MLB Spring Training Notebook (3/2): Glasnow Struggles, Taillon and Chapman 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. […]

Way Too Early Lineup Takeaways - Bases Loaded Podcast

It is never too early to dive into lineups, news and notes from Spring Training. Join us as we dive right into the action! Subscribe to the Bases Loaded podcast, part of RotoBaller Radio's Podcast Network. Like and Subscribe to the RotoBaller channel on Youtube to get all our latest podcasts and catch us on iTunes and […]

Garrett Richards Struggles In Spring Debut

New Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Garrett Richards got lit up in his first outing of the spring on Monday, walking two and allowing three hits in his first inning before the new pitch-count rule ended the first frame with only one out. He settled down in his second inning, but overall, it was a concerning […]

Christian Arroyo Could Win Final Roster Spot

Boston Red Sox second baseman Christian Arroyo, who impressed the team at the end of last year, is out of minor league options and will receive a long look in spring training for the final roster spot. Arroyo has also seen time at third base, and manager Alex Cora mentioned that he can play some […]

Matt Barnes, Adam Ottavino The Top Closing Candidates

Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora admitted that his thoughts on closing out games has shifted to a more traditional approach from what it was a few years ago. Relievers Matt Barnes and Adam Ottavino are the top candidates to serve as the closer, and Cora would like to have a set closer by Opening […]

Xander Bogaerts Has A Sore Shoulder

Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts (shoulder) is dealing with a sore shoulder in camp, but manager Alex Cora doesn't think the issue will keep Bogaerts from being ready by Opening Day. The Red Sox are taking a cautious approach with their star shortstop, and he hopes to resume throwing in a few days. Bogaerts […]

Jeter Downs Impresses In Spring Debut

Boston Red Sox shortstop prospect Jeter Downs showcased his massive potential in his spring debut on Sunday against the Twins, going 2-for-2 with a home run and three RBI. Downs is MLB.com's 49th-best prospect, and he grades out at least average in all of the five major tools. Given that Downs has only 13 career […]

Bobby Dalbec Starts Off Hot

Boston Red Sox first baseman Bobby Dalbec picked up right where he left off last year, homering in his first at-bat of the spring on Sunday against the Twins. Dalbec was fantastic in his rookie season, hitting a home run every 10 at-bats and slugging .600. It looks like Dalbec will win the Red Sox […]

Top 10 Catchers - Dynasty Prospects Rankings

Catchers perform a mostly thankless job as one of the hardest-working players on the baseball diamond day in and day out. The catcher is also one of the least sought-after players in a fantasy baseball draft although there have been catchers who, in their prime, were worthy of a significant investment such as Mike Piazza, […]

Jon Anderson's Shortstop Tiered Rankings and Projections

I am on to shortstop in my position-by-position tiered rankings. Check out the rest of the series at the links below: First Base Second Base Third Base This is quite a different position than what we've seen so far with first and second base. There are four studs at the position, and lots and lots […]

Does Pitch Arsenal Really Matter?

In my research over the last couple of months, I have been paying close attention to the pitch mix of each pitcher I study. This means I want to know how many different pitches they can throw and how they distribute those different offerings. It seemed logical to me that pitchers with more pitches in […]

Third Basemen Set to Bust in 2021

The hot corner is loaded with talent once again in 2021, and of the two classic infield power positions, third base is measurably deeper than its traditional slugger counterpart across the diamond. With such depth, it’s even more important to nail your third base pick on draft day, otherwise you’ll be fitting an uphill battle […]

Jon Anderson's Third Base Tiered Rankings and Projections

Welcome back to my own personal rankings series! Today we're covering third base, but you can check out the rest of the series at the links below: First Base Second Base Shortstop Third base may be the deepest position in terms of total statistical production that will come out of it, but that does not […]

Is J.T. Realmuto Worth the Draft Cost?

Every year, there seems to be one catcher who stands above all others when it comes to fantasy value and consequently draft price. In 2017, it was Gary Sanchez. In 2018, Salvador Perez. After the 2019 and 2020 seasons, J.T. Realmuto has clearly emerged as the top backstop in fantasy. Catcher is one of the […]

2021 Third Base 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, and I have updated our 2021 Mixed League rankings as we now move on to evaluate the hot corner. […]

Kevin Plawecki Expected To Arrive Shortly

Boston Red Sox catcher Kevin Plawecki, who was placed on the COVID-19 list at the start of camp, is expected to arrive to spring training within the next day or two, according to manager Alex Cora. Plawecki hit .341/.393/.463 with 17 RBI in 24 games in his first season with the Red Sox. But the […]

Nick Yorke A Non-Roster Invite To Camp

Boston Red Sox second baseman Nick Yorke, an 18-year-old that was the 17th overall pick last June out of high school, is in big-league spring training camp as a non-roster invite. Manager Alex Cora said that Yorke is in a better place physically and has lost some weight since last season. Yorke was a surprise […]

Nick Pivetta Impressing In Bid For Rotation Spot

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Nick Pivetta, who is fighting for a rotation spot this spring, has impressed the team's coaching staff early in camp. The Red Sox acquired Pivetta from the Phillies last August in exchange for relievers Brandon Workman and Heath Hembree. "He proved it last year in a small sample size. I […]

Eduardo Rodriguez Throws Live Batting Practice

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez (heart) threw live batting practice on Tuesday for the first time in spring training after missing all of the 2020 season due to inflammation of his heart. Manager Alex Cora said that Rodriguez "looks good" and that the ball was coming out of his hand effortlessly like before. […]

J.D. Martinez's 2020 Season An Aberration?

Boston Red Sox designated hitter J.D. Martinez had an uncharacteristic .389 slugging percentage in 2020 after posting a .619 mark from 2017-19. He hit 79 home runs in his first two years in Boston but only produced seven round-trippers in last year's shortened season. Martinez's hard-hit rate was down last year, but his 11.0 percent […]

RotoBaller Mock Draft Review - Biggest Draft Value Picks

Welcome back RotoBallers! Today we're looking at some of the best value picks from our recent RotoBaller staff mock draft. You can also read about everyone's biggest draft reaches and regrets. As we steamroll into fantasy baseball draft season, the team here at RotoBaller continues to practice what we preach by partaking in mock drafts. […]

Roster Construction Strategies from the Middle

Drafting a great roster is the vital base for a successful fantasy baseball season. In order to do that, you'll need to find an optimal draft position. All draft spots are not created equal. Finding the right spot for you is your first task. Everyone has their own preference on the best spot to start […]

2021 Shortstop Rankings - 5x5 Mixed Leagues

Once upon a time, shortstop was one of the toughest positions to fill in fantasy baseball, just a small notch above catcher. 10 years ago, we were prioritizing Troy Tulowitzki and Hanley Ramirez near the top of drafts just because they filled that elusive shortstop spot. Sure, they were fantastic hitters – when healthy – […]

2021 Second Base 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, and I have updated our 2021 Mixed League rankings as we now move on to evaluate the keystone position. […]

Are We Overvaluing Innings Pitched Projections?

One of the biggest questions that the 2020 season has caused for 2021 is concerning starting pitcher inning totals. The league leader in regular-season innings last year, as you've probably heard, was Lance Lynn with 84 innings. The average total for pitchers who made 10 or more starts was just 60 innings. In years prior […]

Franchy Cordero Has Impressive Raw Power

Boston Red Sox outfielder Franchy Cordero has missed time with multiple injuries in his four-year big league career and has just 315 plate appearances in that time, but he has shown impressive raw power nonetheless. Nine of his 12 career home runs have gone 420 feet or more, including a 489-foot dinger in 2018 that […]

Andrew Benintendi and Franchy Cordero Trade - Fantasy Impacts

We've seen a few blockbuster trades so far this offseason. Francisco Lindor and Carlos Carrasco went to the Mets, while Yu Darvish and Blake Snell went to the Padres. These trades have significant fantasy implications, but it's important to also consider the impact of a minor trade that went down about a week ago, where […]

Top 250 Dynasty Prospects Rankings (Part 2)

Welcome back RotoBallers to Part 2 of my dynasty prospects list, breaking down the 51-150 ranked prospects. You can also read Part 1 and Part 3 from a few days ago, looking at the 1-50 and 151-250 ranked prospects. RotoBaller's Top 250 Dynasty Fantasy Baseball Prospects list is back and refreshed for the 2021 season. Baseball has […]

Eduardo Rodriguez Healthy Heading Into 2021 Season

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez (heart), who missed all of the 2020 season after being diagnosed with myocarditis (inflammation of the heart) related to COVID-19, is feeling normal and is ready to take his spot in the team's starting rotation. The 27-year-old left-hander had a career-best season in 2019 with a 3.81 ERA, […]

Playing For Keeps: Making Keeper Decisions for 2021

Spring training is officially underway, and with that comes the start of fantasy baseball draft season. While the majority of people participate in redraft leagues, keeper formats are also popular, and fantasy managers in those leagues are already weighing their decisions on which players to retain and which to toss back into the pool for […]