Platoon Role For Hunter Renfroe Possible

San Diego Padres outfielder Hunter Renfroe will likely assume a platoon role in 2018. Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports on the ongoing battle in San Diego's outfield, pointing out Renfroe's struggles with righties (.636 OPS) and success against lefties (1.077 OPS). Manager Andy Green admitted injuries and lack of depth last season forced […]

2018 Starting Pitchers - Dynasty Tiered Rankings

We continue our fantasy baseball dynasty rankings analysis with the first base position. RotoBaller writers Kyle Richardson, Chris Zolli, Pierre Camus, and I have come up with our preseason rankings to give you a sense of player values as early as possible. In a dynasty league, it can be tough to decide between a proven veteran or […]

Chris Sale Rankings Debate - Comparing RotoBaller's Rankers

We continue our rankings debate with a look at one of the game's most dominant arms. Major League Baseball's reigning strikeout king is a consensus top-four starting pitcher, but his exact draft value is still in question. RotoBaller's expert writers have come up with our consensus rankings for mixed leagues, but that doesn't mean we agreed […]

Cory Spangenberg Injures Wrist During Workout

AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports San Diego Padres infielder Cory Spangenberg jammed his wrist and will be out a "short period of time." Spangenberg was expected to compete with second baseman Carlos Asuaje for playing time at second base. His absence will open more opportunities for Jose Pirela, who will see action at second due to the […]

ADP Myth Busters - Debunking Myths in the NL West

This series will attempt to help fantasy baseball owners make informed opinions on players whose ADP may not be in line with their value for the 2018 season. As fantasy owners, we can fall into a "group think" mentality and start to overlook certain teams and players. If we aren't careful, those ideas can turn […]

Top 500: Mixed Leagues Tiered Staff Rankings (February)

Spring training is officially here! To celebrate, today we are here to look at our staff's updated 2018 fantasy baseball mixed league rankings for February and the top 500 players. Our rankings are updated weekly, but enough changes have taken place recently (see humidor, Arizona) to release a new overall list. Over the next few weeks we will also be publishing individual tiered […]

Austin Hedges Focuses On Plate Discipline

San Diego Padres catcher Austin Hedges homered in his first spring training at-bat on Sunday but was equally excited about a walk he took later in the game. The San Diego Union-Tribune's Kevin Acee reports the San Diego backstop worked on a more fluid swing and patience during the offseason to cut back on chasing […]

Franchy Cordero Hits Second Homer Of Spring Training

San Diego Padres outfielder Franchy Cordero hit an inside-the-park home run on Monday. The Padres 12th-ranked prospect showed his coveted pop and speed combination by hitting one off the fence and racing around the bases to easily score. Cordero also homered on Saturday and has started spring training 3-for-8. The reigning Dominican Winter League MVP […]

2017 Breakouts Due for Regression - Relief Pitchers

2017 was a great season for those who follow the "Don't Pay for Saves" strategy. Actually, it's more than a strategy, it's a lifestyle. Corey Knebel blossomed into an elite closer, Fernando Rodney almost matched his age in saves, Brandon Kintzler/Sean Doolittle/Brandon Maurer/Felipe Rivero/Brad Hand all had over 20 saves, and even Bud Norris was […]

Yoenis Cespedes Rankings Debate - Comparing RotoBaller's Rankers

Today's article is one in a series of debates regarding the overall ranking of some of the most fantasy-relevant players of the 2018 baseball season. 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 rankers with the […]

2018 Shortstops - Dynasty Tiered Rankings

We continue our fantasy baseball dynasty rankings analysis with the first base position. RotoBaller writers Kyle Richardson, Chris Zolli, Pierre Camus, and I have come up with our preseason rankings to give you a sense of player values as early as possible. In a dynasty league, it can be tough to decide between a proven veteran or […]

Manuel Margot Balancing Fun And Persistence

San Diego Padres manager Andy Green is challenging outfielder Manuel Margot to improve his on-base percentage, score 100 runs and win a Gold Glove in 2018. A warm and fuzzy piece by Bryce Miller highlights Margot's simple upbringing and positive clubhouse energy. Green's benchmark is ambitious but fitting for the unquestioned leadoff man and center […]

Jose Pirela Seeing Reps At Second Base

San Diego Padres outfielder Jose Pirela is taking repetitions at second base in camp, and he's likely to see a lot of time there in spring training. Unless the Friars trade outfielder Hunter Renfroe before the season starts, Pirela's fantasy upside may be limited if he shares time with Renfroe in left field. However, if […]

2018 Second Basemen - Dynasty Tiered Rankings

We continue our fantasy baseball dynasty rankings analysis with the second base position. Second base is a very intriguing position for dynasty leagues, as there is a changing of the guard that could come as soon as a year or two. Out will be the mainstay names of Robinson Cano, Brian Dozier, and Daniel Murphy, […]

Eric Hosmer May Move Around Batting Order

Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports the San Diego Padres are not concerned where first baseman Eric Hosmer bats in the order. Hosmer brings a career .342 on-base percentage, including .385 last season, to one of the league's least-disciplined teams. The Padres had a miserable .299 OBP in 2017. Manager Andy Green hopes Hosmer's […]

Tyson Ross To Start Saturday

The San Diego Padres announced their starters for the first three spring training games this weekend. Brett Kennedy gets the nod Friday, followed by Tyson Ross on Saturday and Bryan Mitchell on Sunday. Ross signed a minor league deal after being a non-factor in 2016 and 2017. Ross is currently fantasy-irrelevant, but if he makes […]

Young Padres Infielders Learning From Freddy Galvis

San Diego Padres shortstop Freddy Galvis is embracing his role as a mentor for young San Diego ballplayers. Touted prospects like Fernando Tatis Jr. and Javier Guerra will soak in Galvis' tutelage as they plan to usurp his job. Galvis forecasts as the Friars opening day shortstop, but the rapid development of the next generation […]

Brad Hand Set To Be Unorthodox Closer

MLB.com reports the San Diego Padres will use closer Brad Hand in various situations rather than limiting him to the ninth inning. Hand's primary gig will still be slamming the door, but matchups and game circumstances may require his services earlier. A former starter, Hand appeared in several multi-inning outings last season and will still […]

Wil Myers Believes He's Stronger And Faster In 2018

Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports San Diego Padres outfielder Wil Myers put on over 20 pounds in the offseason, increasing his playing weight to 224. Despite the gain, Myers thinks he's both faster and stronger. This could be an iteration of the classic "best shape of my life" maxim, but fantasy owners could take […]

Champ or Chump - Jake Odorizzi and Eric Hosmer

It took the better part of four months, but baseball's offseason is finally starting! Eric Hosmer signed a massive contract to vacation play baseball in San Diego, while Jake Odorizzi was traded to the Minnesota Twins for a ham sandwich and a few extra baseballs. One of these players is capable of turning a substantial […]

2018 Catchers - Dynasty Tiered Rankings

As we move closer to the 2018 baseball season, we at RotoBaller have released our Dynasty Rankings. We have been dissecting the tiers of each position, showing fantasy owners where to find value in their draft. At the catcher position, we have a total of 41 players ranked across eight tiers. When looking at dynasty leagues, […]

Franchy Cordero Continues Climbing Development Ladder

After debuting at 22 years old and logging 99 plate appearances in 2017, San Diego Padres outfield prospect Franchy Cordero spent his MLB offseason in the Dominican Winter League and won both Rookie of the Year and MVP awards, finishing in the top five in average, on-base percentage, slugging, OPS, home runs, RBI and runs. […]

Six Padres Outfielders Vying For One Position

Per Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune, San Diego Padres Manager Andy Green put a positive spin on the overcrowded outfield situation in San Diego. With Manuel Margot and Wil Myers occupying two spots, Hunter Renfroe, Jose Pirela, Alex Dickerson, Franchy Cordero, Travis Jankowski and Matt Szczur will all fight for playing time in […]

Fantasy Spin - Eric Hosmer Signs with San Diego

On Feb. 17, Eric Hosmer inked an eight-year, $144 million deal, the largest in Padres franchise history. Many are confused by the signing not only because eight years is an awfully big contract, but also because the Padres already have an All-Star first baseman on their roster in Wil Myers. Irrespective of this fact, the […]

ADP Sleepers and Busts - Third Basemen

Take a quick look at the NFBC ADPs of third basemen. What do you notice? Is Manny Machado going too high? Is Joey Gallo the boom-or-bust pick of the year? Is Josh Donaldson the best early-round value pick? Third base might just be the deepest infield position in fantasy this year, so it's important to […]

Angels Sign Outfielder Chris Young To One-Year Deal

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have signed free-agent outfielder Chris Young to a one-year, $2 million contract with incentives. Young, 34, hit .235 with seven home runs and three stolen bases in 90 games for the Red Sox last season. He will have a hard time finding playing time in LA's crowded outfield. Expect […]

Teams Are Showing Interest In Hunter Renfroe

Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports that trade interest in San Diego Padres outfielder Hunter Renfroe has picked up. With the Padres agreeing to terms with first baseman Eric Hosmer, Wil Myers will now move to a corner outfield spot. With Manuel Margot patrolling center field, that leaves a battle between Renfroe and Jose Pirela […]

Kirby Yates Has Twisted Ankle

San Diego Padres relief pitcher Kirby Yates (ankle) is dealing with a twisted ankle, but the injury isn't believed to be a long-term one. Yates was extremely effective for the Friars in 2017, posting a 3.97 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 88 strikeouts in 56 2/3 frames. He misses plenty of bats, but the home run […]

Wil Myers Expected To Play Right Field

San Diego Padres outfielder Wil Myers will take fly balls in right and left field this spring, but the majority of his playing time will be in right field, where he played with the Rays. Outfielders Jose Pirela and Hunter Renfroe will be in competition for the left field job. With the signing of first […]

Robbie Erlin, Colin Rea Hoping To Compete For Rotation Spots

San Diego Padres starting pitchers Robbie Erlin (elbow) and Colin Rea (elbow) are taking things cautiously in camp this year as they come back from Tommy John surgery, but they are both among the 10 candidates vying for the team's five starting rotation spots. "Both of those guys, we like where they are right now," […]