Who Ya Got: Yasiel Puig or Gregory Polanco?

With the unprecedented dominance on display from young players, it's easy to view the ones who struggle with more disappointment than might be merited. We talked about Jorge Soler and Marcell Ozuna yesterday, but they weren't the only highly-touted young outfielders who stumbled in 2015. Today we'll take a closer look at another pair: Yasiel... Read More

Bust Players at 2B, SS, and C and What It Means for 2016

Welcome back friends. I hope you enjoyed the pilot article of this segment detailing the breakouts at 2B, SS, and C in 2015. This edition is more of a buzzkill - the busts at each of these positions. My selections will be influenced by their respective ADP (Average Draft Position) coming into 2015. That means while Jedd... Read More

2015 In Review: Three Rookie 3Bs

The 2015 season featured an abundance of terrific performances. Here, we'll focus on the trio of fantastic freshmen at third base: Kris Bryant, Miguel Sano, and Jung-ho Kang. Bryant was regarded as one of the best prospects in the game after posting absurd numbers across two levels in 2014. Somewhat controversially, the Cubs left him... Read More

Three Third-Year Starting Pitcher Breakouts

As much attention as has been heaped upon the stellar rookie class of 2015 (something I’m guilty of myself), there were plenty of breakout seasons from other young players. Today, we’ll take a look at a trio of third-year starting pitchers who made the leap: Chris Archer, Gerrit Cole, and Danny Salazar. The first overall... Read More

Future Tense: Arizona Fall League Updates (November 12th Edition)

This seems like a good time to check in on some of the names we spotlighted weeks ago, to see who’s been able to live up to their potential and if any have been busts. We’ll start things off with a Rays’ first baseman that we were really high on to open the Arizona Fall... Read More

Future Tense: Who's Struggling In The Arizona Fall League (November 3rd Edition)

Last time around, we looked at some of the hottest players in the Arizona Fall League. This time around, it’s time to look at who isn’t.   Underperformers Of The AFL Mike Yastrzemski, Outfield, Baltimore Orioles A sad reality in baseball is that people seem to think that just because a relative can play baseball, so... Read More

Melancon Wins NL Reliever Of The Year Award

Pittsburgh Pirates closer Mark Melancon was awarded the 2015 Trevor Hoffman National League Reliever of the Year during Wednesday’s Game 2 of the World Series. The 30-year-old right-hander led all of MLB in saves, converting 51-of-53 chances during the 2015 season. Melancon supported his save total with a 2.23 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 62/14 K/BB... Read More

Pirates Acquire Trevor Williams From Marlins

The Pittsburgh Pirates acquired RHP Trevor Williams from the Miami Marlins for RHP Richard Mitchell. This is a minor deal of teams simply swapping young pitchers. Williams, 23, is inching his way closer to the Major League level as a starter while Mitchell, 20, still needs to work his way through the minors before ever... Read More

Future Tense: Arizona Fall League, Part II - Glendale Desert Dogs

The Desert Dogs benefit nicely from being fed by organizations that are either rebuilding, are coming out of rebuilding, or, in the case of the Pirates, are always restocking thanks to being in a smaller market. As a result, this is a very good team with some interesting names to watch.   Top Prospects Of... Read More

Week 26 Start/Sit: MLB Starting Pitcher (SP) Matchups

What’s up RotoBallers. Welcome to the final week of this column, as we approach the home stretch of the fantasy baseball season. Thank you all for RotoBalling with us all season long, and I hope that this column (along with the rest of our MLB content) has helped you win some leagues. Now let's get... Read More

Recent Prospect Call-Ups and Their Fantasy Values (Kepler, Broxton)

Welcome to the final edition of the MLB prospect call-up watch. Miraculously, I have a couple more prospects for the final week of the season. These two guys could possibly save your week. Editor’s Note: to read about even more MLB prospects, rookies and potential call-ups, be sure to check out our MLB prospects for fantasy baseball homepage which... Read More

Pirates Call Up Keon Broxton Monday To Come Off Bench

Keon Broxton has been called up and will join the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday as they begin a four-game series against the Rockies in Colorado. The 25-year-old outfielder had a .273/.357/.438 batting line with 10 HR and 39 SB in 133 games this season between Double-A Altoona and Triple-A Indianapolis. Broxton will have the opportunity... Read More

Week 25 Start/Sit: MLB Starting Pitcher (SP) Matchups

What’s up RotoBallers. Below are all of the projected starting pitching matchups for Week 25, including our recommendation on whether to start or sit them for your fantasy baseball teams. Next to each matchup below, we also have a link to our Premium Starting Pitcher Daily Matchups, Streamers & DFS Tool. For those who aren't aware, our in-house... Read More

Cole Strikes Out 9 Dodgers For Victory

Gerrit Cole pitched a gem on Sunday when he hurled seven innings of three-run ball while striking out nine Los Angeles Dodgers batters. Sunday marked the third time that Cole struck out nine in a game this season. The right-hander is now 17-8 with a 2.64 ERA and 1.10 WHIP in 2015. The Pirates ace... Read More

Week 24 Start/Sit: MLB Starting Pitcher (SP) Matchups

What’s up RotoBallers. My apologies for not being able to post the Week 23 start/sit column last week, things were extra hectic with Memorial Day. I hope everyone had a great one, and here we are back in action. Below are all of the projected starting pitching matchups for Week 24, including our recommendation on whether to... Read More

Holds Leagues: Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 24

While holds are even tougher to predict than saves, the players we’ll highlight today include some elite setup men to target off the waiver wire for Week 24 of the fantasy baseball season. The more likely an MLB team is to win, the more likely these pitchers will be eligible to earn the holds that... Read More

Burnett (Elbow) Returns, Starts Thursday

A.J. Burnett has been activated from the DL and will start Thursday against the Milwaukee Brewers as the Pittsburgh Pirates go for their third straight win. Burnett, 38, missed five weeks thanks to inflammation in his throwing elbow. Despite losing a 2015 All-Star, the Pirates still hold the first Wild Card spot while also trailing... Read More

Minor League Spotlight: Top Fantasy Pitching Prospects from Week 22

This is quite the pickle that the Mets have found themselves in regarding Matt Harvey. They don’t want to push him past that 180 IP mark a season following Tommy John surgery, but they also need him in the rotation in the postseason to help them go all the way. If they are wise, they... Read More

MLB Prospect Rankings for Fantasy: Top 10 to Monitor in September

Welcome to the new format of the MLB Ready Prospects Power Rankings list. It's late in the season, so I'll be ranking prospects who are most worthy of picking up off the waiver wire for the September stretch. As you guessed it, this will be a bit more like a waiver wire article. A prospect will not... Read More

J.A. Happ (PIT, SP) - Waiver Wire Analysis

BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues / Matchup Streamer OWNED IN: 18% of Fleaflicker Leagues ANALYSIS: It's always interesting to see how players react after joining a playoff contender. In J.A. Happ's case, he's found a groove that's padding the Pirates lead as the top Wild Card. Since joining the Pirates from Seattle, Happ has started four games... Read More

Week 22 Starting Pitcher Waiver Wire: Ross, Iglesias, Eovaldi, Happ

Welcome to Week 22. If you've been following along with this series all season, you know the drill. If not, this article is to help you uncover starting pitcher options that may have been overlooked in your league. As always, included are options for both shallow and deeper leagues. I also add my list of pitchers discussed previously at... Read More

Holds Leagues: Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 22

While holds are even tougher to predict than saves, the players we’ll highlight today include some elite setup men to target off the waiver wire for Week 22 of the fantasy baseball season. The more likely an MLB team is to win, the more likely these pitchers will be eligible to earn the holds that... Read More

Burnett (Elbow) To Throw Bullpen Session Tuesday: Eyeing September Return

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher A.J. Burnett is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Tuesday, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. An elbow injury has kept Burnett out since July 30. It’s going to take over a month for the right-hander to return from a flexor strain in his right elbow. The 38-year-old received a platelet-rich... Read More

Charlie Morton (SP, PIT) - Waiver Wire Analysis

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues / Matchup Streamer OWNED IN: 19% of Fleaflicker Leagues ANALYSIS: Despite having an up and down season, Charlie Morton has hit quite a high the past few starts. After striking out nine Mets, he followed up with another eight over a combined 13 innings while only giving up two earned runs in... Read More

Week 21 Start/Sit: MLB Starting Pitcher (SP) Matchups

What’s up RotoBallers. Below are all of the projected starting pitching matchups for Week 21, including our recommendation on whether to start or sit them for your fantasy baseball teams. Next to each matchup below, we also have a link to our Premium Starting Pitcher Daily Matchups, Streamers & DFS Tool. For those who aren't aware, our in-house... Read More

Top Hitters to Stream in Week 21: Head to Head and Weekly Leagues

What's up readers. Below are my top MLB hitter streamer options for Week 21 of fantasy baseball. All players listed here are 50% owned or less in Fleaflicker leagues and play seven games this week. Streaming hitters is a great way to increase production and fantasy stats off the waiver wire for your head-to-head matchups. It can... Read More

Jung Ho Kang (SS / 3B, PIT) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues OWNED IN: 45% of Fleaflicker Leagues ANALYSIS: What more does Kang have to do to get your attention? While his rate stats are down this month, he’s still providing plenty of juice in the counting numbers. Since the break, the Pirates‘ Korean import boasts a .959 OPS with a half-dozen homers and... Read More

Five Corner Infield Waiver Wire Pickups & Adds for Week 21

As we've discussed previously, players who can be plugged in at multiple positions take on more value as we barrel toward the end of the season. With just a few weeks left before the fantasy baseball playoffs begin in many head-to-head leagues, and time growing short in roto formats, today's corner infield spotlight will shine... Read More

Catcher Waiver Wire Pickups & Adds: Week 21

Underwhelming catchers can begin to show life while overachieving catchers can come crashing down to earth. It is the reality of every fantasy position but for the position of catcher it can be an even steeper hill to climb. The consistent days off every week to go along with owners simply not in the market... Read More

Charlie Morton (SP, PIT) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 10% of Fleaflicker Leagues ANALYSIS: Even on the most successful pitching staffs there always resides players that just get the job done. It doesn't make the big headlines and they are not talked about with great frequency. But Charlie Morton seems to thrive in being just... Read More