild pitch. Clippard was examined by trainers before exiting the game, as Steve Gilbert […]