Mariano's Saves+Holds Rankings - Fantasy Baseball Relief Pitchers

To any reader who thinks they don't have a voice here at RotoBaller, let it be known that this article came from a simple Reddit comment about how those seeking Saves+Holds reliever ranks were often overlooked. Poof, and here we are. Allow me, Nick Mariano, 2018's most accurate draft expert and sharer of names with... Read More

Attacking Offensive Categories with Z-Scores

The way to win at fantasy baseball is to generate the most aggregate value on your roster. One cannot win with just an average fantasy team; one must be better than the mean. To accomplish this, owners must spend their fantasy capital efficiently in acquiring talent. Finding and drafting undervalued players is the key. Of... Read More

One Last Mock! ADP Values and Reaches

As the sun prepares to rise on the 2020 MLB season (I'm all about hopeful metaphors these days), it also marks the end of draft season for fantasy baseball. This weekend will see a flurry of activity from fantasy league owners trying to figure out how to properly value players amid a global pandemic. Good... Read More

Underpriced Hitters According to ATC Projections

While nothing is guaranteed, we can at least see the light at the end of the tunnel. Baseball is back, baby! Summer camp (I refuse to call it Spring Training 2.0) has now begun and Opening Day is set for July 23/24. Coming with the return are seismic changes; a universal DH, limited opponents, a... Read More

Top 250 MLB Dynasty Prospects - Final Preseason Update

The 2020 MLB season is going to look very different. But as long as the virus doesn’t rear its ugly head in an apocalyptic fashion, it’s still going to be fun. And to help fantasy managers prepare for this season and for those to come, we’ve updated our Top 250 dynasty fantasy baseball prospects list.... Read More

Updated First Base Rankings - Fantasy Baseball Mixed Leagues (July)

With Opening Day of the 2020 MLB season just a few weeks away, we have a new batch of updated fantasy baseball rankings for you here at RotoBaller. The unpredictable effects of COVID-19 and the implementation of the 60-game season will make the upcoming fantasy campaign the most unique we have ever seen. Not only... Read More

Updated Shortstop Rankings - Fantasy Baseball Mixed Leagues (July)

With Opening Day of the 2020 MLB season just a few weeks away, we have a new batch of updated fantasy baseball rankings for you here at RotoBaller. The unpredictable effects of COVID-19 and the implementation of the 60-game season will make the upcoming fantasy campaign the most unique we have ever seen. Not only... Read More

Overpriced Hitters According to ATC Projections

RotoBaller is fortunate to have 2019's most accurate ranker, Ariel Cohen, to give us his updated ATC projections. I have taken those projections and turned them into fantasy dollars, ranking them accordingly. By comparing these rankings to the latest NFBC ADP data, we can see which players ATC likes at their draft price, and who should... Read More

Underpriced Pitchers According to ATC Projections

While nothing is guaranteed, we can at least see the light at the end of the tunnel. Baseball is back, baby! Summer camp (I refuse to call it Spring Training 2.0) has now begun and Opening Day is set for July 23/24. Coming with the return are seismic changes; a universal DH, limited opponents, a... Read More

Closers and Saves Report: Summer Camp Edition

In a normal year, we'd be talking about the upcoming trade deadline and how this team needs that player but that team needs this player but then that guy got hurt. During a normal baseball season, we'd be discussing the All-Star Game and how this player definitely didn't deserve a spot and that player was certainly robbed of his... Read More

Pirates To Mix And Match With Keone Kela Out

Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton said that the team will mix and match to fill the closer's role with Keone Kela (undisclosed) out to begin the 2020 season. Shelton doesn't anticipate using one guy to do the job, and it'll likely be matchup-based. It'll be a committee approach, but Kyle Crick is widely considered to... Read More

Gregory Polanco Tests Positive For COVID-19

Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton announced on Friday that outfielder Gregory Polanco tested positive for COVID-19 and gave the team permission to share the information. It explains why Polanco has been absent from the team's summer camp of late. He'll have to test negative twice before he's allowed to rejoin the team, making it unlikely... Read More

Keone Kela Placed On Injured List

The Pittsburgh Pirates placed closer Keone Kela on the injured list on Thursday, but no specific injury was listed, leading us to believe it's related to COVID-19. Kela has also not been active in summer camp and the Pirates haven't provided an explanation for his absence. He was sliding down draft boards as the Pittsburgh... Read More

Nick Mariano's 2020 Draft Sleepers List (Premium Content)

All other Premium Tools can be accessed on the premium dashboard. Sleeper has become a polarizing term 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 else... Read More

Gregory Polanco Absent The Last Two Days

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Gregory Polanco has been absent for the team's workouts the last two days, and manager Derek Shelton hasn't given a reason why. Polanco was absent from the team's scrimmage on Wednesday, with Guillermo Heredia playing right field. If Polanco tested positive for COVID-19 or came in contact with someone who did, he... Read More

Pirates Add Nick Gonzales To Player Pool

The Pittsburgh Pirates added first-round pick Nick Gonzales to their 60-player pool on Wednesday after they drafted the New Mexico State shortstop seventh overall in June. Gonzales will report to the team's alternate training site in Altoona if he returns a negative COVID-19 test. Pittsburgh had an opening on their roster when pitcher Hector Noesi... Read More

Joe Musgrove Lined Up For Opening Day

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Joe Musgrove will make his final intrasquad start this Saturday, which likely means he'll pitch on Opening Day on July 24 against the Cardinals. The Pirates could slot him fourth in the starting rotation to have him start the home opener on July 28, but that would require another start next... Read More

Socrates Brito Back In Camp Saturday

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Socrates Brito is back in summer camp on Saturday after he confirmed his positive COVID-19 diagnosis. Brito is just hoping to somehow crack the team's Opening Day roster, but his late arrival to camp will make that even more of a long shot. The 27-year-old left-handed hitter was decent on the farm... Read More

Nick Burdi Looks Amazing

Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Nick Burdi was impressive in spring training earlier this year and has picked up where he left off in summer camp workouts. “He looks amazing,” starting pitcher Jameson Taillon said. “No matter how many injuries this dude’s had, he still throws 100 mph. His slider’s still disgusting.” Burdi had Tommy John... Read More

Gregory Polanco Says He's Healthy

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Gregory Polanco (shoulder) feels like he's almost back to where he was before a left shoulder injury ended his promising 2018 season and ruined his 2019 campaign. "Last year, I wasn’t healthy. This year, I’m healthy," Polanco said. He said he's feeling no pain or tightness in his surgically repaired left shoulder... Read More

Chris Stratton An Option In Piggyback Role

Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Chris Stratton, along with Steven Brault and Chad Kuhl, is a candidate to function as a piggyback starter in the shortened 2020 season. Stratton leaned on a high-spin fastball and had a 3.66 ERA with 47 strikeouts in 46 2/3 relief innings for the Bucs over 28 relief outings last season. He... Read More

Ke'Bryan Hayes Hasn't Taken Part In Summer Camp

Pittsburgh Pirates third base prospect Ke'Bryan Hayes hasn't taken part in any of the team's summer camp workouts, and manager Derek Shelton hasn't provided an explanation for his absence. Outfielder Socrates Brito, who tested positive for COVID-19, and Hayes were the only position players absent on Thursday. Hayes is the team's No. 2 prospect, per... Read More

Jose Osuna To Benefit From DH In National League

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder/first baseman Jose Osuna, who has mostly been a bench bat for the team the last three years, stands to benefit from the universal designated hitter in 2020. Osuna hasn't played more than 104 games or recorded more than 285 plate appearances in a single season. The Pirates plan to rotate players through... Read More

Hector Noesi Opting Out Of 2020 Season

Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton said that relief pitcher Hector Noesi has decided to opt out of the 2020 season amid the coronavirus pandemic, citing family reasons. Noesi wasn't even a lock to make Pittsburgh's Opening Day roster as a middle reliever, so there's nothing really to see here from a fantasy perspective. The 33-year-old... Read More

Keone Kela Hasn't Worked Out With Pirates

Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Keone Kela has yet to work out on the field with the Pirates during summer camp. Manager Derek Shelton didn't provide an explanation as to why, which means there's a good chance it's COVID-19-related. Kela might not have tested positive, but he might've come in contact with someone who did. There's... Read More

Steven Brault Could Piggy-Back Chad Kuhl's Starts

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Steven Brault said the team has discussed the possibility of having him piggy-back Chad Kuhl's starts this year. Brault was pretty good for most of last season in 25 appearances (19 starts) for the Bucs, but a poor September left him with a 5.16 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, 100 strikeouts and 53... Read More

Joe Musgrove Feeling Better

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Joe Musgrove (shoulder) threw a five-inning simulated game on Friday and said that he feels better now than he did in March. Musgrove was battling shoulder fatigue before spring training was shut down earlier this year, and his results weren't pretty. The 27-year-old right-hander showed an uptick in strikeouts towards the... Read More

Short-Season Draft Risers and Fallers: RotoBaller Staff Picks

Recently, the RotoBaller MLB staff provided their thoughts on the best draft strategies for a shortened season. You can read that article right here. The fantasy baseball season is ready to kick up (finally) but things won't be the same as usual. Some players may be more appealing now that they've had time to work... Read More

2019 Breakout Starters Who’ll Continue to Improve

Breakout starters are one of the great joys of fantasy baseball. There are few things more satisfying than adding or drafting a player who emerges as one of the season’s best values. Starting pitchers are particularly prone to come out of nowhere and propel a team to a championship. However, that volatility makes it difficult... Read More

30 Burning Questions (and Answers) for 2020 Fantasy Baseball

Upon hearing that Major League Baseball was finally set to return to action and the fantasy season was back, a million questions popped in my head. Sadly, I forgot most of them by the next day so I'm left with just 30, coincidentally a nice even number. Actually, my initial plan was to do 60... Read More