MLB Spring Training Notebook (3/5) - Buehler Building Up For Big Season

Welcome to the 2021 edition of RotoBaller's Spring Training Notebook. I began this column a year ago, and made it about four or five articles in when Major League Baseball decided to shut things down, just like everything else around the globe, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

We've finally made it to (real?) baseball games. Spring training games have officially begun and now we finally have some semblance of substance with a player's performance. There are still going to be some free agent moves, injuries, and roster moves from here on out, but a lot of our discourse here will be performance related, as it pertains to fantasy baseball. However, keep in mind we still have a full month of exhibition games, so everything should still be taken with an enormous grain of salt.

As fantasy baseball managers, we must perform our due diligence in understanding every team's situation heading into the season. There's so many names to keep track of so it's crucial to find a place where the most important information is in one spot. Here at RotoBaller, we have everything you need for success this season, and I'll do my part here as I bring you a quick-read, one-stop shop of 2021 spring training information with a fantasy twist.

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Injuries

Calhoun Optimistic Following Knee Surgery
Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Kole Calhoun (knee) underwent knee surgery to repair his torn right meniscus. Clahoun is hoping to beat the expected four-to-six week return timetable, which would still see him missing the first week of the season, but in the grand scheme of things, it's not missing much of a 162 game season. The slugger had a solid first year with the D'Backs in 2020, hitting 16 homers and driving in 40 while also registering a career high 12 BB%. His 255 ADP might drop even further with the news he might not be ready for opening day, but with easy 20+ home run potential, he could prove to be a steal despite missing a dozen games or so.

Urshela Returns From Offseason Surgery
New York Yankees third baseman Gio Urshela (elbow) played in Thursday game against the Philadelphia Phillies. It was his first game back since offseason surgery to remove a bone spur in his elbow, and while he went 0-for-2, it was a positive step towards being back to 100% health. The 29-year-old echoed that he felt fully healthy after the game, but we'll need just a little poor play time to fully trust those words.

Woodruff Throws Live
Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Brandon Woodruff (back) threw live to hitters on Thursday after being scratched from his spring appearance earlier this week. The southpaw had some tough luck in 2020 to follow up his breakout 2019 season but he's still the clear-cut ace of this staff. Despite the 3-5 record a year ago, he registered career highs in K% and GB% along with a career low 3.05 ERA. His 35 ADP might be a bit steep, but if he can pitch to the potential he showed in 2019, the 28-year-old could be one of the more underrated starters in 2021.

Castellanos Still Sidelined
Cincinnati Red outfielder Nick Castellanos (finger) was absent again from Thursday's spring training lineup against the Kansas City Royals. Dealing with a sore middle finger on his throwing hand, the team sees no reason to push him into the early going of camp. The 29-year-old slugged 14 homers and drove in 34 last year, but in the three years prior to that he had hit at least 23 dinger and drove in 70+ runs. For as high-powered as this Red offense was hyped to be, Castellanos is the only outfielder currently going in the first 10 rounds of fantasy drafts.

Roster Talk

Santana Signs With Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox agreed to a one-year deal with utility-man Danny Santana on Thursday. This comes a day after reports said the Minnesota Twins were interested in the 30-year-old. There's no guarantee he'll start with the big-league club as they mixed in a bonus if he starts the season with the Triple-A team to ensure he has enough reps before joining Boston. He had a major breakout 2019 season where he hit 28 homers and swiped 21 bags, but it could prove to be an outlier and we'll need to see how he performs this spring before diving into his fantasy value.

Around The Diamond

Giolito Punches Out Four
Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Lucas Giolito went two innings while allowing one run and stirking out four in Thursday's game against the Texas Rangers. The 26-year-old said he felt "right where he need to be" at this point in the spring, which is encouraging to hear but also should be taken with a grain of salt. The UCLA product is going around pick 18 currently, which is to be expected as the ace of a budding White Sox team.

Buehler Counting On Early Start
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler made his spring debut on Tuesday, which is earlier than previous spring trainings. While he only touched 93 mph, that's a sign of more to come for the 26-year-old that he will continue to build up to the 97 mph that he hit last season. the righty was solid through eight starts last year but was only able to muster one win, but 28 K% with a 3.44 ERA. He's being drafted just after Trevor Bauer at pick 19 so far, but don't be surprised if Buehler is able to surpass his new teammate this season.

Rodgers Wants To Steal
Colorado Rockies infielder Brendan Rodgers is excited that the team wants to utilize his speed more in 2021. Despite playing in just 32 major league games the past two years, the 24-year-old is confident in his base-stealing ability and believes he can steal 20 bases this season. Going un-drafted in almost every format, Rodgers has a lot to prove but has the chance to break camp as the starting second baseman in Colorado.

Maeda Blows Through Grapefruit League Debut
Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Kenta Maeda used 33 pitches to get through two complete, scoreless innings against the Tampa Bay Rays Thursday. The 33-year-old struck out three and didn't allow a hit or run, while also working on a new curveball in-game. after a 6-1, 2.70 ERA 2020 campaign, Maeda has big expectations leading into 2021, and fantasy managers are drafting him as an SP2 at pick 48. He's had some great seasons with the Dodgers and last year with Minnesota, but it will be interesting to see how he continues to progress at the front end of Minnesota's rotation.

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