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2016 MLB Team Analysis for April: Chicago White Sox
Welcome to this look-in for Chicago White Sox as we enter May. As the RotoBaller writer responsible for the daily coverage of the White Sox, I decided to create a "one-stop shop" for all things South Sider thus far. First, let’s get you the team numbers. Then we'll break down the hitters, starting pitchers, and relievers. […]
Nick Mariano 9 years ago2016 MLB Team Analysis for April: Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies Team Breakdown: April Edition Welcome to the Colorado Rockies team report for April. As the RotoBaller writer responsible for the daily coverage of the Rockies, who better than me to break them down for you as we enter May? First, let’s get you the numbers. Here you’ll find team stats, and then those […]
Nick Mariano 9 years agoWeek 4 Waiver Wire: Starting Pitchers
Week 3 is almost in the books and we are here to look at some pitchers who might be available as you hunt for your next fix-err I mean, savvy pickup. Protocol dictates sticking to players who are owned in <50% of leagues. Starting pitchers have the most rollover during the season and the incredible depth of […]
Nick Mariano 9 years agoAnalyzing the Average Exit Velocity Leaders So Far
Welcome one, welcome all, to this look in at the leaderboard for hitter’s average exit velocity as of the beginning of April 19. Hopefully you've already read about hard hit rates, if not please click this! This is going to be a quick hitter, and some of these names can be presented with little comment. […]
Nick Mariano 9 years agoUsing Hard Hit Rates to Win Your Fantasy Baseball League
Welcome to this little crash course on hard hit rates. Use this helpful tool in the battle for fantasy baseball supremacy. Hard hit rate relates to several things: the velocity at which a baseball leaves the bat after contact is made, the hang time, the angle at which it is hit, amongst others involved in an algorithm […]
Nick Mariano 9 years agoWeek 3 Waiver Wire: Starting Pitchers
Week 2 is almost in the books and the fantasy baseball madness is in full swing. That means we’re all out here frantically panning for waiver wire gold. Starting pitchers have the most rollover during the season and the incredible depth of pitchers that are going across the league mean there are almost always candidates […]
Nick Mariano 9 years agoWeek 2 Waiver Wire: Starting Pitchers
Week 1 is almost in the books and the fantasy baseball thirst is finally getting satiated, but that only leads to the next thirst for waiver wire gold. Starting pitchers have the most rollover during the season and the incredible depth of pitchers that are going across the league mean there are almost always candidates […]
Nick Mariano 9 years agoJohn Lamb (SP, CIN) - Waiver Wire Pickups
BALLER MOVE: Add in Deep NL-Only Leagues OWNED IN: 1% Yahoo! ANALYSIS: John Lamb had a sexy 58 strikeouts in 49.2 innings last year, but it came with a 1-5 record, a 5.80 ERA and a 1.55 WHIP. He suffered from bad luck in this small sample, and his SIERA was a cool 3.56. Put […]
Nick Mariano 9 years agoJon Gray (SP, COL) - Waiver Wire Pickups
BALLER MOVE: Add in Deep NL-Only Leagues OWNED IN: 3% Yahoo! ANALYSIS: Jon Gray is still a good, young talent who is scrapping his curveball, which is good news for a Coors pitcher. He was strong in his few road starts last year, and could prove to be a sneaky buy, especially as a streaming […]
Nick Mariano 9 years agoSam Dyson (RP, TEX) - Waiver Wire Pickups
BALLER MOVE: Add in Deep AL-Only Leagues OWNED IN: 5% Yahoo! ANALYSIS: Sam Dyson is an under-the-radar guy with plus swing-and-miss stuff, and can be mighty useful for owners looking to anchor their ratios in deeper leagues. Check out RotoBaller's entire fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups and sleepers list, updated daily!
Nick Mariano 9 years agoCarson Smith (RP, BOS) - Waiver Wire Pickups
BALLER MOVE: Add in Deep AL-Only Leagues OWNED IN: 9% Yahoo! ANALYSIS: Carson Smith has amazing stuff, but obviously is sweating a DL-stint right now. Keep an eye on him, though, as his ratios and strikeouts are both very impressive when he’s healthy. Check out RotoBaller's entire fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups and sleepers list, […]
Nick Mariano 9 years agoShane Greene (SP, DET) - Waiver Wire Pickups
BALLER MOVE: Add in Deep AL-Only Leagues OWNED IN: 7% Yahoo! ANALYSIS: Shane Green teased us at the beginning of last season as well, but he’s having another strong spring with a roughly 30% strikeout rate and improved control. Maybe there’s nothing real here, but on the off-chance he puts it together with his put-away […]
Nick Mariano 9 years agoAdam Conley (SP, MIA) - Waiver Wire Pickups
BALLER MOVE: Add in Deep NL-Only Leagues OWNED IN: 9% Yahoo! ANALYSIS: Adam Conley won’t impress you in any one category, but he looks to be a serviceable back-end starter who can post an ERA in the mid-to-high 3’s with roughly 80 strikeouts per 100 innings. He’ll get matchups against Atlanta and Philadelphia, so fantasy […]
Nick Mariano 9 years agoJabari Blash (OF, SD) - Waiver Wire Pickups
BALLER MOVE: Add in Deep NL-Only Leagues OWNED IN: 1% Yahoo! ANALYSIS: Jabari Blash hit 32 homers in 476 PA between Double-A and Triple-A last season for the Mariners. The power is real and he can steal a base every now and again, but if he isn’t hitting a homer then he’s probably either walking […]
Nick Mariano 9 years agoJoey Rickard (OF, BAL) - Waiver Wire Pickups
BALLER MOVE: Add in Deep AL-Only Leagues OWNED IN: 3% Yahoo! ANALYSIS: Joey Rickard has played well enough this spring to impress the Orioles so much that he was named their Opening Day left fielder. He brings 20-25 SB speed and average to the table, but shouldn’t be relied on for any real power. Check […]
Nick Mariano 9 years agoJonathan Villar (SS, MIL) - Waiver Wire Pick
BALLER MOVE: Add in Deep NL-Only Leagues OWNED IN: 5% Yahoo! ANALYSIS: Many are waiting for Orlando Arcia to be called up, but until then, Jonathan Villar gets to hold down the job for the Brewers. He can provide cheap speed with the occasional home run and has yet to get consistent AB. There is […]
Nick Mariano 9 years agoDanny Espinosa (2B/SS, WAS) - Waiver Wire Pickups
BALLER MOVE: Add in Deep NL-Only Leagues OWNED IN: 4% Yahoo! ANALYSIS: Danny Espinosa may not end the season as a starter, but for now, Espinosa brings double-digit pop and non-zero speed to a shallow position in a good lineup. Check out RotoBaller's entire fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups and sleepers list, updated daily!
Nick Mariano 9 years agoJake Lamb (3B, ARI) - Waiver Wire Pickups
BALLER MOVE: Add in Deep NL-Only Leagues OWNED IN: 7% Yahoo! ANALYSIS: Jake Lamb is impressing this spring thanks to a quicker swing, and looks to join many of his Diamondbacks teammates as players who took the next step forward. His spring numbers show a greatly improved walk rate and a devastatingly powerful swing. That […]
Nick Mariano 9 years agoAaron Hill (2B/3B, MIL) - Waiver Wire Pickups
BALLER MOVE: Add in Deep NL-Only Leagues OWNED IN: 1% Yahoo! ANALYSIS: As of now, Aaron Hill has a starting job for the Brewers in a hitter-friendly Miller Park. He’s no stranger to power tears, even if it has been a while, so perhaps there’s a dash of magic left. Check out RotoBaller's entire fantasy […]
Nick Mariano 9 years agoCameron Rupp (CA, PHI) - Waiver Wire Pickups
BALLER MOVE: Add in Deep NL-Only Leagues OWNED IN: 1% Yahoo! ANALYSIS: Cameron Rupp can mash lefties and has a clear path to significant playing time in Philadelphia. He has 15 homer potential and is practically unowned. Check out RotoBaller's entire fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups and sleepers list, updated daily!
Nick Mariano 9 years agoRyan Madson (RP, OAK) - Waiver Wire Pickups
BALLER MOVE: Add in Deep AL-Only Leagues OWNED IN: 12% Fleaflicker ANALYSIS: Sean Doolittle is no safe bet to stay healthy or effective, and it would appear that Ryan Madson is the most likely candidate to take over should either of those landmines go off. His 2.13 ERA and 0.96 WHIP from last season didn’t […]
Nick Mariano 9 years agoKeone Kela (RP, TEX) - Waiver Wire Pickups
BALLER MOVE: Add in Deep AL-Only Leagues OWNED IN: 10% Fleaflicker ANALYSIS: Keone Kela is a young fireballer who could step into the ninth should Shawn Tolleson get traded or slip up. Kela struck out 68 in 60.1 IP last season, and can still take strides forward. Check out RotoBaller's entire fantasy baseball waiver wire […]
Nick Mariano 9 years agoRich Hill (SP, OAK) - Waiver Wire Pickups
BALLER MOVE: Add in Deep AL-Only Leagues OWNED IN: 6% Fleaflicker ANALYSIS: Rich Hill dominated in a very small 29-inning sample last season (though he was also strong in 64 minor league innings). He signed with Oakland and now gets to pitch in that spacious O.co Coliseum. It costs nothing to see if the re-invention […]
Nick Mariano 9 years agoKris Medlen (SP/RP, KC) - Waiver Wire Pickups
BALLER MOVE: Add in Deep Mixed Leagues, AL-Only leagues OWNED IN: 11% Fleaflicker ANALYSIS: It’s simple, Kris Medlen gets to pitch for the defending champs and is backed by one of the best bullpens in the game. Check out RotoBaller's entire fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups and sleepers list, updated daily!
Nick Mariano 9 years agoSocrates Brito (OF, ARI) - Waiver Wire Pickups
BALLER MOVE: Add in Deep NL-Only Leagues OWNED IN: 9% Fleaflicker ANALYSIS: A.J. Pollock has a fractured right elbow and will require surgery, opening the door for Socrates Brito. Last year in Double-A, Brito hit nine homers with 20 stolen bases and a .300 average. This spring, he had one homer and four steals with […]
Nick Mariano 9 years agoMichael Saunders (OF, TOR) - Waiver Wire Pickups
BALLER MOVE: Add in Deep Mixed Leagues, AL-Only leagues OWNED IN: 10% Fleaflicker ANALYSIS: Michael Saunders has struggled with staying on the field his whole career, but if he can do so this year then he gets to be part of the Blue Jays’ offense that led the league in offense last season. If he […]
Nick Mariano 9 years agoJimmy Rollins (SS, CHW) - Waiver Wire Pickups
BALLER MOVE: Add in Deep AL-Only Leagues OWNED IN: 9% Fleaflicker ANALYSIS: Jimmy Rollins won the starting job with a strong spring, and can bring decent pop to your team on the days that he plays. His age-37 body means he’ll get more rest than most are comfortable with, but this deep in the bin, […]
Nick Mariano 9 years agoHector Olivera (3B, ATL) - Waiver Wire Pickups
BALLER MOVE: Add in Deep Mixed Leagues, NL-Only leagues OWNED IN: 14% Fleaflicker ANALYSIS: Hector Olivera is getting tons of praise from his coaches, who see him as having turned a corner this offseason. He is 24-for-61 (.393) this spring, albeit with zero homers, and will have plenty of opportunities to show us what he’s […]
Nick Mariano 9 years agoCory Spangenberg (2B, SD) - Waiver Wire Pickups
BALLER MOVE: Add in Deep NL-Only Leagues OWNED IN: 3% Fleaflicker ANALYSIS: Even if Cory Spangenberg only manages 8/15/.265, that could still be good enough for deep leaguers and NL-only players. Check out RotoBaller's entire fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups and sleepers list, updated daily!
Nick Mariano 9 years agoJustin Smoak (1B, TOR) - Waiver Wire Pickups
BALLER MOVE: Add in Deep AL-Only Leagues OWNED IN: 2% Fleaflicker ANALYSIS: If you can platoon Justin Smoak effectively (as Toronto does – 18 homers in 296 AB), then you’ll get one piece of a powerful puzzle at first base. Bully for you if you can stand to rotate him and Chris Colabello (17% owned) […]
Nick Mariano 9 years ago