Lineup Takeaways - Week 1 Spring Training Lineups

Well, after a recent article highlighting the idea of what I was wanting to do with this Spring Training series, here is a first look at my Lineup Takeaway series I will be bringing you the rest of the 2021 season. We are focusing 100% on lineups, news and quotes - strictly about lineups and […]

Xander Bogaerts To Take Batting Practice Soon

Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts is expected to start taking batting practice this week. Bogaerts was taking swings off a tee after injuring his right shoulder throwing, with the team hoping to get him into the lineup for spring action as a designated hitter later this coming week. The 28-year-old shortstop slashed .300/.364/.502 with […]

Jon Anderson's Outfield Tiered Rankings and Projections

I continue to press forward on my own personal rankings series. Today we tackle the beast that is the outfield. Check out the rest of the series at the links below if you haven't already! First Base Second Base Shortstop Third Base Starting at the top, here's that juicy tier one full of first-round talent.Be […]

Top 10 Second Basemen - Dynasty Prospect Rankings

Finding a quality second baseman in fantasy baseball is no easy task. In 2019, 16 second basemen posted a 100 wRC+ or better. However, only six managed at least a 120 wRC+ (one of whom got caught for illegal substances). The numbers were fairly similar in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. The position has seen some […]

Kings of Candy: Sweet-Spot% Risers

While the 2020 season may not have given us much of a sample to evaluate outcomes (home runs, doubles, flyouts, etc.), the core events of exit velocity and launch angle stabilize more quickly and can be stickier than combination statistics like ISO or BB%. Two of our FSWA Writer-of-the-Year Finalists, Eric Samulski and Nicklaus Gaut, […]

2021 Relief Pitcher Rankings - 5x5 Mixed Leagues

We continue to move past the chaos of 2020 and onto a new baseball season full of promise. For fantasy baseball managers, draft season is already upon us. RotoBaller's rankers, Pierre Camus, Big Pick Nick Mariano, Ariel Cohen and I have updated our 2021 Mixed League rankings as we now move on to evaluate the […]

Bryan Mata Has UCL Tear

Boston Red Sox pitcher Bryan Mata was diagnosed with a small tear of his UCL. The club's top pitching prospect will now be shut down for rest and rehab rather than undergoing Tommy John surgery although that could be an option if the conservative approach does not work. The news is a huge blow to […]

Using Sabermetrics for Fantasy Baseball: Pull%

We have previously determined that fantasy managers generally prefer batters to hit the ball into the air to have a chance at a home run. Yet, all fly balls are not equal for this purpose. A player can maximize his power production by pulling the ball in the air. One way to illustrate this is […]

Nick Mariano's 2021 Late-Round Fliers List (Premium Content)

All other Premium Tools can be accessed on the premium dashboard. Howdy, RotoBallers! I hope you're ready to take chances, make mistakes, and get messy. We’re here to dig a little deeper into the draft room and look for players that would be wise to take a flier on in the late rounds. 2021 might […]

Nick Mariano's 2021 Draft Sleepers List (Premium Content)

All other Premium Tools can be accessed on the premium dashboard. Sleeper has started to lose its meaning in fantasy sports, becoming an SEO must for articles despite no real consensus on what it means. So let's get my definition out of the way first. Sleepers are not necessarily meant to be names that no one […]

Eduardo Rodriguez Solid in Return from COVID-19

Boston Red Sox starter Eduardo Rodriguez threw 2.2 innings of one-run ball on Friday. The only blemish was a solo home run. It was his first game back after missing the 2020 season due to heart inflammation which was a complication from contracting COVID-19. A healthy Rodriguez would provide a huge boost to Boston's starting […]

KC Bubba's 2021 Best Ball Draft Avoids (Premium Content)

All other Premium Tools can be accessed on the premium dashboard. The fantasy baseball season is here! For those fantasy players looking to get an edge on their 2021 leagues, Best Ball formats are a great way to get a head start on the competition. By jumping in best ball leagues, fantasy players can get […]

2021 Dynasty Leagues: Top Trade Targets (Premium Content)

While redraft owners prepare for draft day, dynasty owners are scouring the trade market. The weeks preceding spring training are optimal to take a chance on young players who have yet to peak or may have question marks surrounding them. Not all buy-low scenarios will pan out as expected, but when playing the long game, […]

Starting Pitcher Dynasty Rankings for Fantasy Baseball

As the 2021 MLB season approaches, it's a good time to take stock of the dynasty landscape. We've examined hitters at first base, second base, third base, shortstop, and outfield. Now it's time to dive into the player pool for starting pitchers. Starters are increasingly difficult to project long-term with the steadily-increasing limitations being placed on […]

Jarren Duran Shows off Power Stroke

On the same day that the Boston Red Sox learned Jackie Bradley Jr. would be playing elsewhere in 2021, outfield prospect Jarren Duran had a strong spring performance. He doubled and hit a home run against promising young hurler Dean Kremer. The show of power was a good sign for Duran, who is better known […]

Tanner Houck Struggles to Find Strike Zone

Boston Red Sox pitching prospect Tanner Houck struggled with his control on Thursday against the Baltimore Orioles. The former first-round pick walked five batters and allowed two hits in two-thirds of an inning. Houck had an uneven 2019 season in the upper minors but redeemed himself with three outstanding big league starts in 2020 by […]

MLB Spring Training Notebook (3/4) - Realmuto Nearing Return

Welcome to the 2021 edition of RotoBaller's Spring Training Notebook. I began this column a year ago, and made it about four or five articles in when Major League Baseball decided to shut things down, just like everything else around the globe, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  We've finally made it to (real?) baseball games. […]

Danny Santana Reaches Deal With Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox signed free-agent super-utility man Danny Santana to a one-year deal with a base salary of $1.75 million on Thursday. He'll receive $1 million in incentives and a $100,000 bonus if he starts in Triple-A to allow him extra time to get ready for the season. The deal also includes an opt-out […]

J.D. Martinez Solid On Wednesday

Boston Red Sox designated hitter J.D. Martinez went 2-for-3 with a double and two RBI in Wednesday's 14-6 rout of the Minnesota Twins. Martinez has started the spring hot as he is now 4-for-8 with five total bases in his first three games. Martinez is coming off a down year where he slashed just .213/.291/.389 […]

Kike Hernandez Continues Hot Spring

Boston Red Sox second baseman Kike Hernandez continued to hit the ball well this spring on Wednesday, going 2-for-2 with two doubles and a walk. Hernandez has now reached base seven out of eight times this spring, making a strong first impression after signing with Boston for two years and $14 million dollars. Hernandez is […]

Nick Pivetta Shows Increased Velocity In Spring Debut

Boston Red Sox pitcher Nick Pivetta has been getting some strong buzz from the organization this spring. He was able to add to the hype after a strong spring debut against the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday. He pitched two innings and allowed one hit and one earned run while recording a strikeout and no walks. […]

Bryan Mata To Receive MRI On Thursday

Boston Red Sox pitcher Bryan Mata (triceps) is dealing with right triceps soreness and is scheduled to have an MRI on Thursday. He was originally slated to pitch on Wednesday, but the soreness kept him out. Red Sox manager Alex Cora has said that he doesn't believe the injury is anything serious. The 21-year-old Mata […]

Top 10 First Basemen - Dynasty Prospect Rankings

If you’re hunting for an impact bat for your fantasy baseball team, first base is often a good place to find a strong offensive contributor. In 2019, the last full season, 25 out of 37 first basemen with a minimum of 350 plate appearances had a 100 wRC+ or better. Of those, 13 players topped […]

2021 Keeper Value Rankings - First Base

Many many years ago, I noticed the managers in my long-time keeper league were consistently making terrible keeper decisions year after year. Instead of taking their money every year thought I would help them out and find a good set of Keeper League Rankings to share with them. What I found was quite disturbing. There […]

Kike Hernandez Goes Yard Against Rays

Boston Red Sox second baseman Kike Hernandez hit a home run off Rays reliever David Hess in Tuesday's 9-3 blowout win. Hernandez is coming off a lackluster 2020 campaign in which he only managed to slash .230/.270/.410 with five home runs. He should get plenty of playing time in Boston as the starting second baseman and […]

Martin Perez Throws Two Scoreless Innings

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Martin Perez made his spring training debut on Tuesday against the Twins, allowing just one baserunner over two scoreless innings. Perez had what on the surface appeared to be the best season of his career in 2020, leading the Red Sox in innings while posting a 4.50 ERA. Yet a […]

Roster Construction Strategies from the End

Drafting a great roster is the vital base for a successful fantasy baseball season. All draft spots are not created equal. There are pros and cons for all of them. You'll find that everyone has their own preference on the best spot to start the draft. The purpose of this article series is to get […]

Jarren Duran Hits First Home Run Of Spring

Boston Red Sox outfield prospect Jarren Duran hit a home run in his first at-bat of the spring on Tuesday, continuing his emergence as one of the Red Sox's top prospects. The hype train started in 2019 when Duran hit .380 at High-A Salem with 18 steals in just 50 games, and it continued when […]

Rafael Devers Hits Two-Run Home Run

Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers hit a two-run home run on Tuesday against the Rays, a great sign for a star looking for a bounce-back season. After a breakout 2019 season, Devers' production fell off considerably in the shortened 2020 season. His average and OPS fell by 38 points and 113 points, respectively, […]

Xander Bogaerts To Take Tee Swings Tuesday

Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts (shoulder) is scheduled to take 30 swings off a tee on Tuesday. Bogaerts rushed his throwing program early in camp and has come down with a sore right shoulder, although manager Alex Cora doesn't think it will get in the way of Bogaerts being ready by Opening Day. He's […]