AL Rookies Ready to Leap into Starting Lineups in 2018

Conventional wisdom dictates that you can't win your league at the draft. You definitely can't, but good drafting of under-the-radar guys and youngsters can put you streets ahead of your competition. Last season gave us rookies in the American League such as Aaron Judge, Matt Olson and his teammate Matt Chapman, Mitch Haniger (until he […]

Preston Claiborne Signs Minor League Deal With Indians

Right-handed pitcher Preston Claiborne has signed a minor league contract with the Cleveland Indians, which includes an invitation to spring training. Claiborne appeared in just one game last season at the major league level, but he pitched well in Triple-A. In 38 Triple-A appearances, he put up a sparkling 1.89 ERA. The 30-year-old will be […]

2018 Outfield - Early Points League Rankings and Tiers

I have the honor of tackling the ever-so-deep class of outfielders for you, the esteemed points-league owner. We realize that many sites tailor their analysis toward the standard rotisserie league, but we love everyone equally. That said, we have to recognize that standard 5x5 categories are also much easier to create white-label rankings that anyone […]

2018 Shortstop - Early Points League Rankings and Tiers

If you play in a head-t0-head points league, or season long format, you already know how difficult it can be to find fantasy analysis tailored to the format. Not only are the traditional rotisserie and head-to-head arrangements more popular, but the very nature of points leagues makes them difficult to cover in a general sense […]

2018 Third Base - Early Points League Rankings and Tiers

If you play in a head-t0-head points league, or season long format, you already know how difficult it can be to find fantasy analysis tailored to the format. Not only are the traditional rotisserie and head-to-head arrangements more popular, but the very nature of points leagues makes them difficult to cover in a general sense […]

2018 Strikeout Risers and Fallers - What We Learned

For the second straight season, we witnessed the highest strikeout totals in MLB history. There was an average of 8.25 strikeouts per MLB game in 2017, up from 8.03 strikeouts per game in 2016. Strikeouts have increased in baseball every year since 2005, and there is no indication that this trend will reverse any time […]

Using xwOBA as a Predictive Tool for Hitters

With spring training on the horizon, fantasy baseball draft season is in sight, as well. That means it’s time to pore over rankings, go through countless mock drafts, and do plenty of research trying to find that diamond in the rough other owners are undervaluing. Luckily, more statistics are available than ever before to determine […]

2018 Second Base - Early Points League Rankings and Tiers

Aside from catcher, second base is amongst the shallowest positions heading into the 2018 season. Assuming a standard 10-12 team league, depending on the bench size it makes sense to roster only one 2B upon conclusion of your draft. If you can’t scoop up Jose Altuve, Jose Ramirez or Anthony Rizzo, you may need to […]

2018 First Base - Early Points League Rankings and Tiers

If you play in a head-to-head points league, or season long format, you already know how difficult it can be to find fantasy analysis tailored to the format. Not only are the traditional rotisserie and head-to-head arrangements more popular, but the very nature of points leagues makes them difficult to cover in a general sense […]

2018 Stolen Base Risers and Fallers - What We Learned

He did it again! For the third time in four seasons, Dee Gordon held the top spot of the steals leaderboard. He concluded the 2017 season with 60 swipes. Gordon is averaging 53 SB over the past four years. That includes the 2016 season where Gordon missed 80 games due to a suspension. The Seattle Mariners had […]

Top 100: MLB Prospect Rankings for Fantasy Baseball

Prospects. For any fantasy baseball enthusiast, it's all about knowing about the prospects, rookies and call-ups. More than any other sport, baseball offers a fresh influx of rookie talent every year, both before and during the MLB season. And adding the right guy at the right time can be a league winner (see Aaron Judge and […]

Top 450: Points Leagues Tiered Staff Rankings (January)

In case you haven't noticed, we've already been cranking out all sorts of 2018 fantasy baseball rankings at RotoBaller HQ. It's only mid-January but you can already find preliminary staff rankings for mixed leagues, points leagues, AL/NL only leagues, dynasty leagues, top 2018 prospects, dynasty prospects and more. Today we are here to start looking […]

Dynasty Fantasy Baseball Buy or Sell - Hitters

The dust has finally settled on 2017 and many of us are fully immersed in winter, which means it’s the perfect time to re-evaluate our dynasty squads. Last season featured plenty of breakouts and many head-scratching performances, so where to go from here? The old adage of buying low and selling high is just as […]

Lonnie Chisenhall Avoids Arbitration

Cleveland Indians outfielder Lonnie Chisenhall avoided salary arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $5.587 million deal. 2017 was a lost season for Chisenhall because of various injuries, and he ended up playing in only 82 games, and when he did play, he was platooned in the outfield. However, when he was on the field, he […]

Zach McAllister, Indians Avoid Arbitration

Cleveland Indians relief pitcher Zach McAllister was able to reach an agreement to avoid arbitration with the team, signing a one-year, $2.45 million contract. McAllister was an important part of the Cleveland bullpen in 2017, posting a 2.61 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, and 66/21 K/BB ratio in 62 innings. He'll return to a middle-relief role in […]

Fantasy Implications - Yonder Alonso to Indians

It was a breakout year for Yonder Alonso in 2017, as he recorded career-highs in home runs (28), on-base percentage (.365) and slugging percentage (.501). Alonso has generally been able to get on base at a good rate with a career .340 OBP, but it was the power surge that was the most surprising for […]

Zach McAllister And Indians Avoid Arbitration

Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports reports that relief pitcher Zach McAllister has avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $2.45 million contract with the Indians. McAllister had a strong season out of the bullpen last year for the Tribe. Over 62 innings, he had a 2.61 ERA with 66 strikeouts. He will be eligible to reach […]

2018 Relief Pitchers - Early Fantasy Baseball Tiered Rankings

We wind up our mixed league rankings analysis with a look at the most volatile position of all, relief pitchers. Whether you choose to grab a top-notch closer early or prefer to work the waiver wire all season, these early rankings will give you a good sense of where the current market values each reliever, before […]

Jay Bruce Returns To Mets On Three-Year Deal

Jerry Cransick of ESPN.com reports that free-agent outfielder Jay Bruce has agreed to a three-year deal worth $39 million with the New York Mets. Bruce was acquired in 2016 at the trade deadline by the Mets and flipped by the Mets to the Indians during the 2017 trade deadline. In 153 games as a Met, he hit .245 […]

Mets Touching Base With Jay Bruce

The New York Mets have spoken recently with the agent for free-agent outfielder Jay Bruce, and they remain a possibility to reunite with him. Twenty nine of Bruce's career-high 36 home runs in 2017 came with the Mets in the first half of the season. Familiarity may be a big selling point if the two […]

Fantasy Implications - Evan Longoria Traded to Giants

After losing out to the Yankees in the Giancarlo Stanton sweepstakes and failing to lure Japanese star Shohei Ohtani, the Giants settled on a trade for third baseman Evan Longoria from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for outfielder Denard Span, infielder Christian Arroyo, and a pair of minor league pitching prospects. Longoria, a former […]

2018 Starting Pitchers - Early Fantasy Baseball Tiered Rankings

Welcome back to the early edition of RotoBaller’s 2018 fantasy baseball rankings! As a reminder, this round of rankings comes to you courtesy of Pierre Camus and Jeff Kahntroff, in addition to yours truly. Today, I’ll be taking a look at how we ranked starting pitchers. As you peruse the info below, keep in mind […]

2018 Outfielders - Early Fantasy Baseball Tiered Rankings

It's a new year, and with that comes our first set of rankings for the 2018 fantasy baseball season. As a reminder, our first round of rankings comes to you courtesy of Pierre Camus and Jeff Kahntroff, in addition to yours truly. Today, I’ll be finishing up the hitter side of things with a look at […]

2018 Shortstops - Early Fantasy Baseball Tiered Rankings

It's time to examine the glamour position of the infield, shortstop. Once considered strictly a defensive position, there are now a host of options that can fit into your fantasy lineup and deliver. 2017 saw 10 different shortstops score over 400 in points leagues. Speed was key component, as five qualified SS stole over 20 […]

2018 Third Base - Early Fantasy Baseball Tiered Rankings

Today, I’ll be taking a look at how we ranked players at the hot corner. Third base offered an abundance of productive fantasy assets last year, and 2018 figures to be no different. In case you missed it, you can also check out our rankings and analysis for catcher, first base and second base - […]

Jason Kipnis Expected To Move Back To Second Base

Cleveland Indians second baseman/outfielder Jason Kipnis, who was moved to the outfield in 2017, is expected to move back to second base to start the 2018 season. Infielder Jose Ramirez can now move back to third base. 2017 was a lost season for Kipnis, as he missed the start of the year after straining his […]

2018 Second Base - Early Fantasy Baseball Tiered Rankings

We continue our fantasy baseball tiered rankings analysis with the second base position. Even though it is only January 6, 2018 in an extremely slow offseason, RotoBaller writers Kyle Bishop, Pierre Camus, and I have come up with our initial pre-draft rankings to give you a sense of player values as early as possible. As […]

2018 First Base - Early Fantasy Baseball Tiered Rankings

We continue our fantasy baseball tiered rankings analysis with the first base position. RotoBaller writers Kyle Bishop, Jeff Kahntroff, and I have come up with our initial pre-draft rankings to give you a sense of player values as early as possible. There are plenty of free agents yet to sign, so keep in mind that these rankings […]

Champ or Chump - Jhoulys Chacin and Yonder Alonso

If you want to know the secret to finding unheralded fantasy assets, the answer could be as simple as looking at poor teams out west. Most media coverage centers on east coast players that the entire country is awake to see. Exceptions might be made for studs like Mike Trout or Clayton Kershaw, but no […]

Dynasty First Basemen - Top MLB Prospects for Fantasy Baseball

Welcome back, RotoBallers. I'll be breaking down impact prospects in dynasty leagues by position over the next several weeks. I’ve already covered catchers. Today I'm bringing you my top 10 first basemen - dynasty prospect rankings for 2018 dynasty baseball leagues. The group of first base prospects simultaneously lost its star-power and recovered. Cody Bellinger, Josh […]