Third Base Draft Values for Fantasy Baseball - EDV Finds Undervalued, Overvalued Picks

Baseball is coming, so it is time for another year of the FSWA-award-nominated Expected Draft Values (EDV) series, where we look at historical data to identify both overvalued and undervalued players of all types. Whether you're targeting power, speed, power+speed, batting average+power, and so on, we've got you covered. Today, we'll look at third basemen […]

First Base Dynasty Rankings for Fantasy Baseball

After years of mostly just top-tier production, first base is making a comeback in fantasy output. There are some intriguing names in re-draft leagues, but we will look at dynasty fantasy baseball rankings here. Most leagues are starting to decide who will be part of their future; some will be looking to draft some of […]

Pirates Haven't Made An Offer To Bryan Reynolds

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Bryan Reynolds said he doesn't have an idea on whether he expects contract-extension talks to be productive with the team because the team has yet to make a new offer. Reynolds also said he's not going to set any deadline to complete a deal, so it sounds as though he'd be open […]

Caleb Smith Being Stretched Out As A Starter

Pittsburgh Pirates left-hander Caleb Smith is being stretched out as a starter in spring training, according to pitching coach Oscar Marin. The 31-year-old southpaw served as a reliever in 2022 with the Arizona Diamondbacks before a torn elbow ligament ended his season. However, Smith didn't need surgery on his elbow and reported to camp healthy […]

First Base Draft Values for Fantasy Baseball - EDV Finds Undervalued, Overvalued Picks

Baseball is coming, so it is time for another year of the FSWA-award-nominated Expected Draft Values (EDV) series, where we look at historical data to identify both overvalued and undervalued players of all types. Whether you're targeting power, speed, power+speed, batting average+power, and so on, we've got you covered. We'll start at first base and […]

Pitchers With Fastball Velocity in The Tank - Potential Fantasy Baseball Risers

One of the ways a pitcher can have a breakout season is by gaining velocity. We see this quite often. A pitcher will find a way to add velocity to their pitches (mainly their fastball), which makes that primary pitch a bit more effective and enhances their offspeed pitches as well by separating the two […]

Five Outfielders To Target in 2023 Fantasy Baseball Drafts

Welcome back, fantasy baseball players. Welcome to this year’s edition of outfielders to target. I have a list of five outfielders to target around their ADP (or even a little earlier) who could help your fantasy team in 2023. While looking at projections and past results, the list that follows was carefully crafted to give […]

Statcast Exit Velocity: Using Sabermetrics for 2023 Fantasy Baseball

If you've watched a baseball broadcast in the Statcast Era, you have undoubtedly noticed the broadcasters commenting on a batted ball's exit velocity, or EV. Many have taken to using stats like Hard% and Soft% to forecast how a player should be performing, expecting larger Hard% rates to produce larger BABIP and HR/FB figures. There […]

Robert Stephenson Dealing With Right Arm Discomfort

Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Robert Stephenson (arm) has been slowed in spring training due to right arm discomfort. The Pirates are being cautious early in camp after Stephenson threw on Saturday. It's probably a minor issue, but the Bucs aren't going to take any chances this early in camp. The 29-year-old right-hander is slated to […]

Analyzing Pitcher Fly Ball Data for Fantasy Baseball 2023

Pitchers don't have much of a say about what happens after a pitch they throw is put into play. There is a ton of randomness that occurs after a hitter makes contact with a ball, and that makes a lot of pitching statistics hard to trust. Getting ahead of this gives us an advantage. We […]

Ji-Man Choi Loses Arbitration Hearing

Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Ji-Man Choi has lost his arbitration hearing with his new organization. That's not exactly the best way to start off his career with the Pirates. Choi requested $5.4 million for the 2023 season, but lost and will now make $4.65 million for the upcoming season. It's still a $1.45 million raise […]

Four MLB Rookies Who Surged in September - Fantasy Baseball Draft Values

In 2022, we saw the MLB debuts of several up-and-coming top fantasy baseball prospects: Julio Rodríguez, Michael Harris II, Adley Rutschman, and Spencer Strider...to name a few. However there were many more "under-the-radar" prospects who produced quality rookie campaigns, and surged in September as a potential preview of what is to come in 2023. These […]

Oneil Cruz Shooting For 30-30 Or 40-40 Season

Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Oneil Cruz said his goals in 2023 include having a 30-30 or 40-40 season. "The one that is going to be under my control is to play hard and put on a good show for the people in Pittsburgh who go to see me play," Cruz said. The 24-year-old Dominican hit .233/.294/.450 […]

Bryan Reynolds Open To Extension With Pirates

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Bryan Reynolds said that he's still open to a long-term contract extension with the team, and his difference of opinion about his worth led to his trade request in the offseason. "I want that to be a fair deal for both sides, not one side or the other. Not a crazy player […]

Top 25 First-Year Player Rankings (FYPD) - Dynasty Prospects for 2023 Fantasy Baseball

When fantasy baseball players begin their first-year player drafts this year, they will have 2022 MLB draftees, foreign imports from Asia, and January 15 signees to sift through. There can be a lot of static in those stats, especially when you are dealing with minor-league players and some fantasy baseball prospects who haven't even played […]

Pirates Sign Kevin Plawecki To Minor-League Deal

The Pittsburgh Pirates signed free-agent catcher Kevin Plawecki to a minor-league deal on Saturday that includes an invitation to major-league spring training. Pitchers and catchers will report to camp on Wednesday, Feb. 15. Plawecki played for the Boston Red Sox and Texas Rangers in 2022, hitting a combined .220/.286/.286 with a .572 OPS, only one […]

Five Overvalued Outfielders for 2023 Fantasy Baseball Drafts

Welcome back RotoBallers! This is the second part of our overvalued players series for 2023 fantasy baseball drafts. Today we are looking at outfielders. You can see the first part about overvalued infielders as well. When playing fantasy baseball, the player pool is so deep you have to know it front and back. A key […]

Five Overvalued Infielders for 2023 Fantasy Baseball Drafts

When playing fantasy baseball, the player pool is so deep you have to know it front and back. A key strategy I use when I am preparing for my fantasy baseball drafts is to narrow down my player pool. While I am still about a month and a half from drafting some of my main […]

Caleb Smith Agrees With Pirates

Free-agent left-hander Caleb Smith agreed to a minor-league deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday. The deal includes an invitation to major-league spring training. Smith previously pitched for the New York Yankees, Miami Marlins and Arizona Diamondbacks. The 31-year-old southpaw spent last year with the Diamondbacks and went 1-3 with a 4.11 ERA (5.57 FIP), […]

Pirates Sign Juan Minaya To Minor-League Deal

The Pittsburgh Pirates signed free-agent right-hander Juan Minaya to a minor-league deal on Saturday. The 32-year-old made six appearances out of the bullpen (9 2/3 innings) for the Minnesota Twins in 2022 and allowed six earned runs on eight hits while walking five and striking out 11. It took Minaya eight years to reach the […]

Known-Skill Starting Pitcher Rankings - Predicting Future Stats for Fantasy Baseball

There is a lot of guesswork that goes into fantasy baseball. This is especially true when we're talking about starting pitchers. And all of this despite the fact that we have more metrics than we can even count about pitchers. You will see a ton of talk this year about fancy advanced pitch metrics. Spin, […]

Termarr Johnson Invited To Big-League Camp

Pittsburgh Pirates infield prospect Termarr Johnson, who was the fourth overall pick in last year's draft, has been invited to major-league spring training as a non-roster invitee. The 18-year-old hit .222/.366/.365 with a .731 OPS, one homer, six RBI, seven runs scored and six stolen bases in 23 games with the team's rookie-level affiliate and […]

Pirates Sign Chris Owings To Minor-League Deal

The Pittsburgh Pirates signed free-agent infielder Chris Owings to a minor-league deal on Thursday that includes an invitation to major-league spring training. Owings, a veteran of 10 major-league seasons, spent the 2022 season with the Baltimore Orioles but hit just .107/.254/.143 with no homers, six runs scored and a stolen base in 26 games played. […]

Jesus Aguilar and Zack Greinke: Buying and Selling the Latest Offseason News for Fantasy Baseball

Even though the Winter Meetings are now behind us, there’s still plenty of offseason left when it comes to baseball news and rumors – especially with a number of the offseason’s top free agents still without a team. And that’s all without mentioning potential trades as there hasn’t been an overabundance of deals made so […]

Early 2023 Fantasy Baseball Rankings - 5x5 Roto Mixed Leagues

Hello there fellow RotoBallers! Below you'll find our MLB team's early 2023 fantasy baseball rankings and tiers for 5x5 mixed roto leagues. This is an exciting time of year for MLB and fantasy baseball fans, as the MLB season is getting closer and there's a full year of fantasy baseball that lies ahead. We're here […]

Jon Anderson's Early Starting Pitcher Tiers & Rankings for 2023 Fantasy Baseball

Welcome back RotoBallers to my early 2023 fantasy baseball rankings and projections series! We are finishing it up today with starting pitcher. I have been through all of the hitting positions already, so check those out at the links below. Catcher First Base Second Base Shortstop Third Base Outfield I went for an even 100 […]

Jon Anderson's Early Outfield Tiers & Rankings for 2023 Fantasy Baseball

Welcome back RotoBallers to my early 2023 fantasy baseball rankings and projections series! Today, we are covering the outfield, and it's a monster! Here is what we've done so far: Catcher First Base Second Base Shortstop Third Base I am putting my top 80 or so outfielders into this, so we'd better get started.  Be […]

Top 50 Fantasy Baseball Prospects Rankings for Dynasty Leagues

Welcome to our first dynasty rankings article of the year about fantasy baseball prospects. Below you will find our early list of the top 50 MLB prospect rankings for fantasy baseball dynasty leagues ahead of the 2023 season. Prospects are a key piece to every MLB team's future, regardless of whether they're contenders or rebuilding. […]

Fantasy Baseball Hitters That Could Benefit Most From the Shift Ban

Major League Baseball is making some big changes ahead of the 2023 season. One of the most significant is the banning of the shift. You can read more about that here, but here's a quick summary from that article: "With all four infielders needing to be on the dirt, the days of the four-outfielder setup […]

Predicting Pitcher K-BB% Breakouts For Fantasy Baseball 2023

You will not read an article from me about fantasy baseball starting pitchers that does not talk a ton about the strikeout-to-walk ratio (K-BB%). It is the most important and most predictive statistic out there for evaluating pitchers. The way to win a fantasy league is to have a few breakout players on your team. […]