Using Sabermetrics for Fantasy Baseball: Ballpark Factors

If you have ever selected a streamable pitcher based on home park or benched an otherwise must-start arm at Coors Field, you already know how much a stadium can impact a player's bottom line. Ballpark Factors quantify the influence each stadium has, allowing you to make the most of your fantasy team's real-life schedule. However, […]

Andres Gimenez (2B/SS, CLE) - 2021 Fantasy Baseball Draft Sleepers

Andres Gimenez burst onto the scene in the shortened 2020 season. Originally expected to spend the year at the alternate training site for the New York Mets, Gimenez worked his way into a roster spot in spring training with his baserunning instincts and highlight-reel defensive plays, and then soon overtook the slumping Amed Rosario to […]

Tim Anderson Strikes Out Twice Wednesday

Chicago White shortstop Tim Anderson when 1-for-3 with two strikeouts in Wednesday's 4-3 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Anderson has had mixed results so far this spring as he is now 7-for-23 with just one RBI and one stolen base. His early struggles can easily be shrugged off as he has hit over .300 […]

Alek Manoah Among Players Sent To Minors By Jays

The Toronto Blue Jays sent 25 players to the minor league camp on Thursday, including starting pitcher and former first-round pick Alek Manoah. The hard-throwing righty made a huge impression this spring by dominating the Yankees in two appearances. Although he won't break camp with the Jays, he could possibly help the club late in […]

Isiah Kiner-Falefa Triples In Second Straight Game

Texas Rangers shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa went 2-for-2 with a triple on Wednesday against the Arizona Diamondbacks. It was his second triple in as many games. The catcher-turned-shortstop is on a recent hot streak and is 4-for-9 with three extra-base hits over his past three games. For the season, Kiner-Falefa is 7-for-22 (.318) with a BB-K […]

Trevor Story Collects Two Hits Wednesday

Colorado Rockies shortstop Trevor Story went 2-for-4 with one RBI in Wednesday's 11-8 loss to the San Francisco Giants. Story has had a solid start to the spring as he is now 6-for-23 with three home runs and six RBI across his first eight spring games. Story will find himself hitting third in the Rockies' […]

Fernando Tatis Jr. Expected To Return Thursday

San Diego Padres shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. (undisclosed) is expected to return to the lineup on Thursday. He suffered an undisclosed injury while diving head-first into home plate this past Saturday and the team has been taking it slow with him ever since. He went through a full workout on Wednesday. Tatis also missed time […]

Joe Dunand Hits A Walk-Off On Wednesday

Miami Marlins infield prospect Joe Dunand hit a walk-off home run in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the New York Mets. Dunand didn't start but ended up going 1-for-2 with a home run, a run scored and two RBI. The 25-year-old is now hitting .294 with a 1.015 OPS. Alex Rodriguez's nephew is unlikely to […]

Jazz Chisholm Goes Yard On Wednesday

Miami Marlins infielder Jazz Chisholm had a second strong start in a row on Wednesday. In a Grapefruit League game against the New York Mets, Jazz got the start at second base and went 1-for-2 with a solo home run and a walk. He had two hits in his previous start as well, boosting his […]

Sam Chinitz's 10 Bold Predictions For 2021

The 2021 MLB regular season is less than one month away, so it’s time for some bold predictions. Last year’s bold predictions didn’t pan out too well for me; if we’re being generous, two out of the ten predictions hit -- and that’s including Corey Kluber posting a sub-3.00 ERA (which technically happened, even if […]

MLB Spring Training Notebook (3/17) - Jorge Polanco Leaves Game

Welcome to the 2021 edition of RotoBaller's Spring Training Notebook. Thankfully, we have real, live baseball being played every day again, and while it doesn't count for anything, these exhibition games gives us the smallest glimmer into players and teams heading into the new season. We're into our third week of spring training games and […]

2020 Breakout Infielders Who'll Keep Improving

In a recent article, I outlined a methodology to determine which breakout 2020 seasons from hitters would be built off of into 2021. Upon further reflection, however, I’m unconvinced that that methodology the best way to spot breakouts that will continue to improve, in large part because of its reliance on evaluating the stickiness of […]

Charlie Montoyo's 2022 Option Picked Up By Jays

The Toronto Blue Jays picked up manager Charlie Montoyo's 2022 option on Wednesday. The move gives the club some stability for at least the next two years. The decision should be welcomed by fantasy managers as Montoyo has pushed versatility among his players which has increased the fantasy value of players like Vladimir Guerrero Jr. […]

Francisco Lindor Homers On Tuesday

New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor went 2-for-3 with a home run and two runs scored in Grapefruit League action on Tuesday against Houston. For Lindor, who was off to a slow spring start, the HR was his first of the spring and he is now hitting .227 in 22 spring at-bats. Lindor had a […]

Nick Ahmed's Absence Tuesday Not Related To Knee Injury

Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Nick Ahmed was removed from the lineup Tuesday due to personal issues, according to Steve Gilbert of MLB.com. Ahmed had missed time recently due to right knee soreness, and he was scheduled to make his return to the lineup Tuesday before his sudden removal. Gilbert says that manager Torey Lovullo said the […]

Didi Gregorius Checked For Concussion After HBP

Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Didi Gregorius was removed from Tuesday's game due to concerns over a possible concussion, according to NBCSports' Jim Salisbury. Gregorius was hit in the back of the helmet by a pitch in the bottom of the second inning, and was eventually replaced defensively in the fourth inning. Manager Joe Girardi said Gregorius […]

Nick Ahmed Scratched From Lineup Tuesday

Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Nick Ahmed (knee) was a late scratch from the lineup on Tuesday afternoon, according to Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic. Ahmed has not appeared in a game since March 6, as he has been dealing with right knee soreness. With Ahmed's continued absence, Josh Rojas has been taking advantage of the increased […]

MLB Spring Training Notebook (3/16) - Luis Robert Scratched Monday

Welcome to the 2021 edition of RotoBaller's Spring Training Notebook. Thankfully, we have real, live baseball being played every day again, and while it doesn't count for anything, these exhibition games gives us the smallest glimmer into players and teams heading into the new season. We're into our third week of spring training games and […]

Fantasy Baseball Spring Training Injury Updates

Injury updates tend to change often during Spring Training. "Soreness" is a common theme as players get back into game shape. I will be giving the most recent available injury updates from the offseason. These updates will undoubtedly change as Spring Training continues. As we get closer to Opening Day, some injuries are much more […]

CJ Abrams Hammers A Grand Slam

San Diego Padres middle infielder CJ Abrams slugged his second home run of the spring — a grand slam — on Monday. Known for his plus hit tool and blazing speed, the former sixth-overall draft pick from 2019 is now 8-for-30 (.267) this spring with a triple, two home runs, and three stolen bases. Just […]

Wander Franco Reassigned To Minor League Camp

Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco was reassigned to minor league camp on Monday, according to Adam Berry of MLB.com. The move was not surprising, as Franco was considered a long-shot to crack the roster after missing last year due to the canceled minor league season, as well as having never played above High-A. Franco […]

Jazz Chisholm Smacks Two Singles On Monday

Miami Marlins infielder Jazz Chisholm got two singles in Monday's Grapefruit League win against the Houston Astros. Chisholm got the start at second base and went 2-for-2 with a run scored. The solid performance lifted Jazz's batting average to an even .200, slightly better (or at least less-bad) than his main competition, Isan Diaz, who […]

Vidal Brujan Has Two Hits, Increases Versatility

Tampa Bay Rays prospect Vidal Brujan had two hits — including a double — on Sunday. The young player is now 4-for-13 (.308) with a BB-K of 2-5 this spring. Also of note, Brujan played right field for the first time. It was the fourth different position for the speedy 23-year-old who has also seen […]

Wander Franco Plays Third Base

Tampa Bay Rays infield prospect Wander Franco, traditionally a shortstop, played third base on Sunday. The Rays coaching staff values versatility among its players and the move provides the 20-year-old with a smoother path to big-league playing time. The club already has Willy Adames at shortstop but the hot corner is expected to be manned […]

Corey Seager Homers Sunday

Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager went 1-for-2 with a solo home run in Sunday's 8-4 loss to the Kansas City Royals. Seager is now 9-for-21 with four home runs, nine RBI, and six runs scored across his first 10 spring games. Seager is raking so far this spring and is coming off a solid […]

Kevin Newman Goes 0-For-2 In Return To Lineup Sunday

Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Kevin Newman returned to the lineup on Sunday afternoon and went 0-for-2 with a walk against the Phillies. Newman — who slotted in as the designated hitter and hit leadoff for Pittsburgh — had missed the past week after exiting last Sunday's game with hamstring tightness. While the results weren't ideal, it […]

Xander Bogaerts Continues To Feel Good After Weekend Debut

Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts (shoulder) reiterated the claim that he will be ready for Opening Day, saying he felt good after his spring training debut on Friday and Saturday. Serving as the designated hitter in both games, Bogaerts went 0-2 on Friday but hit an RBI double against star rookie Ian Anderson on Saturday. […]

Jeter Downs Leaves Game With Injury

Boston Red Sox middle infielder Jeter Downs left Sunday's game with what is being described as a left side injury. Downs, the Red Sox's top prospect per MLB Pipeline, incurred the injury while diving for a ball at shortstop. He will undergo more tests in the coming days, but this could be a huge blow […]

Launch Angle Analysis - Potential HR Risers

With the onset of Statcast data, we can now better predict which hitters may be due for a power surge. Before recent years, we only had things like hard-hit rate and home runs per fly ball ratios to look to as predictors of future changes in home run rates. Now that we have launch angle, […]

Top 10 Tips for Fantasy Baseball Snake Drafts

Before I begin, let me caveat everything I say with this: I don't consider myself to be some sort of expert master fantasy player. I've only been playing fantasy baseball for a little under a decade. But as soon as I started to immerse myself into this game we all love, my main focus was […]