4 days agoPhiladelphia Phillies right-handed pitching prospect
Andrew Painter (elbow), the No. 32 overall prospect in baseball per MLB Pipeline, has been dominant with his four-pitch mix so far in the Arizona Fall League, posting a 2.08 ERA, 0.77 WHIP, 12 strikeouts and only two walks in his 13 innings pitched. It's excellent news for the Phillies after Painter missed the last two seasons while recovering from Tommy John surgery. The 21-year-old has been able to get strikeouts with three different pitches in the AFL, and his four-seam fastball has gotten up to the high-90s on the radar gun. His changeup has been a work in progress. Perhaps the greatest sign for Painter is that his control has been spot on, which is what made him such a high-end prospect in the first place. The Phillies could take things slow with the 6-foot-7 hurler in 2025, but he should already be stashed in dynasty/keeper leagues.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Jonathan Mayo
4 days agoThe New York Yankees have high hopes for rookie infielder
Caleb Durbin next year. "I think he's going to play a big, big role for us this upcoming season," manager Aaron Boone said. Durbin isn't listed by MLB Pipeline as one of the Yankees' top-25 prospects, but the 24-year-old could play an integral role in his MLB debut next year after hitting .287/.396/.471 with 10 home runs and 29 stolen bases for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre last season. Not only did Durbin impress there, but he's tearing it up in the Arizona Fall League as well with a .934 OPS, four long balls and 23 stolen bases in 21 games played. Durbin can play pretty much anywhere on the infield, but second base figures to be his primary position at the next level, especially with
Gleyber Torres potentially leaving in free agency this winter. The 24-year-old could start at the keystone on Opening Day if he impresses next spring.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Chris Kirschner
4 days agoNew York Yankees outfield prospect
Jasson Dominguez is expected to have a big role at the major-league level in 2025. "I fully expect him to be a big part of what we do this coming year," manager Aaron Boone said. Dominguez dealt with injuries in the minors and ended up playing in only 18 regular-season games at the major-league level with the Yankees in 2024, going 10-for-56 (.179) with two home runs, four RBI and five stolen bases in 67 plate appearances. The 21-year-old Dominican switch-hitter was mostly blocked in left field by
Alex Verdugo, but he's a free agent this offseason and most likely won't be re-signed, opening the door for the Yankees' top prospect, per MLB Pipeline, to be on the big-league roster for the entire 2025 campaign. Even if the Yankees re-sign superstar
Juan Soto, Dominguez figures to be an everyday player and has massive upside given his elite power/speed combination.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Chris Kirschner
4 days agoMinnesota Twins president of baseball operations Derek Falvey said the plantar fasciitis in shortstop
Carlos Correa's right foot is progressing ahead of where he was with his left foot a year ago. If Correa is able to stay healthy, the Twins plan to keep him as their starter at the 6 and not move him to third base. "He's still young," Falvey said. "He's a tremendous shortstop. I see no reason why he wouldn't be as long he manages the plantar issues in a positive direction. He's tracking in a positive direction. He's got good plans for how he's going to handle it therapeutically and I think he's in a good place." The 30-year-old ended up missing most of the second half of the season due to ongoing foot issues but still finished with a .310/.388/.517 slash line with a .905 OPS, 14 home runs and 54 RBI in 86 games played. At a premium position, Correa's foot issues make him an extremely risky fantasy SS heading into 2025.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Dan Hayes
4 days agoToronto Blue Jays second base prospect
Adrian Pinto played the entire game at second base for the A.L. in the Arizona Fall League (AFL) Fall Stars game, logging four at-bats. The 22-year-old only collected one hit, but it was a huge three-run home run in the second inning of the game and would prove consequential in the outcome of the 6-5 win for the A.L. team. The diminutive second baseman is having a solid AFL showing otherwise, hitting .286 with five stolen bases while walking more than he is striking out (12:8 BB:K). Playing 17 of his 26 games at High-A in 2024 after missing most of the season with a rib injury, Pinto is a ways away from a major league debut but getting additional reps in the AFL. He currently sits outside the Jays' Top 30 prospects list, but should he perform well next season after a successful fall league campaign, it would not be a surprise to see him move up the ranks.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
4 days agoDetroit Tigers catching prospect
Thayron Liranzo was not a starter in the Arizona Fall League (AFL) Fall Stars game, in fact, he received just one at-bat, but he made the most of it by hitting a go-ahead solo home run in the top of the ninth inning, putting the AL squad ahead 6-5. It would prove to be the game-winner as the game ended 6-5, and the home run would earn Liranzo MVP honors. The switch-hitter came over to the Tigers earlier this year in the trade that would send
Jack Flaherty to the Dodgers. Since then, the 21-year-old has hit well, slashing .315/.470/.562 in 26 games at High-A West Michigan, parlaying that success to the AFL by slashing .326/.463/.581 in 14 games for the Scottsdale Scorpions. He's a few years away from the bigs but dynasty managers should begin to take notice.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
4 days agoNew York Yankees infield prospect
Caleb Durbin went 2-for-3 with a double, a walk, two RBI, a run scored, and a stolen base in the Arizona Fall League's (AFL) Fall Stars game. The 24-year-old had a fine season at Triple-A, posting a .287-10-60-57-29 line in 82 games along with a higher walk rate (12.5%) than strikeout rate (9.9%). He's continued that success in the AFL, slashing .296/.416/.519 with four home runs and more stolen bases (23) than games played (21). All of this came off of a strong 2023 AFL showing in which he slashed .353/.456/.588 and led the circuit in stolen bases (21). Somehow, the product out of Washington University has yet to crack MLB.com's Top 100 prospects list or even the Yankees' Top 30, but at this rate the youngster should see the big leagues in 2025.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
4 days agoThe Arizona Diamondbacks extended a qualifying offer to first baseman
Christian Walker this past week and he has two weeks to decide on whether or not to accept it. Should he not, it is reported that there are at least six teams that will "aggressively pursue" the would-be free agent, although most major league clubs would be interested in his services. The Yankees and Mets appear to be the most likely landing spots if he doesn't return to Arizona, as the Yankees will likely need to replace
Anthony Rizzo and the Mets will likely need to replace
Pete Alonso. With Walker entering the 2025 season at age 34, he's not expected to cost as much as Alonso would, but can bring some good pop with his bat and just earned his third consecutive Gold Glove award.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: Bob Nightengale
4 days agoThe Los Angeles Dodgers are considered the front runners and heavy favorites to sign young Japanese pitching phenom Roki Sasaki. However, it seems the San Diego Padres also have a shot to sign the 23-year-old, not only because of their location and recent success, but also because of the Japanese connection to pitcher
Yu Darvish, who is signed with the team through 2028. Sasaki will be posted by the Chiba Lotte Marines and assuming he signs with a team this offseason, the righty is expected to pitch in the majors in 2025. He is widely regarded as one of the most talented pitchers in the world and as such he'll likely carry a hefty price tag in fantasy drafts for the upcoming season, especially if he were to sign with the Dodgers.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: Jon Heyman
4 days agoTampa Bay Rays shortstop
Wander Franco, who remains on the team's restricted list, was arrested on Monday in the Dominican Republic. This time, the arrest was related to an incident that happened on Sunday in which an altercation occurred and "guns were drawn." Franco is currently out on bail based on a deal related to his other charges connected to his relationship with a minor. According to the story, the 23-year-old is permitted to carry a gun so long as he has a license for it and it is registered, but it is not currently known whether or not the one in Sunday's incident was either licensed or registered. Franco is still awaiting trial in the other case and has not played in the majors since August of 2023.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: Jeff Passan
5 days agoSt. Louis Cardinals second base prospect
Thomas Saggese has been performing exceptionally well in the Arizona Fall League. The No.4 ranked prospect in St. Louis currently boasts an impressive .391/.524/.594 line with seven doubles, two home runs, three swiped bags, and a 16:15 BB:K ratio across 18 games. Last season, Saggese spent most of the summer playing with Triple-A before earning a brief taste of the big leagues. In 125 games with the Memphis Redbirds, the 22-year-old held a solid .253/.313/.438 line with 23 doubles, 20 home runs, and nine stolen bases. In his brief 18-game stint in St. Louis, Saggese posted a .204 AVG with just three extra-base hits. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his progress over the offseason as he could be a favorite to earn a spot on the Opening Day Roster.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
5 days agoSan Francisco Giants first base/outfield prospect
Bryce Eldridge has posted a solid .293/.348/.512 slash line through 10 games in the Arizona Fall League. The top prospect in the Bay Area has tallied three doubles, two long balls, six RBI, and carried a 3:16 BB:K. Last season, the 2023 first-round selection opened the campaign in Single-A but was able to finish the summer at Triple-A. Through 116 total games in the minor leagues, Eldridge posted a stellar .291/.374/.516 slash line with 27 doubles, 23 home runs, and 92 RBI. Fantasy managers should expect Eldridge to open the 2025 campaign in the upper levels of the San Francisco system, but given how quickly he progressed, a 2025 major-league debut is not out of the question.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
5 days agoLos Angeles Angels first base prospect
Niko Kavadas has been showcasing an upside for power in the Arizona Fall League. Through 17 games, the Notre Dame product has launched six long balls and five doubles and carried .373/.500/.797 slash line. Across 94 games at the Triple-A level last summer, Kavadas hit 19 home runs and 22 doubles with a .521 SLG. He earned a brief taste of the majors but struggled as he posted an underwhelming .183/.283/.333 line with four home runs and two doubles across a 30 game stint. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his development over the offseason as he could contend for a spot on the Opening Day Roster and provide some upside for power in deeper formats.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
5 days agoAtlanta Braves catching prospect
Drake Baldwin has carried an impressive .377/.452/.491 line through 13 games in the Arizona Fall League. The backstop has tallied one double, one home run, nine RBI, and held a strong 8:9 BB:K ratio. Last summer, the No.5 prospect in the Atlanta system held his own through his first look at Triple-A. Through 72 games with the Gwinnett Stripers, the former third-round pick posted a solid 298/.407/.484 slash line with 13 doubles, 12 home runs, and a 52:54 BB:K ratio. It is a promising sign to see the backstop continue to show a great eye at the plate in the AFL. With
Travis d'Arnaud no longer under contract in Atlanta, Baldwin could have a viable path on making the major league roster directly out of Spring Training if he continues to develop well.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
5 days agoAccording to Alden Gonzalez of ESPN, the Miami Marlins are hiring former Los Angeles Dodgers first base coach Clayton McCullough as their new manager. McCullough has spent the past four seasons working under Dave Roberts and is coming off a World Series victory. Last season, Skip Schumaker served as the Marlins' manager and led them to a disappointing 62-100 record which was a stark contrast to their 2023 success as they reached the Wild Card series that campaign. However, this past season, the Marlins had several of their starting pitchers on the injured list which greatly impacted their success this summer. While this move does may not have a significant impact on the fantasy outlook of the Miami offense, it does suggest that the team will be entering a new phase and a new voice in the dugout could help them return to October.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Alden Gonzalez
RADIO
