Top Shortstop Prospect Rankings - 2018 Impact Rookies for Fantasy Baseball

Welcome back, RotoBallers. I'll be breaking down impact prospects by position. Today I'm bringing you my top 10 shortstops - MLB prospect rankings for the 2018 fantasy baseball season. As expected, shortstop is far and away the deepest list of infield prospects. This tends to be the trend every season given that it is typically […]

Overvalued - NL Outfielders Set to Bust in 2018

One of biggest mistakes fantasy owners can make is overpaying for career years. While some players experience legitimate breakouts, others are the product of a fortunate set of circumstances. Of course, some players are just plain overvalued. As we inch closer to the start of the regular season, it's more important than ever to identify […]

Deeper NL Outfield Sleepers - Undervalued ADPs

We are gathered here today to discuss everyone’s favorite fantasy buzzword, the “sleepers.” Not only that, but we’re tabbing these guys as deeper sleepers with a focus on the outfield position for National League teams. The outfield is always complicated by having so many options that you feel like there's always another guy waiting for you […]

Hunter Renfroe (OF, SD) - 2018 Fantasy Baseball Sleepers & Draft Values

BALLER MOVE: Target ~265 CURRENT ADP: 292 ANALYSIS: San Diego Padres outfielder Hunter Renfroe debuted in 2016 by crushing four HR and posting a 1.189 OPS in 11 games. The power numbers persisted for Renfroe in 2017 (26 dingers) but a weak supporting offense, poor .231 average and 29.2% Strikeout rate led to a forgettable season. Despite […]

Using Sabermetrics for Fantasy Baseball Part 14 - Statcast For Pitchers

Previously, we looked at Barrels, a stat combining exit velocity and launch angle to measure how often a batter makes quality hard contact. As much as batters want to hit a Barrel every time, pitchers want to avoid them at all costs. Yet there is some evidence that pitchers do not have the same influence […]

Bryan Mitchell Scratched From Saturday Start

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Bryan Mitchell was scheduled to start against the Diamondbacks on Saturday, but was scratched shortly before first pitch due to neck stiffness. Manager Andy Green downplayed the injury after the game, saying that Mitchell should be back on the mound in a couple of days. This spring, Mitchell has made […]

Overvalued - Second Basemen Set to Bust in 2018

Predicting busts is surprisingly easy if you really think about it. Looking at a player’s age is a good starting point, but their recent season performances are even more telling. The guys listed below are players who I think will underwhelm expectations in 2018. You won’t be seeing fantasy studs like Jose Ramirez or Brian […]

Robbie Erlin Strong In Unscheduled Start

Battling for one of the final two spots in the Padres rotation, San Diego Padres starting pitcher Robbie Erlin took to the mound in an unscheduled start on Saturday night. Bryan Mitchell was scratched with a neck injury, giving Erlin a chance to prove himself. Erlin threw 3 2/3 innings of one-run ball, allowing only […]

Franchy Cordero Day-to-Day With Groin Tightness

According to MLB.com beat writer AJ Cassavell, San Diego Padres outfielder Franchy Cordero is listed as day-to-day as he deals with tightness in his groin muscle. San Diego's No. 12 prospect, according to MLB.com, Cordero was hitting .343 with two home runs and a 1.179 OPS over 16 games this spring as he battled for […]

Clayton Richard Officially Named Opening Day Starter

As many have speculated, the San Diego Padres have officially announced that starting pitcher Clayton Richard will be their Opening Day starter, according to MLB.com beat reporter AJ Cassavell. Richard will take the mound on March 29 at Petco Park against the Milwaukee Brewers. Last year, he compiled an 8-15 record with a 4.79 ERA […]

Eric Lauer is Solid Against Giants, Strengthens Case for Landing in Rotation in 2018

San Diego Padres pitcher Eric Lauer didn't factor into the decision Thursday night, but he had another strong outing as he allowed only one run on four hits while striking out four over four innings. Over four appearances this spring, Lauer is 1-0 with a 2.53 ERA and 10 strikeouts over 10 2/3 innings. One […]

Dinelson Lamet (SP, SD) - 2018 Fantasy Baseball Sleepers & Draft Values

BALLER MOVE: Target ~170 CURRENT ADP:  211 ANALYSIS: The San Diego Padres pitching staff was one that could be largely ignored and/or avoided in 2017, but that all changed when Dinelson Lamet was recalled from Triple-A El Paso in May. Lamet was solid initially, but proceeded to give up seven earned runs in consecutive starts. It […]

Updated Relief Pitcher Rankings - 2018 Fantasy Baseball

One final time before regular season baseball returns and our lives are, at last, complete, RotoBaller's staff writers are updating their 2018 fantasy baseball rankings. Today, we'll be taking a look at one of the shallower positions - relief pitcher. As usual, there are a few elite options at the top, and it gets much […]

Chris Young Returns to Game Action

Los Angeles Angels outfielder Chris Young (calf) saw some action in an intrasquad scrimmage on Tuesday. He went 2-for-8 with two doubles. Young had not seen game action in a while, as he was recovering from a calf strain. The 34-year-old is expected to serve as LA's fourth outfielder next season and will not hold […]

Top Second Base Prospect Rankings - 2018 Impact Rookies for Fantasy Baseball

Welcome back, RotoBallers. I'll be breaking down impact prospects by position. Today I'm bringing you my top 10 second basemen - MLB prospect rankings for the 2018 fantasy baseball season. Second base is not a particularly strong position for prospects. It suffers from the same issue as first base: it is used as the position […]

Dinelson Lamet Destined For Starting Rotation

On Tuesday, San Diego Padres manager Andy Green confirmed pitcher Dinelson Lamet is "moving closer" to securing a rotation spot. This puts Lamet in pole position as the Padres' third starter behind pitchers Clayton Richard and Bryan Mitchell. The endorsement by Green is unsurprising. Lamet debuted in 2017 with 21 starts, a 4.57 ERA, 4.20 […]

Jordan Lyles Pounded By Cubs, Headed To Bullpen

San Diego Padres pitcher Jordan Lyles was rocked in a second consecutive outing on Tuesday, giving up four earned runs, five hits and two walks in three innings. AJ Cassavell of MLB.com believes he is destined for the bullpen. Lyles has struggled this Spring to a 12.38 ERA and 2.50 WHIP in eight innings pitched. […]

Prospects Fernando Tatis Jr., Luis Urias Sent To Minors

Two top San Diego Padres prospects were reassigned to minor league camp on Tuesday. Baseball's No. 2 ranked shortstop, Fernando Tatis Jr. (No. 8 overall), and No. 2 rated second baseman Luis Urias (36th overall) will continue their development away from the majors. Both youngsters were holding their own in spring training, but the moves were […]

Third Base H2H Points Rankings - March Update

We are getting closer and closer to the first pitch of the 2018 MLB season. Spring training is in full swing which means we are right in the thick of draft season. If you have a draft coming up soon, make sure to use our rankings for all league types. Regardless of the platform or […]

Updated Shortstop Rankings - 2018 Fantasy Baseball

With the regular season only a few weeks away, the esteemed RotoBaller staff has updated their rankings one last time. We continue our review of the March update with a look at the glorious shortstop position. There's a bevy of talented bats ready to be penciled in at the "6" this season, but the sure things draw […]

Tyson Ross With Another Strong Outing

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Tyson Ross turned in another strong outing on Monday against the Kansas City Royals. In four relief innings, Ross struck out one, allowing a hit and walk apiece. Through 11 innings this spring, Ross has a 3.27 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and eight strikeouts. Ross, a massive disappointment in 2017 with […]

No Timetable For Colin Rea's Return

San Diego Padres manager Andy Green indicates there is no timetable for starting pitcher Colin Rea (shoulder, elbow) to resume throwing. The 27-year-old righty has been shut down since early March with a strained lat in his throwing shoulder. This likely rules out Rea, who missed all of 2017 recovering from Tommy John surgery, as […]

Christian Villanueva Fine After Cutting Arm

San Diego Padres third baseman Christian Villanueva (arm) is fine after cutting his non-throwing arm. He missed Sunday's game but is expected back on Monday. Villanueva has hit well this spring, going 10-for-26 (.385) with three home runs and 11 RBI. If he makes the team, Villanueva will back up third baseman Chase Headley but […]

Chris Young Shines, Luis Perdomo Stumbles Again

Two San Diego Padres pitchers contending for starting gigs are moving in opposite directions. Starting Sunday, pitcher Luis Perdomo scuffled, allowing five earned runs and a 3.00 WHIP in three innings against the San Francisco Giants. Coming in relief, pitcher Chris Young fired four innings of shutout ball, retiring five via strikeout. Perdomo's edge heading […]

Updated Catcher Rankings - 2018 Fantasy Baseball

One final time before regular season baseball returns and our lives are, at last, complete, RotoBaller's staff writers are updating their 2018 fantasy baseball rankings. Today, we'll be taking a look at the shallowest position - catcher. As usual, after the few elite options are off the board, it's probably best to leave filling this […]

Chris Taylor Rankings Debate - Comparing RotoBaller's Rankers

We continue our long-running series of articles debating fantasy rankings with a super-utility player that suddenly became a fantasy force in 2017. The question remains: is it repeatable? RotoBaller's expert writers have come up with our consensus rankings for mixed leagues, but that doesn't mean we agreed on everything. In this space, we'll hear from […]

Jose Pirela Assured A Roster Spot

San Diego Padres manager Andy Green all but confirmed outfielder Jose Pirela's roster spot after Sunday's spring training loss to the San Francisco Giants. Getting the start at second base, Pirela went 2-for-3 with a homer and is now hitting .481 with a 1.448 OPS in 27 spring at-bats. Pirela, who Green quoted as "one […]

Clayton Richard Expected To Start Opening Day

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Clayton Richard turned in his best spring tune-up on Friday, hurling four innings of shutout ball with one strikeout. Although Padres manager Andy Green wouldn't confirm, the calendar aligns Friday's start with Opening Day. Richard is widely expected to get the ball against the Milwaukee Brewers to start the season. […]

Ottoneu Draft Strategy

Ottoneu is a format that only the fantasy baseball obsessed know about. For years I’ve been eyeing an Ottoneu league but was hesitant to take the plunge; the massive rosters, complex scoring system and year-round commitment were overwhelming, to say the least. But this year I’m ready to make the leap, having signed on with […]

First Base H2H Points Rankings - March Update

Welcome back RotoBallers. With the MLB season just a few short weeks a way, it's time to update our rankings and analysis to account for injuries, free agent signings, spring training risers/fallers and more. We kick off our updated March rankings today with the first base position. Bill Dubiel breaks down each tier and provides analysis […]