1 week agoTexas Rangers outfielder
Wyatt Langford (oblique) is expected to make his Cactus League debut on Friday against the Colorado Rockies, weather pending. Langford was sidelined early in camp due to a mild oblique strain, but he hasn't had any setbacks while resuming baseball activities and is on track to play in his first spring training game later this week. If the 23-year-old doesn't aggravate his oblique muscle once he gets into games, he will have plenty of time to get ready for Opening Day in late March. Meanwhile, fellow outfielder
Adolis Garcia, who is also dealing with an oblique strain, should also be ready for Opening Day. Langford should be considered a top-20 fantasy outfielder because of his power/speed upside heading into just his second MLB season. The former fourth overall pick hit .253/.325/.415 with 16 homers, 74 RBI and 19 steals in his first 139 big-league games in 2024.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Dallas Morning News - Shawn McFarland
1 week agoTexas Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said that outfielder
Adolis Garcia's oblique strain is "pretty mild" and "not quite Grade 1" strain. The Rangers expect Garcia to be back quicker than fellow outfielder
Wyatt Langford (oblique), who has also been delayed early in spring training with an oblique injury. More than likely, Garcia will be ready for Opening Day later this month. Fantasy managers that already drafted Garcia can breathe a sigh of relief that he's not expected to open the season on the injured list. The 32-year-old Cuban slugger took a step back from his All-Star campaign in 2023, but he still managed 25 home runs, 85 RBI and 11 stolen bases in 154 games played in his fifth year in Texas. When looking at Garcia's hard-hit and barrel rates from 2024, nothing concerning jumps out, so there's a good chance he can return to the 30-homer mark if he stays healthy in 2025.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Kennedi Landry
1 week agoSt. Louis Cardinals outfielder
Jordan Walker (knee) underwent tests on his left knee. Walker sustained this injury during Tuesday's spring training contest. John Denton of MLB.com noted that the team should provide an update later on Wednesday. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status as the team will likely keep him sidelined for the time being. During his MLB debut in the 2023 season, Walker logged 113 games and held a .276/.342/.445 slash line with 19 doubles, 16 home runs, and swiped seven bags. In 2024, Walker logged 51 games at the MLB level and held a .201/.253/.366 line with 10 doubles and five home runs. He generated a weak .211 xBA but posted an above-average 43.1 percent hard-hit rate. If Walker were to miss time,
Alec Burleson would likely have an increased role in right field.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: John Denton
1 week agoWashington Nationals pitching prospect
Jarlin Susana was sent to the minor-league camp. Susana is considered one of the top prospects in the Washington system. During his brief look at spring training, the 20-year-old tossed three innings with three punchouts. The right-hander received his first full look of professional baseball during the 2023 season as he logged 63 innings and held a 5.14 ERA with a 1.52 WHIP. He tallied 62 punchouts but showed weak command as he served up 40 free passes. During the 2024 season, Susana logged another 56 1/3 innings at Single-A and held an improved 4.47 ERA with a 1.37 WHIP. He then earned a taste of High-A as he logged a 4.18 ERA with a 1.25 WHIP across 47 1/3 innings. Dynasty managers should expect the right-hander to open the campaign at the High-A level and could push for a Double-A debut.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Spencer Nusbaum
1 week agoMiami Marlins catching prospect
Agustin Ramirez has focused on improving his defense during spring training. Ramirez worked on his ability to throw out opposing baserunners during the offseason. Marlins president of baseball operations Peter Bendix noted that Ramirez is a catcher. Ramirez has shown steady development at the plate and is expected to be the team's backstop of the future. The Marlins acquired Ramirez from the Yankees in the trade that sent
Jazz Chisholm Jr. to the Bronx. The 23-year-old logged 68 games at the Triple-A level last season and held a .246/.345/.411 slash line with 12 doubles and nine home runs. However, once he joined the Marlins, Ramirez took a step forward as he held a .262/.358/.447 slash line with five long balls. If he continues to show growth in spring training, he could push to break the Opening Day roster or earn an early 2025 debut.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Christine De Nicola
1 week agoWashington Nationals outfielder
James Wood (quad) is returning to left field on Wednesday afternoon. Wood has only been able to serve as a designated hitter during the early part of spring training due to tendinitis in his quad. However, seeing him cleared to return to the defensive side of the game suggests he should be a full-go by Opening Day. During his first two games of spring training, Wood has held a .33/.429/.333 line with a 1:1 BB:K ratio. The 22-year-old made his MLB debut and held a .264/.354/.427 slash line with nine home runs and 14 stolen bases. He drew walks at a strong 11.6 percent rate with a stellar 52.0 percent hard-hit rate. Earlier in the season at Triple-A, Wood held a .353/.463/.595 line with 16 doubles and 10 home runs. Fantasy managers should expect Wood to have an everyday role in left field and bat near the top of the Washington lineup.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Bobby Blanco
1 week agoPhiladelphia Phillies outfield prospect
Justin Crawford was assigned to the minor-league camp. Crawford is considered one of the top prospects in the Phillies system and the 63rd best in the sport on MLB Pipeline. The Phillies selected Crawford with the 17th selection in the 2022 MLB Draft. He received his first full look of the minor leagues during the 2023 season and performed very well at Single-A, holding a .344/.399/.478 slash line. In 2024, Crawford spent most of the campaign at the High-A level (78 games) and posted a strong .301/.349/.438 slash line with 14 doubles, four triples, and six long balls. He also swiped 26 bags and held 21:67 BB:K ratio. He was then given a 40-game taste and continued to swing a hot bat, holding a .333/.380/.455 line. Crawford could push for an early season Triple-A debut, opening the door for a 2025 MLB debut.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Todd Zolecki
1 week agoThe Philadelphia Phillies have reassigned infield prospect
Aidan Miller to minor-league camp. Miller was invited to the major-league camp as a non-roster invite. The former 27th overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft has spent most of his career in the lower levels of the minor leagues. Last season, Miller received his first extended look at the Single-A level and held a .275/.401/.483 slash line with 16 doubles and five home runs. He swiped 10 bags. He was then promoted to High-A where the 20-year-old held a .258/.353/.444 slash line with 12 doubles and six home runs. His strong play rewarded a brief five-game taste of Double-A where he tallied four hits. Given his strong performance in the lower levels of the Philadelphia system, Miller should have a good opportunity to open the 2025 campaign at the Double-A level.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Todd Zolecki
1
week
agoBoston
Red
Sox
starting
pitcher
Walker
Buehler
is
interested
in
remaining
in
Boston
for
the
foreseeable
future.
Earlier
in
the
offseason,
Buehler
signed
a
one-year
contract
worth
$21.05
million
after
spending
his
entire
professional
career
with
the
Los
Angeles
Dodgers.
As
a
read more...
1 week agoColorado Rockies outfielder
Sean Bouchard has held a .444/.444/.833 slash line with two doubles, one triple, and one home run across seven spring training contests. Bouchard underwent surgery on his hamate bone during the offseason but appears to be past this injury. Last season, the 28-year-old held a career-low .187/.290/.297 slash line with just seven doubles and one home run across 31 contests. Bouchard drew walks at a strong 11.1 percent rate but struck out at a high 30.6 percent rate. The UCLA product is currently competing for a depth role in the Colorado outfield, but a strong spring training could push him up the depth chart. Outfield prospect
Jordan Beck has enjoyed an excellent start to camp and could be the favorite to win the right field job over Bouchard and Sam Hillard. Given his current placement on the depth chart, Bouchard does not carry value in any standard formats. However, if he continues to perform well in camp, he could see an increased role to open the 2025 season.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
1 week agoSan Diego Padres starting pitcher
Nick Pivetta tossed 2 2/3 shutout frames in his spring training debut on Tuesday. Pivetta signed a four-year, $55 million contract with the Padres in February and was slightly behind schedule to start camp. However, the 32-year-old looked sharp in his first taste of game action as he tallied four punchouts and allowed just one base runner (via a free pass). Last season, Pivetta logged 145 2/3 innings with a 4.14 ERA with a 1.13 WHIP with the Boston Red Sox. He tallied an impressive 172 strikeouts and held a strong 6.1 percent walk rate. He also generated a 3.51 xERA with a .221 xBA, suggesting he should see significant positive regression during the 2025 campaign. Fantasy managers should view Pivetta as an intriguing option in the later rounds when looking to boost their strikeout totals.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
1 week agoCleveland Guardians starting pitcher
Gavin Williams tallied six punchouts across 2 1/3 innings on Tuesday against the Los Angeles Angels. Williams struck out the side in the opening frame. In the second, Williams allowed two baserunners, one via a hit and the other by a hit by pitch. However, he managed to tally three strikeouts to escape the jam. He was given an opportunity to pitch in the third but allowed a leadoff double that eventually scored on an RBI single. Through 4 1/3 innings of work this spring, Williams has tallied nine punchouts and held a 2.08 ERA with a 0.92 WHIP. Last season, the 25-year-old logged 76 innings of work and held a 4.86 ERA with a 1.37 WHIP. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his strikeout upside during camp, as he could be taking the next step in his development. He is expected to operate as the No. 2 starter in the Cleveland rotation this season behind
Tanner Bibee.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
1 week agoArizona Diamondbacks right-handed pitcher
Kendall Graveman (back) underwent imaging on his back. The imaging returned clean, which suggests he avoided a significant injury. Manager Torey Lovullo said, "There's nothing alarming enough for a major setback." Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status as he will likely remain sidelined for a few days. However, the 34-year-old has plenty of time to increase his workload prior to Opening Day. Earlier in the offseason, the Snakes signed Graveman to a one-year $1.35 million contract. Last season, Graveman missed the entire 2024 campaign after undergoing surgery to repair a torn labrum. In 2023, Graveman logged 66 1/3 innings of work with a 3.12 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP. He tallied 66 strikeouts and added eight saves. When healthy, he will likely have a high-leverage role in the Arizona bullpen.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
1 week agoLos Angeles Angels starting pitcher
Jack Kochanowicz (illness) tossed three shutout frames in his spring debut on Tuesday. Kochanowicz was scratched from his previous outing due to an illness but was able to return shortly after. He looked sharp in his debut, which is a promising sign. He allowed three hits and tallied just one punchout. Last season, Kochanowicz made his MLB debut. Across his first 11 starts (65 1/3 innings), the right-handed pitcher held a 3.99 ERA with a 1.19 WHIP. He tallied 25 strikeouts but showed elite command as he served up walks at a 3.8 percent rate. He also generated groundballs at a high 56.5 percent rate which helped counter his low strikeout rate. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor Kochanowicz's progression during camp as he is currently competing for a role in the back-end of the Los Angeles rotation.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
1 week agoThe Boston Red Sox and reliever
Jose De Leon have agreed to a minor league deal. The righty last pitched in the majors for the Twins in 2023 but missed all of 2024 recovering from Tommy John surgery. Over his six seasons in the majors, the 32-year-old owns a 7.44 ERA, 1.68 WHIP, and a 14.1 percent K-BB% in 65 1/3 IP. The veteran pitched this past offseason in the Puerto Rican winter league and was somewhat effective in his nine-and-two-thirds innings of work, allowing just one run on seven hits with an 8:11 BB:K. He'll likely serve as bullpen depth in the minors and is off the fantasy radar.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: Francys Romero
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