Three Picks At Each Position - Expensive, Value and Cheap Players for Fantasy Baseball

If I had the time and approval, I could come here every single day and give you hard-hitting data analysis. We could learn all kinds of stuff and do all kinds of speculating and projecting, getting very into the granular data. I do that from time to time on here, but I'm not so egg-headed... Read More

Noteworthy Hitting Leaders (Pull%) - Statcast Review for Fantasy Baseball

After diving into the xBA and xSLG leaderboards last week, I'm continuing my look at Statcast metrics by turning our eye to the Pull% leaderboard. We'll go through some of the leaders in the hopes of not just giving you Statcast numbers but explaining how I believe those numbers impact the projections I have for... Read More

Andrew McCutchen Removed From Sunday's Game

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen (hand) was forced to exit early during Sunday's Spring Training matchup with the Minnesota Twins. The veteran outfielder was hit by a pitch in the left hand, which forced the team to remove him from the game due to discomfort. It seems like the Pirates pulled McCutchen as a precaution,... Read More

Fantasy Baseball Catcher Rankings - 2023 Points Leagues: Adley Rutschman, Tyler Stephenson, Keibert Ruiz, Logan O'Hoppe

RotoBaller is constantly working to try and bring fantasy baseball managers the best advice, especially during draft season. A big part of that includes regular updates to our tiered rankings for all formats. In this article, you will find our updated fantasy baseball catcher rankings for points leagues as of March 5th. In this article... Read More

Statcast xStats: Using Sabermetrics for 2023 Fantasy Baseball

Statcast is a valuable tool for fantasy baseball analysis, and it can be easy to look at a stat called "Expected Batting Average" and blindly use it as your projection moving forward. Of course, proper use of these metrics is a little bit more nuanced than that. First, a disclaimer: This article is about the... Read More

Nick Mariano's Early-Round Overvalued List for 2023 Fantasy Baseball (Premium Content)

This premium article is part of our 2023 Draft Kit. All other Premium Tools can be accessed on the premium dashboard. Fantasy baseball drafts (and their articles) are almost all about finding the next superstar and unearthing talent late, but we can't forget that surrendering value by over-drafting can be just as crucial. In order... Read More

Nick Mariano's Auction Draft Strategies and Tips for Fantasy Baseball (Premium Content)

This premium article is part of our 2023 Draft Kit. All other Premium Tools can be accessed on the premium dashboard. Open up those checkbooks, RotoBallers, and welcome to the entertaining format that is auction-based fantasy baseball. This is not a 101-level "how-to" guide, you'll need to know how to click "Bid" and not close... Read More

Second Base Dynasty Rankings For Fantasy Baseball

Second base was once a position for speed and a little batting average, but that has changed over the years, and it’s now a full-fledged fantasy production machine. It may not boast the power that third base or first base does, and the names may not be as sexy as the shortstop position, but it... Read More

Third Base Dynasty Rankings for Fantasy Baseball

We’ve made it to some of the top options in the game. Third base has five of the top-22 players in RotoBaller’s dynasty rankings and seven players in the top 50. The power you get from this position could help carry your team in the home run department.   Big boppers are all over the... Read More

Catcher Dynasty Rankings For Fantasy Baseball

The catcher position has long been one of minimal value in fantasy baseball. There are usually just a couple of players worth a top pick each year. But for dynasty purposes, catchers are starting to collect some intriguing targets.   A list of 21 of the best catchers in baseball follows though some of them... Read More

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

Spring Training is flying and we're off to the races with 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. It's time to... Read More

Points Leagues: Outfielders to Underperform Fantasy Baseball ADP in 2023

As Spring training begins to pick up steam, it’s also an impending sign of fantasy baseball draft season. And what spot is more important in fantasy baseball than the outfield? Some of the game's best offensive talents man one of the outfield spots. True fantasy baseball difference-makers like Mookie Betts, Mike Trout, Aaron Judge, Julio... Read More

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

Spring Training is flying and we're off to the races with 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. It's time to... Read More

Pitcher Statcast: Using Sabermetrics for 2023 Fantasy Baseball

Statcast metrics such as Barrels and Brls/BBE are great ways to evaluate a fantasy baseball batter's performance, so it is only natural to assume that the metrics would be predictive for pitchers as well. As much as batters want to hit a Barrel every time, pitchers want to avoid them at all costs. Yet, there... Read More

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... Read More

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... Read More

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... Read More

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... Read More

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... Read More

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... Read More

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... Read More

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... Read More

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... Read More

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... Read More

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... Read More

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... Read More

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... Read More

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... Read More

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... Read More

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... Read More