Updated Second Base Rankings - H2H Points Leagues

Continuing on our points league tiered rankings analysis we move over to the keystone position. Second base has the deepest talent pool that it's seen in recent years as it’s full of elite bats at the top and high-upside youngsters in the lower tiers. With two games in the regular season already in the books, […]

Pitchers Who Changed Scenes - Preseason Risers and Fallers

Several impact hitters switched teams for 2019, but other than Patrick Corbin, not so many pitchers, especially as we await the fates of Dallas Keuchel and Craig Kimbrel. And, if Milwaukee signs Kimbrel in light of Corey Knebel's elbow, it shouldn't be that different an experience for his shareholders than Boston was last season given […]

Rick Lucks' Bold Predictions for 2019

Our series of Bold Predictions continue with my piece. I've had success with this exercise in the past, but last year was easily my worst performance to date. That said, I am traditionally one of the boldest authors on this series, and I think you'll agree that the predictions below will at least let me […]

Colten Brewer, Hector Velazquez Round Out Red Sox Bullpen

Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora confirmed on Saturday that relief pitchers Colten Brewer and Hector Velazquez will make the Opening Day roster as members of the Sox's bullpen. The 25-year-old Brewer was acquired from the Padres in November and threw 10 innings this spring, scattering nine hits, allowing four earned runs, while fanning 10 […]

Chris Sale Fans Six in Final Spring Outing

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale went five innings, while allowing two hits, one walk, and striking out six in Saturday's 12-3 win over the Pirates. As the Opening Day starter for the Red Sox, this was the southpaw's final tuneup of spring training. He comes fresh-off signing a five-year, $145 million extension. Sale […]

March ADP Musings - Overvalued / Undervalued Relief Pitchers

If you've played fantasy baseball long enough, you've heard some variation of the phrase "don't pay for saves" before. If you're new to the fantasy baseball community, you'll get used to it soon enough. The long-form version, for those of you who are indeed trying out fantasy baseball for the first time, is this: bullpen […]

2019 Fantasy Baseball Sleepers - RotoBaller Staff Picks

As we get set for the 2019 MLB season, it's time for our crack staff to reveal their favorite preseason sleepers. We recently polled some of our fantasy baseball writers to get their take on which hitters and pitchers they are targeting the most in the mid-to-late rounds of fantasy drafts. While you've likely heard […]

Brewers, Braves In Mix For Craig Kimbrel

The Milwaukee Brewers and Atlanta Braves seem to be the two teams in the mix for free-agent closer Craig Kimbrel with Opening Day next Thursday. The Brewers make even more sense with both relievers Corey Knebel (elbow) and Jeremy Jeffress (shoulder) injured and questionable for the start of the season. Atlanta's bullpen is inexperienced and […]

Chris Sale, Red Sox Agree On Long-Term Extension

Updating a previous report, the Boston Red Sox agreed on a long-term contract extension with starting pitcher Chris Sale on a deal that is believed to span from 2020 to 2024, a source told MLB Network's Ken Rosenthal on Friday. The deal is expected to be worth slightly less than $150 million and is likely […]

Red Sox Nearing Extension With Chris Sale

The Boston Red Sox have a framework in place for a long-term extension with starting pitcher Chris Sale, a source confirmed to MLB.com's Ian Browne on Friday. The left-handed ace is entering the final year of his contract in 2019. Since being acquired from the White Sox before the 2017 season, Sale has a 2.56 […]

Cole Roederer Compared To Andrew Benintendi

Chicago Cubs outfielder Cole Roederer, the team's No. 5 prospect per MLB Pipeline, has been compared to Red Sox outfielder Andrew Benintendi and he sports a quick left-handed swing and advanced bat-to-ball skills. The 19-year-old hit .275/.354/.465 with five home runs, 24 RBI and 13 stolen bases in 36 games in the Rookie League in […]

Updated Shortstop Rankings - 5x5 Roto (Mixed Leagues)

Our updated fantasy baseball tiered rankings analysis rolls on with the shortstop position. With the 2019 MLB season technically underway in Japan, RotoBaller writers Nick Mariano, JB Branson, Bill Dubiel, Pierre Camus, and Scott Engel have given their rankings a final update. Check out our fantasy baseball rankings dashboard for a current list any time. Shortstop […]

Updated Outfielder Rankings - 5x5 Roto (Mixed Leagues)

We continue our fantasy baseball tiered rankings analysis with a look at the star-studded outfield position With the 2019 season beginning in a matter of days, RotoBaller writers Nick Mariano, JB Branson, Bill Dubiel, Pierre Camus, and Scott Engel have given their preseason rankings a final update. Check out our fantasy baseball rankings dashboard for a […]

Nate Green's 10 Bold Predictions for 2019

Here at RotoBaller, we offer only the best, most factually-grounded fantasy analysis. Then, once a year, along comes everyone's favorite exercise: the Bold Predictions. Ah yes, wherein those of us who write analysis about a sabermetric-driven sport are encouraged to make the wildest guesses about the coming season in fantasy baseball. Some statistical basis ought […]

Darwinzon Hernandez May Open In Bullpen

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Darwinzon Hernandez, the team's No. 4 prospect per MLB Pipeline, has electric stuff and has been so impressive that the Red Sox might have him start out of the bullpen on Opening Day. The 22-year-old has only six innings of professional experience above Single-A ball, however. In the long term, […]

Ross Stripling Offers More Value than Charlie Morton Based on ADP

When it comes to fantasy drafts, really for any sport, what we all should be most focused on is the word value. For every player you are considering, you should be asking yourself “what value is this player most likely to provide?” ADP, recent form, and similarly-priced players should all be taken into consideration when attempting […]

Updated Third Base Rankings - 5x5 Roto (Mixed Leagues)

We move to the left side on the infield now in our fantasy baseball tiered rankings analysis with the third base position. The 2019 baseball season is already here! RotoBaller writers Nick Mariano, JB Branson, Bill Dubiel, Pierre Camus, and Scott Engel want to make sure you are prepared for last-minute drafts, so they have […]

Ellis Canady's 10 Bold Predictions for 2019

Bold predictions. The time where we come up with ideas that should happen because in our minds they make sense. Statistical analysis, prognostication, voodoo, card reader, etc. None of these are completely certain methods to achieve the forecast that we have in mind. So, we put our idea to text, bury them in the digital […]

Brewers Getting Serious With Craig Kimbrel

The Milwaukee Brewers talks with free-agent closer Craig Kimbrel are pretty serious, according to sources. Kimbrel would help strengthen a bullpen that already boasts Josh Hader, Corey Knebel and Jeremy Jeffress, but Kimbrel would likely work the ninth inning. That would hurt the fantasy value of Knebel the most. Kimbrel has a 1.91 ERA, 0.92 […]

Mookie Betts Not Rushing To Sign Extension

Boston Red Sox outfielder Mookie Betts seems intent on testing the free-agent waters when his contract is up. "That’s exactly what I expect. I don’t expect anything to happen until I’m a free agent," Betts said when asked if he expects to enter the 2019 season without signing a long-term extension. The 2018 American League […]

ADP Champ or Chump - Jackie Bradley Jr. and Juan Soto

You've probably heard people say that position scarcity is dead, as there is plenty of talent available at every offensive position save catcher and all catchers are about the same level of blech. This is true in standard 12-team leagues and some deeper formats, but it's not the case in the deepest leagues (20+ teams) […]

Updated Catcher Rankings - 5x5 Roto (Mixed Leagues)

We continue our fantasy baseball tiered rankings analysis with everyone's favorite - the catcher position. With the 2019 season beginning in a matter of days, RotoBaller writers Nick Mariano, JB Branson, Bill Dubiel, Pierre Camus, and Scott Engel have given their preseason rankings a final update. Check out our fantasy baseball rankings dashboard for a current […]

Harris Yudin's 10 Bold Predictions for 2019

Despite whiffing on more than half, my 2018 predictions were highlighted by the claim that Christian Yelich would return first-round value. I was also justifiably optimistic about Matt Chapman’s breakout and Khris Davis’ impending title of Home Run King. So, I figured, the best plan of attack for 2019 was to use the same template […]

Matt Barnes A Strong Candidate For Saves

Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Matt Barnes (96 strikeouts in 61 2/3 frames last year) is a strong candidate for the closing duties to open the season, but manager Alex Cora has been coy on who his closer will be on Opening Day. “You’ll find out on March 28,” Cora has said repeatedly. Ryan Brasier […]

Brewers Talking With Craig Kimbrel

The Milwaukee Brewers are talking with free-agent closer Craig Kimbrel, according to sources. Milwaukee's bullpen is already stacked with Josh Hader, Corey Knebel and Jeremy Jeffress, but Kimbrel would likely slot in as the ninth-inning man. It'd hurt Knebel's fantasy value the most. Kimbrel already has a 1.91 career ERA, 0.92 WHIP, 333 saves and […]

Using Sabermetrics for Fantasy Baseball Part 13 - Statcast for Pitchers

Previously, we looked at Barrels, a stat combining exit velocity and launch angle to measure how often a batter makes quality hard contact. As much as batters want to hit a Barrel every time, pitchers want to avoid them at all costs. Yet there is some evidence that pitchers do not have the same influence […]

Jon Denzler's 10 Bold Predictions for 2019

With official regular season games on the horizon, there is one last tradition to the fantasy offseason: bold predictions. Those articles that will populate our sites, and others, with the predictions of what might happen during the upcoming campaign. And yet, it is baseball, and as the Moneyball quote says, “You still have to play […]

Updated Second Base Rankings - 5x5 Roto (Mixed Leagues)

We continue our fantasy baseball tiered rankings analysis with the second base position. With the 2019 season kicking off in a matter of days, RotoBaller writers Nick Mariano, JB Branson, Bill Dubiel, Pierre Camus, and Scott Engel have given their preseason rankings a final update. Check out our fantasy baseball rankings dashboard for a current list […]

Blake Swihart Showing Up In Spring Training

Boston Red Sox catcher Blake Swihart has appeared in 10 games this spring and has been taking advantage of his chance to win the starting job in Beantown. A slash line of .360/.385/.480 with five RBI over 25 at-bats is far-and-away the best at the position, whereas Christian Vazquez and Sandy Leon are known more […]

Dustin Pedroia Will Begin Season in Extended Spring Training

Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia (knee) will not be with the team on Opening Day, announced manager Alex Cora on Monday. However, the skipper also noted that there have been no setbacks with the 35-year-old but he just needs some more reps once major league camp breaks to build back up to game […]