23 hours agoLos Angeles Angels catcher
Logan O'Hoppe went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and a walk in Friday's 8-6 loss to the Guardians. The home run came off Guardians closer
Emmanuel Clase and was his third of the season, now hitting .250 with six RBI and three runs scored in five games, but with an ugly 38.1 percent K% (1:8 BB:K). The 25-year-old is coming off a 20-home run campaign, but the batting average and counting stats leave much to be desired, however, he still finished as a top-10 catcher last season. If he draws the start on Saturday, the 6-foot-3 backstop will go up against Cleveland's
Tanner Bibee, who he is 1-for-9 off of lifetime with a double, a walk, and three strikeouts, so there are likely better DFS plays.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
24 hours agoTexas Rangers starting pitcher
Tyler Mahle tossed five innings of shutout ball in Friday's 5-2 victory over the Rays, allowing just one hit and two walks while striking out five batters on the way to earning his first win of the season. The righty bounced back well after he was unable to get through two innings the last time out, which included walking four batters. The 30-year-old missed most of 2023 and 2024 recovering from Tommy John surgery, but posted a 4.40 ERA (3.87 FIP), 1.22 WHIP, and a 16.5 percent K-BB% during his last full season in 2022. He'll look to keep the momentum going in his next turn through the rotation when he squares off with the Cubs in Chicago.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
24 hours agoSan Francisco Giants starting pitcher
Justin Verlander lasted just 2 1/3 innings in Friday's 10-9 victory over the Mariners in extra innings. The veteran allowed three earned runs on five hits and two walks while striking out two. The nine-time All-Star threw 65 pitches in the limited time he was on the mound before being pulled. The righty has combined for less than eight innings over his first two starts, owning a 6.14 ERA and a gaudy 1.91 WHIP along with a 3:7 BB:K. With diminishing strikeout rates for four consecutive seasons and corresponding increases in ERA and WHIP, the three-time Cy Young winner has become a dicey fantasy play. He'll face off with the Reds at home in his next turn through the rotation.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
1 day agoLos Angeles Angels third baseman
Yoan Moncada (thumb) exited Friday's matchup with the Guardians after reaggravating a thumb injury. It is the same problem the 29-year-old dealt with during spring training that kept him out of action for a couple of weeks. It's not clear if the injury will require an IL stint this time around in order to make sure the deep bone bruise heals properly, but fantasy managers who were using Moncada should have a backup plan in place in the event the switch-hitter misses any time.
Luis Rengifo (hamstring) also exited the contest with an injury, so it was veteran
Kevin Newman who replaced Moncada at third. Unfortunately, missing time has become common during Moncada's career, with 2022 being the last time he played in over 100 games (104). Once considered one of the league's top prospects, injuries have kept him from living up to that billing. Check back later for news as to whether or not an IL stint will be required.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: Rhett Bollinger
1 day agoCincinnati Reds starting pitching prospect
Chase Burns tossed four shutout innings in his professional debut on Friday evening with High-A Dayton. Burns struck out six batters and allowed just one free pass and one hit. The Reds drafted Burns with the second overall pick in last year's MLB Draft out of Wake Forest. Bruns was credited for his elite fastball in college, which typically sat just under 100 mph. Burns held a strong 10-7 record with a 2.70 ERA and struck out an impressive 191 batters in just 100 frames during his final collegiate campaign. Burns logged just one inning in spring training and struck out three batters and allowed just one free pass. The 22-year-old is a name to keep a close eye on as he will likely move through the Cincinnati system quite quickly. If he continues to produce well at High-A, he may reach Double-A sooner than expected.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MiLB.com
1 day agoMiami Marlins starting pitching prospect
Thomas White struck out seven batters across four innings in the regular season opener for High-A Beloit. White allowed just one hit and three walks with no runs. On MLB Pipeline, White is considered to be the top prospect in the Miami system and the No. 41-best in the sport. Last season, White split time between Low-A and High-A. Across 34 innings of work at Low-A, White held a 3.18 ERA with a 1.59 WHIP. He struck out 44 batters and served up 17 free passes. He then earned the call to High-A, where he took a significant step forward. During his first taste with the Beloit Sky Carp, the 20-year-old posted a 2.61 ERA with a 1.16 WHIP across 62 innings of work. While he is still several seasons away from his MLB debut, he is emerging as one of the top arms in the minor leagues and could be one of the most valuable prospects in dynasty fantasy baseball by the conclusion of the summer.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MiLB.com
1 day agoSeattle Mariners outfield prospect
Lazaro Montes went 2-for-2 with a home run, two walks, and a stolen base during the High-A season opener on Friday evening. The No. 2 prospect in the Seattle system wasted little time making an impact. He went deep in the second frame and then proceeded to swipe second base in the sixth inning after he hit a leadoff single. Last summer, Montes split time between Low-A and High-A. In 65 games at Low-A, Montes posted a .309/.411/.527 slash line with 13 doubles and 13 long balls. In his first 51 games with High-A Everett, the 20-year-old posted a .269/.378/.429 slash line with eight doubles, eight round-trippers, and four stolen bases. Even though Montes is still several seasons away from his MLB debut, he is a rising star in dynasty formats and could find himself near the top of prospect boards at the end of the summer.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MiLB.com
1 day agoKansas City Royals pitching prospect
Tyson Guerrero tossed five no-hit innings during his start on Friday evening. Guerrero struck out seven batters and did not allow a walk in their victory over Triple-A Louisville. This was a strong bounce-back outing for the left-hander as he allowed seven hits and four earned runs across his first start of the campaign (four innings). The 26-year-old spent most of the 2024 season at Double-A and logged 102 1/3 innings of work and held a 3.69 ERA with a 1.20 WHIP. He held a 43:109 BB:K. He then earned a brief look at Triple-A, where he allowed 21 earned runs across 20 1/3 innings. However, it already appears Guerrero is taking the next step forward at Triple-A at the start of the 2025 campaign. His outing on Friday was a significant step in the right direction. Fantasy managers in deeper formats should continue to monitor Guerrero's development as he could contend for an MLB debut in the second half of the season.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MiLB.com
1 day agoColorado Rockies infield prospect
Kyle Karros went 3-for-5 with two home runs during his Double-A debut on Friday. Karros wasted little time as he launched a solo shot in the opening frame in his first Double-A at-bat. Later in the ninth inning, Karros would hit his second-tripper in walk-off fashion. The UCLA product spent the entire 2024 campaign with High-A Spokane and has already looked quite comfortable against tougher competition. In 123 games with High-A, Karros posted a strong .311/.390/.485 slash line with 33 doubles and 15 home runs. He held a 54:123 BB:K and swiped 12 bags. The 22-year-old joined the Colorado system in the fifth round of the 2023 MLB Draft. He is a name to continue to monitor as he could receive a taste of Triple-A later in the summer if he continues to develop at this rate.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MiLB.com
1 day agoBaltimore Orioles catching prospect
Samuel Basallo (hamstring) was removed from Friday's Triple-A contest due to left hamstring discomfort. Fantasy managers should monitor his status as he dealt with a lingering elbow injury during camp. His elbow injury has prevented him from seeing time behind the dish during the opening week of the Triple-A regular season and kept him in a strict designated hitter role. With this hamstring injury, Basallo may have to miss a period of time. Through his first seven games of the Triple-A regular season, Basallo posted a .250/.318/.550 slash line with five total hits and two round-trippers. Last season, the 20-year-old spent time with both Double-A and Triple-A. Across 126 games split between both levels, the top catching prospect posted a .276/.339/.447 line. If he continues to produce with Norfolk, he should be in the mix for a second-half MLB debut.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Jacob Calvin Meyer
1 day agoSan Francisco Giants shortstop
Willy Adames went 3-for-7 at the plate with three RBI during their victory over the Seattle Mariners on Friday afternoon. Adames would bring in his first run on an RBI double in the fifth inning, which scored
LaMonte Wade Jr. Later in the 11th inning, Adames would deliver the winning hit as he knocked a two-run single to right field, which scored
Luis Matos and
Tyler Fitzgerald. This was a nice outing for Adames as he held a modest .130/.192/.174 slash line with just one extra-base hit across his first six games in the Bay. Last season, the 29-year-old enjoyed a career year in Milwaukee, posting a .251/.331/.462 slash line with 33 doubles, 32 long balls, and an impressive 112 RBI, which was the second-highest total in the NL. Adames will look to stay hot on Saturday, facing Seattle right-hander
Bryce Miller.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
1 day agoNew York Mets first baseman
Pete Alonso went 1-for-3 with a two-run blast and a walk during their victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday afternoon in their home opener. Alonso wasted little time as he went deep in the opening frame off Toronto right-hander
Kevin Gausman. This blast also scored shortstop
Francisco Lindor, who hit a leadoff double. Alonso would cross home plate again later in the sixth inning on a
Starling Marte sacrifice fly. Since tallying just one hit in the first three contests of the regular season, Alonso has gone 6-for-15 at the plate with three home runs, two doubles and 10 RBI over his last four games. The 30-year-old has a disappointing 2024 campaign, to his standards, as he held a .240/.329/.459 line with 34 home runs. He will look to continue this hot stretch on Saturday, facing Toronto right-hander
Chris Bassitt.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
1 day agoNew York Yankees outfielder
Aaron Judge went 1-for-5 at the plate with a two-run shot during their 9-4 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday afternoon. Judge would tally his lone hit in the seventh inning of the contest when he took
Tim Mayza deep on a two-run home run. This blast also scored first baseman
Ben Rice. Judge has enjoyed an incredible start to the campaign, as he has gone deep six times through seven regular-season games. Judge enjoyed a career day on March 29 when he launched three long balls against the Milwaukee Brewers. Across this incredible start, Judge has tallied 17 RBI and holds an overall .379/.445/1.103 slash line. He has also been productive on the basepaths, swiping two bags. The 32-year-old remains a must-start option in all formats and a top play in DFS in any matchup. He will look to stay hot on Saturday, facing Pittsburgh southpaw
Bailey Falter.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
1 day agoKansas City Royals starting pitcher
Seth Lugo tossed six innings of two-run ball (one earned) with five hits en route to picking up his first victory over the Baltimore Orioles. He served up one walk and struck out two batters.
Heston Kjerstad would bring in the first run of the evening in the second inning. Later in that frame, Kjerstad would cross home on a throwing error. This was a nice bounce-back outing for the 35-year-old as he allowed three runs, four hits, and three walks across five frames in his first start of the campaign. Last summer, Lugo enjoyed an impressive season as he logged 206 1/3 innings to the tune of a strong 3.00 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP. He tallied 181 punchouts and served up 48 free passes. Lugo will look to continue this momentum in his next scheduled start on Wednesday against the Minnesota Twins.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
1 day agoPhiladelphia Phillies starting pitcher
Jesus Luzardo tossed seven shutout frames en route to handing the Los Angeles Dodgers their first loss of the regular season. In this outing, Luzardo tallied eight punchouts and allowed just two hits and two walks. He ran into a little trouble during the seventh innings but was able to strikeout
Kike Hernandez with runners in scoring in position to keep the door shut. This was another impressive outing for the southpaw as he tossed five innings of two-run ball with 11 punchouts during his first start. After batting injuries last season and being limited to just 66 2/3 innings, the 27-year-old appears healthy and is once again flashing high strikeout upside. Luzardo remains a strong starting pitcher in all formats as he looks to stay hot in his next start, against the Atlanta Braves.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
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