1
week
agoIf
Boston
Red
Sox
right-hander
Brayan
Bello
(shoulder)
starts
the
year
on
the
injured
list,
right-handers
Richard
Fitts
or
Quinn
Priester
are
real
possibilities
to
open
the
2025
regular
season
in
the
No.
read more...
1 week agoBoston Red Sox third baseman
Rafael Devers (shoulders) doesn't feel up to speed at the plate during live batting practice sessions and will not make his Grapefruit League debut on Wednesday, according to MLB.com's Ian Browne. Devers has asked manager Alex Cora for a little more time. Although Devers wants to stay at third base and the Red Sox haven't announced that he'll move off the hot corner in 2025, it's looking more and more likely that he'll at least start the regular season as the team's designated hitter to preserve his health. That would mean
Alex Bregman starting at third and prospect
Kristian Campbell slotting in at the keystone regularly. Not only was the 28-year-old's defense not very strong at third in 2024, but he battled injuries to both of his shoulders. He's currently not in danger of missing Opening Day, but there are more questions surround Devers as a midrange starting fantasy third baseman.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Ian Browne
1 week agoSan Diego Padres third baseman
Manny Machado (back) is back at third base and is hitting cleanup on Tuesday for the split-squad Cactus League game against the division-rival San Francisco Giants. Machado was scratched from a spring training game a week ago due to some back tightness, but after resting up, he's feeling better and is ready to return to the field. It's a good sign he's also being allowed to play defense in his return, so Machado should be ready to go later this month for Opening Day, barring a setback with his back. Although he's on the wrong side of 32, Machado has been extremely consistent and has 30-plus home runs in seven of the last the last 10 full seasons. Although he hit just 29 bombs a year ago, he drove in 100-plus runs for the fourth time in his career and has at least 600 plate appearances in 10 of his 13 MLB seasons. Machado is RotoBaller's No. 6-ranked fantasy third baseman.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: San Diego Padres
1 week agoSt. Louis Cardinals starting pitching prospect
Michael McGreevy tossed two shutout frames in his spring debut. The right-hander did not allow a baserunner and tallied two strikeouts. The 24-year-old is currently competing for a spot at the back-end of the St. Louis rotation. Last season, McGreevy received a brief taste of the majors and performed well as he held a 1.96 ERA with a 0.78 WHIP. He tallied 18 strikeouts across 23 innings. He showed elite command as he only served up walks at a 2.3 percent rate and generated groundballs at a strong 64.6 percent rate. Across 150 innings at the Triple-A level last summer, the 24-year-old held a 4.02 ERA with a 1.31 WHIP. If McGreevy were to fall short of a spot in the rotation, the Cardinals will likely have him open the campaign at Triple-A to further his development instead of moving him to the bullpen.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
1 week agoTexas Rangers starting pitching prospect
Kumar Rocker struggled in his second outing of spring training. He was given the starting nod but was only able to log an inning of work as he served up four earned runs to the Milwaukee Brewers. In his first outing, he also allowed four runs. The 25-year-old entered camp as a favorite to land a spot in the starting rotation, but if he continues to stumble, the team may opt to have him open the campaign at Triple-A to further his development. He was given a brief look at the majors last summer and held a 3.86 ERA with a 1.54 WHIP across 11 2/3 innings. Across 36 2/3 innings in the minor leagues last season, the right-hander posted a strong 1.96 ERA with a 0.79 WHIP. He held an elite 5:55 BB:K ratio. If Rocker were to open the season at Triple-A,
Dane Dunning could be given a starting role.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
1 week agoNew York Yankees shortstop prospect
George Lombard Jr. has been swinging a hot bat during the start of spring training. The infielder has gone 3-for-11 with two home runs and three RBI. He has held a 1:3 BB:K ratio and has been caught stealing once. The Yankees drafted Lombard with the 26th overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft. The 19-year-old has yet to reach the upper levels of the minor leagues but is already looking quite comfortable in the Grapefruit League. Last season, Lombard received his first extended look at Single-A and held a .232/.344/.348 slash line with five home runs and 30 stolen bases. He then earned a brief look at High-A later in the summer where he posted a .226/.321/.296 line with eight doubles, no home runs, and nine swiped bags across 29 contests. If he continues this strong play at spring training, he could push for an early-season promotion to Double-A.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
1 week agoChicago White Sox shortstop prospect
Colson Montgomery (back) remains sidelined and is expected to be re-evaluated following their off day on Tuesday. The 23-year-old is battling back spasms. The former first round pick has not participated in any baseball activities since the injury popped up last week. Fantasy managers should continue monitoring his status during camp, but he may be facing an extended absence. At the start of spring training, Montgomery was expected to compete for the starting shortstop role. However, given this injury, the team may have him open the campaign at the Triple-A. The Southridge HS product spent the entire 2024 season at Triple-A and held a .214/.329/.381 slash line with 21 doubles and 18 home runs. If Montgomery were to open the season at Triple-A,
Brooks Baldwin will likely get the starting nod at shortstop on Opening Day.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: LaMond Pope
1 week agoNew York Mets outfield prospect
Drew Gilbert (hamstring) may not participate in any spring training contests. The team is opting to take Gilbert slow as he dealt with a hamstring injury during most of the 2024 campaign. However, the team is expecting Gilbert to be ready for Opening Day. Last season, the former 28th overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft spent most of his season at Triple-A. Across 56 contests, Gilbert held a .215/.313/.393 slash line with eight doubles and 10 home runs. He swiped three bags and held a 25:51 BB:K ratio. However, during the previous campaign, Gilbert posted a .271/.372/.438 slash line with 18 doubles and 12 long balls across 95 contests. When the Tennessee product is cleared for action, he will likely open the season at Triple-A. If he can find his footing at this level, he should contend for an early 2025 debut.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Anthony DiComo
1
week
agoBoston
Red
Sox
second
base
prospect
Kristian
Campbell
has
seen
opportunities
in
left
field
during
spring
training.
The
Red
Sox
are
providing
their
budding
star
several
opportunities
to
find
a
spot
on
the
Opening
Day
roster.
Even
though
the
team
brought
in
read more...
1 week agoChicago White Sox outfielder
Michael A. Taylor (elbow) is expected to return to the starting lineup later this week. The outfielder was scratched on Saturday due to right elbow inflammation. However, it seems this injury is not too serious and he will only need a few days to return to action. This is a good sign for the White Sox as they could be without their starting left fielder
Andrew Benintendi (hand) during the start of the season. Last summer, Taylor spent time with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Across 113 contests, Taylor posted a .193/.253/.290 slash line with nine doubles and five home runs. He generated a weak .204 xBA but showed power upside as he posted a high 11.6 percent barrel rate. He also was placed in the 96th percentile in range and 83rd in arm strength. When healthy, he should have a depth role in the Chicago outfield.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: LaMond Pope
1 week agoNew York Mets outfielder
Jose Siri has gone 3-for-10 with three long balls during his first taste of spring training with the Mets. He has tallied seven RBI and held a 3:3 BB:K. He has also swiped one bag. Earlier in the offseason, the Mets acquired Siri from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for
Eric Orze. He then signed a one-year, $2.4 million contract to avoid arbitration. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his performance during spring training, as he could eventually claim the starting center field job over
Tyrone Taylor. Last season, Siri went deep 18 times and stole 14 bags with a .187/.255/.366 slash line. He generated a strong 14.7 percent barrel rate but struck out at a hefty 37.9 percent rate. Taylor held a .248/.299/.401 line. If Siri were to win the job, he could have value in deeper category formats given his power and speed upside.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
1 week agoFree-agent outfielder
Adam Duvall turned down a $1 million contract from the Kansas City Royals. The 36-year-old has informed teams that if he is not guaranteed at least $3 million in a contract, he will retire. Duvall made $3 million with the Atlanta Braves last season. Last summer in Atlanta, the slugger held an underwhelming .182/.245/.323 slash line with 10 doubles and 11 home runs. However, he generated a strong 10.7 percent barrel rate. When facing left-handed pitchers, Duvall was also quite productive, as he posted a solid .252/.341/.514 slash line with four doubles, eight home runs, and a 13:28 BB:K. Duvall has been an elite power hitter throughout the majority of his professional career. If he finds a suitor for the upcoming season, he will likely only see time in a platoon role and would only carry value in deeper AL/NL-only formats.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Joel Sherman
1 week agoChicago Cubs right-handed pitcher
Eli Morgan could be the "odd man out" on the Opening Day roster. Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reported that while Morgan is "in the hunt", he could be the odd man out as he still has a minor-league option remaining. Earlier in the offseason, Morgan was traded to the Cubs in exchange for Alfonso Rivas. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status during camp as he will likely compete for a spot alongside other depth options in the bullpen such as
Nate Pearson,
Julian Merryweather, or
Caleb Thielbar. Last season, Morgan posted a strong 1.93 ERA with a 0.98 WHIP across 42 innings with the Cleveland Guardians. He generated an elite 28.1 percent hard-hit rate with a strong 6.6 percent walk rate. If he makes the roster, he will likely have a middle relief role.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Jordan Bastian
1 week agoDetroit Tigers outfielder
Justyn-Henry Malloy could be in a good position to make the Opening Day roster. With
Parker Meadows (biceps) sidelined, the Tigers could turn to Malloy to fill the open spot. Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reported that the Tigers could opt to have Malloy split time at first base with
Spencer Torkelson or have Malloy serve as a designated hitter. Malloy could also provide depth in left field, which would move Riley Green to right field. Last season, the 25-year-old made 43 starts in the outfield in Detroit and 12 as a DH. Across his first 71 games in the majors, the Georgia Tech product posted a .203/.291/.366 slash line with eight home runs and one stolen base. He drew walks at a strong 10.0 percent rate but generated a weak .179 xBA. If he breaks the Opening Day roster, he will have value as a depth option in AL-only formats.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Cody Stavenhagen
1 week agoDetroit Tigers left-handed pitcher
Brant Hurter could be in danger of losing a spot on the major-league roster. Cody Stavenhagen of the Athletic noted that with the Tigers bringing in
Andrew Chafin, Hurter could be the most "vulnerable." Given Hurter's slow start in spring training, Chafin would likely replace his spot in the bullpen. Last season, Hurter held a 2.58 ERA with a 0.88 WHIP across 45 1/3 innings. He tallied 38 punchouts and showed elite command, serving up walks at a strong 3.8 percent. However, Stavenhagen noted that Hurter's command during spring training has been "iffy" which could eventually push him out of this role. If the 26-year-old can return to form during the final month of spring training, he should be in a good position to break the Opening Day roster. If he earns a spot, he will likely be deployed as a long relief option, carrying little value in fantasy formats.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Cody Stavenhagen
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